We've watched Aruba grow up, & sold off the timeshares at Dutch Village (Divi) & Amsterdam Manor -- the high-rises finally got to be too much. Time to move on.

Was given a 'hint' to consider a look at Isla Mujeres: FT search brings up maybe 4 mentions (by sergento), with nothing bad to report, so maybe it's a winner .. ??

I'm thinking a week mid-October; maybe using the island as a base for day trips into CUN, etc. -- a bit of snorkeling, lots of doing nothing! Doesn't have to be fancy.

Went through a ton of Google hits, but well... -- FT folks don't have as many axes to grind

Orig from DTW/FNT/MBS. What's you're experiences & suggestions, guys ?

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If you are looking for 'not fancy' and 'lots of do-nothing', I think Isla Mujeres will suit you fine.

We took a day trip there last year while vacationing in Cancun and we really enjoyed it. It isn't much, really.....only a few hotels and restaurants, not too many easily-accessible beaches....but it was a fun place to spend a nice, sunny afternoon.

We rented a golf cart to tour the island on, and had fun navigating our way around. Beautiful views all along the islands perimeter.

We were disappointed in the turtle farm, however. If it had 20 turtles, I'd be surprised. Nothing at all like the turtle farm on Grand Cayman that we'd visited the year before.

I hope this helps. We only did a day trip so I don't know how much activity you'd find if you stayed for, say, a week.

I would avoid Cancun like the plague. It's like Miami south. Below Isle Mujeres is Playa del Carmen which I used to recommended whole-heartedly but after my last two visits there it's turning into Cancun Jr. I think there is still some sanctuary south of there near Tulum: lots of eco-tourism and Mayan remains. Although not on the coast Merida is a great city unspoiled by tourism. (if Hurricane Emily doesn't destroy it tomorrow). It's the capital of the Yucatan province and a four hour bus ride from CUN. Buses in Mexico are nicer than most flights in coach in the U.S. Merida is a great old colonial city boasting the oldest catherdral in North America and had the most millionaires per capita in 1900. Lodging is very affordable with 4* accomodations running around $50US. I recommend the Hotel Colon. A good breakfast buffet is around $3US. I have had great experience in Merida with Yucatan Trails travel agency. Ask for Dennis. Tell him The Juiceman sent you. (no kidding). He can arrange all your lodging and tours in the Yucatan including the Mayan Riveria (as the coast from Cancun to the Belize border is referred to).
Have fun!

consider RTB

Thanks for the notes, guys -- guess we'll see what's left of the place in a few days... bummer.

?? RTB ??

You wanted a lesser known carribean island paradise. You got it, but the building boom is underway so I bet it is only good for 10 years.

I am not positive because the magazine is in my car, but I am fairly certain that Islands Magazine had an article on IdM within the past issue or three. I believe that it was included as one of the five places that are still affordable. I can't remember them but one of the Thai islands was also in it, there was a Fijian island, and a couple more I can't recall. Might want to see if you can get a copy. If you like islands (I am fascinated by them) then it's a great magazine. I do remember (if it was IdM) that they said that the real estate was going up very quickly and that the average price was somewhere near US$200k. When I go out again I will bring it back with me to make sure everything is correct.

Well, I am happy to report that my memory is not completely gone afterall. I will start by saying, go out and buy the magazine. Again, it is one of my favorites. You can get a subscription for next to nothing (card inside is $24 for three years) and it's carried as well by valuemags so you can get UAL miles if youre so inclined. The articles don't have the sound of being written by someone who thinks good writing should include as many obsure words with as many syllables as possible and the photos are worth the price by themselves. They had an issue on Palau which was just absolutely gorgeous. But I digress.

The issue is july/august (they publish 8 times a year) and it's the lead story: The Five Best Islands To Live On. They are Isla Mujeres, Koh Samui (Thailand), Exuma (Bahamas), Hvar (Croatia), and Vanua Levu (Fiji).

For IdM, they give a real estate agent at http://www.caribbeanrealtytravel.com

A trust has to be set up at a local bank, but it doesn't seem too difficult. Average home price is US$199,000 with an example of a 4-br with view for $220k and a 5-br on Mar Turquesa for $699k.

It's 8 miles from Cancun and "is a throwback to Mexico's more innocent days" with "taquerias and family run hotels." It appears to be a cruise ship stop, "[b]ut after the ships have departed, the town slumbers under its coconut palms." There also appears to be a Mexican naval base on the island.

Cancun: 1/2 hour by ferry
Cozumel and Playa del Carmen: 1 hour by ferry

Last but not least, it's three square miles and has 14,500 residents.

Sounds like a nice place, to be honest. Good luck and happy hunting.

Agree with Juiceman, mostly.

Akumal (between Tulum and CUN)...about 90 min South is very nice and laid back. South of Tulum (2 hrs S of CUN) is very undeveloped...a national park, IIRC. Slightly S of that is Beleize, the Orangewalk district (IIRC).

Merida is a very nice colonial city, but the beaches (Progresso) are unimpressive.

I understand that the area between Villadolid, CUN, and Merida hasa number of abandoned sisal plantations to restore. The area around CUN is completely unsuited to agriculture, but Villadolid has some nice cattle country.

Isla Mujeres in October? Uh, hurricane season is over in November and rates are lowest through December 15. This year could be worse than most for tropical storms. It is laid back precisely because you must take a local ferry to get there, and for ebing so close to Canc�n, is much less commercial than the growing-faster-than-Vegas so-called "Riviera Maya."

M�rida is the capital of the STATE of Yucat�n (sorry, no provinces in M�xico,) and nice to visit - but damnably hot April - summer. Idea is to visit and include a weekend, as "Domingo en M�rida" is very pleasant - main streets naer the plaza ("zocalo") are closed and it is a family day. Ad hoc antique markets, music venues, you name it... and a meal at Los Almendros, authentic Yucatec food - picture menus with English for conveneince, and when I visited with American friends, they gave us menus and a cookbook to take with us.