Isla Mujeres: Day Trips and Tours from Playa Del Carmen

Situated just off the coast of Cancun, Isla Mujeres is the perfect place to slow down and unwind. With picturesque beaches aplenty and world-class snorkeling, everyone will find something to do on the island.

Once a sacred site of the Maya people, Isla Mujeres is now a popular location for tourists in the Quintana Roo region. A day trip to Isla Mujeres from Playa del Carmen should be an unmissable event on your Mexico itinerary.

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

How to get to Isla Mujeres from Playa del Carmen?

Isla Mujeres is located in the state of Quintana Roo, Mexico, approximately 13 kilometers from the coast of Cancun.

From Playa del Carmen to Isla Mujeres by car

To make the jaunt to Isla Mujeres by car, you'll first have to drive to Cancun. This takes just over an hour and follows the 307 coastal route into the city.

Head to the Punta Sam ferry terminal where you can board a car ferry and take your vehicle across to Isla Mujeres. The crossing takes approximately 15 minutes and ferries depart half-hourly throughout the day.

From Playa del Carmen to Isla Mujeres by public transport

If you wish to use public transport to journey to Isla Mujeres, first take the bus from Playa del Carmen Alterna to Cancun, which takes just over an hour.

Then, catch a taxi from the city to the Punta Sam ferry terminal, approximately 20 minutes away, where you can cross to Isla Mujeres.

Guided tour to Isla Mujeres from Playa del Carmen

Alternatively, book a guided excursion to Isla Mujeres and let your tour operator take care of the details.

Day trips last between 5 and 12 hours, and you'll usually be picked up from your accommodation in Playa del Carmen. Start times vary, but are often between 8 AM and 9 AM.

What is the typical itinerary?

After a convenient hotel pickup in Playa del Carmen, you'll board your vessel and set sail to Isla Mujeres. Many boat tours provide you with an open bar, so enjoy a relaxing drink on the deck and toast your vacation.

Some boat tours stop first at the neighboring Isla Contoy, in order to visit its tropical bird sanctuary and swim in the island's fish-filled waters.

When you arrive on Isla Mujeres, you may visit the Museum of Underwater Art (MUSA) first, where you're bound to be dazzled by its unusual range of sculptures.

Alternatively, you may head straight to one of the isle's five beaches to don your mask and snorkel through the calm, biodiverse waters.

Some Isla Mujeres day trips take you on a guided tour of the island, while others allow you to explore its beaches and shops at your own pace.

You'll head to the beach or a neighboring restaurant when lunchtime hits to enjoy a local feast.

Before returning to Playa del Carmen where your Isla Mujeres day tour ends, you can discover why so many fall in love with the soft sands of North Beach.

What kinds of tours are available?

There are a range of Isla Mujeres day tours to choose from, depending on your budget and travel style.

Day trip to Isla Mujeres from Playa del Carmen

Most Isla Mujeres day trips has a boat trip across the Caribbean Sea via catamaran. After breakfast on board, you’ll visit the unique art gallery — MUSA — and snorkel under the waves to discover the statues scattered across the ocean floor.

When you arrive in Isla Mujeres, you’ll be greeted with a traditional lunch before embarking on a guided tour of the island’s main attractions, such as Capilla de Guadalupe.

Spend the rest of the day bathing on the isle’s silky shores or swimming among innocuous sharks before returning to Playa del Carmen.

Private tour to Isla Mujeres from Playa del Carmen

By opting for a private day tour to Isla Mujeres, you’ll benefit from the personal attention of a professional guide and crew.

You’ll enjoy snorkeling through the island’s tranquil waters away from the hoards of travelers who visit on group tours.

Here, you may see tropical parrot fish, French angelfish and grunt fish. Be enthralled by the white sands and turquoise waters of North Beach before enjoying a freshly-prepared lunch on the island.

Day trip to Isla Mujeres plus Isla Contoy from Playa del Carmen

Alternatively, combine your excursion with a trip to Isla Contoy — a fascinating bird haven with over 150 different species.

Alongside bird watching, Isla Contoy is home to a diverse range of marine life, including five species of shark and over 150 species of fish.

Continuing on your day tour, you'll cross over to Isla Mujeres and enjoy free time to unwind at the beach or shop for quirky souvenirs.

How much does it cost?

You'll pay between US$60 and US$120 each for a day trip to Isla Mujeres. Tours on the higher end of this range often operate in small groups for a more personal feel.

You can expect to pay between US$140 and US$150 per person for a day tour of Isla Mujeres, and Isla Contoy. This price usually includes breakfast, lunch and the use of snorkeling equipment.

Private Isla Mujeres excursions cost between US$550 and US$990 per group. The maximum number of participants ranges from four to 10 people. However, you can pay as little as US$150 each for a private trip by traveling with several of your loved ones.

What will you see and do?

Isla Mujeres translates to the "Island of Women". It is so named because of its history as a sanctuary dedicated to the Maya goddess Ixchel — the goddess of the moon, happiness, fertility and medicine.

As such, when the island was discovered by the Spanish in 1517, they found it covered in statues and a temple devoted to Ixchel. And so, "Isla Mujeres" was the name given to the isle, although its ancient Mayan name remains unknown.

Today, Isla Mujeres is known as the perfect vacation spot for those looking for tranquility surrounded by luscious palms and clear seas. North Beach is widely regarded as the most idyllic spot on the island and is a top contender for the best beach in Mexico.

There are plenty of activities to keep you busy in Isla Mujeres, including snorkeling and diving. The waters around the island are thriving with a selection of exotic creatures that ocean enthusiasts will be overjoyed to see.

For an exciting day out with the family, Garrafon Park has it all – from snorkeling, kayaking and zip lines to hiking trails, lush gardens and a natural pool in the reefs to catch your breath.

These include the gigantic but harmless whale shark, identifiable by its spotted back. If you head further down to the sea bed on a scuba dive, you'll have the opportunity to explore shipwrecks and discover flourishing coral reefs.

If you wish to learn about the Maya people who once inhabited the isle, head to Punta Sur, where you'll find the original temple dedicated to Ixchel. Another highlight of this picture-perfect island is its underwater art gallery — MUSA.

You can choose to explore the plethora of artworks that line the sea bed by glass-bottomed boat.

Alternatively, grab your scuba gear or snorkeling mask and dip into the water to get up close with the masterpieces. Five artists have contributed to the gallery, which features a range of sculptures, including many human forms.

When is the best time to visit Isla Mujeres?

Between January and April is considered the prime season to plan a day trip to Isla Mujeres. During this time, there is little rain on the island and temperatures hover around 29 degrees Celsius.

Avoid visiting Isla Mujeres during the hurricane season of June to November.

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 Cancún

Travel tips

• Isla Mujeres has a tropical climate year-round. Wear a sunhat and drink plenty of water when you visit the island.
• Purchase reef-safe sunscreen to take with you on your Isla Mujeres day trip to ensure you maintain the health of the coral reefs offshore.
• If you have a limited itinerary, consider taking a combination tour so that you can make the most of your trip.