Isla Mujeres is a small island in the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico. It is a short 20 minute ferry ride from the popular city of Cancun. Many people take day trips from Cancun to Isla Mujeres, but I say, why stay just one day?? The island is a calmer, more relaxed sister to Cancun, and arguably has better beaches.
Being a veterinarian, I can never pass up an opportunity to get up close and personal with animals during my travels. Whether it’s feeding street dogs in Peru or chasing wildebeest in Africa, I am game for pretty much anything wildlife related. So when I realized July was peak time for whale sharks in Isla Mujeres, it was only a matter of “how fast can I book this tour?”
This article is part of my “New 7 Wonders of the World” series. The New 7 Wonders were voted upon worldwide in 2007. They include The Great Wall of China, the Colosseum, Petra, the Christ Redeemer, Machu Picchu, and Chichen Itza. While it’s certainly not a complete list of places I want to visit, it is my goal to travel to each location!
Cancun is primarily a place that caters to young, drunk teenagers and college students on Spring Break. At least, that’s how I’ve always thought of the seaside Mexican city. With its beach front all-inclusive hotels and abundance of bars and clubs, it’s no wonder young adults flock there each year to have some fun. I have never been a party girl, so Cancun was never on my list of must-see destinations. However, after spending my second winter in Chicago and working non-stop, I was itching to just lie by the beach, drink a margarita, and read a book. Enter Cancun. Flights were fairly cheap and direct from Chicago, so it seemed like the perfect vacation. I was even more excited when I realized how close Chichen Itza was, so that sealed the deal.