Isla Mujeres, Mexico: One of the most colourful cities in the world!

My favourite is the "crayon house"

Dang!  We’re good! 

Two weeks ago, Isla Mujeres was ranked in the top ten islands of the world. This week, an article rating the top twenty-four locations to see colourfully painted houses ranked Isla as number seventeen.  

Fabulous creations like the “crayon house” are eye candy for anyone toting a camera. Deliciously covered in bright colours, designs, and scenery, this multi-coloured house sports a meticulous paint job. Amazing artistry. Think of the hours of detailed work required to create the effect.  The muscles of my painting hand are cramping in sympathy. 

Hemingway's Bar for wedding photos.

The Behr Paint Company judged Isla Mujeres against locations like Cinque Terre, Italy, Cape Town, South Africa, Barranco in Lima, Peru, and a host of other gorgeous cities.  

Only one Canadian city, St. John’s in Newfoundland, made the list. Granted, the paint company is hoping to sell more of its product, but the article still brings positive recognition to this sleepy little island.

Beautiful Casa Zuzy

Most island visitors have photos, or at least have seen photos, of the visible Centro locations that have been photographed time and time again. Places like the French Bistro, Mañanas Coffee House, Hemingway’s Bar, Barlito’s Bakery, and Orsario’s Hardware Store, to name a few.  

But if you wander around the diverse neighbourhoods, there are many more examples of great colour combinations: orange and green, pink and blue, yellow and orange, pink and purple, and multi-coloured. Another favourite of mine is the magenta-trimmed turquoise house, slathered with polka dots in hues of green, red and blue. This one is located near the Salinas Grande, close to where the road changes from a tope-riddled (speed bumps) congested street into the double-width road.

My second favourite, the polka-dot house

The colour extends into every part of island life. Even the tombs in the two island cemeteries are painted pink, blue, purple, and mango-yellow. Our Canadian cemeteries, especially the newer ones, resemble parks or golf courses with granite headstones flat to the ground, so that the groundskeepers can trim the lush grass with riding lawnmowers. Somber tones of grey, brown, and black arrear to be the only acceptable hues in northern graveyards. The Mexican custom of painting tombs with a palette of cheerful colours is, in my view, fitting for this bright and vibrant culture.

Beautifully cared for tombs

Perhaps the Municipality of Isla Mujeres should encourage more owners to paint their houses and businesses, with wild, interesting combinations.  

The municipality could feature a different, well-painted building every month, and offer a small cash prize to the winner. Over time, the various neighbourhoods could become a draw for photographic buffs. 

Love this entrance!

There I go day-dreaming again.  

In the meantime, get your cameras out and explore the various neighbourhoods.  

You’ll find lots of interesting photo opportunities – because, after all, we are number seventeen in The 24 Most Colourful Cities in the World. 

http://www.buzzfeed.com/behr/the-24-most-colorful-cities-in-the-world

Hasta Luego          
Lynda and Lawrie

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