Isla Blanca

Isla Blanca is a narrow sand peninsula north of Cancun on the Costa Mujeres coast of Quintana Roo, Mexico, reached by the Carretera Punta Sam-Isla Blanca. It is a quieter, less developed alternative to the Hotel Zone, with shallow turquoise water, soft white sand, and a laid-back atmosphere. The peninsula lies between the open Caribbean on one side and a sheltered lagoon on the other, and this combination of conditions makes it a well-known spot for kitesurfing and windsurfing, with schools and rentals operating on the lagoon side. The shallow, calm water on the sheltered side also suits wading and relaxed swimming, and the shoreline is much less crowded than the Hotel Zone beaches. Small beach restaurants and clubs serve seafood, ceviche, and cold drinks, generally from about 10AM to 6PM, and some clubs charge a minimum spend for use of their loungers and palapas. Entry to the beach itself is free. A typical visit lasts half a day, which gives time to swim, eat lunch, and watch the kitesurfers. Weekday mornings are the quietest and calmest, with the clearest water and gentle breezes. The wind tends to rise in the afternoon, which is when kitesurfers are most active and also when swimmers may find conditions choppier. Weekends bring more local visitors and some beach clubs fill up. For photographs, the kites over the turquoise water in the afternoon and the long, narrow sandbar in the morning light are the main subjects. The area is some 30 to 40 minutes from the Hotel Zone by taxi or rental car, and visitors without a car can take the R-1 bus to Puerto Juarez for about MXN 14 and then a taxi of around MXN 300 for the remainder. Because services are limited, visitors should bring cash, sun protection, and water, and plan the return trip in advance since taxis may be scarce late in the day.