Isla Mujeres Marks 176 Years With Investments in Infrastructure and Social Programs

Isla Mujeres, Quintana Roo — Governor Mara Lezama Espinosa joined municipal authorities at a ceremonial session to mark the 176th anniversary of Isla Mujeres, touting public investment in tourism infrastructure, health, education and social welfare.

Speaking alongside Mayor Atenea Gómez Ricalde and members of the city council, Lezama said the island’s economic and tourism growth must be matched by tangible benefits for local families. She paid tribute to the island’s founders, fishermen, merchants, tourism pioneers and service workers, saying they built the community’s identity over generations.

Lezama highlighted the Isla Blanca Tourist Boulevard project, a 25-kilometer federal investment of 380.9 million pesos. The first 4.2 kilometers are under construction, with plans to widen the road to four lanes and improve access to Costa Mujeres, Playa Mujeres and Punta Sam.

In the mainland zone, more than 33,700 free health services have been delivered to nearly 7,000 people through the Unidades del Bienestar (Wellness Units) at a cost of about 23.8 million pesos, she said. On the island, the government has built new offices for vector control and sanitary risk programs, rehabilitated the operating room at the Integral Hospital, and acquired a 4K laparoscopy tower and an X-ray machine.

The governor also detailed school improvements: 14 renovation, equipment and construction projects at public campuses totaling more than 23 million pesos, benefiting more than 3,000 students. Uniforms and backpacks were handed to 3,271 students, and more than 4,000 children received school supplies.

Through the “Mujer es Poder” program, 678 women received a total of 4,549 economic support payments, exceeding 9 million pesos. The “Comemos Tod@s” food program is serving around 1,500 beneficiaries this year.

On port infrastructure, Lezama said the modernization effort includes new boarding ramps, improved mooring systems and an increase in surveillance cameras from 74 to 86. The port complex moves approximately 5.8 million passengers per year. She also announced two five-a-side soccer fields for the Mundial Social 2026 tournament, a 3.68 million-peso project expected to benefit about 10,000 residents.

Mayor Gómez Ricalde announced a historical and legal review of the municipality’s Fundo Legal — the original land reserve — to identify whether any land can be recovered for community benefit.

The ceremony included recognition for descendants of founding families, recipients of the Diosa Ixchel award and Medal of Merit honorees. Officials also honored the memory of Paoly Perera, the former municipal president of Felipe Carrillo Puerto who died recently, praising her contributions to the region.

Lezama urged residents to preserve the island’s identity and protect its natural environment as Isla Mujeres enters what she called a new stage of growth.