Haven’t you heard of Isla Mujeres yet? Isla Mujeres is the paradise of thousands of people who visit the city of Cancun and the Riviera Maya, because it is an island that is located just 6 kilometers off the coast of Cancun and gives us a real marine odyssey, between charming beaches, a very active and impressive marine life, an artificial museum and an incredible show for our eyes turned into a parade of bathing suits, athletic bodies, dreamy sunsets and much more.
Why? Well, because the atmosphere on the island is beachy and although it has several hotels, hostels and is small, it has managed to adapt very well to make the thousands of travelers who pass through the island either for a single day or because they are staying in the place something wonderfully unforgettable.
And if you still don’t know Isla Mujeres, don’t worry because now we will give you the travel guide on what to visit, what to see, where to go, how to get there and much more information to visit Isla Mujeres.
Isla Mujeres Travel Guide
Isla Mujeres is a small island located just 6 kilometers from Cancun and is the first place in all of Mexico to receive the first years of the sun. In fact, every New Year’s Eve, locals and visitors from all over Mexico and the world visit the island to receive the first rays of the new year’s sun.
This is something like a good luck bath and a procession that more than a custom, has become an essential part of the history of Isla Mujeres.
In addition, you may be surprised to know that there are more than 20 activities you can do in this place that measures only 4.22 km². That’s right, it’s the smallest island in the Mexican Caribbean, but in spite of that, it gives us a great vacation adventure. But enough talk and let’s start knowing everything we can do, see, where to go, how to get there in our Isla Mujeres travel guide.
How to get to Isla Mujeres?
As its name suggests, Isla Mujeres is an island and due to its small size, it can only be reached by sea. This trip can be by ferry, motorboat or boat.
The most economical way is through the ferry of the overseas maritime company, as it is the one that mostly dominates the maritime routes from Cancun and the Riviera Maya.
You just have to consider that the cost of the ferry depends a lot on the port (Terminal) from which you decide to take the ferry. Generally travelers, tourists and locals take the ferry at the Puerto Juarez marine terminal.
The reason? It is cheaper, it leaves every 30 minutes and it is faster to get to the Island from here. Here are the prices and fares that Ultramar terminals in the city of Cancun handle.
Terminal | First Exit | Last Departure | Time | Adults price |
Child price |
Puerto Juárez | 6:30 AM | 11.00 PM | Cada 30 minutos | 190.00 MXN | 150.00 MXN |
Playa Tortuga | 10.00 AM | 6.00 PM | 15.00 USD | 10.00 USD | |
El Embarcadero | 10:15 AM | 6:00 PM | Table | 15.00 USD | 10.00 USD |
Playa Caracol | 11:15 AM | 6:00 PM | 15.00 USD | 10.00 USD |
Transportation from Cancun to Isla Mujeres Ferry
Do you want to know how to get to Isla Mujeres from Cancun Airport or Cancun Downtown? It really is very simple, but don’t forget that the transfer services from Cancun airport or downtown Cancun will only drop you off at one of Ultramar’s maritime terminals.
As expected, almost 90% of people go directly to the ferry from Puerto Juarez, as it leaves every half hour and is the cheapest, so the question is how to get to the ferry to Isla Mujeres from Cancun?
If you are at the Cancun Airport or at a hotel in the hotel zone of Cancun, we highly recommend you to use our private transportation service to Isla Mujeres.
Our service is top quality and you do not have to worry about anything but wait for one of our drivers to pick you up and travel comfortably to the maritime terminal of Puerto Juarez, where as you can imagine you can take the ferry to Isla Mujeres. Check prices by clicking here.
Now, if you want to venture to “arrive” on your own to the maritime terminal, you can make use of the public transportation service.
If you are in the hotel zone, remember that you have 3 terminals nearby, but if you want to go to the Puerto Juarez terminal, first you have to “go down” to the city center.
In the city center, you have to take public transportation to Lopez Portillo Avenue and from there you can walk or take other public transportation to the Puerto Juarez terminal.
What to do in Isla Mujeres
Despite being a small place you might be surprised by all the things you can do and see in Isla Mujeres. Of course we will go into more depth in another post, however here we will list all the activities, but really all the activities you can do in Isla Mujeres.
- Visit North Beach
- Visit Lancheros Beach
- Enjoy Garrafon Beach
- Visit Punta Sur
- Visit Isla Mujeres Mayan Ruins
- Take pictures in the letters of Isla Mujeres
- Admire the street art in the streets
- Visit the Immaculate Conception parish church
- Diving in MUSA
- Snorkel
- Swim with Dolphins
- Have fun at Garrafon Park
- Enjoy a delicious fish tikin xic style
- Spend a night out in the nightclubs and bars
- Visit the dream park
- Visit the Tortugranja
- Tour the Santa Paula Mangroves
- Visit the beach club and Captain Dulché’s Museum
- Visit the Hacienda Mundaca
- Tour Isla Contoy National Park
- Visit Cabo Catoche and its lighthouse
- Play Golf
- Tour the Island in a Golf Cart
- Buy souvenirs and handicrafts
- Take lots of pictures
- Take a boat ride
- Enjoy the RoofTop of the Belo Hotel
- Stay a day and night on the island.
As you can see. Despite being a small place, Isla Mujeres has an immense amount of activities that you can do and enjoy. And believe me, there are still many other things that we haven’t added to our list.
Where to Eat in Isla Mujeres
Isla Mujeres is surrounded by a beach life, so most of its popular gastronomy is seafood and fish. In fact a very popular one is the tikin xic style fish. But this doesn’t mean that we can’t find some other type of food that is not from the sea such as pasta, pizza, hamburger, etc, etc.
So, you ask yourself, where to eat in Isla Mujeres? Well, Isla Mujeres is very different from Holbox Island, where there are not many conventional stores like OXXO’s, Extras and 7-Eleven.
So if you are looking to economize on food, in these stores you can buy ham, cheese, bread, snacks, snacks, instant soups, which is a good money saver. Of course, let’s not forget that there are other street food places, where tacos are the main character of the story.
But if what you are looking for is to eat at ease, enjoy the view and delight your palate, then the restaurants on the island are a good choice and that is why we will list some recommended for breakfast, lunch or dinner.
- Mango CaféMango Café
- Bastos Grill
- Greenverde
- Pita Amore Isla Mujeres
- Barlito
- Buho’s
- Sunset Grill
- La Negrita
- Dopi’s Isla Mujeres
- Javi’s Cantina Restaurant
- Lolo Lorena
- Limón Restaurant
- Le Mestissage
- Casa Rolandi, Isla Mujeres
- North Garden
- La Lomita
- El Poc Chuc
Where to stay in Isla Mujeres
Generally many people come to the island attracted by its beaches, beach atmosphere, swimsuit parade, weather and activities, but this does not mean that you only have to stay for a few hours.
The reality is that if you are looking for a real travel experience in Isla Mujeres, we highly recommend you to stay at least 2 or 3 days, so you must be wondering where can I stay?
Or how expensive is it to stay in Isla Mujeres? The answer is simple: In Isla Mujeres you can find accommodations from 150.00 MXN per night.
That’s right, just as there are 5 star, all inclusive and luxury hotels that can cost almost 4,500.00 MXN per night, there are humble places where you can have an incredible time for only 150.00 MXN per night. Remember that everything depends on the type of traveler you are and what you are willing to spend.
How to get around Isla Mujeres
The island is small so you can get around on foot, however there are private cab services, but the cost can range from 100.00 MXN to 150.00 MXN, so if you are looking to save money it is best to rent a bicycle.
The cost for renting a bicycle on the island is 100.00 MXN and you can also rent a golf cart from 250.00 MXN.
If you are going to stay for several days, we recommend you first tour the island on a bicycle or in a golf cart, so you can “define the places to visit” on your walking tour.
Tips to visit Isla Mujeres
Now that you know the maritime terminals to go to Isla Mujeres, the best option to go from Cancun, the approximate cost of hotels, as well as its restaurants, its activities and how to get around the island, we will give you some last tips in this travel guide to Isla Mujeres.
- Don’t carry dollars. Avoid carrying dollars and change everything to Mexican pesos.
- Enjoy a tour. While touring the island you can see beautiful beaches, the best way to get close to them is through a tour.
- Swim with dolphins: Live this experience and don’t miss it.
- Enjoy Garrafon Park. Garrafon Park is a natural park full of zip line circuits in the Caribbean Sea, you have to enjoy it.
- Avoid cabs. Once you are inside the island, avoid cabs and go around the island on foot, in a golf cart or by bicycle.
- Enjoy a tikin xic fish.
- Bring suntan lotion. Bring your own suntan lotion and apply it before going out to tour the island.
- Tour Punta Sur. A true adventure odyssey is waiting for you.
And last but not least, remember that if you need a shuttle service from Cancun airport to Isla Mujeres Ferry, we can take you there. Check prices by clicking here.