Isla Mujeres and Competitive Golf Carting (1 Good?)

On paper, Isla Mujeres, a small island off the coast of Cancun reached by a 20 minute ferry ride across the crystal clear waters of the Caribbean Sea, would appear to be a tropical paradise; it has a distinctly laid back vibe and the main beach, Playa Norte, is a short stroll from the many hotels in town. The island is some 4.3 miles long and 650 metres wide and the skyline of Cancún can be seen across the clear waters. If you are looking for a get-away-from-it-all, relaxing holiday, planning to lounge on a beach and sip cocktails all day, then this could be the perfect destination. However, in peak times, I imagine everyone would be stacked like sardines on the small stretch of sand. We had only booked two nights as accommodation is expensive on the island and there is very little to do away from the beach.

Playa Norte, Isla Mujeres

Our second day gave us a chance to hire a golf cart to explore the limited places of interest. "I think this is the cart's top speed", commented Edward disappointedly, as a string of taxis, motorbikes, mopeds and other tourists' golf carts overtook us. This was just as well as the steering was dodgy and the brakes didn't work. Much to Edward's annonyance we were continually overtaken, so his Formula 1 tendencies were well and truly kerbed.

Tell me why I can't drive again?

The turtle farm and research centre proved a big hit with Thomas where he could feed the turtles. This is a centre, where endangered sea turtles are bred for release back into the wild. The turtles are native to Quintana Roo, all of which can be found here: loggerhead, hawksbill, green and leatherback. The centre also rescues threatened nests and keeps the eggs buried in the sand within the farm.

Baby Sea Turtles, Turtle Rehab Centre

Feeding Sea Turtles, Turtle Rehab Centre

Edward's verdict: "We should have stayed in Cancun and saved the ferry ticket and overpriced hotel."
Thomas's verdict: "Can we stay another day and hire a faster golf cart that I can drive?"
My verdict: "I would hate to be here in high season when the roads are choked with tourists in golf carts."