How to get to Isla Mujeres from Cancun? The best transportation options

Many visitors to Isla Mujeres wonder how to get to Isla Mujeres from Cancun? Traveling from Cancun to Isla Mujeres is a breeze, thanks to the numerous transportation options available.

Whether you prefer the comfort of a ferry or the exclusivity of a private boat, you will find a means of transportation to suit your needs.

• Ferry service: The most popular and economical way to get to Isla Mujeres from Cancun is to take a ferry. These boats depart from various points along the coast of Cancun and offer a comfortable and scenic ride through the turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea.
• Private Boat Charters: For those looking for a more personalized and luxurious experience, private boat charters are an excellent option. These charters provide the ultimate in privacy and flexibility, allowing you to tailor your trip to your specific preferences.

Ferry service from Cancun to Isla Mujeres is undoubtedly the most popular and comfortable option for travelers. With multiple departure points along the Cancun coastline, you can easily find a ferry terminal that suits your location and preferences.

• Puerto Juarez: Located in the heart of Cancun's hotel zone, this terminal is a popular choice for travelers staying in the area. It offers frequent ferry departures to Isla Mujeres throughout the day.
• Tortugas Beach: Located in the northern part of Cancun's hotel zone, this terminal offers an alternative departure point for those looking for a different location.
• Gran Puerto Cancun: This terminal, located in downtown Cancun, offers a more centralized location for those staying outside the hotel zone or arriving from other parts of the Yucatan Peninsula.

Looking for an economical and fast way to get to Isla Mujeres from Cancun? The ferries of Ultramar, departing from various docks along the coast, are your best option. In just 20 minutes, you will be enjoying the wonders of the island.

Ultramar, the main ferry company on the Cancun-Isla Mujeres route, has departures from piers such as Puerto Juarez, Playa Caracol and Playa Tortugas, and from Punta Sam for vehicle crossings.

Puerto Juárez is the most recommended option for passenger-only transportation, with ferries every half hour, from to 5:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., and return services until midnight. Adult tickets cost approximately 270 pesos per route (about 17 USD), and you can book them online or buy them at the port.

If you are far from Puerto Juarez, you can take a cab to get to the pier. Another option is public transportation, although it is a bit more complicated. From Caracol Beach and Tortugas Beach, ferries have less frequency and slightly higher prices, but are still a good option if you are close by and can walk or take a bus.

Arriving at Cancun Airport and want to go directly to Isla Mujeres? You can take a cab or Uber to Puerto Juarez. Another option is to book a transfer that takes you directly to the port, where a driver will be waiting for you with a sign with your name on it.

From Cancun International Airport, you can also take a bus to Cancun ADO bus to the ADO Terminal in Cancun and then a cab to Puerto Juarez.

¿Are you in Playa del Carmen and want to get to Isla Mujeres? You have two options, you can book one catamaran excursion with a Spanish-speaking guide to take you to Isla Mujeres or take a ADO bus to la Cancun ADO Station and then a cab to Puerto Juarez.

Ultramar's ferries departing from the Puerto Juárez terminal depart every half hour from the terminal at 5:30 a.m to 11 p.m. and return services until midnight. The trip from Puerto Juarez to Isla Mujeres with the public Ferry takes about 18/20 minutes. 

From Cancun airport to Puerto Juarez, where the Overseas Ferry embarks, there are between 40 and 60 minutes of travel, depending on traffic in the urban area of Cancun and schedule, etc.. So you always have to take into account the arrival time of flights to get across to the island on time (the ferry has established schedules, also subject to possible changes due to bad weather).

Passengers traveling with luggage/baggage must board from the rear to leave the bag in the luggage area. Each ferry has an enclosed, air-conditioned area and an open-air area on the upper deck. If traveling with pets, you must travel in the uncovered area. We recommend you to be careful when traveling in the open top area, as you should be cautious of the air and the intense sun.

Below you can consult in detail the departure times of Ultramar ferries from Puerto Juarez and Isla Mujeres.

The price of the Ultramar ferries departing from Puerto Juárez to Isla Mujeres is around the following adult prices 89 pesos to the 540 pesos depending on the type of ticket you choose. For children prices range from 22 pesos and the 400 pesos.

Below is a detailed table of Ultramar's ferry fares for the Puerto Juarez-Isla Mujeres route.

Schedules and fares are subject to change by the company without prior notice. All passengers must be at the terminal 30 minutes prior to departure time. Tickets are valid for 6 months from the date of purchase, on any day and at any available time on the route. Tickets are non-refundable

In addition to the service of the company Ultramar, from the Hotel Privilege Aluxes you can book your transfer to get to Isla Mujeres from Cancun. In our hotel we work with the company Isla Fun Tours, that provide transfer services with private boats/yachts, departing from a nearby port (Punta Sam) to Isla Mujeres. From this company the boats can also operate outside the regular ferry schedules, as long as navigation is allowed by weather conditions.

Prices for transportation by boat or private yacht to Isla Mujeres vary depending on the boat and the number of passengers, so please ask for a personalized quote. The price of the transfer from Cancun to Isla Mujeres ranges between 450 and 1500 USD, depending on the vessel and the number of people hiring this transfer service.