Villa del Palmar Cancun
Luxury Beach Resort & Spa
take-a-trip-to-isla-mujeres-1

Isla Mujeres Ferry Schedule and Things to do on the Island

Table of Contents

A day excursion to Isla Mujeres, while you are on vacation in Cancun, is always a good idea! Keep reading to find the best tips and recommendations we have gathered so you can make the most of your next visit to the magical town of Isla Mujeres.

If you have not heard about Isla Mujeres before, let us tell you that it is a beautiful island located only 40 minutes away from the Villa del Palmar Cancún Resort and is definitely a must on your to-do-list.

This tiny island is on the East side off Cancun’s coast is a great hub destination for sun lovers, packed with many fun things to see and do.

How to Get to Isla Mujeres from Villa del Palmar Cancun

The closest ferry terminal to Villa del Palmar Cancun is the Gran Puerto terminal located in the Puerto Juárez area, which is 10 minutes by taxi from Villa del Palmar Cancun. The ferry takes approximately 30 minutes. 

In the terminal, you will find a few boutiques where you can buy hats, sunglasses or sun lotions, as well as local food stalls, so you will have the opportunity to shop a little bit while you are waiting for your ferry.

The Ultramar vessels are air-conditioned so you can cross to the island comfortably. All boats feature two levels, the top level is for those wanting to work on their suntan even before getting to the island, while the bottom level is air conditioned, satellite TV and nice bathrooms.

Buying your Tickets

You can buy your tickets for the Ultramar Ferry directly at the terminal upon your arrival or book online by visiting Ultramar’s official website. Please keep in mind that the terminal may be busy during high season, so to avoid waiting in line, we recommend booking your tickets in advance. 

Ferry Ultramar - Isla Mujeres
Ferry Ultramar – Isla Mujeres

The cost of the ferry for a roundtrip adult ticket to Isla Mujeres leaving from the Gran Puerto Ferry Terminal is around $16 USD and for children the cost of a roundtrip ticket is around $13 USD.

There are some other ferry terminals in Cancun’s Hotel Zone that will take you to Isla Mujeres in case you want to cross to Isla, as locals call it, while visiting another area. The price may vary slightly.

Routes and Timetables

The UltraMar ferries run throughout the day and leave every half hour on the half hour from the Gran Puerto Cancun terminal with the first departure at 5:30 am. 

To get from Isla Mujeres to Cancun, you can catch the ferry every half hour until 9:30 pm and then every hour until midnight. Make sure you do not miss the last ferry. 

If you are departing from ferry docks in the Hotel Zone, El Embarcadero, Playa Tortugas, or Caracol Beach, you must be aware that departure and return hours are different: leaving every 60 to 75 minutes, starting at 9:00 am.

What to Do on the Island

A day trip to Isla Mujeres is a great experience as you can visit pristine and calm beaches on the north side or admire the impressive cliffs in the south.

Electric Golf Cart - Isla Mujeres
Electric Golf Cart – Isla Mujeres

Visit Playa Norte: Playa Norte is one of the most popular beaches in Isla Mujeres for its tranquil waters, beach clubs and beautiful inlet near the reef to practice snorkeling. In this area you will find restaurants that serve food and drinks on the beach. Also, when visiting Playa Norte you will see many yachts, catamarans and small vessels with tourists.

Rent a Golf Cart: It’s a true fact that Isla Mujeres is a tiny island, so you can enjoy a quick tour by yourself. If you are traveling with your family or friends, a golf cart is a great option to get around.

Go South: In southern Isla Mujeres, you can admire beautiful views from the cliffs. Don’t forget to bring your camera to take a selfie!

Sail through the lagoon: A tour through to the Macax lagoon is a must. Located in the middle of the island, this area is full of lush mangroves and is perfect for bird watching.

Playa Lancheros: This secluded beach is also one of the top places to visit in Isla Mujeres. Here, you can eat delicious seafood and swim a while before going back to Cancun. To get here you can either take a taxi or buy a tour that stops at this beautiful beach in the west side of Isla Mujeres.

Buy a tour around Isla Mujeres: When you arrive at Isla Mujeres, you will find local people that are part of a fishermen cooperative selling guided tours. These fishermen are also credited tour guides that will take you around the island, go through the lagoon, stop at a few beaches and take you a special and safe area where you can go snorkeling and admire the amazing underwater world.

Recommendations for visitors

  • Bring cash with you for tips. Some tours or restaurants may not accept credit cards
  • Travel light, just bring a towel and a change of clothing
  • Bring sun lotion and insect repellent in case you decide to stay after 6:00 pm
  • Bring a waterproof camera or a case to protect your cell phone

As you can see, Isla Mujeres is a good plan to include on your itinerary while on vacation in Cancun for shopping, eating and having fun at its beautiful beaches.

Mexican Souvenirs at Isla Mujeres
Mexican Souvenirs at Isla Mujeres

Have you ever been to Isla Mujeres? Share with us your experience!

Tags:
Share

Related posts

Dining

Weddings