Isla Mujeres

Isla Mujeres is an island located 13 kilometers off the coast from Cancun. It is well known for snorkeling and scuba diving on the surronding coral reef. The south tip of the island has a lighthouse, including remains of a Mayan temple and a sanctuary for sea turtles. In Spanish it means "Women Island".

The island has a lenght of 7 kilometers and some 650 meters wide. In Pre Columbian times the island was considered sacred for Mayans, and the temple they built there was dedicated to goddess Ixchel, the Mayan goddess of childbirth and medicine.

When Spaniards arrived on 16th century they named the islands Isla Mujeres because of the many images of what it is believed to be goddesses or women.

Mayan also exploited the salt in the island produced in the small interior lagoons, which was used not only to preserve food or medicine, but also as currency for the trade.