Some people would not agree with that statement…especially those who remember the Isla Mujeres of 20 or 30 years ago. But I found it refreshingly laid back…no fast food franchises, no Hard Rock Café, and the most popular form of transportation is by golf cart. No cruise ships will ever dock there because the harbor isn’t deep enough. And there is only one all-inclusive timeshare resort, tucked away in the corner where they can’t bother anyone. Actually, says island resident Ron Brown, this timeshare club is working hard to be good neighbors and non-intrusive.

Ron and his wife, Gwen, first came to Isla Mujeres on vacation from Canada in 1990. They fell in love with her quiet charm, and came back for good in 1997. As Ron told me, they were attracted because “there is no racial unrest here, there is political stability, and it is very laid back. We have always loved the Caribbean and we think this is the best choice for many reasons.”………………

Those reasons, Ron said, include climate, culture and lifestyle. “I play tennis every morning,” Ron said, and with 400-500 other English-speaking expats living on the island full time, there is always a social function of one kind or another.

To keep himself even busier, Ron has started a real estate company, called Isla Realty, specializing in real estate sales and property management.

“There aren’t a lot of pre-built homes for sale,” Ron said, “although that’s what people ask for. It encourages them to buy lots and build.” There are still lots available, and Ron has seen them appreciate roughly 100% in the past two-three years. Construction costs range from $575-$700/sq. m. ($55-$65/sq. ft.).

Prices vary depending on which side of the island strikes your fancy.

On the eastern, windward side of the island where the shore is rugged and rocky, waterfront lots now go for approximately $80-$100/sq. m. ($7.50-$9.30/sq. ft.). On the west side, with a view to Cancun - residential oceanfront lots are found on the Sac Bajo Peninsula. There, the beaches are calm, the sand is a fine, powdery white and prices are higher: up to $300-$350/sq. m. ($28-$33/sq. ft.).

Ron showed me the pretty Mexican-style house he and Gwen built on the east side of the island. They prefer this side, he said, because the constant breeze here keeps their home cooler, important on hot summer days. Starting here then, on the windward side of the island, Ron showed me some sample properties for sale:

• A 1200-sq. m. (13,000 sq. ft.) lot with 30 m. (almost 100 ft.) of oceanfront. Island bylaws say that 50% of the property can be built on and construction can go up two stories. There is full-service access (water, electricity and sewer) to this property and the asking price is $102,000.
• Two lots, across the road from the rocky beach, are each 35 m. (115 ft.) wide and 110 m. (360 ft.) deep. Asking price is $350,000 each.
• Also across the road from this stretch of waterfront, brand-new 2-bedroom 130 sq. m. (1,400-sq. ft.) condos are on offer for $169,000.
• A 3-bedroom, 2 ½-bath 116 sq. m. (1,250 sq. ft.) waterfront home is for sale on the Salinas Grande Lagoon for $139,000.

Around on the leeward west side of the island, where the water gently laps at the calm white sand beaches, Ron showed off properties including:

• Condominiums Loma Isla Bonita, 2-bedroom condos for $130,000.
• Playa Gaviotas. This is an intriguing piece of property for an investor or someone looking for an income producer. Currently the best value on the island, according to Ron, the property totals 4,200 sq. m. (45,200 sq. ft.) with 30 m. (100 ft.) of beachfront. On the property near the road is a building with five apartments. Each apartment rents for $70/night in low season (May 1 – Nov. 30) and $90/night in high season. Down the hill and near the beach are two houses and a separate laundry facility. The going price on this side of the island is currently $250/sq. m. ($23/sq. ft.) but the asking price for this property is $900,000 - approx. $214/sq. m. ($20/sq. ft.).
• A beach lot with 40 m. (131 ft.) of frontage and 25 m. (82 ft.) deep is on offer for $215,000. Here, bylaws say you can build a one-level structure on 30% of land. This computes to a 270 sq. m home (2,906 sq. ft.).

My favorite house on Isla Mujeres? A ‘little’ place on the most beautiful stretch on beach, called Casa Mimosa. Six bedrooms, 7 bathrooms…6,642 square feet of indoor living space, not including rooftop palapa. And did I mention the hot tub, infinity pool and poolside bar? Asking price is $1.1 million and if you’d like to try before you buy, it rents for $5,000/week in high season and $4,000/week in low season.

So…if you decide to take a turn on the dance floor with either Cozumel or Isla Mujeres, you’ll know soon enough whether you prefer wide-eyed innocence or fast and flashy. Especially if you are a scuba diver or fisherman, I think you’ll be hooked. You may wind up settling down with one of them for good.

Suzan Haskins and Dan Prescher write about living in Mexico – with a focus on real estate and investment opportunities – for International Living magazine and for their subscription-based web site, www.MexicoInsider.com. For more information about how to buy property in Mexico, or for Suzan and Dan’s recommended local real estate and other resources, email them at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

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