Izla Hotel

The hotel sits over a tiny white-sand beach in front of a long, mangrove-line lagoon. It’s a serene setting, but there’s little on the doorstep. Alternative restaurants, bars and beaches are a minimum fifteen-minute golf cart ride away.

Fringed with reefs at its southern end and tapering to a long, sandy beach at its northern, Isla Mujeres island is a popular day trip destination and a low-key, relaxed alternative Riviera Maya base to Cancun, 30 minutes across the water.

The island is tranquil and tiny – just five miles long and less than half a mile wide. There are no proper roads: streets are tiny and most transport is by golf cart or bike. There is good snorkelling in the glassy-clear tranquil sea – over reefs and submerged art in the MUSA Underwater Museum, and strings of boutiquey hotels.

Isla Mujeres is a boat ride away from the mainland – one on hand, that makes it a little more challenging for active sightseeing, but on the other, it keeps you removed from the crowds.