Isla Blanca, Mexico, real estate, fishing

Isla Blanca, Mexico - Tours & Activities

A vacation in Isla Blanca offers a variety of activities and excursions. There are Mayan ruins to explore; clear, Caribbean water for swimming, diving, snorkeling and deep sea fishing; dolphin swims; islands to visit and theme parks. As a backdrop to all of this is the color and warmth of both traditional and contemporary Mexican culture.

If you want to rent a car and explore on your own, we will provide you with maps, suggestions and a cooler. If you prefer to take tours, we can arrange for you to join tours leaving from Cancun or we'll book a private excursion for your group. Even if you prefer to take tours to the area attractions, we highly recommend that you rent a car, as Isla Blanca offers limited public transportation. Taxi and jitney service are available to and from Cancun.

Isla Blanca offers some of the best small game fishing in the world for bonefish, tarpon, snook & permit. Fishing trips leave from the dock right up the street. You can also hire the boats for private excursions.

Mayan Ruins

There are four Mayan sites close enough to Isla Blanca to visit on day trips: Chichen Itza, Tulum, Coba and Ek Balam. Chichen Itza is one of the newly designated wonders of the world and is definitely worth the time for those who are interested in ancient cultures. It's about three hours from Isla Blanca. Scheduled tours leave Cancun at 7:00 A.M. and return at about 6:30 P.M.

Tulum is on the coast 150 kms. (90 miles) south of Isla Blanca. It's a spectacular site overlooking a beautiful beach and the Caribbean. It's small enough to visit in about an hour and you can combine the visit with snorkeling at Xel-Ha or other inlets on the coast. This is a wonderful option for people who want to learn a little about the Mayan culture, but who don't want to spend an entire day on a visit to the ruins.

Coba is located in the jungle 50 kilometers west of Tulum. From the top of the big pyramid (Nohoch), the highest in the Yucatan Peninsula, you can see for miles in every direction. Walking the lush jungle paths which connect the various sites at Coba is an adventure in itself. Guides are available for hire at the main gate. There are some beautiful cenotes (sink holes) on the highway between Tulum and Coba, perfect for a refreshing swim after a visit to the ruins.

Ek Balam is west of Isla Blanca close to the colonial city of Valladolid. It can be explored in about two hours and provides excellent insight into the Mayan culture. Again, the view from the top of its highest structure is spectacular.

The city of Valladolid is also worth visiting as a day trip in conjunction with Ek Balam.

Diving, Fishing and Snorkeling

The second longest barrier reef in the world, second only to Australia's Great Barrier Reef, runs along the coast from the northeastern tip of the Yucatan Peninsula, north of Isla Blanca, to Belize, which borders Mexico to the south. There are wonderful spots to dive and snorkel, teeming with tropical fish, waving sea fans and many varieties of colorful coral. To dive, you need to bring your certification card, or we can arrange for you to take a resort course which allows you to do a shallow dive. The best months for deep sea fishing are April, May and June, when big game fish are in the area.

Dolphins

Swimming with dolphins is one of the most popular activities in the Cancun area.The closest place is on Isla Mujeres, which is just across the bay from Isla Blanca. There are a variety of programs to choose from: swimming with dolphins, the dolphin encounter, and much more. Due to the popularity of these programs it is recommended that you book your program ahead.

Islands

Isla Mujeres and Cozumel are the most frequently visited area islands. Isla Mujeres is located just across the bay from Isla Blanca. There is frequent ferry service from Puerto Juarez, which is a short drive from Isla Blanca. El Garrafon Park at the northern tip of the island offers diving, snorkeling and adventure. At the ferry dock in Isla Mujeres there are various providers who will take you for snorkel tours in the bay. North Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in the area. Chairs, umbrellas and water toys are available for rent.

Cozumel is a much larger island accesible by ferry from Playa del Carmen. It is known for excellent fishing, diving and snorkeling. As a major cruise ship port, it also offers world class shopping.

Holbox, located northwest of Isla Blanca, is off the main tourist route. To reach the island you drive west and then north to the town of Chiquiila, where you catch the ferry to the island. The bird sanctuary, the quaint, laid-back town with its sand streets and the excellent sea food are just a few of the attractions.

Contoy, also located north of Isla Blanca, is a well-known bird sanctuary. Tours can be arranged to the island.

Parks

Xcaret, Xel-Ha, El Garrafon and the Aktun Chen caverns are the major area parks. Xcaret offers a wide variety of activities: an underground river float, dolphin programs, a butterfly farm, an excellent Ballet Folkorico show and much more. A day at Xcaret is a wonderful activity to include in your vacation plans.

Xel-Ha is known for excellent snorkeling plus a river float any many other entertaining activities.

The caverns at Aktun Chen are filled with beautiful stalactites and stalagmites. The park also has a variety of wildlife and wonderful jungle vistas.

Isla Blanca Tours

Fishing trips on Laguna Chacmochuk are available daily from the local dock. The guides know the area well and can take you to little know fishing spots. You leave at dawn and return between 3 and 4 in the afternoon.

From the dock in Isla Blanca we can also arrange tours to Boca Iglesias and Rio Manati. Boca Iglesias is the remains of a 16th century church and monastery dating back to the Spanish conquest of Mexico. To reach Boca Iglesias you travel across the lagoon and then out into the Caribbean. The site is located in another lagoon system north of Chacmuchuk. After exploring the mangrove channels filled with tropical birds, you anchor at a small beach. From there, a five minute walk through the jungle takes you to the ruins of Boca Iglesias, which are in remarkably good condition. Back on the boat, you explore more of the lagoon system before returning to the dock.. This is an all-day private tour just for you and your group.

To reach Rio Manati you head south through the lagoon. The trip takes you through beautiful mangrove chanels and then out to Laguna Manati, which is teeming with sea birds. If you look closely, you can see alligators sunning themselves on the logs along the banks of the lagoon. Lunch (not included) is at a restaurant run by a fishing cooperative, and then it is back to the boat for the ride home.

Don't Forget to Relax

One of the major attractions of Isla Blanca is the natural beauty of the area and the peace and quiet. There are miles of beach to walk, excellent ocean swimming, and wide,white sand beaches to sun on. Bring a few good books and dedicate a good part of your vacation days to rest and relaxation.

Nightlife

Sitting on the terrace and enjoying the moon on a star-studded Isla Blanca night is a beautiful way to spend an evening. Other popular activities are games, puzzles and reading, and , of course, there are a CD player, TV and DVD player. Should you crave the bright lights of the city, Cancun is a close enough drive to enjoy an excellent dinner, to listen to music or dance the night away at one of the many discos or salsa clubs.