Celebrating the Anniversary of Isla Mujeres: A Maya Treasure in the Caribbean
In August 2025, Isla Mujeres marks its 51st anniversary as a municipality, established on August 17, 1974. Known to the ancient Maya as Ekab, this Caribbean island was a sacred sanctuary for Ixchel, goddess of the moon, fertility, and love. The ruins of her temple at Punta Sur, touched by Caribbean waves, echo ancient rituals. From its base in Felipe Carrillo Puerto, the Na'atik Language and Cultural Institute, dedicated to teaching Yucatec Maya and Spanish, highlights this milestone as an opportunity to explore the island’s vibrant Maya traditions through cultural education. Na'atik does not organize trips to Isla Mujeres but provides resources to understand its heritage.
A Cultural Celebration
The anniversary brings Isla Mujeres to life with parades, marimbas, drums, and folk dances blending Maya and mestizo influences. Food fairs feature tikin-xic, a Maya fish dish marinated in achiote. Visitors can engage with artisans crafting traditional weavings and sculptures. Na'atik’s language programs, offered in Felipe Carrillo Puerto, teach terms for cloth and fish, deepening appreciation for the island’s heritage.
Facing Modern Challenges
Climate change and mass tourism threaten the island’s ecosystems and Maya identity. Rising sea levels endanger sites like the Ixchel temple, while overdevelopment risks cultural loss. Na'atik’s workshops promote conservation awareness, emphasizing environmental stewardship. Efforts like sea turtle conservation and mangrove restoration reflect the Maya’s reverence for the island, protecting its biodiversity.
Embracing Tradition
Travelers can join tours led by Yucatec Maya-speaking guides on the island to explore oral histories. The island’s coral reefs, part of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, support Maya fishing traditions, with terms for coral enriching these connections. Na'atik’s programs in Felipe Carrillo Puerto offer insights into this heritage through language learning.
To learn more about Na’atik’s English language program for local and Indigenous students in Felipe Carrillo Puerto, visit our Impact Page. We are only able to provide this much needed program thanks to the support of generous donors and the funds raised from our award winning Maya and Spanish Immersion Program. If you would like to support our mission please consider donating today or take a look at our immersion programs and online class packages.