Isla Mujeres is a paradise on the Caribbean Sea, being one of the most important islands in the state of Quintana Roo. It is a must for anyone visiting Cancun; however, sometimes, it is very confusing for people how to get to Isla Mujeres.
Currently, it can only be reached by a commercial ferry, by a catamaran, boat, or yacht tour; However, we want you to visit the island on your own and not be forced to hire a specific term.
First of all, keep in mind that although the departure of the ferries is continuous, if you travel in high season, there will be many tourists and locals who will want to cross to Isla Mujeres and return to Cancun. We recommend that you go with the idea that you will have to queue and arrive early so that you can enjoy the island.
The journey to Isla Mujeres is only 20 minutes on a ferry with hours from 7:00 am to 11:30 pm. There are two areas where you can take a ferry; Puerto Juárez, which is where you will find cheaper tickets, and the Hotel Zone where transportation is more expensive.
How to get to Isla Mujeres from Puerto Juárez
Puerto Juárez is located a couple of kilometers after the entrance to the Hotel Zone. If you are staying in a hotel or Airbnb in the center of the city, it is straightforward to get there, taking a truck you arrive immediately, or if you prefer comfort, a taxi should not charge you more than 60 pesos.
Things get a bit complicated when you are staying in the Hotel Zone; why is there no way to get to Puerto Juárez from there; You have to go down to the city center, and a taxi is costly. But, you can travel in a truck to the center of the city and from there, take another to Puerto Juárez.
In Puerto Juárez, you have three ferry options:
- Ultramar Terminal: This is the most popular and, at the same time, the most expensive; usually, the round trip ticket price is around 300 Mexican pesos; it has a large parking lot in case you arrive by vehicle. It is a good option if money is not a problem and it has departures every 15 minutes in high season.
- Terminal Naveganto: It is located 400 meters ahead of Ultramar, and the round ticket costs 190 Mexican pesos for nationals and 265 pesos for foreigners. It is a perfect option because it has a quality similar to the Overseas ferries at a lower price. Unfortunately, its departures are per hour.
- Punta Sam Terminal: This ferry is exclusive to transport heavy machinery and cars; It is a good option if you rented a car and want to tour the island with it; however, the island is tiny, and it is convenient to rent a golf cart to explore it.
How to get there from the Hotel Zone
Ferries in the Hotel Zone are a bit more expensive. However, they are more accessible for tourists staying nearby. If you are staying in the city center, we do not recommend this option.
The three terminals belong to Ultramar, and the price of the round ticket is 21 US dollars; these do not have rates for locals or in Mexican currency, so they do become a little more expensive. However, you should think about whether it is more comfortable for you to take one of these ferries in the Hotel Zone. The terminals are located at:
- Tortugas Beach
- Caracol Beach
- The Embarcadero
