Getting from Cancun to Isla Mujeres: A traveler review

Find the ride you need in

Tips on traveling from Cancun to Isla Mujeres by ferry can be found here, with details on departure ports, ferry amenities, and timetables.

Isla Mujeres ferry

Tiny beachside restaurants and a small-town feel entice travelers to visit Isla Mujeres. Since the island is a short ferry ride from Cancun, it’s easy to travel there. I took the Ultramar ferry to Isla Mujeres and will share advice from my experience to help you make the most of your trip.

How to get to Isla Mujeres from Cancun

The only transportation option from Cancun to Isla Mujeres is by boat. Luckily, the Ultramar ferry makes it easy to take this trip thanks to five port locations. Although there are many Ultramar ferry ports in Cancun, all ferries arrive at the same port in Isla. Regardless of where you depart from, your ferry ride will take under 30 minutes.

Let’s delve a little deeper.

Puerto Juárez

Puerto Juárez is Ultramar’s main port and the one I used to travel from Cancun to Isla Mujeres. It offers hourly ferries from morning ’til night.

If you’re traveling from downtown Cancun, Puerto Juárez is likely the closest (and cheapest) option for you. The port itself is a large, covered outdoor space equipped with everything from ATMs and Starbucks to a pharmacy.

Playa Tortugas, El Embarcadero & Playa Caracol

These three Ultramar ports are located in Cancun’s Hotel Zone. The advantage of them is that you’ll spend less time in traffic trying to reach Puerto Juárez. Between the three ports, there are dozens of departure times from morning to night, so you won’t have trouble finding something suitable.

Punta Sam

The Punta Sam port is for Ultramar’s Carga ferry brand, which is for transporting vehicles. I don’t recommend traveling by car since most people find it a hassle to drive around Isla Mujeres; parking spots are hard to come by, and the island is so small that walking or renting a golf cart are the best ways to explore. You read that right—golf carts are a thing on Isla!  

As a side note, should you wish to travel from the Cancun airport to Isla Mujeres, you can book a shuttle directly to the ferry port.

Isla Mujeres ferry cost

For Mexico standards, the less than 30-minute ride to Isla Mujeres from Cancun isn’t cheap. Puerto Juárez is the most economical port to depart from, at around $10 per adult. The ferry ports in the Hotel Zone cost even more since they’re located a bit further from Isla.

Children under 1.20 meters receive a third off their ticket price and babies less than 12 months old ride for free. 

Ferry amenities

The Ultramar ferry I took was two stories (some are three stories with two outdoor levels). There isn’t assigned seating, so you can opt for a comfy indoor seat on the ground floor or a plastic chair on the outdoor second-floor deck. Whatever you do, try to snag a seaside seat. Watching the water change from blue to turquoise as you arrive in Isla Mujeres is the highlight of the ferry ride!

There wasn’t a café on my ferry, but an Ultramar employee walked around with a bag of snacks and drinks asking if anyone wanted to purchase them. Food and beverages are expensive, so I recommend bringing them with you from Cancun.

The ferry offers charging ports, restrooms, and air conditioning on the first floor. There isn’t WiFi onboard, but trust me—that turquoise water is better than your phone.

If you’re prone to seasickness, I recommend taking medicine before boarding. I traveled on a windy day, and there was a gentle but steady rock the entire time.

Feel “free” to change your mind

One of the wonderful perks of traveling with Ultramar is that your ticket is valid for any departure time on the date of your Isla Mujeres visit. So, if you decide you want to head out earlier or later than you booked, simply show up at the port and line up for the next ferry. There’s no cost to change your ferry time, and you don’t have to print a new ticket. 

Ultramar port in Isla Mujeres

Arriving at the Isla Mujeres Ultramar ferry port feels like stepping into a blue fairytale. The port has an open-air style and is equipped with restrooms, a money exchange kiosk, tour desks, and a pharmacy. 

Isla Mujeres day-trippers can either explore the island’s gems by foot from the ferry port or rent a golf cart. If you’re staying in the Playa Norte region, you’ll be able to walk to your accommodation in less than 10 minutes. Taxis are plentiful if you’ll be staying farther from the center.

Got your bags packed?

Whether you’re taking a day trip to Isla Mujeres or plan to “island plop” indefinitely, traveling on the Ultramar ferry is a fun and scenic way to kick off your experience. The views are so beautiful and the ferry so comfortable that if you’re like me, you’ll be wishing the ride lasted longer.     

FAQ

How many days should we stay in Isla?

Even though you can go on a day trip there, I suggest at least three days. More if you have time. It’s a stunning island with water to die for so why rush if you don’t have to?

When is the best time to go?

The weather from January to April is divine — there is little rain. The rainiest months are May through September.

Are there good scuba and snorkeling spots near Isla Mujeres?

YES! You have to check out MUSA (Underwater Museum of Art in Isla Mujeres). There are almost 500 underwater sculptures to explore.

Posted February 22, 2021
image of blog writer Laura
Laura Olds
Laura Olds of A Piece of Travel is a digital nomad who adds twice as many destinations to her bucket list with each one she checks off. She's a full-time writer and part-time street dog whisperer. In her free time, she enjoys running, yoga, and taste-testing her way through the world.
image of blog writer Laura