Today we were going to Isla Mujeres for the day. My sister-in-law, Julie, was a regular visitor on Isla for many, many years so she was excited to bring her daughters there for the first time. We planned on some beach time, visit the turtle farm and the Dolphin Discovery. A little bit of everything.

Looks like it's going to another beautiful day....

More views from our balcony.....

Cailynn came up to our room to visit. We hung out on our balcony...

Looking down from our 3rd floor balcony...

On our way to the pool to get fresh towels for the day, we saw the Omni's pet/mascot, Iggy. He's compelely harmless - just hangs out and suns himself all day long, like the rest of us.

We didn't get out of the villa until late - close to 10:00. We took a taxi/van to the ferry dock, which took about 20 minutes. With the bus, it's about 45 minutes. Got on the island around 11:30 and decided to eat first. We had lunch at Rolandi's (Italian/Pizza), which is Julie's favorite.

We then took a couple of taxis to the turtle farm/santuary. After hearing so much about the turtle farm, it was finally my first time there. It was like $2 to get in and then you can buy a bag of food for them for $1. I was really impressed with this place and glad I finally visited to see how they raise these turtles so they can be eventually released into the ocean and have a good chance of survival.

Here's tank inside where they keep smaller turtles and the babies...

This little guy was about the size of my fist. He was so cute.

There was also a dock that you can walk out to to look at and feed the larger turtles that are probably close to ready to being released into the ocean..

After about an hour, we then took a couple of taxis to the Dolphin Discovery. It was $40 to get in and another $15 to swim with some of the wildlife. Some of us didn't bring enough cash, or weren't interested in spending that much, so Julie stayed there with the girls so they can see the dophins, while the rest of us took a taxi to THE BEACH!!! Next time I go to Isla, I do want to go back to Dolphin Discovery to swim with the wildlife (sting rays, turtles, etc.), now that I know how much everything else. Rob and I decided that it was time for a drink, so once we all claimed a spot on the beach, rented some lounge chairs and an umbrella, Rob and I settled up to the swings at Buho's Beach Bar.

Some scenic shots of the beach area......

One of the beach beds available for rent...

Our beach location...

The calmer waters on Isla were nice for the girls to go swimming. It's very shallow and we were able to walk out for a long ways...

We just got 5 inches of snow today. I wish I was at Buho's bar enjoying the afternoon happy hour....

Pretty soon it was time go. It was almost 5pm, I think. So we hopped on the ferry to take us back to Cancun. Randy and I thought it would be fun to ride on top...

We were all beat by the time we got back to the hotel. Everyone stayed in for dinner. Randy and I went out to The Seahorse, a little sidewalk restaurant across from the big Riu hotels, just down from Philly Cheesesteak. Pretty good food and good service. Would go back there again.

That's it for Day 3.

Some of my photos are being deleted when I post. This happened on my Day 1 trip report. When I do a preview, they are visible and then I hit Post and they disappear. Is there a limit of how many photos I can have in one post?

For some reason some of my photos disappeared when I posted my Day 3 trip report. The ones at the beginnig seemed to be the ones that disappeared (and they were there when I did a preview, so it's odd). So, here's part 2 of the beginning of Day 3.....

: Today we were going to Isla Mujeres for the day. My sister-in-law,
: Julie, was a regular visitor on Isla for many, many years so she
: was excited to bring her daughters there for the first time. We
: planned on some beach time, visit the turtle farm and the
: Dolphin Discovery. A little bit of everything.

: Looks like it's going to another beautiful day....

: More views from our balcony.....

: Cailynn came up to our room to visit. We hung out on our balcony...

: Looking down from our 3rd floor balcony...

: On our way to the pool to get fresh towels for the day, we saw the
: Omni's pet/mascot, Iggy. He's compelely harmless - just hangs
: out and suns himself all day long, like the rest of us.

Lisa, once you land, which way is the swinging bar? (to the left or right?) I was there some time ago and that bar was closed up...I wonder it it is the same one. We walked to the beach portion we were at...same with u? And renting umbrellas etc..is it at the bar also or nearby vendor? Thxs, great TR!

We went to Playa Norte, which is the North Beach. From the ferry dock, take a left. Walk a few blocks to the beach. Buho's bar is in the middle of Playa Norte. You can also take a taxi there for about $3-4. If you want to rent chairs and umbrellas - or a bed, check with the bartender or wait staff that serves that part of the beach and they will help you. Items are about $5 a piece. I can't remember how much the beds are, but it's reasonable from what I remember. We just saw some empty chairs and an umbrella on the beach when we arrived and sat there until someone approached us. We then paid them the rental fees.

: Lisa, once you land, which way is the swinging bar? (to the left or
: right?) I was there some time ago and that bar was closed up...I
: wonder it it is the same one. We walked to the beach portion we
: were at...same with u? And renting umbrellas etc..is it at the
: bar also or nearby vendor? Thxs, great TR!

Yup, same place. Good to know that place is open now! I recall having to go into town and get towels from some hotel place per a beachguy,,,weird it was:) Thxs! How is the food nearby (any favs?) Frickin Minnesota...I'm up near Duluth...snow again this weekend!

I hear ya on the snow. We just got 5 inches here in the Twin Cities. When will it end!!!!???? Been a long winter.

Frankly, I've never had a bad meal on Isla. Rolandi's is a real good pizza/Italian place that's within walking distance in town. Don't ask me for directions though. If you want to each on the beach, Buho's bar serves food. Just sit at a table and someone will come with a menu. Can't guarantee they are the most speedy, but they serve. Another good place on the beach is further down from Buho's, which is closer to the big Royal Reef hotel. I can't remember the name, but it's on mapchick's map. This place has a nice deck with umbrellas. We had lunch there a few years ago and it was good.

I would recommend ordering a map from mapchick.com. She has excellent detailed maps of Isla and Cancun, which shows were all the bars and restaurants are. They are $7 or $8 each. Of course, none of my maps are at home now. My parents still have them and I haven't been able to claim them back yet.

When are you going?

snow this:) Thanks for the insight as I may take a little trip there this year. I leave in 4 weeks from NOW:) cancun has changed a lot in my 15 times there...rules too:) Isla may have also...I'll check it out!:)

: Some of my photos are being deleted when I post. This happened on
: my Day 1 trip report. When I do a preview, they are visible and
: then I hit Post and they disappear. Is there a limit of how many
: photos I can have in one post?

it looks like this happens at the very beginning of your reports. is that correct?? i'm not sure what the problem is. i am not aware of a limit on the number of pis you can show in a post, but maybe there is. let me know and i'll contact the designer of this forum. gracias!

beautiful trip reports!! thank you!!! how did you like the staircase to 2nd and 3rd floor?? tim

: beautiful trip reports!! thank you!!! how did you like the
: staircase to 2nd and 3rd floor?? tim

The stairs were snug, but never tripped - thank goodness. Was always careful.

Thanks for looking into my photo technical issues.

That lizard was so cool. He just sat in the same area pretty much all day long, just like me.

cgs