You can travel from Cancun to Isla Mujeres with the daily, frequent ferry boats. Check out our guide with all the important information.
A lush island in the Mexican Caribbean Sea, Isla Mujeres is a spectacular destination for travelers of all kinds! With glistening blue waters, sandy beaches, and rich flora and fauna, Mujeres will surely give you chills from its stunning beauty.
This tranquil Mexican gem is just across from Cancun, and it only takes a short boat ride to reach it! There are several ports in Cancun, so you can easily hop on a ferry and get to this magnificent island no matter where you’re staying.
So, for those seeking a truly authentic Mexican experience, you can easily make day trips to explore this unique island paradise!
We recommend booking and joining this Cancun to Isla Mujeres Catamaran Tour with Lunch and Open Bar and experiencing the island in a day full of activities!
As you go by boat from Cancun to Isla Mujeres, take in the scenery while sipping on drinks from the open bar or sampling local cuisine! Choose a tour that includes a lunch buffet, or select a tour that also includes hotel transfers.
You’ll stop along the trip to snorkel for an hour. Then, dive into the pristine waters while taking in the sights of colorful tropical fish, stunning coral formations, and other intriguing underwater life.
After snorkeling, you will continue to the beach to unwind and enjoy a delectable lunch buffet while taking in the expansive ocean views. Enjoy your favorite beverage while lounging under a palm tree and soaking in the bliss of your surroundings!
This is the right way to enjoy and discover Isla Mujeres!
Check out our guide for all the important information on traveling from Cancun to Isla Mujeres.
Distance from Cancun to Isla Mujeres
The distance from Cancun to Isla Mujeres is about 14.5 kilometers or 9 miles.
It takes around 30 minutes to travel by ferry from Cancun to Isla Mujeres.
Transportation Options from Cancun to Isla Mujeres
The following table outlines all transportation options from Cancun to Isla Mujeres:
| Method | Travel time | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Ferry from Cancun (Puerto Juarez) to Isla Mujeres | 30 minutes | USD 16 |
| Cargo Ferry from Cancun (Punta Sam) to Isla Mujeres | 45 minutes | ~USD 400 |
| Ferry from Cancun (Playa Tortugas) to Isla Mujeres | 30 minutes | USD 14 |
| Ferry from Cancun (El Embarcadero) to Isla Mujeres | 30 minutes | USD 14 |
| Ferry from Cancun (Playa Caracol) to Isla Mujeres | 30 minutes | USD 14 |
Getting to Isla Mujeres from Cancun
1. Ultramar Ferry from Cancun (Puerto Juarez) to Isla Mujeres
Travel time: 30 minutes
Puerto Juarez is the most popular departure point for travelers going from Cancun to Isla Mujeres. This is where the popular Ultramar Ferries depart for Isla Mujeres!
Isla Mujeres is located 11.7 miles or 18.9 kilometers from Puerto Juarez. The Ultramar ferry boats are well-known for being the fastest in the area. The crossing with Ultramar takes only 30 minutes!
If you are staying in Downtown Cancun, Puerto Juarez is a quick 10-minute drive away and makes for a convenient departure point. The port is only 3.4 miles or 5.5 kilometers from the center of Cancun.
It’s an easy and short drive; if you’re even closer to the port, you can just walk there!
However, taking a taxi is the easiest way to reach the port, and it will probably cost around USD 10.
Another alternative is public buses, and although they can be time-consuming, they are still very cheap. You can get to the Puerto Juarez port for only USD 1!
Reserve your Ultramar ferry ticket online to guarantee a seat and avoid long waits at the ferry dock. The fare of this high-speed ferry is USD 16 per passenger.
The first ferry departs in the morning at 06:30 AM and continues until 06:00 PM.
Ultramar Ferry from Cancun (Puerto Juarez) to Isla Mujeres:
2. Cargo Ferry from Cancun (Punta Sam) to Isla Mujeres
Travel time: 45 minutes
Have you rented a car, and now you want to travel to Isla Mujeres?
You certainly can, although it’s not really necessary to travel around Isla Mujeres by car, given its small size. Additionally, it can also be difficult to find parking spaces.
However, if you must take your car with you, cargo ferries can take you and your vehicle to Isla Mujeres.
Punta Sam is the home of the Ultramar cargo terminal, which is a 10-minute drive from Puerto Juarez. This Ultracargo ferry has only 2-4 daily departures and costs much more than the regular ferries.
Although ticket prices for the cargo ferry vary, you can expect the cost of taking your car to Isla Mujeres to start at USD 400. This also includes one passenger (the driver.)
However, expect the price to increase for a bigger vehicle.
Additionally, the cargo ferry also takes longer to reach Isla Mujeres, so expect to get to the island in about 45 minutes to an hour.
3. Ferry from Cancun Hotel Zone to Isla Mujeres
Travel time: 30 minutes
If you’re staying in Cancun Hotel Zone, you can take the ferry to Isla Mujeres from there.
Of course, you can make the short drive to Puerto Juarez, but you should also know that three additional departure points are located right at the Cancun Hotel Zone!
You can take direct ferries from Playa Tortugas, El Embarcadero, and Playa Caracol from the Cancun Hotel Zone.
1. Ferry from Cancun (Playa Tortugas) to Isla Mujeres
There are four daily departures from Playa Tortugas to Isla Mujeres. The crossing takes about 30 minutes, and one-way tickets cost USD 14.
2. Ferry from Cancun (El Embarcadero) to Isla Mujeres
Ferries from El Embarcadero take a bit longer to reach Isla Mujeres, traveling for one hour or more. Tickets also cost USD 14, and there are three daily departures.
3. Ferry from Cancun (Playa Caracol) to Isla Mujeres
Playa Caracol offers only one daily ferry departure to Isla Mujeres. These ferries also take about 30 minutes to arrive on the island and cost USD 14.
However, this option is only convenient if you’re staying really close to this port and the departure time suits your schedule!
Best day tours in Isla Mujeres, Mexico
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Check out the following widgets for more day tours in Isla Mujeres, Mexico!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest option to get from Cancun to Isla Mujeres?
The cheapest way to get from Cancun to Isla Mujeres is by ferry from the ports in Hotel Cancun Zone. One ferry ticket costs USD 14.
What is the fastest way to get from Cancun to Isla Mujeres?
The fastest way to get from Cancun to Isla Mujeres is by the Ultramar High-speed Ferry. These ferries take only 30 minutes to get from Cancun to Isla Mujeres.
How much is a ferry ticket from Cancun to Isla Mujeres?
The best ferry option from Cancun to Isla Mujeres, which is the Ultramar High-speed Ferry, costs USD 16.
Where does the ferry arrive in Isla Mujeres?
The boat operator you choose to book with will determine the precise drop-off spot on Isla Mujeres. Av. Rueda Medina is where you’ll find the Ultramar Pier in Isla Mujeres.
How long is the ferry crossing from Cancun to Isla Mujeres?
It takes roughly 30 minutes to travel by ferry from Cancun to Isla Mujeres.
Where do I buy Isla Mujeres ferry tickets?
You can buy your ferry tickets at the port or online. However, we advise booking them ahead since online ticket sales for ferries to Isla Mujeres are the most convenient!
What time is the first ferry to Isla Mujeres?
The first Ultramar Ferry from Cancun to Isla Mujeres departs at 06:00 AM.
How often does the ferry run to Isla Mujeres?
Ferries run very frequently between Cancun and Isla Mujeres. You can find a ferry every hour and, in some parts of the day, even every 30 minutes!
What ferries go from Cancun to Isla Mujeres?
Isla Mujeres Cancun ferry services are provided by Jetway and Ultramar.
From where does the Ultramar Ferry in Cancun depart?
The Ultramar ferry departs from the Puerto Juarez ferry dock. This port is also known as Gran Puerto.
Where can I park my car to take the Isla Mujeres Ferry?
The Ultramar Gran Puerto Terminal parking space can be used by passengers taking one of the Cancun ferries to Isla Mujeres, who are leaving their cars behind in Cancun. Parking is also available for free at the Punta Sam ferry dock.
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Author: AnaMarija Mishachkovska
AnaMarija is a devoted SEO travel writer with deep expertise in Transport in Costa Rica, Transportation in Mexico, Transport in Guatemala, Transport in Peru, and Transport in Thailand. Experience: AnaMarija's academic journey commenced with pursuing a bachelor's degree at AUE FON University in Macedonia. Subsequently, she immersed herself in the realm of travel writing, specializing in creating comprehensive transportation guides for diverse regions in Latin America and Southeast Asia. Since 2021, AnaMarija has been employed as a travel writer with expertise in transportation at Universal Traveller. Furthermore, in 2022, she expanded her horizons by becoming a travel writer for Guatemala Transport Service and Mexico Transport Service. Since 2023, AnaMarija has been actively sharing her extensive knowledge in Thailand transportation as a contributor to Bangkok Insiders. Expertise: AnaMarija holds profound expertise in transportation across various countries, including Costa Rica, Mexico, Guatemala, Peru, and Thailand. Her comprehensive knowledge enables her to navigate the most efficient routes effortlessly, while her writing style ensures that this valuable information is easily understandable and readily accessible online. Education: AnaMarija's educational background includes studies in Design and Multimedia at AUE FON University in Macedonia. To augment her academic foundation, she pursued online courses in Search Engine Optimization…
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