Ah, Isla Mujeres! The name perfectly fits the bill if you want to escape the bitterly cold temps of the winter season... or even if it's not winter! Can you now hear the summer cicada?

Mexico's crowning jewel, Isla Mujeres, is renowned for its white-sand beaches, fresh seafood, vibrant coral reefs, Mayan cultural heritage, and, of course, a very relaxed atmosphere. Located just northeast of Cancún, between the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, Isla Mujeres is one of the best island vacation destinations in Mexico.

Isla, Spanish for "island" and Mujeres for "women," was named for Ixchel, the Mayan goddess of childbirth and medicine, who was sacred to the island in pre-Columbian times.

Today, Isla Mujeres still has a rich Mayan culture and heritage, which you can see and experience in its ancient Mayan ruins and cultural sites. It's also close to Cancún via a 20 to 30-minute ferry ride, and you can see the coastal city's skyline from the island, which is one of the many reasons why you should visit Isla Mujeres even if you're staying in Cancún.

Pack your swimsuit, don't forget your sunscreen, and get ready for margaritas! Here's how to plan a perfect island getaway on Isla Mujeres.

For most people, a beach destination is worth dreaming of. It's a no-brainer. How would you describe the feeling when the sunrays touch your face… when you dip your toes in the sand... when you swim with... oh my god—turtles and whale sharks?

If you fly into Cancún International Airport, you're only around 20 minutes away from Quintana Roo's centerpiece: Isla Mujeres, one of the most amazing destinations to visit in Mexico, where the sun rises first each morning, and the sand is always white.

Welcome to Mexico, amigo! As soon as you're in Cancún airport, you can take either the ADO bus, the airport taxi service, a shared van, or pre-booked private transportation—whatever tickles your fancy... and your budget, too!

The ADO bus is the most pocket-friendly among all these options, taking you to the bustling Downtown Cancún, where you'll find taxis to Puerto Juarez in the Gran Puerto, where you can take the Ultramar Ferry.

Puerto Sam ferry terminal is served by Ultracarga, which caters to commercial transport to and from the island, but passengers can also ride along. You can also take the Xcaret Xailing, which leaves from El Embarcadero Cancún-Isla Mujeres terminal in the Cancún Hotel Zone.

As for Cancún Airport’s taxi service and the shared van service, these two are kinda budget-friendly if you book your tickets online.

The shared van, though, will whisk you away to the ferry as soon as it fills, and expect to take a short detour to Cancún Hotel Zone as it might have to drop some of your fellow passengers there.

On the other hand, if you have deep pockets, private transportation will be at your service. You'll be treated to cold drinks, an ultra-comfy seat, and reliable drivers to take you smoothly to the ferry. Your 30-minute ride to the ferry means you can chug a beer or two!

Snuggling down among the cool breeze and the sound of the waves is incomparable, and Isla Mujeres hits differently. From the most expensive Isla Mujeres resorts to the most affordable in Isla Mujeres, a unique and comfortable stay is still a surefire.

But if you want an even easier stay without worrying about where to eat and drink, pamper yourself at a spa, work out, or even a tour of the island, you can book the best all-inclusive resorts in Isla Mujeres, such as Mia Reef Isla Mujeres, a private island experience on an island vacation. Some Isla Mujeres all-inclusives and luxury hotels, including Impression Isla Mujeres by Secrets, even offer a private yacht to take you to the island.

Eat your way out and never look back! Isla Mujeres is renowned for its fresh seafood cooked in many cuisines, particularly authentic Mexican, Mayan, and Yucatecan fair. The island has a solid restaurant industry and finding the best food comes in handy.

Isla Mujeres is home to more than 100 eateries to cater to your taste buds. From gourmet dining to street food (tacos, please!), and even the Hidalgo fair, you have a lot of food options around you to feast on.

And the best thing about it? You can enjoy your food with ocean views, or discover the island's hidden gems to experience some of the best local cuisines with live music to dance or sing your night away—paired with a margarita, paloma, or michelada. Cheers!

We don't travel for nothing, right? And we all know that the best way to experience what a place can offer is to get closer to its natural wonders.

With remarkable panache, Isla Mujeres rests upon the laurels as one of the world's most spectacular destinations, not to mention its relaxed vibe and splendid ocean views. And, it's also located in Mexico, the best country for a budget vacation under $1,000.

So, to enjoy more of Isla Mujeres, roll up your sleeves and experience the best things to do on the island. Admittedly, some of the excursions don't come cheap, but if you know where to look, you'll enjoy Isla Mujeres just as much as the luxury travelers.

Who visits Isla Mujeres without checking out its rich and diverse marine life? No one.

First off, MUSA or Museo Subacuático de Art—Mexico's underwater museum with hundreds of otherworldly sculptures hidden away. It's located between Cancun and Isla Mujeres, and opened in 2010, with more than 500 life-sized sculptures submerged at about 9.8 and 19.6 feet deep.

On Isla Mujeres, you can both snorkel and dive to reach the sculptures, which were intended to raise awareness of the endangered marine life in Mexico, particularly on Manchones Reef off the coast of Isla Mujeres, and to provide habitats for aquatic life. Other sculptures also depict environmental and social issues.

Isla Mujeres is also renowned for sailfish, which are known for their dominant blue and gray colors. Many divers enjoy diving with sailfish on the island.

The island is also home to beautiful sea turtles and whale sharks. In the summer, whale sharks, the largest fish in the ocean, gather north of Isla Mujeres to feed on plankton, krill, and algae.

Nobody knows where the world's largest fish is born, so this is your chance to see these gentle giants in their natural habitat, alongside the sea turtles, manta rays, barracuda, and many other vibrant marine life.

Adventure tours are also not to be missed when visiting Isla Mujeres. About 45 minutes north of Isla Mujeres lies Isla Contoy, a government-protected bird sanctuary, with more than 150 species of birds and at least four species of turtles.

The full-day tour also includes snorkeling, and a delicious beachside grilled lunch. How cool is that?

Isla Mujeres is one of the smallest islands in the Caribbean and touring the island is a delightful experience for visitors to experience not only its gorgeous scenery but also its rich cultural heritage.

The island's humble beginning was between 564 and 1516 AD and was inhabited by the ancient Mayans, who abandoned their cities (perhaps because of drought, environmental issues, and political instability).

Punta Sur is located at the southernmost tip of Isla Mujeres and is a great place to visit to see ancient Mayan ruins, particularly the Temple of Ixchel.

Punta Sur is known for its stunning cliffs, beautiful beaches, remarkable flora and fauna, marine murals, the 1902 lighthouse, sculptures dedicated to the goddess Ixchel, and the immaculate views of the Caribbean. There's a small fee to tour Punta Sur.

After all the excursions on Isla Mujeres, you'll want to just sit by the beach, sip your favorite cocktail, and catch some sun—all is a breeze if you're at Playa Norte, one of Mexico's stunning coastal getaways, a serene escape, where you can embrace the beauty of the ocean.

The palm tree-lined white-sand beach is the main public beach on Isla Mujeres and was voted the most beautiful beach in Mexico. There are restaurants and bars by the beach, where you can enjoy some of Mexico's best food and drinks while feasting on the glorious views of the ocean and turquoise water.

Surprise! The most comfortable months to enjoy Isla Mujeres are sometime between November and April to dodge the sweltering heat of the summer season. But wintertime is the peak season on Isla Mujeres, so the prices are higher and the crowd is bigger.

If you're visiting to swim with whale sharks, winter may not be the best time for you because the gentle giants normally gather on the island in summer.

However, the summer and fall seasons are when the prices and the crowd plummet, and you'll have Isla Mujeres all for yourself sans the bulky foot traffic. Just be prepared for possible rainfall and hurricanes.

Whatever tickles your fancy, any month is the best time to visit Isla Mujeres. You only have to consider the things to do that you'll enjoy the most.

Isla Mujeres might be small, but adventures here are big, and travel planning is definitely crucial to your ultimate beach getaway!