We recently went on a 3-day trip to Cancun Mexico to show our special guests how beautiful the beaches are, and of course couldn’t leave without taking them to Isla Mujeres. After travelling most of The Riviera Maya, we’re still convinced that the gorgeous island of Isla Mujeres has far better beaches than Playa del Carmen, Cozumel or Tulum.
In this guide, we’ll be sharing all you need to know before taking a day trip to Isla Mujeres, from Cancun.
What is Isla Mujeres known for?
Isla Mujeres, which translates to “Women Island,” is famous for its crystal-clear blue waters, powdery white sand beaches, and charming, slow-paced atmosphere.
Among the three main islands in the Mexican Caribbean—Cozumel, Holbox, and Isla Mujeres—this island stands out for having the best beaches. Another reason both tourists and locals love visiting is that it’s small enough to explore in a day. Plus, the primary mode of transportation is golf carts, adding a fun and adventurous touch to the experience.
Where is Isla Mujeres?
This charming island is located off the west coast of Mexico and is part of the Mexican Caribbean. Many people mistakenly believe Isla Mujeres is part of Cancun, but it is actually a separate island. However, it’s just a short 30-minute ferry ride from Cancun.
If you’re traveling from Playa del Carmen or Tulum, you’ll first need to make your way to one of the ferry ports in Cancun to reach Isla Mujeres.
Before booking your day trip to Isla Mujeres, consider this:
Isla Mujeres accepts USD, but...
While you can definitely pay in USD at most establishments on the island, we wouldn’t recommend this. While the exchange rate usually sits at around 19 Mexican Pesos to US Dollars, individual establishments are entitled to set their own exchange rate, which usually doesn’t favour you as the customer. We’ve even seen places offering as little as 16 Mexican Pesos per Dollar.
The Island Is Walkable
One of the things we love most about the island is that it is mostly walkable, however, you will need other forms of transportation to reach some spots on the island, like Punta Sur. If you’re only interested in visiting the island for an epic beach day, all the best beaches are located right by the ferry port, so you wouldn’t need to worry about renting a golf cart, making your day trip a lot more affordable.
Isla Mujeres is considered safe
The state of Quintana Roo is considered to be one of the safest spots in all of Mexico, and Isla Mujeres is no exception. Each time we’ve been there, we’ve only encountered friendly locals and a very easy, laid-back island vibe.
Isla Mujeres can be expensive to visit
Besides the restaurants being a bit pricey—around $25 per meal—you also need to factor in the cost of the ferry and golf cart rental. If you spend a day at the beach in Cancun instead, you won’t have these extra travel expenses, so it’s something to keep in mind if you’re on a tight budget.
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How To Get To Isla Mujeres
The main way to reach Isla Mujeres is by taking a ferry from Cancun, which takes about 30 minutes. There are several ferry ports and companies, so no matter where you’re staying in Cancun, you’ll find a port nearby.
Some people think they can take a ferry from Playa del Carmen to Isla Mujeres, but that’s not possible. The ferry from Playa del Carmen only goes to Cozumel, while the ferries in Cancun go to Isla Mujeres. You can bring your car on the ferry, but it’s complicated and takes a lot of time, plus rental car companies usually don’t allow it.
Another option is to join a sailing tour, which typically includes snorkelling before dropping you off in Isla Mujeres for an hour or two. A few years ago, I went on a great half-day sailing tour where we snorkeled at the Underwater Museum and had time to explore downtown Isla Mujeres. This is a fun way to visit the island if you don’t have a whole day to spend.
We’d recommend this tour for their big luxury catamarans, friendly service and included meal 👇
Why Isla Mujeres is worth a day Trip
You can definitely spend the night in Isla Mujeres, but it’s small enough to explore in just one day. If you’re already in Cancun for a few nights, it’s a great idea to take a day trip to this beautiful island. You can get there quickly with a 30-minute ferry ride.
While Cancun’s beaches are lovely, they can’t match the stunning water clarity of Isla Mujeres. Cancun’s beaches can sometimes have rough currents, making swimming less enjoyable, whereas the waters in Isla Mujeres are calm and perfect for swimming.
Additionally, Isla Mujeres has a charming, laid-back vibe that you won’t find in bustling Cancun. After a few days in the lively city of Cancun, it’s just so refreshing to stroll through the quiet streets of this small island.
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Which ferry to take to Isla Mujeres
Cancun has five ferry ports to Isla Mujeres: Puerto Juarez (in downtown Cancun), Playa Tortugas, Playa Caracol, and Embarcadero (all in the Hotel Zone), plus the Punta Sam port for car ferries, located about 20 minutes north of the Hotel Zone.
The largest and most well-known ferry company is UltraMar, easily recognizable by its bright blue and yellow ferries. We’ve used them before for trips to Isla Mujeres and Cozumel, and they often have live music on the top deck, making the ride more fun.
However, if we had to choose, we’d go with the Xcaret ferry. It’s a newer option operating from its own port, Embarcadero, with brand-new ferries and great service. Plus, your ticket includes free entry to their 360° Scenic Tower, which offers incredible views and commentary on the Cancun Hotel Zone.
Ferry prices range from $25 to $30 USD for a round trip, depending on the company you choose.
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What to do in Isla Mujeres
Since Isla Mujeres is a small island, there aren’t a ton of activities, but there’s definitely enough to fill a full-day trip—or even an overnight stay. One of the island’s biggest attractions is how easy it is to explore. You can drive around the entire island in about an hour with a golf cart. While biking is another option, we wouldn’t recommend it—after trying it ourselves, we ended up with bad sunburns and possibly mild sunstroke thanks to the intense Caribbean sun.
As locals living in Playa del Carmen, we’ve visited Isla Mujeres multiple times. Here are our top recommendations for the best things to see and do in Isla Mujeres, Mexico:
Rent a Golf Cart
Renting a golf cart in Isla Mujeres is both a convenient way to explore the island and a fun experience in itself. It makes it easy to reach beautiful spots like Punta Sur while also letting you enjoy the ride with friends and family. There’s nothing quite like cruising along the stunning coastline in an open-air cart, feeling the breeze in your hair.
As soon as you arrive at the ferry port, you’ll see plenty of golf cart rental shops. Most charge around MX$2,000 (US$100) for a full-day rental, but don’t be afraid to negotiate! You could also go on a guided golf-cart tour of the island.
Visit Punta Sur
To visit Punta Sur, you’ll need to rent a golf cart or bicycle since it’s about a 30-minute ride from the ferry port at the southern tip of the island. This spot is unique because it offers one of the only elevated viewpoints of the Caribbean in the Riviera Maya, where most of the landscape is flat. The views here are incredible!
While you’re there, you can also check out the outdoor Mayan statue exhibit, which costs about US$15 to enter.
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See the cemetrary
Visiting a cemetery might seem like an unusual vacation activity, but Mexican cemeteries are nothing like the somber ones you may be used to. In Mexican culture, death is seen as a celebration, and their cemeteries reflect this with bright colors and unique decorations.
This particular cemetery is one of the most vibrant and colorful we’ve ever seen—and as a bonus, it offers a stunning view of the dazzling blue ocean.
The Rainbow Stairs
The Rainbow Stairs, located in the southern part of the island, are exactly what they sound like—brightly colored steps. While there’s no historical significance to them, they make for a fun and colorful photo spot!
Eat at The Soggy Peso
After reading countless rave reviews about this dive bar just outside downtown Isla Mujeres, we had to check it out for lunch. The place is exactly what you’d expect—slightly rundown but full of character. The food was decent, but what really made the visit worthwhile was the quiet beach and private dock, only accessible through the restaurant.
Visit Playa Norte
Voted one of the best beaches in the world by TripAdvisor, this is one spot you won’t want to miss! While it does get packed almost every day, the beach is huge, so there’s plenty of space for everyone. The sand is soft and powdery, and the water is the kind of crystal-clear blue you’d expect in the Caribbean.
You can rent chairs and shade at one of the many beach clubs along the shore for around US$30 per person, or bring your own shade and enjoy the beach for free—just like we did!
We’ve been loving our new beach tent, which sets up and packs away in minutes. It’s lightweight, provides all-day shade and privacy, and saves us from spending US$30 every time we visit the beach. Check it out if you’d rather bring your own setup!
Roam Isla Mujeres Downtown
This is one of the most colorful and lively areas on the island! Every building is painted a different shade, and the narrow streets are just wide enough for a golf cart and a small sidewalk. Here, you’ll find plenty of restaurants, cafés, souvenir shops, and beachwear stores—so be sure to budget for some shopping!
Visit The Xcaret Scenic Tower
The Xcaret Scenic Tower is located at the Xcaret Ferry Port (Embarcadero) in Cancun. If you’re returning from Isla Mujeres, you can visit the tower for free and enjoy the best views of Cancun and Isla Mujeres—just show your Xcaret ferry ticket or an entry bracelet from any Xcaret Park!
Where To Stay In Isla Mujeres
Before booking a stay in Isla Mujeres, consider what kind of getaway you’re looking for. Downtown accommodations tend to be noisier but put you in the heart of the action, while those further out are more peaceful but require a golf cart or taxi to get around.
We’ve stayed overnight in Isla Mujeres twice, each time in very different types of accommodations:
Luxury Stay – Izla Hotel
The first time, we stayed at Izla Hotel, a high-end hotel near the island’s midpoint. When we visited, it was brand new and absolutely stunning. The service, food, and facilities were exactly what you’d expect from an upscale hotel. Our favorite part? The rooftop pool and bar, which had complimentary cabanas and daybeds with beautiful ocean views. Since it’s away from downtown, the atmosphere was quiet and relaxing. The only downside was that the nearby beaches were small and didn’t have that bright blue, crystal-clear water Isla Mujeres is famous for.
Budget Stay – Ocean Drive ‘Hotel’
The second time, we opted for Ocean Drive ‘Hotel’, a budget-friendly stay in downtown Isla Mujeres. While it’s technically classified as a hotel, it felt more like a hostel, with both shared and private rooms but only communal bathrooms. It’s located on the east side of downtown, offering a gorgeous view of the Caribbean. While it was one of the most affordable options we found, the atmosphere was loud, with young travelers blasting music all night. We’d only recommend this place if you don’t mind noise and a lively crowd!
😴 Looking for a place to stay in Isla Mujeres? Use this interactive map!
Is Isla Mujeres or Cozumel Better?
If you research the Riviera Maya, you’ll quickly come across plenty of information about Cozumel and Isla Mujeres—two of the most visited destinations in the region.
We’ve explored both islands multiple times and have a clear favourite, but that’s because they’re so different and offer completely unique experiences.
Isla Mujeres is located just off the coast of Cancun, making it the easiest to reach from Cancun International Airport. In contrast, Cozumel requires a short ferry ride from Playa del Carmen.
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Cozumel is much larger than Isla Mujeres and serves as the main cruise ship port in the Riviera Maya, making it quite busy during the day. It’s especially popular with diving enthusiasts, as it offers some of the best snorkelling and diving excursions. However, one reason we prefer Isla Mujeres is that Cozumel lacks nice sandy beaches—most of its coastline consists of rugged iron shore.
Isla Mujeres, on the other hand, is small enough to explore by golf cart, bicycle, or even on foot, whereas Cozumel typically requires renting a car. Isla Mujeres also has a livelier and more colorful downtown compared to Cozumel, which feels more commercialized due to its cruise ship traffic. But the main reason we love Isla Mujeres more? Its stunning beaches and crystal-clear waters.
📍Playa Norte, Isla Mujeres
📍Playa Chen Rio, Cozumel
Why you should add Isla Mujeres to your itinerary
As locals from Playa del Carmen, we’ve been to many beaches in the Riviera Maya, and we always tell travellers that Isla Mujeres has the best beaches.
While you might find similar activities in Cancun, Playa del Carmen, or Tulum, you won’t find beaches as clear and beautiful as the ones on this stunning little island.
