Isla Mujeres: Day Trips and Tours from Cancún

As far as island paradises go, you can’t get much better than Isla Mujeres. Escape the hustle and bustle of the mainland and take a short and scenic ferry ride to this charming utopia. You have all the necessities for unbridled bliss: white sandy beaches, crystal clear turquoise water and a relaxed atmosphere.

The island also has several attractions like a captivating underwater museum or the Punta Sur Eco Beach Park where you can see crocodiles or soak in panoramic island views. You can also shop and eat to your heart’s content or laze on the beach. A day trip to Isla Mujeres from Cancún is a unique experience whether you are a thrill seeker or a beach lover.

Here's all you need to know about visiting Isla Mujeres, one of the most exciting day trips from Cancún.

How to get to Isla Mujeres from Cancún?

Isla Mujeres is a 20-minute ferry ride northeast of Cancún.

From Cancún to Isla Mujeres by car

Cars are allowed on Isla Mujeres, but you can only depart from the Punta Sam ferry terminal north of the city. There are also no passengers allowed in the car other than the driver and the rest of your party will have to travel from Puerto Juarez.

Guided tour to Isla Mujeres from Cancún

A guided day tour to Isla Mujeres is the most convenient way of visiting the island. All the arrangements will be taken care of including transportation and sightseeing. All you need to do is sit back, relax and take full advantage of the stunning island.

What is the typical itinerary?

The most popular day trips to Isla Mujeres start with early morning hotel pick up around 6 AM. You will enjoy a light breakfast at the dock before boarding the catamaran.

Set sail for Isla Mujeres and stop along the way to snorkel at magnificent reefs. Some boats can access the shallow water around the island and stop at secluded beaches while others will dock at the main port where you can disembark.

You will have free time to explore the island or enjoy a delectable local lunch with your fellow castaways at a beach club. At the end of the day, you will be dropped off back at your hotel, marking the end of an exhilarating adventure.

You can also choose to take the ferry and make your own way around the island, visiting several interesting locations at your own cost. There are hourly ferry departures to the island and they increase to every 30 minutes during peak times.

Private tours have fully customizable itineraries. You can spend as much time at sea as you like or tell the captain to stop at the island for longer, allowing you to enjoy some free time to shop and explore.

What kinds of tours are available to go to Isla Mujeres?

There are several ways you can visit this exquisite island so choose a day trip to Isla Mujeres that suits your travel style.

Guided tours to Isla Mujeres from Cancún

Most day tours to Isla Mujeres are luxurious catamaran cruises from Cancún. These popular tours offer a full day of thrills and spills onboard a Caribbean catamaran. You will have multiple opportunities to snorkel in the gleaming sea on the way to Isla Mujeres or simply bathe in the sunlight on a deck chair.

These tours also dock at Isla Mujeres and give you free time to roam the island. There are options to enjoy lunch at a beach club or you can find a charming local spot as you make your way around town. You also have the option to upgrade with hotel pick up and drop-off, making it easier to find your vessel with departure.

Another way to explore the island is with a bike tour of Isla Mujeres. These tours last between 6 and 9 hours and include your ferry ticket and a guided bike tour. You will visit the turtle sanctuary, the Cliffs of Punta Sur, Playa Norte, Downtown Isla Mujeres and other notable stops that you might find along the way.

Shuttle transfer without guide to Isla Mujeres from Cancún

If you want to overnight on Isla Mujeres, you can make use of the convenient shuttles from Cancún airport. These return shuttle services are perfect if you just arrived in Cancún and want to get to the island in the easiest way possible.

A driver will wait for you at the arrivals terminal and take you straight to the ferry terminal, helping you with your luggage along the way. They will be ready to usher you back to the airport once you return on the ferry, making the whole experience simple and easy.

Private tour to Isla Mujeres from Cancún

A private day tour to Isla Mujeres is the epitome of luxury. Book a private catamaran for the day for you and your party to enjoy the stunning location to the fullest. A private tour is fully customizable with half and full-day options available. You can snorkel as much as you like and make use of the open bar on board.

You are also allowed to bring your food on board to enjoy an indulgent treat or two. You can book a small vessel for up to 12 people or upgrade to a larger boat for up to 30 people for a mega excursion.

Day trip to Isla Mujeres plus Isla Contoy from Cancún

This adventure-filled day tour to Isla Contoy takes you to two of the most beautiful islands in the region. You will start the day with a snorkeling session on Ixlache Reef, part of the impressive Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System. You will dock at Isla Contoy where you can visit the museum and sightsee or enjoy the beach and snorkel some more.

Indulge in a delectable local lunch on the island before getting back on board and setting sail for Isla Mujeres. You can roam around the downtown area of the island and enjoy the vibrant atmosphere.

Day trip to Isla Mujeres plus dolphin encounter ticket

If you want to get up close to the magnificent mammals of Isla Mujeres, this is the tour for you. Your tour will start with a ferry ride to the island. You will make your way to the Dolphin Discovery center where you will meet dolphins, manatees and sea lions. You will spend the rest of the day lazing in the infinity pool and enjoying a buffet lunch.

How much does a day trip to Isla Mujeres from Cancún cost?

Day trips to Isla Mujeres from Cancún start from as little as US$40 per person. But this is only for the catamaran and snorkeling experience. To upgrade your package to include drinks, lunch and hotel pick up and drop-off, you can expect to pay around US$120 per person.

Bike tours of Isla Mujeres cost US$110 per person. This includes your ferry ticket and bike rental as well as entry fees to stops along the way. You can take your lunch or buy lunch in town.

The least expensive tour is a visit to the Dolphin Discovery center. For around US$70 you can take the ferry, visit the center and enjoy a buffet lunch. If you want to visit Isla Mujeres and Isla Contoy you will pay around US$140 per person for a comprehensive 10-hour tour that includes lunch and drinks.

Round-trip shuttle transport from Cancún airport costs around US$100 for a group of up to seven people but it does not include your ferry ticket. This is another US$15 per person.

A private catamaran cruise for 12 people costs US$900 for a 4-hour charter while a longer 7-hour charter costs around US$1200. This includes an open bar and snorkeling stops.

What will you see and do?

Nature is the main attraction at Isla Mujeres. Sailing on a catamaran is great fun but you will be blown away by the underwater life around Isla Mujeres. Discover the island’s reefs with snorkeling adventures on your boat tour and dry off with a cocktail in hand.

Punta Sam reef is one of the most visited thanks to the gigantic underwater sculptures placed along the reef. Enormous heads and hands create an eerie playground on the ocean bed.

One of the most popular attractions on Isla Mujeres is the Dolphin Discovery center. Here you can swim with dolphins, hug a manatee and play with sea lions before enjoying a buffet lunch. This tour does not include snorkeling or a catamaran ride but you can get up close to the most magnificent mammals on the island.

If your tour allows for free time on the island, you can enjoy shopping, local delicacies, museum visits or even a stop at some Mayan ruins. Tours that also visit Isla Cotoy offer plenty of time to see the untouched fauna and flora among the dunes of the island.

Bike tours are the most comprehensive way to see the whole island. You will visit the turtle sanctuary as well as several other notable attractions. You will have plenty of free time to explore the downtown area and also see the majestic Cliffs of Punta Sur.

When is the best time to visit Isla Mujeres?

The best time of the year to visit Isla Mujeres is from December to March. This is peak season, but the weather is the most stable and comfortable. May can be very hot with temperatures above 35°C and September is usually the rainiest month.

Are there any tours to Isla Mujeres from other cities in Mexico?

Yes, there are tours departing from other cities in Mexico:

• Day trips to Isla Mujeres from Playa del Carmen

Travel tips

• Day cost of day trips to Isla Mujeres does not include dock fees or reef tax. Take cash along to pay these fees separately.
• If you want to take a ferry to Isla Mujeres and plan your own excursions, you should book your ticket in advance. The ferries are regular but can sell out during peak season.
• Wear your swimsuit and bring a towel, reef-safe sunscreen and a hat.
• Bring your ID or passport to confirm your age if you want to drink alcoholic beverages onboard the catamaran.
• Most lunches include fish so let your tour operator know if you have dietary restrictions so that they can make alternative arrangements for you.
• You should drink sea sickness medication at least an hour before boarding if you suffer from motion sickness.