Without a doubt, Costa Mujeres is destined to follow in the footsteps of Cancun, this “new tourist product” that is already part of the vast catalogue that Quintana Roo has, shares proximity to the international airport and with numerous shopping malls and exclusive areas.
The mainland area of the municipality of Isla Mujeres has a vast natural heritage, including the Cacmuchuc Lagoon, the highly valuable coastal strip of Isla Blanca, and two large tourist developments: Playa Mujeres and Costa Mujeres, where several renowned Hotel chains already operate.
Getting to Costa Mujeres from the international airport takes approximately one hour. This proximity and the fact that many tourist developments include the word “Cancun” in their name means that many tourists do not realize that this is a completely different destination, with different access routes and completely different services than those in the Hotel zone of Cancun.
Although the municipal offices are located on the island of the same name, which is just in front of the Hotel zone of Cancun, they have a government representation near the Punta Sam pier, where ferries operate offering vehicle and cargo transportation services.
Since these offices were opened, local authorities have sought to streamline procedures and be closer to residents and businesses in the area in order to meet demands and needs, such as basic services.
However, it is clear that the growth in this area and the attraction of investments are not growing at the same rate as the services and infrastructure that are needed.
Frequently, work is being done to pave the only access road to the new Hotel zone of Costa Mujeres, but the excessive traffic load, which is dominated by buses transporting passengers and personnel, as well as vehicles transporting construction materials, quickly deteriorates the roads. During the rainy season, such as the one currently being experienced in the region, the situation worsens.
Another major problem with this road is the lack of street lighting, which has caused numerous accidents.
Although it is an easily accessible road, to get to Costa Mujeres from the Cancun International Airport you have to cross the entire Luis Donaldo Colosio Avenue, Bonampak Avenue and enter a street with only one lane in each direction, which was only paved, without sidewalks or curbs, but which is full of potholes and speed bumps.
This street leads to the intermunicipal highway where there are large hotels such as Planet Hollywood, the Riu, Palladium, Atelier, Dreams and the Tennis Academy of the Spanish Rafael Nadal, after that there is only a dirt road.
Public transportation is another of the major shortcomings in this area. In order to get to the center of Cancun, tourists must opt for using taxis with high rates, as the other option is to use the so-called combis and poor quality buses.
Due to the poor condition of the roads, transporters choose to use the worst vehicles to provide service in this area and many consider them unsuitable for tourism.
