Info about Isla Mujeres

Isla Mujeres is the eastern most point of Mexico, and her southern tip is the first place in Mexico that the sun touches every morning. The Mexican Navy base was established in 1949. Fishing was still the main source of income and it wasn't until recently that tourism became a large part of the island.

In 1967, the Mexican Government and its water department (with the help of many local divers) install an under the sea purificate water piping system, the first in the world. The 6" pipes were replaced with 8" pipes in 1988, the same year Hurricane Gilbert hit the island. Hurricane Gilbert partially destroyed the Mayan Temple on the south point. The last few years have seen tremendous improvements to the island, including and extensive drainage and sewer system, electric and phone services to the neighborthoods, paved streets that allowed for better drainage, and a high school.

If you are lucky enough to be vacationing on Isla December 31st, it is a tradition for isleños (islanders) to greet the first rays of the sun at the dawn of each new year at the south point, the most eastern point of Mexico. The people of Isla Mujeres are proud of their history and hold in their hearts the magic of their island and the promising future.