Isla Mujeres is a colorful and quirky island, and this is demonstrated with mural after quirky mural as you explore the island. At first as we drove around, I thought street art would be confined to the main populated area. But, as we continued to explore Isla Mujeres, I learned that not only was it everywhere, but this was street art with a message.
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Isla Mujeres Street Art & Mural History:
What I didn’t know at the time is that many of these murals are part of a street art project by PangeaSeed called Sea Walls Artists for Oceans. The goal of Sea Walls Artists for Oceans is to “bring the message of ocean conservation into streets across the globe.” Established in 2014, approximately 300 murals have now been created in 12 countries around the globe with the goal of presenting the message of the necessity of our oceans, and dangers to them, into the public eye in a non-confrontational manner.
As for the murals of Isla Mujeres, The artists have been welcomed back to the island four years in a row. In 2014, Artists were were also given the opportunity to swim with and interact with the endangered whale sharks and oceanic manta rays off the coast of the island, and then use this inspiration to create their art.
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Exploration of Isla Mujeres Street Art
As we explored the island, I started taking pictures of every mural we came across. I started calling out and making my husband pull over so I could a picture of that weird mural over there!
I admit, it became sort of an obsession. I love the colors, the creative expression. I love covering boring concrete walls and blank sides of buildings with colorful art. I love the idea of street art, free and available to be studied, interpreted, and consumed by anyone passing by, instead of locked behind museum doors.
It got so bad, I decided to return to Isla Mujeres on a day that everyone else wanted to lay by the pool. I wanted to do a little shopping, and some more exploring. To turn down random streets with no purpose – and take my time photographing these pieces of art with abandon.
Isla Mujeres is only 5 miles in length. Visit. Rent a golf cart and spend a day finding your favorite mural.
Go to <This Site to Find More Pangeaseed Project sites> around the world.
And if you want more street art with a message, check out This Post by Northern Lauren on the Socially Conscious Street Art of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.
For more Isla Mujeres tips, check out our post on Top 10 Things to do on Isla Mujeres.
If you are looking for an even quieter town, filled with locals, check out Puerto Morelos.
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Each and every street art is so gorgeous and colourful. It is amazing that each one can interpret the art in his or her own way.
That’s one of the things I love about Street Art – so much less structured and let’s *everyone* consider it!
There’s so much beautiful artwork here. I’m always in awe of artists who can create such enormous works since I have zero artistic talent. I especially love the one that looks like it was made out of tiles.
Haha! Yeah, I like to say ‘I’ve tried watercolor painting. I suck at it, but it’s relaxing.’ I really admire people who can make art like this!
I am obsessed with street art. These are BEAUTIFUL. Oceanic conservation (and whales) are near and dear to my heart. Would love to see these in person.
This is very cool! I enjoy walking around looking for street art. I prefer when the art or murals are creative, full of colors and with a purpose. It makes me feel like they are a contribution to the community because of their message (like these ones) or because of the potential they have to revive the economy of an area. Really like these!
Completely agree! I think Isla Mujeres was brilliant in sponsoring this project – putting art all over the island, and promoting conservation at the same time. Love it!
Islas Mujeres seems really a hidden gem off the shores of Cancun 🙂 I didn’t realize that Isla Mujeres has more than fine white sand and sparkling turquoise waters. The street art of Islas Mujeres makes this great island that much more colorful !!
I’ve heard of Isa Mujeres before, mainly for its popularity for swimming with whale sharks. But I had no idea it was such a hip and funky little island. Now I’m more curious to visit!
Wow I did not know there was so much art at Isla Mujeres. I have heard of it before, but never expected it to be so colorful! Really amazing post and thanks for sharing!
I love this blog post for putting a spotlight on the street art that “bring the message of ocean conservation into streets across the globe.” These are incredible and detailed. You can’t help but be drawn into them. I’ve never heard of this project before and I hope it spreads to more cities around the world. Great visuals!!
I had never heard of the project either, but now I want to see some other locations as we travel. I found a map of all the different project locations, and I’m going to add a link to the post! 😀
Nothing wrong with a bit of street art hunting. And I totally agree with you about the colours in particular being irrisistable.
So cool to see how a boring walk can become so unique and amazing! Love the artwork!
Great article and great photography. You can learn so much about a place by looking at their street art! We had a similar experience recently when we met a local street artist in Chiang Mai, Thailand. If you love street art, this is a city you have to visit.
Those murals are beautiful! What a great way to raise awareness of the need to take care of our oceans and wildlife. I agree with you…so cool how you can make a plain concrete slab into something really spectacular.
That is so cool and the murals are beautiful and so vibrant! I’d really love to visit Isla Mujeres and see these murals myself!
Wow this place is so beautiful! I’d love to check it out someday 🙂
What an awesome project! I’m a little obsessed with street art (I’m always making my husband pull over so I can take pictures, too) but knowing the motivation behind it makes these murals even more special! I love the one with the hearts for eyes in particular. Will definitely be back in this area so I’ll have to make a point to visit Isla Mujeres. Thanks for sharing this!
I’m so glad I’m not the only one making my hubby pull over! (Thank goodness he likes me and is so tolerant.) Thanks for visiting!
Street art in Mexico is always so colorful and vivid! We enjoyed watching several beautiful pieces in La Paz, Baja California, so lovely!
We’ve also become a bit obsessed with the street art in the places we visit. Cool post.
I guess it’s kinda bad luck finding your blog on the day I’m here. I’m biking like crazy (maybe not the in the right places haha). I haven’t been able to find Danae, Hilda Palafox and Tysa, would you mind sharing the location?
Fantastic murals! Thanks for sharing! Lovely!
[…] you can’t go too awfully fast, but be sure to slow down and enjoy these works of art. Check out my full post about Pangeaseed’s street art project, Artists for Oceans, and more pictures of these incredible […]
[…] Are you drawn to street art with some substance behind it, like I am, you’ll enjoy this conservation street art on Isla Mujeres in Mexico. […]