Ultimate Travel Guide to Isla Mujeres

Table of Contents

Isla Mujeres means Island of Women and is a destination that you can treat as a true escape.

The small and charming jewel has a laid-back island vibe and you can easily lose the day on this little slice of paradise.

If you’re planning a trip to this island, read on to learn all you need to know about spending the day in Isla Mujeres.

About Isla Mujeres

Mexico isla mujeres map
MAP OF ISLA MUJERES, MEXICO

Where is Isla Mujeres?

Isla Mujeres is a tiny island located where the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea meet – about 8 miles from Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula.

It’s a short 20-minute ride from Cancun and frequent ferries make it quick and easy to get to the island.

 

Is Isla Mujeres Worth Visiting?

People vacationing in the neighboring town of Cancun often wonder if a day-trip to Isla Mujeres is worth visiting. This entirely depends on you.

Does the idea of lazily sunbathing on a beach chair sound enticing? How about floating around in the warm crystal-clear seawater?

Might as well grow fins for the day, as you’re going to find endless water-sport activities to enjoy!

It’s definitely a change of pace if you’re coming from a busy city like Cancun, but it’s not just sand-between-the-toes experience here.

Step away from the beach and explore the low-key streets of Isla Mujeres. Don’t worry about getting lost — the island is so tiny that you’ll eventually end up where you started.

If this sounds like your kinda day then Isla Mujeres ticks all the boxes and is definitely worth the visit.

 

Is Isla Mujeres Safe?

One of the most common questions any traveler would have is on safety.

Violent crimes are pretty rare in Isla Mujeres, and the tourists aren’t the main target most of the time. Of course, it’s possible to be at the wrong place at the wrong time but these occurrences don’t happen often.

Isla Mujeres is generally safe to visit, however, it helps to be careful and use your common sense just like you would in any part of the world.

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11 Top Things to Do in Isla Mujeres

How to Get to Isla Mujeres

beach on Isla Mujeres
CLEAR WATER AT ISLA MUJERES BEACH

If you’re staying around Cancun, you’ll need to make your way to the docks to board the Ultramar high-speed ferry.

The best way to get to the terminal would be to book your private transportation in advance.

The cost is per vehicle so it’s not bad if you’re traveling with a small group. It’s not the cheapest option but it’s convenient and there’s no waiting involved.

Shared transportation or the ADO bus is also an option but keep in mind that it’ll take you longer to get to the terminal since multiple stops will be made.

Depending on which area of Cancun you’re in, there are four ferry terminals to choose from:

 

1. Gran Puerto

Taking the Ultramar ferry from Gran Puerto port is the easiest way to get to Isla Mujeres.

This is the newest and biggest ferry terminal with the most frequent departures. The spacious Ultramar ferry at this port is air-conditioned and the ride takes about 15 minutes.

Note: most transportation options will take you to this terminal by default. Many tourists often confuse this ferry dock with the original Puerto Juárez dock, since both of them are in the town of Puerto Juárez.

 

2. Puerto Juárez

This is the oldest terminal in Cancun and the ferries are provided by Naveganto. Pricing and speed is similar to Ultramar.

 

3. Zona Hotelera

You can also catch the ferry to Isla Mujeres directly from the Hotel Zone in Cancun. The Ultramar ferries in this area have daily departures out of three locations: Playa Caracol, Playa Tortugas, or El Embarcadero.

It’s worth noting that the ferry rides from these ports don’t run as frequently and cost more compared to Gran Puerto or Puerto Juárez, but it’s a good option if you’re staying in the Hotel Zone.

 

4. Punta Sam

Punta Sam is the only ferry terminal in Cancun to transport cars as well as passengers. The ride (provided by Ultracarga) is slower, taking about 45 minutes to cross.

We don’t recommend taking a car over to Isla Mujeres — it’s hard to find parking and you’ll be missing out on exploring the island by golf cart!

 

Map of the Ferries to Isla Mujeres

Best Time to Visit Isla Mujeres

Punta Sur Isla Mujeres
PUNTA SUR, ISLA MUJERES

Isla Mujeres is a great destination year-round as the climate is pretty consistent — there’s basically a dry and rainy season.

Rainfall in Mexico doesn’t really last long (heavy downpour for about 20 minutes) so if you don’t mind a drizzle here and there, you can take advantage of the slashed accommodation and resort prices during the low season.

The high season for Isla Mujeres is between December through to May while the low season begins in June to mid-November.

The warmest months of the year on the island are June through August.

November is a little bit cooler but nowhere close to winter in other parts of the world so you can still enjoy a dip in the sea.

 

Average Temperatures in Isla Mujeres (Highs)

average weather temperature in isla mujeres

Does Isla Mujeres Have a Seaweed Problem?

The continued presence of seaweed littering Mexico’s coastline is a big concern for most travelers.

But the good news is Isla Mujeres has been spared from the sargassum seaweed.

The waters are clear and peaceful here!

Things to Do in Isla Mujeres

Isla Mujeres island dock port pier colorful Mexico
boat pier, ISLA MUJERES

There are tons of awesome things you can do in Isla Mujeres, including:

  • Snorkeling
  • Cruising the streets on a scooter
  • Having long walks on the beaches
  • Enjoying Mexican gastronomy
  • Watching the sunsets
  • Swimming with turtles
  • Scuba diving

Check out our guide on the top things to do in Isla Mujeres.

Where to Stay in Isla Mujeres

Garrafon Reef Park Beach Club Isla Mujeres Mexico
garrafon beach park

Selina Poc Na Isla Mujeres

Selina Poc Na Isla Mujeres is a great option if you’re on a tighter budget. There is a wide range of options from dorms to private rooms and there is a great bar on site where you can relax at the end of the day.

If you’re after a more upscale option, however, you can try either of the following:

 

Nautibeach Condos

Nautibeach Condos is the best option is you want to cut some costs (it has self-catering facilities) without compromising the beachfront luxury.

 

Isla Mujeres Palace

Isla Mujeres Palace is one of the top-rated hotels in Isla Mujeres and the best place to stay if you want top-notch accommodation with flawless services.

Final Thoughts

For many, Isla Mujeres is the perfect getaway from the bustling town of Cancun to relax and unwind. You won’t necessarily need a tour guide to bring you around the island since it’s relatively small and easy to explore on your own.

There are so many things to do in Isla Mujeres, so be adventurous for the day — rent a golf cart and ride around in style with the sweeping coastlines and clear turquoise water in your rearview!

What are you looking forward to doing on the island?

We hope this travel guide to Isla Mujeres helped you plan out your trip a little better!