How to get fromCancun to Isla Mujeres (and back)

What to expect when visiting Isla Mujeres

Isla Mujeres translates to ‘Island of Women’ in Spanish, but no, it’s not an island full of women! It’s a dreamy little island situated in the turquoise waters just off the coast of Cancun. Isla Mujeres boasts dramatically beautiful and calm beaches on the north side and admirable coral reefs in the south.

The island is a great destination for a day trip, but we’d reFrequently asked questionscommend a longer stay as there’s so much to do. One of the best ways to spend your time is simply exploring Isla Mujeres downtown. Rent a golf cart and ride it around town, already an adventure in itself!

For lunch, you can enjoy some of the island’s delicious dishes such as Tikinxikla fish or an extra-large helping of ceviche. Make sure to visit Garrafon Natural Reef Park for snorkelling, Punta Sur viewpoint for some spectacular sunrises, and Playa Norte for its powdery-soft white-sand beach.

5 ways to get from Cancun to Isla Mujeres

The 5 ways to travel the distance of 20 kilometers (12 miles) from Cancun to Isla Mujeres are by: minivan (1 hour 20 minutes), private transport (1 hour 20 minutes), ferry (20 minutes to 8 hours 30 minutes), ferry (the way back) (20 to 30 minutes) and day trip (10 hours). The journey duration ranges between 20 minutes - 10 hours and the quickest way is by ferry. The lowest priced tickets start from 275 MXN ($13.70) for the ferry.

The public ferry is the most common way to travel from Cancun to Isla Mujeres. Ferries are available every 30 minutes from 05:30 to 23:00.

Tickets start from 275 MXN ($13.70), and the ferry ride to Isla Mujeres takes around 20 minutes to 8 hours 30 minutes.

Ferry departure ports in Cancun

Most ferries, including Ultramar and Jetway ferry, depart from Puerto Juarez Ferry Terminal. This is the main port in Cancun, located just 10 minutes from downtown by bus or car.

In general, Puerto Juarez offers the most ferry departures compared to the other ports in Cancun. However, if you’re not staying around downtown Cancun, keep on reading this section for ferries departing from other ports in Cancun.

From Cancun Airport

If you’re coming from Cancun Airport, you can also take a private transfer with Jumbo Tours Mexico. You will be picked up from the airport and dropped off at El Embarcadero, where you’ll transfer to a ferry to Isla Mujeres. The entire trip takes a little over an hour.

Fares for 2 people start from 1,250 MXN ($62). You can also book a 6-person private transfer for just 1,270 MXN ($63).

When you split the costs, you might just save more money than when you take a local taxi to the city centre for around 600 MXN ($30), excluding the ferry ticket.

It’s also important to note that there are no direct buses from the airport to Puerto Juarez or the hotel zone. You would first have to take a bus to the city centre and then another bus or taxi to these areas, which is a hassle if you have luggage.

Xcaret Xailing - Embarcadero Isla Mujeres

Day Tour

Xcaret Xailing Ferry

08:30

8h 30m

17:00

08:30

8h 30m

17:00

Xcaret Catamaran

1,670 MXN ($83)

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• 24/7 customer support

1,670 MXN ($83)

08:30

8h 30m

17:00

Check on BookAway

• 24/7 customer support

2,410 MXN ($120)

08:30

8h 30m

17:00

Check on BookAway

Going back to Cancun from Isla Mujeres is pretty easy. If you booked a round-trip ticket, you just need to show up at the ferry dock at the chosen time and date. If you didn’t, you can still book your ticket online on BookAway or buy it directly at the port.

The same ferry companies operate on this route with the same travel time, and prices also start from 275 MXN ($13.70). Ferries depart from Isla Mujeres as early as 06:00 and are available up to 24:00.

There is also an option to take the combined shuttle + ferry with Jumbo Tours if you’re heading to Cancun Airport right away.

If you’re coming from Cancun Airport, you can book a combined minivan + ferry transfer to Isla Mujeres.

The journey takes about 1 hour 20 minutes and costs 945 MXN ($47).

BD Experience Mexico is operating on this route.

If you’re planning to visit Isla Mujeres for just a day, it can be difficult to decide where to start considering there are so many things to do. That’s why joining a tour can be useful. They organise everything for you!

An Isla Mujeres day trip normally includes set stops, activities, transportation, snorkelling equipment, lunch, and some even offer alcoholic drinks. It all depends on how much you’re willing to pay.

A popular option among tourists is the catamaran day trip that lasts for 10 hours. You will sail with a group on a catamaran and enjoy the day snorkelling and lounging at Playa Norte.

Catamaran tours cost around 1,250 MXN ($62). This price does not include yet the 305 MXN ($15) port fee. Hotel pick-up and drop-off in Cancun, as well as an open bar and lunch buffet, all come with an additional cost.

This cosy catamaran day trip can be booked online through GetYourGuide.

Check Day Trips with GetYourGuide

Local Day Tour with Lancheros

You can get a cheaper day trip with local ‘lancheros’ or motorboat owners from Puerto Juarez. Instead of catamarans, they use speedboats to show you around Isla Mujeres. Rates start at 500 MXN ($25), all-inclusive.

The best part about these tours is that they offer a more local feeling, and you might end up feeling more satisfied with these local tours. However, we recommend carefully choosing your lanchero, as not all of them are guaranteed to offer good service.

To join a local day tour, go to Puerto Juarez and look for Terminal Maritima de Puerto Juarez Capitan Cook.

A private transfer is a convenient option when travelling in a group from Cancun to Isla Mujeres.

Rates start from 4,060 MXN ($200) for a 9-seater private transfer. Divide the cost and that’s about 450 MXN ($22) per person. Travel time is around 1 hour 20 minutes.