How to Get from Cancun to Isla Mujeres: Ferry & Info [2023]

Wondering about transportation from Cancun to Isla Mujeres? I got you! Check all the transportation options in this post and decide how to get to Isla Mujeres from Cancun.

Isla Mujeres is a beautiful island located off the coast of Cancun, Mexico, and it would be a shame leaving the area without exploring it. Whether you’re visiting for a day trip from Cancun or you’re planning to spend a few days there, you’ll have to first figure out how to get there.

Learn about your options so you can decide what’s the best way for getting to Isla Mujeres from Cancun Airport, downtown Cancun or the Cancun Hotel Zone. Here you’ll find the Isla Mujeres ferry times from Cancun+ prices, and alternative options to the ferry.

HOW TO GET FROM CANCUN TO ISLA MUJERES: 4 WAYS

Take the Ferry to Isla Mujeres From Cancun

Taking the ferry from Cancun to Isla Mujeres is by far the most popular option. You’ll simply have to head to Puerto Juarez, located a 10-minute drive from Cancun Downtown, and take the Ultramar ferry to Isla Mujeres from there.

➤ The Puerto Juarez ferry by Ultramar is a high-speed ferry, and the ride from Cancun to the island takes around 30 minutes. The ferries to Isla Mujeres operated by Ultramar are well maintained and have a good safety record; they feature air-conditioning and wifi connection, and food and drinks can be purchased aboard.

I highly recommend buying your tickets for the Isla Mujeres ferry in advance, especially in the high season. The Cancun to Isla Mujeres ferry costs around 10 USD per person per way (19 USD round trip), and there are departures every hour from 7.00 AM to 9.00 PM ➥ BUY YOUR TICKETS HERE

Check the Ultramar ferry schedule to Isla Mujeres below (and from Isla Mujeres to Cancun):

Another company, Naveganto, serves the same route from Puerto Juarez, but Ultramar is the most known company. I personally had a good experience with Ultramar ferries, so I recommend them.

The Puerto Juarez ferry terminal is a modern terminal – here you’ll find bathrooms, an OXXO store, an ATM, and a cafe that serves food and drinks.

How to Get to Puerto Juarez Ferry Terminal from Downtown Cancun

Puerto Juarez ferry terminal is just 3.5 kilometers (2.1 miles) from downtown Cancun, an easy 10-minute drive.

To get to Puerto Juarez from downtown Cancun, you can either:

➤ Take a taxi – the taxi ride to Puerto Juarez should cost around 100 MXN. Make sure to set a price before getting in the taxi.

➤ Take the public bus line R1. Ask the driver “Puerto Juarez?” to make sure it goes there, as not all of them go there. The ticket costs less than 1 USD.

⚠️ Staying in the Cancun Hotel Zone instead? Check out the next section.

Take the Isla Mujeres Ferry from Cancun Hotel Zone

If you’re staying in the Cancun Hotel Zone, you can also take the ferry from Playa Tortugas, Playa Caracol or El Embarcadero to Isla Mujeres. These ferries are as good as the one I recommended above, but they are less frequent and quite a bit more expensive.

If you’re really budget-friendly, You could be taking a taxi or the public bus from the Cancun Hotel Zone to Puerto Juarez. Look for lines R1 or R2. However, I think there’s a better way to get to Isla Mujeres from the Hotel Zone.

There’s a new ferry service operated by Grupo Xcaret (owner of all the parks like Xcaret, Xplor, etc), called Xcaret Xailing, which takes you from Cancun Hotel Zone to Isla Mujeres on a modern and very comfortable catamaran.

You can make the journey in the air-conditioned cabin or outdoors, make use of the complimentary wifi, and secure your bags at the luggage storage.

The ticket also includes access to the Scenic Tower, which I thought was a very cool experience. You can get a 360 view over the Cancun Hotel Zone and the Nichupte Lagoon, and get fantastic photos from 260 feet above the ground.

I took this the last time and it was excellent, much better than Ultramar. The service was exceptional and it was a lot less crowded. Also closer to most hotels (they depart from Embarcadero Isla Mujeres by Xcaret). Below you’ll find the Cancun – Isla Mujeres ferry schedule:

The open ticket lets you board at any time, so you don’t have to choose your schedule when you buy the ticket. Secure your seat, and show up when you feel like heading to the island! You can buy single or round trip tickets. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

Day Tours from Cancun to Isla Mujeres

Many people only have time for a day trip from Cancun to Isla Mujeres. Is that you? Then maybe taking the ferry isn’t the best option.

Joining a Cancun to Isla Mujeres day trip will save you time and often money as well, when you take into consideration the cost of ferry + taxi to the port in Cancun, and transportation on the island plus activities. Tours to Isla Mujeres tend to be pretty affordable – unless you choose some private tour on a fancy yacht…

Of course, some people prefer to travel on their own, but if you don’t mind joining an organized tour, this is a sure way to enjoy your day without any hassle or stress.

➤ This Catamaran Tour to Isla Mujeres includes transfers from your hotel, music on deck and an open bar to enjoy your time aboard, and snorkeling along the coral reef with a guide. You’ll also have free time to explore Isla Mujeres. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

➤ The Luxury Isla Mujeres tour from Cancun is a half-day experience in which you’ll sail toward the island, stopping to snorkel along the way, and explore Isla Mujeres either with a guide or on your own. It includes lunch and an open bar onboard. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

➤ This Catamaran Trip to Isla Mujeres also includes snorkeling stops, and it’s the cheapest option. The most basic tour does NOT include lunch or transfers, though, so only choose it if you’re on a budget. You can choose this tour with lunch and transport as well, though, by selecting the option. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

Book a Private Catamaran from Cancun to Isla Mujeres

Not liking the idea of a ferry ride from Cancun to the island? Well, there’s an alternative, but it’s not for everyone.

Some private companies like AGI offer door-to-door service from Cancun airport to your hotel in Isla Mujeres. If you opt for a luxury transfer, you’ll most likely travel on a yacht. This is the most luxurious option, but definitely also the most expensive one. However, if it fits in your budget, it definitely beats taking the ferry or going on a group tour!

➤ This Private Isla Mujeres Catamaran Tour can be customized to last half or a full day. You’ll set sail to Isla Mujeres on your very own vessel, stopping at coral reefs to snorkel and sipping drinks from the open bar. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

➤ The Private Yacht Rental accommodates up to 15 people and includes snorkel stops, music on deck, soft beverages, and time at an Isla Mujeres beach, depending on how many hours you rent the yacht for. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

Beware of traveling on small boats though, as the ride might be longer and rougher than the ferry one – definitely not recommended if you get seasick. If you decide to book a private boat from Cancun to Isla Mujeres, make sure the tour operator has proper insurance, the skipper is certified, and there is safety equipment on board. Always better to ask a few more questions and be safe.

Some luxury hotels on Isla Mujeres such as Isla Mujeres Palace Resort All Inclusive and Zoetry Villa Rolandi also offer their own private boat to Isla Mujeres, and from Isla Mujeres to Cancun; sometimes it’s even included in the hotel rate.

HOW TO GET FROM CANCUN AIRPORT TO ISLA MUJERES

Arriving by plane and wondering how to get to Isla Mujeres from the airport? These are the transportation options available for your transfer to Puerto Juarez, from which you’ll take the Cancun ferry to Isla Mujeres as described above.

▶️ Pre-book private transportation from Cancun Airport to Puerto Juarez ferry terminal – the car transport up to 4 people and costs around 35 USD (definitely a convenient choice if you’re more than 2). I think it’s the best transportation from Cancun Airport to Isla Mujeres.

You can save money by booking your Isla Mujeres to Cancun airport transfer at the same time.

▶️ Take the ADO bus from Cancun Airport to Downtown Cancun, and then a colectivo (shared shuttle) to Puerto Juarez. This is the most affordable transportation from Cancun Airport to Isla Mujeres. It takes around 25 minutes and the ride costs 8.50 USD at the time of writing. Multiple departures all day long.

Another option is to take a taxi from ADO Bus Station, located in Calle Pino (SM23, MZ56), to Puerto Juarez. If you get the taxi at the bus station, the ride will cost you around 150 Pesos.

You could get a cheaper ride (around 80 Pesos) by flagging a taxi on the street, although the first alternative is more convenient if you’re carrying luggage.

TAKE YOUR CAR TO ISLA MUJERES

Good news and bad news. Do you want to take your car to Isla Mujeres? You can. Is it wise, though? Probably not. Isla Mujeres is a pretty small island, and parking can be a problem. You can avoid the hassle and rent a golf cart to get around, I’ll assure you it will be more fun!

However, if for any reason you still want to bring your own car to the island, you can do that by taking the car ferry to Isla Mujeres (Ultracarga operated by Ultramar) from Punta Sam ferry terminal. The terminal is located a few kilometers north of Puerto Juarez (10 minutes drive).

Depending on the day, there are 2 to 4 departures per day scheduled at the time of writing. Fares change based on the type of vehicle you’re driving.

ISLA MUJERES: A SHORT GUIDE

How To Get Around Isla Mujeres

You might be wondering how to get around Isla Mujeres once you’re there, but worry not. You’ve got a couple of options.

➤ Take a taxi – This is the best option to get from the Isla Mujeres ferry terminal to your hotel, or for one-off transportation during your stay. Once you get to Isla Mujeres, you’ll find a taxi station right outside the ferry port.

➤ Rent a golf cart – Golf carts seem to be everyone’s favorite Isla Mujeres transportation method, and you can easily rent one in town. However, renting a golf cart can be fairly expensive (50-60 USD per day). You probably will spend a good amount of time just relaxing at the beach, so I recommend renting one just for those days when you want to go exploring. If you just need to go from point A to point B and return, you’ll be better off taking a taxi.

➤ Private hotel transfer – If you prefer to have a transfer pre-organized, ask your hotel for a private car service; most hotels will organize this for you.

Best Things to Do on Isla Mujeres

I won’t keep this section long as you probably don’t need me to convince you to visit Isla Mujeres – you’re already looking at how to get there! There are plenty of guides to the best things to do in Isla Mujeres, and I’ll probably even write one myself at some point. If you need a little reminder though, these are the top things to do on the island:

➤ Hit the beach and that crystal-clear water. Playa Norte, on the north side of the island, is one of the most famous beaches on the island. If you’re looking for something a bit wilder, check out the beaches around Punta Sur on the south side of the island, where you’ll find a more rugged coastline.

➤ Swim with whale sharks in a responsible way. Isla Mujeres is one of few places in the world where you can swim with these good giants. I haven’t personally tried it, but it must be an incredible experience, Make sure you choose an ethical tour operator that cares about the well-being of the animals.

➤ Dive at MUSA, an underwater museum and sculpture park. Here you’ll find over 500 statues and sculptures, all underwater! You can also enjoy this unique attraction by snorkeling if diving isn’t your thing.

Where to Stay in Isla Mujeres, Mexico

There are plenty of options for all budgets when it comes to accommodation on Isla Mujeres (and yes, I do recommend spending here at least a couple of days!). These are my favorite hotels on Isla Mujeres:

LUXURY RESORT: Zoetry Villa Rolandi – This all-inclusive, luxury resort is a beautiful hotel with great service and facilities. The all-inclusive treatment also comes with a complimentary transfer from Cancun.

AFFORDABLE LUXURY HOTEL: Izla Beach Front Hotel – New hotel with modern rooms and a beautiful private beach and pool. Some rooms come with private plunge pools with a view.

ON A BUDGET: Nomads Hostel & Beachclub – This boutique hostel features both dorms and very nice private rooms. Minimal design and private pool, located directly on the beach.

HOW TO GET TO ISLA MUJERES FAQ

This is it! Hopefully, this info is useful for you to get from Cancun to Isla Mujeres. On this blog you’ll find tons of other content about Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum so make sure to check out my most popular articles to plan your trip in the region.