All about Isla Mujeres near Cancún (2025 Travel Guide)

Isla Mujeres, which means "Island of Women" in Spanish, is a small tropical island about 13 km north of Cancún in Mexico’s Quintana Roo state. It stretches roughly 7 km in length and is just 650 meters wide.

I’ve been to Cancún’s Hotel Zone a few times over the past 20 years, and honestly, it never really clicked with me. It’s all big resorts, malls, and chains – convenient, yes, but missing that authentic Mexican feel.

That’s why a day trip to Isla Mujeres always feels like a breath of fresh air to me. It’s just a short ferry ride away, but the atmosphere is totally different – laid-back, colorful, and more Caribbean in spirit.

Tourism keeps the island buzzing, but fishing is still part of daily life, which gives it a more grounded, local feel.

Ferry from Puerto Juárez

The island Isla Mujeres is easily accessible from the Yucatán Peninsula via a fast ferry, with the shortest route departing from Puerto Juárez, just outside Cancún. The ferry ride takes around 20 minutes.

To reach Isla Mujeres from Puerto Juárez, the primary ferry operator is Ultramar Ferry. Ferries depart frequently, starting at 5:30 am, with subsequent departures every half hour until 11:00 pm.

Tickets can be purchased directly at the ferry terminal or online through Ultramar's official website. Ticket prices for Ultramar are (as of 2025):

• $290 MXN for a one-way trip

• $580 MXN for a round trip for adults.

Children's tickets are priced at:

• $220 MXN one-way

• $440 MXN round trip

It's advisable to arrive at the terminal at least 30 minutes before departure to ensure a smooth boarding process. Keep in mind that schedules and prices are subject to change, so it's a good idea to check the latest information before your trip.

Playa Norte

One of the best ways to enjoy the island is by spending the day at Playa Norte, the most famous beach, known for its soft white sand and shallow turquoise water.

If you prefer a quieter spot, Playa Centro is another great option. Beach bars are plentiful, making it easy to sip a cocktail while soaking up the sun.

Avenida Miguel Hidalgo

The heart of Isla Mujeres is Avenida Miguel Hidalgo, a lively pedestrian street lined with souvenir shops, restaurants, and bars. Be prepared to be approached frequently by vendors, as it’s a popular tourist area.

Despite the hustle, it's a great place to grab a bite, enjoy live music, or shop for locally made crafts, and of course, there are also some really good restaurants to check out.

If you're out and about with little kids, you’ll inevitably be approached by people dressed as Superman or other comic book characters, encouraging you to take a picture with them.

Five minutes later, they’ll hit you with a "That’ll be 10 US dollars, please." Either skip it altogether or just hand over 1 or 2 dollars, which is more than enough.

Main Travel Season

You can visit Isla Mujeres all year round, the temperatures rarely fall below 20 degrees and the water barely below 25 degrees. The main tourist season is between December and April, but this is true for the whole Yucatan Peninsula.

If you are there between June and September, you can take a boat trip to see whale sharks passing by Isla Mujeres.

The Museo Subacuático de Arte (MUSA), an underwater museum that can be visited on a guided tour, is also quite famous. Over 500 life-size figures form an artificial reef and you can dive, snorkel or book a tour on a glass-bottom boat.

Pueblos Mágicos

Isla Mujeres has been recognized as a "Pueblo Mágico" by Mexico since 2002.

This designation has been awarded by SECTUR (Mexico’s Secretariat of Tourism) since 2001 to places with unique folklore, rich history, or exceptional natural beauty.

On the Yucatán Peninsula, there are currently fourteen locations that hold the title of Pueblo Mágico. As of 2025, the 14 Pueblos Mágicos on the Yucatán Peninsula are:

• Quintana Roo: Bacalar, Isla Mujeres, Tulum and Cozumel

• Yucatán: Izamal, Maní, Sisal, Valladolid, Espita, Motul and Tekax

• Campeche: Isla Aguada, Palizada and Candelaria