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Taking the Ferry to Isla Mujeres is Easy! Here’s What You Need to Know!
If you’re looking for the best way to take the ferry to Isla Mujeres, you’ve come to the right place!
I lived in Riviera Maya with my family for a year and we visited all the top tourist spots in the Yucatan. Including Isla Mujeres. We’ve also been vacationing there on and off for years!
So I know all the Cancun to Isla Mujeres ferry options! I still remember my nervousness about taking the Isle of Mujeres ferry for the first time, which is why I wrote this article to help others who may have the same feelings.
One of the best things about the Cancun to Isla Mujeres ferry is it’s easy and affordable, even for visiting tourists!
So let’s dive in so you know everything about taking the ferry to Isla Mujeres for your next trip!
Cancun to Isla Mujeres Ferry Quick Tips
👉 Skip the hassle. While the Isla Mujeres ferry from Cancun is affordable, you can make your trip as easy as possible by taking an Isla Mujeres day trip instead.
👉 If you prefer to take a ferry, then Xcaret offers one right from the Cancun hotel zone!
Isla Mujeres, which translates to “Island of Women,” lies eight miles across the bay from Cancun. This beautiful island is only 5 miles long and barely half a mile wide at its widest point.
The west and north sides of the island have several lovely white sandy beaches. There are several popular beach club options to enjoy there.
The east side is rocky and windswept as it faces the open sea. The island has around 14,000 inhabitants, most of them living in the town at the northern end.
Ferry to Isla Mujeres Schedule Options
Many people refer to the primary ferry to Isla Mujeres port as the “Ultramar Ferry Dock.”
However, there are actually multiple companies operating a Cancun to Isla Mujeres ferry schedule from Cancun.
Not all ferries leave from the same location. Plus, there are four main ports from which the various ferries to Isla Mujeres depart.
The Cancun to Isla Mujeres ferry schedule depends on the location and the ferry line. So it can be a little complicated.
So let’s break down where and when to find the best places to take a ferry that works for your schedule.
How long is the ferry from Cancun to Isla Mujeres?
The Cancun to Isla Mujeres ferry ride takes approximately 20 minutes.
If you’re wondering how long is the ferry ride to Isla Mujeres from Cancun for various companies, keep in mind this estimate is roughly the same for all passenger ferries on the route.
1. Gran Puerto Cancun
This is the main terminal for the Cancun to Isla Mujeres ferry. The biggest company, Ultramar, leaves from this port.
As its translated name claims, this Isla Mujeres ferry terminal is the largest Cancun port with ferries departing for the island.
Ultramar Ferry to Isla Mujeres Schedule: The Ultramar ferry schedule Isla Mujeres generally leaves Gran Puerto Cancun every hour from 5:30 am to 7 am and 6 pm to 11 pm. It leaves every half hour from 7 am to 10:30 pm. It runs daily.
There are snack stands and trinket shops at the port, bathrooms, and benches on which waiting passengers can rest while waiting for their boat.
Fun Fact: This is the ferry we took when we visited Isla Mujeres to snorkel with whale sharks!
One-way Isla Mujeres ferry cost for Ultramar are 240 pesos. Credit card payments are accepted.
Discounts on the cost of ferry to Isla Mujeres are available for locals, children, and residents of Quintana Roo.
☑️ The full rates for Ultramar are available here.
After walking past the parking lot but before boarding the ferry, we were offered the option to rent a golf cart.
Assuming the rates were higher, we declined. However, the opposite was true. I talk more about that experience in this post.
NOTE: Anyone bringing luggage for a stay on Isla Mujeres must board at the rear of the ferries.
Luggage storage areas are staffed by ferry personnel and there are no additional costs to use these areas. Passengers can pick up their luggage on arrival at the Isla Mujeres ferry dock.
2. Puerto Juarez Terminal
This ferry port to Isla Mujeres is smaller and lesser-known. Gran Puerto Cancun is technically part of the Puerto Juarez ferry terminal since they’re only seven minutes apart by walking.
However, most people don’t think of them as separate entities since the newer port is so expansive.
Note: Puerto Juárez is also less crowded than Gran Puerto Cancun. Three smaller ferry companies leave from here: Magaña, Naveganto, and Jetway.
The Magaña Express Service is the oldest ferry company in Cancun. It has been providing ferry services to Isla Mujeres for over 50 years.
Magana Express Service Isla Mujeres Ferry Schedule: Its boats leave every half hour from Puerto Juarez starting at 5:40 am.
Passengers can buy ferry tickets at their ticket counter. The schedule is roughly the same as the Ultramar ferry service.
However, the Magaña ferry to Isla Mujeres leaves about 10 minutes later.
Naveganto suspended service for maintenance purposes in August 2020. They have not yet resumed service. It is unknown if they will do so.
They have dedicated local fans and still respond to inquiries on their Facebook page.
Jetway is a newer ferry company transiting between Cancun and Isla Mujeres every 30-60 minutes.
Generally, its Cancun ferry to Isla Mujeres cost is almost 100 pesos less than Ultramar.
If you’re looking for the cheapest ferry to Isla Mujeres, then this is the best way to take a ferry from Cancun to Isla Mujeres.
Their small boats also carry fewer people so the boarding process is less hectic.
Jetway Isla Mujeres Ferry Schedule: Passengers interested in using Jetway’s services can check its schedule and current fare costs here.
3. Punta Sam
The car ferry to Isla Mujeres also takes passengers. It is run by Ultramar.
Note: This service is intended for cargo transport between Isla Mujeres and the mainland.
People taking the Punta Sam ferry to Isla Mujeres must arrive one hour before their departure time to buy a ticket before boarding.
In addition, there are only three or four Isla Mujeres ferry times daily available to take the car ferry to Isla Mujeres.
Punta Sam Cargo Ferry to Isla Mujeres Schedule: Check the Punta Sam ferry schedule or fares for the cargo ferry to Isla Mujeres can do so here.
Plus, the Punta Sam to Isla Mujeres trip takes more than two times longer (45 minutes instead of 20 minutes). Unless one is bringing a car this option is not recommended.
Photo Credit: Ervin Escobar
There is a second car ferry to Isla Mujeres from Punta Sam. It is called the Naviera Contoy Vehicle Ferry. The rates are lower than the Ultramar ferry Isla Mujeres.
Naviera Isla Mujeres Ferry Schedule: This company does not have a schedule or fares posted online.
People interested in this option can call Punta Sam to inquire about details. +52 998/887–0065. If you call, make sure you know really good Spanish.
It is also not ideal to take a rental car to Isla Mujeres. Parking on the island is very limited.
It’s much more enjoyable to get a golf cart (or even a bike) to move around the island. The Centro area, where most of the action is located, is easily walkable.
Fun Fact: When we first visited Isla Mujeres in 2012, we walked the entire island!
4. Cancun’s Hotel Zone
Ultramar Cancun to Isla Mujeres ferry has departure points from three piers within the hotel zone. They are El Embarcadero, Playa Caracol, and Playa Tortugas ferry terminals.
These ferry to Isla Mujeres from hotel zone options are the easiest to access for tourists staying in a Cancun resort.
Playa Tortugas Isla Mujeres Ferry Schedule: Hourly from 9 am to 5 pm
Playa Caracol Isla Mujeres Ferry Schedule: Every 60-75 minutes from 10:30 am to 5:30 pm
El Embarcadero Isla Mujeres Ferry Schedule: Ultramar is not currently operating from this pier. It’s used mostly for day trip catamaran tours.
The prices are higher than any other ferry option to Isla Mujeres and they are only quoted online in USD. A one-way ticket from the Hotel Zone to Isla Mujeres is $18 USD (~375 pesos).
Photo Credit: Bernard Dupont
In addition, there are fewer options since people tend to want a return trip to where they started. With the higher prices and more limited schedules, these are not ideal for most travelers.
👉 Xcaret Group now offers round-trip tickets for ferry service from Embarcadero Pier to Isla Mujeres!
I’d recommend them if you’re already staying in the hotel zone and are only planning a single day Isla Mujeres tour.
How to Get to Isla Mujeres from Cancun & Beyond
It is possible to get transportation included to Isla Mujeres when booking a private day trip. However, most visitors to the island will be responsible for finding their own way there.
Depending on your origin, there are different ways to get to the ferry from the airport, hotel zone, and elsewhere in Quintana Roo.
From Cancun Airport to Isla Mujeres Ferry
The easiest way to get from Cacnun Airport leave the airport and head to the ferry to Isla Mujeres is by taking a taxi.
There are a ton of them sitting outside baggage claim offering services. However, this is also the most expensive way.
Note: The cost of a taxi from the Cancun International Airport to the Isla Mujeres ferry is generally 300-400 pesos ($15-$20 USD).
Travel Tip: Unless you’re really in a bind, we do not recommend this option.
By far, the most common way tourists get around Riviera Maya is through arranged transfers. Typically, these have been either shared or private shuttle transfers.
However, due to the pandemic, pretty much all companies there have stopped doing shared shuttle services. Everything lately is an exclusively private transfer only.
This may change back later but for now, don’t bother shopping around for a cheap shared shuttle.
👉 I recommend GetTransfers for booking transfer shuttles.
It is also possible to take a local bus from the airport to Puerto Juarez or Gran Puerto Cancun. However, the local buses don’t go directly to Puerto Juarez.
Riders take the R01 or the R06 route from the airport to the downtown Cancun terminal, then change buses to the Chiquila route to the ferry terminals.
Note: There is no bus that goes to the Punta Sam ferry terminal from either the airport or the downtown Cancun terminal.
Hotel Zone to the Isla Mujeres Ferry
The quickest way to get to the ferry to Isla Mujeres port is by taxi. Your hotel can call you one and direct it wherever you prefer – to Puerto Juarez or to a ferry dock in the hotel zone.
The taxi will cost 150-200 pesos ($7.50-$10USD).
Note: There is a local bus that also goes to Puerto Juarez. For 10 pesos (~$.50 USD) you can take either the R1 bus or R2 bus to Puerto Juarez.
How to Get to Isla Mujeres from Playa del Carmen or Tulum
There are a lot of private transfer companies that provide one-way or round-trip transportation between both Playa del Carmen and Tulum.
Prices typically start at 1100 pesos from Playa del Carmen but can go up to a few thousand pesos if you hire a luxury car to drive you.
Another option is simply to hire a local taxi to drive you. However, only do this if you have a legitimate way to prebook it such as a hotel or concierge.
If you stop taxi drivers on the street and ask them for a price, they will likely quote a rate well above what is standard.
Travel Tip: A taxi should only cost 650-800 pesos from Playa del Carmen and 1200-1500 pesos from Tulum.
One secret option many tourists don’t know about is the ADO bus. These air-conditioned coach buses run throughout Mexico and are a reliable way to get around.
Although the ADO website allows pre-booking tickets, we don’t recommend doing so. If your plans change, you might miss your bus.
Since tickets are not transferrable, you’d have to buy a new ticket from the ADO station in Centro.
Pro Tip: The best time to buy a bus ticket is when you arrive at the bus station for the next departing bus.
Both Playa del Carmen Centro and Tulum Centro have ADO offices that sell tickets.
The office in Playa del Carmen is on 5th Avenue and Benito Juarez Avenue, and the office in Tulum is right on the highway, just north of North Jupiter St.
Day Trip from Cancun to Isla Mujeres
If you are staying at a Cancun waterpark resort and visiting Isla Mujeres for the day, then navigating the Cancun to Isla Mujeres ferry schedule might not be your best choice.
There are some excellent day trip excursion operators who even handle the transportation between Riviera Maya and Isla Mujeres.
Often these day trips will take you on a private boat. Often the boat to Isla Mujeres is a catamaran!
These are a really fun way to enjoy some of the most beautiful turquoise waters in the Caribbean.
Some of the day trip catamarans have party boat reputations, though.
This is because the boats just take people to Playa Norte, offer an open bar, and let them drink in the sun all afternoon. Read reviews carefully before booking a day trip.
👉 I highly recommend this day trip to Isla Mujeres.
It is a great option that includes both breakfast and lunch as well as a golf cart tour of the island. It offers rate discounts for kids, too! Not all tour operators do that.
This way, you can enjoy some of the cool things to do there, like seeing Mayan ruins at Punta Sur or adventuring at Garrafon Natural Reef Park, instead of just time at the beach swimming off the sailboat.
Ferry to Isla Mujeres: FAQs
Do you still have questions about the ferry to Isla Mujeres? Here are answers to some frequently asked questions.
Should I buy one way or round trip ferry tickets to Isla Mujeres?
It’s up to you! One-way tickets are generally cheaper, but if you plan on returning to Cancun the same day it’s usually more economical to buy a round-trip ticket.
Keep in mind that if you lose your ticket during a stay on Isla Mujeres, you’ll have to buy a new one when you leave.
Is there a ferry to Isla Mujeres from Playa del Carmen?
No. The closest ferry to Isla Mujeres from Playa del Carmen is the one departing from Gran Puerto Cancun, which takes approximately 45 minutes.
How much is the ferry to Isla Mujeres?
The cost of the ferry to Isla Mujeres depends on whether you are taking a one-way or round-trip ticket. Generally, one-way tickets cost at least 150 MXN ($12.50 USD) per person, while round-trip tickets cost at least 300 MXN ($25 USD) per person.
Children and people over 65 years old are usually discounted.
What is the best ferry to Isla Mujeres?
The best ferry to Isla Mujeres depends on your budget, how quickly you need to get there and what amenities you are looking for. We prefer Ultramar just because it’s got the most departure locations, but there are no bad choices.
How long is the ferry ride from Cancun to Isla Mujeres?
The ferry ride from Cancun to Isla Mujeres typically takes around 20 minutes. However, the actual duration of your trip may vary. Last time we went, it only took 18 minutes.
Is the ferry to Isla Mujeres safe?
Yes, absolutely. The ferries in Mexico are generally well-maintained and safe for passengers. All of the ferry companies operating to Isla Mujeres have strict safety regulations in place, and the crew is always very professional.
Do I need to buy tickets in advance?
No. You can buy Isla Mujeres ferry tickets at any of the terminals before departure. However, we recommend buying them in advance if you are traveling during peak season as the tickets can sell out quickly.
Where to get ferry to Isla Mujeres?
Ferries to Isla Mujeres depart from Gran Puerto Cancun and Puerto Juarez as well as Punto Sam and the Hotel Zone. Tickets can be purchased at any of these terminals prior to departure.
How far is the ferry to Isla Mujeres from the Cancun Airport?
The ferry to Isla Mujeres is located approximately 14.25 miles (23 km) from Cancun International Airport, and it takes about 30-35 minutes to get there by shuttle or taxi.
Do I need to arrive at the Isla Mujeres ferry port early?
Yes. I recommend arriving at least 30 minutes prior to the departure of your ferry. This will give you enough time to purchase tickets, go through security check, and get settled before boarding.
How much is the ferry from Cancun to Isla Mujeres with a car?
It depends on your vehicle. The Isla Mujeres ferry prices usually range from 500 to 800 MXN ($40-65 USD). You can get a quote by calling the ferry port. Be prepared to have the entire conversation in Spanish.
What is the cheapest ferry to Isla Mujeres?
The cheapest ferry to Isla Mujeres is generally provided by Jetway Ferries, offering a more budget-friendly option as they typically cost around 100 pesos less than their Ultramar Isla Mujeres counterparts.
Conclusion: Ferry to Isla Mujeres from Cancun
The key to getting to navigating all the Cancun to Isla Mujeres ferry options, and of course the returning ferry from Isla Mujeres to Cancun, is balancing your budget with your time constraints.
Especially during high season when there can be a long line at the terminals. Figure out which port you want to depart from and then choose your ferry Isla Mujeres to Cancun operator.
Pro Tip: Before you head to the Cancun to Isla Mujeres ferry, make sure you have a sim card to stay connected on the island.
As for getting to the Isla Mujeres to Cancun ferry port you choose, private driver services are always the fastest but most expensive. The bus is always the cheapest but takes the longest.
Regardless of how you get there, you will enjoy your time on Isla Mujeres! Don’t forget to plan your list of things to do and where to eat breakfast on the island. That’s our favorite meal of the day there!
If you’re only visiting on a day trip, choose the first place you’ll visit carefully. You don’t want to spend too much time there and miss out on everything else that Isla Mujeres has to offer!
👉 While we have global health insurance for our day-to-day lives, we also elect travel insurance with SafetyWing for our spurts of fast travel adventure!
