Before you go

Your trip to Isla Mujeres.

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

Isla Mujeres – Quintana Roo Destination Cancún about 385 km from Chetumal

How to get there

Aeropuerto Internacional de Cancún (CUN) Cancún · 30 km
Muelle de pasajeros de Isla Mujeres 1 km

Approximate road distances. Check flights and bus schedules before you travel.

Boats depart from Puerto Juárez and Gran Puerto, on the northern side of downtown Cancún, several times a day, and from piers in the Hotel Zone with fewer departures. The crossing takes 15–30 minutes. There is also a car ferry from Punta Sam.

How many days

A full day is enough for Playa Norte, the village and Punta Sur. Staying one or two nights lets you see the island away from day-trip crowds and enjoy the sunset.

When to go

As in Cancún, the dry season usually runs from December to April; May to October is rainier. Playa Norte, facing north and sheltered, usually has calm sea even when the open sea is rough.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

Do you need a car?

No. The island is small: the village is walked on foot, and to reach Punta Sur you rent a golf cart, scooter or bicycle, or take a taxi. It’s not worth bringing a car from Cancún.

Suggested itinerary

An order that works

Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.

One day in Isla Mujeres

Morning
Boat and Playa Norte
Catch one of the first boats from Puerto Juárez and go straight to Playa Norte, with white sand and shallow water, before it fills up.
Afternoon
Drive around the island to Punta Sur
Rent a golf cart and follow the east coast road, with open sea and rocky shore, to Punta Sur, with its lighthouse, sculpture park and the remains of the Ixchel temple.
Late afternoon
Sunset in the village
Return along the west coast, which faces Cancún and the sunset. Pass the village square and the Church of the Immaculate Conception.
Evening
Dinner and the last boat
Dine in the village on Hidalgo and Guerrero streets, and check the schedule for the last boat back to Cancún, which usually departs at night.

Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.

Before you go

Frequently asked questions

Isla Mujeres worth a day trip from Cancún?

Yes. The crossing is short and a full day is enough for Playa Norte, the village and Punta Sur. If possible, spend a night to see the island quieter.

How to get around Isla Mujeres?

In the village, on foot. To get to Punta Sur, about 7 km away, it’s common to rent a golf cart, scooter or bicycle, or take a taxi.

Is Playa Norte good for children?

Yes. The water is shallow for many meters and the sea is usually calm, because the beach is sheltered and faces north.

Where do boats to Isla Mujeres depart from?

From Puerto Juárez and Gran Puerto on the north side of downtown Cancún, and from piers in the Hotel Zone such as Playa Tortugas and El Embarcadero, with fewer departures.

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