It's been quite a while (sorry about that! It'll keep happening!), but here's part 2 of this lovely suburb/city on its own right.

What to do in Bahía Medusa?

As the main gateway to Isla Bonita, most people step foot on Bahía Medusa for at least some while. However, most visitors only do so to hop from the airport to the monorail station and skip the many tourist attractions that Bahía Medusa has to show! Here's a non-exhaustive list of these things:

Airport Free Trade Zone

Law #420, which enabled the island to construct Looking For Sponsors (LFS) Airport, also made provisions for the construction of a free trade zone outside of the main terminal. This tourism–oriented area, with duty-free stores and services, also includes a resort hotel, some of Bahía Medusa's finest beaches, and the local chapter of the State Fair. While some people have described it as "gaudy", "Miamesque", and "a concrete nightmare", thousands of tourists visit the Free Trade Zone every day, usually to hop on the monorail or rent one of the many cars available in the parking lots, while locals can also visit the Zone for cheap booze or to meet tourists at the beach.

The Free Zone can be reached by monorail (Ferry and Terminal 1 stations), Subway (Ferry station, Lines 4 and 5) and by… well, ferry line.

Old Town

The Old Town waterfront and pier

Immediately to the west of the Airport, across the Bay Bridges, the Old Town is the oldest part of Bahía Medusa. The waterfront is a new commercial development in an otherwise residential area, taking advantage of the location of the Old Town in between Anclaje and the aforementioned airport, while to the north, the Main Square anchors the main commercial area of the city.

The Old Town is very well connected, and has the Medusa transport hub, where the monorail and T1 Tram lines converge, as well as ferry stops. There's also a number of bus lines running alongside Valenti Boulevard (from east to west) or Bay Avenue (north to south).

The Medusa Cathedral, the City Hall and local Courthouse are all located around Main Square

The Cruise Ship Port, Casino and Peninsula

If you choose to visit Isla Bonita by cruise, this may very well be your first sight of the city

The Bahía Medusa Cruise Port, the first of its kind in Isla Bonita, was built on a dredged canal on the namesake Jellyfish Bay and it sees several ships per year anchor at its pier. The Bahía Medusa casino is nearby, as well as a series of stores. This area is also located along the southern waterfront, in between the Airport and the Old Town. On the South Bay side, the peninsula holds several canals and walking paths above water, as well as the old Fuerta de Pego fort. This residential neighbourhood nevertheless sees some tourism and it can be a good alternative to the beaches and shopping.

This port is served by the monorail (Laguna station) and Puentes station on Line 4 of the subway.

The Laguna and Peninsula neighbourhoods show that water canals are no impediment to a walkable place

Jellyfish Beach

Jellyfish Beach, so beautiful that even pixels can't cope with it

The main beach in Bahía Medusa, located on its namesake bay, is Jellyfish beach. The jellyfish numbers have been greatly reduced, so nowadays it's the preferred beach by Medusians –close to the Main Station and to Downtown, with calm, warm waters and the lovely European-style architecture of the city just around the corner. Savvy tourists should visit the Farmers' Market on Founders' Square, where the local delicacy of Melon and Wine can easily be purchased to enjoy while sitting next to the beach.

This neighbourhood is very well connected to the entire Isla Bonita network. Line T1 crosses it, with stops at Península, Playa and Bahía Medusa Main Station, which is also served by the Anclaje Docklands rail line and subway lines 1 and 4.

The eclectic low-rise buildings around Founders' Square

Arts District

The University of Bahía Medusa, right across the boulevard from the Alejandro Theatre

The University of Bahía Medusa (BMU), while not as prestigious as those of the main port or the capital, is nevertheless very well known for its Liberal Arts programme and the quality of its Performative Arts School. In addition to its main campus, located near Downtown, it controls the Alejandro Theatre right across Boulevard Al Este. This is Isla Bonita's main theatre, and it also hosts ballet and opera performances.

The Arts District is served by Universidad stop on the T3 tram line. Bulevar Al Este Line 1 Subway station is also nearby, and its elevated tracks offer magnificent views of the theatre.

Bulevar Al Este station also has a small park in front of it, while the Bahía Medusa stock exchange is across the boulevard

Hillside District

Head towards the hills for the most fun part of the city

Immediately north of the Arts District lies the Hillside district, home to the BMU Film Studio, the Opera House, the Zoo and the main TV station of the city. Located at the intersection of Bay and Hill Avenues, near the end of Haussmann diagonal, this district sits at the junction point of the city, and it offers both entertainment and nature, with hiking possibilities to enjoy a great view of the city and bay at night.

It can be reached by many bus lines, in addition to Plaza Madre station on subway lines 1 and 5.

El Escorial, Barrio Colegio and nearby structures

El Escorial palace, surrounded by museums

The former Royal Hunting grounds are anchored by the Escorial palace, built in imitation of its Spanish counterpart by the Bonitos dynasty. The palace was demolished during the early stages of the Light Blue revolution, before being rebuilt and used as the main centerpoint of the Colegios neughbourhood, and is nowadays a museum. The entire neighbourhood is representative of Bahía Medusa, with its European architecture, broad avenues and many museums. Next to the palace, the Modern Art museum holds the island's main Modern Art exhibitions, while the Zeughaus, across Escorial Avenue, holds history exhibitions. Nearby there's the Bahía Medusa Main Library and its Mormon temple.

Zeughaus, Library and Temple

Immediately to the south of the formerly Royal Palace, the old Hunting Grounds have been turned into the Escorial Park, Bahía Medusa's main green lung. The park hosts in its grounds Peter's Church, as well as the Bahía Medusa stadium. The Estadio Parque, as it's also known, hosts the current Baseball league champions, the Medusians.

We're not saying the place is a tourist trap, but there's also, literally, a tourist trap.

The best way to reach El Escorial is through Tram Line 3. Catedral station sits at the intersection of Escorial Avenue and Bouvelard Este.

Convention Centre

Convention Centre and Bridge

The Convention Centre is where many of Isla Bonita's events happen. It's greatly aided by its location, just a short walk away from Terminal 2 of LFS Airport, and serviced by Convención stop on the T1 tram and the Airport Transport Hub, which is Terminal 2 monorail, Subway Line 5 and Tram Line 1 station and the High St. Station across the avenue. The Hub needs to be reached by crossing Convención Bridge, famous for its gilded sculptures that were probably… not? Our lawyer says they were not inspired by Paris's bridges, please do not sue us again.

FAQ

What are the best places to admire Bahía Medusa's architecture?

While Bahía Medusa's middle-density, low-rise buildings can be found all throughout the city, the best representative is probably the Haussmann South neighbourhood. It's also a short walk away from many of the aforementioned attractions, as well as the nearby coast (there's no beach here, though).

This is probably the best place to find croissants, as well

What is the fastest way to visit one of the actual, important cities?

Get out.