by no1dee

Detroit, Michigan

April 17, 2005

by jrheimbach

Olathe, Kansas

March 20, 2004

I could have spent every day on the North Beach. Hotels have their beach section designated with chair and shaded areas for their guests, but plenty of open places for the numerous visitors. We camped near the northeastern side, just around the corner from our hotel. I paid 40 Pecos to rent wooden chairs for the day with an option to settle in the shade. The sand was white, smooth and free of seaweed. The water was cool in the morning and refreshing by midday. Boats clustered around the outside the swimming area, dropping off crowds of people for swimming in the shallow water.

Vendors occasionally strolled by asking us to purchase jewelry, scarves, clothing items and food. We were pleased that they were not pushy or aggressive. We bought a bag full of fresh sliced papaya and should have tried the fresh coconut from the vendor who cut off the top and filled it with adult beverages. Fisherman came around asking to schedule fishing expeditions and snorkeling adventures.

The bar at the far end of the beach offered two-for-one drinks and I always volunteered to walk the stretch of beach for refills. The attraction was not so much the lesser price drinks, but the scenery along the way. North Beach follows international rules and many female sunbathers were topless. Uninhibited, women removed their tops to capture every ray of sun. Women of all ages, unashamed of their bodies, showed themselves to the world.

Once when I returned with a round of drinks to the most beautiful woman on the beach, my wife was laying in the sun on her stomach. “Why don’t I unhook your swimsuit top so you don’t get line across your back?” I asked. “Then if you decide to go topless, you just have to roll over.” My wife turned her head towards me and gave me a look. I rubbed sunscreen on her back and continued, “When we travel, we try to blend in with the customs of that area. You know, when in Rome… So, when in Isla Mujeres…” She gave me another look. Was I making progress? I reached to tuck a stray lock of her hair up under her hat and attempted it again. “It is my birthday” I whispered, “Happy Birthday to me.” With my poorly sung stanza, my wife gave me a final look. And with that fellow travelers, I will let you decide the rest of the story.

by tbvisuals

memphis, Tennessee

January 27, 2003

One of the best times of each day was just walking along the beach and stopping to enjoy a cold cerveza along the walk as we made our way to our favorite Playa Norte palapa beach bar/restaurant--Sergio''s Playa Sol to sun ourselves or for happy hour, a snack, and absolutely one of the most stunning sunsets you could ever imagine.

by Tio Gringo

Houston, Texas

January 8, 2003

This is one of the most relaxing beaches I've ever been on--much better than anything in Florida, and even better than many of the Caribbean islands. What makes it so good is that it's not overcrowded, it's mellow, and nobody really cares what anybody else is doing. Some women take off their tops, some men take off their shorts. People drink beer on the beach. Kids shout. It's just a wonderful, beautiful place to be, with just the right amount of relaxed and unwound, unhurried people.

There are activities, like volleyball, or sea kayaking, and there's always a few folks snorkeling in the crystal-clear waters, but that sure smacks of work to me. I'd rather pull up a swing in the bar at Zazil Ha and order up a couple cool brewskis, then lay back in a hammock with a good book and just let the day wash on by me and leave with the tide as I enjoy the glorious sunsets over Bahia Mujeres.

In my opinion, this beach is the essence of Isla Mujeres and it's the reason I'll be back many, many more times . . .

by Coach Bear

Trenton, Illinois

May 12, 2002

Visiting Playa Norte was the most wonderful experience that I took from my travels to Mexico. The beach is beautiful, the water is clear, one can walk from 50 - 70 meters from the shore into the water without the water rising above their shoulders, and the sun beats down warmly on the worshipper of the golden body. For what more could one ask?

I travelled to this beach on four occassions when I was single, and once since I was married. There are three or four small cafes/refreshment stands which offer differing types of food to the visitor. Three different locations offer gin and tonic (the drink of most beach worshippers) and other beverages. I recommend that you purchase a "Coco Loco" from one of the salesmen who stroll the beach. You will have a fresh coconut cut at the top and filled with rum and several juices. After drinking this concoction, you will be able to eat the rest of the coconut. Quite a treat for the uninitiated.

The sun begins to warm the beach by 10:00 am. It is extremely hot by 3:00 in the afternoon. However, if you are still around by 5:00 pm, you will likely find yourself alone. Most of the day-trippers are long gone by the mid afternoon. Locals and others staying on the island have had their fill of fun-and-sun by that time of day.

I purchased a beautiful tablecloth in the image of the Mayan calendar, ankle bracelets for my female companion, and several other nice mementos during my visits to the beach.

My fondest desire is that when I retire I can buy property on the Isla and spend my days at Playa Norte.

by roscana

vancouver, British Columbia

August 17, 2001