Isla Mujeres Ferry – 5 Ways to get from Cancun to Isla Mujeres, Mexico?

3 May 2021 9 min read No comments Mexico Transportation

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The only way to get from Cancun to Isla Mujeres is by ferry boat. Read how to get to the port from Cancun Airport, the Cancun hotel zone, or downtown Cancun to catch the Isla Mujeres Ferry.

This article will introduce you to some of the cheapest ways to get to the island without hassle. 

Cancun city is located in the north of Quintana Roo and is surrounded by the sea. It’s majestic to experience the ocean up close through the Cancun hotel zone. 

Isla Mujeres is a small island off the coast of Cancun, Mexico. The sea separates Cancun and Isla Mujeres island, but you can easily travel to the location by ferry or private yacht.

I’ll help you find the most affordable deals, safest, and easiest routes to get to Isla Mujeres from Cancun

Transportation Options from Cancun to Isla Mujeres

The following table outlines all transportation options from Cancun to Isla Mujeres:

MethodTravel timePrice
Puerto Juarez to Isla Mujeres Ferry30 min$13
Cargo Ferry from Punta Sam to Isla Mujeres40-50 min$400
Playa Tortugas to Isla Mujeres Ferry30 min$18 to 20
El Embarcadero to Isla Mujeres Ferry1 hr$18 to 20
Playa Caracol to Isla Mujeres Ferry30 min$18 to 20

How far is Isla Mujeres from Cancun?

Cancun is a big city residing on the shores of North Quintana Roo. The city is divided into three localities— Cancun Airport, Downtown Cancun, and Cancun Hotel Zone. 

To get to Isla Mujeres, you must take a ferry from Playa Linda, Puerto Jaurez, Punta Sam, or the hotel zone. There’s no other way to travel to the island.

Puerto Juarez is 11.7 miles (18.9km) away from Isla Mujeres. The fastest ferry (Ultramar) can take you there in 30 minutes. Slow ferries might take 45 minutes to an hour. 

Playa Linda is 13.9 miles (22.5km) from the island, and Punta Sam is only 6 miles (9.7 km) away. 

  • Cancun International Airport is the farthest from Isla Mujeres. The ride from Cancun International Airport to Isla Mujeres via ferries is thirty minutes to one hour. The calculated distance between them is 22.4 miles (36.1km) 
  • Downtown Cancun is only 10 minutes away from the Puerto ferry terminal. The distance between them is 3.4 miles (5.5 km). 
  • The Cancun Hotel zone is 17.2 miles (27.7km) from Isla Mujeres. Ferry services from the hotel zone are more expensive than the other routes. 

Taking the Isla Mujeres ferry from Puerto Juarez to Isla Mujeres

The most common transportation to get to Isla Mujeres is via Puerto Juarez. From Puerto Juarez, you can book an Ultramar Isla Mujeres ferry.

The Ultramar ferry is known to be the fastest in the locality. It takes 30 minutes for the ferry to reach the destination island. 

Book your Ultramar high-speed ferry on Bookaway to find cheaper and better deals. This high-speed ferry costs $10 per person (200 Mexican pesos)

These ferries start in the morning at around 6:30 and continue until 3:30 PM. The return schedule begins at midnight and continues until three in the afternoon. 

The second known ferry company following the same route from Puerto Juarez to Isla Mujeres is Naveganto. 

Isla Mujeres Ferry Schedule

Ultramar Ferry Schedule

The following table shows the Ultramar Ferry Schedule from Puerto Juarez Pier in Cancun to Ultramar Pier on Isla Mujeres.

Departure TimeArrival TimeDurationPrice per Person
10:45am11:15am30 min$14BOOK NOW 3 e1661788865313
01:15pm01:45pm30 min$14BOOK NOW 3 e1661788865313
02:30pm03:00pm30 min$14BOOK NOW 3 e1661788865313
3:00pm3:30pm30 min$14BOOK NOW 3 e1661788865313
05:00pm05:30pm30 min$14BOOK NOW 3 e1661788865313
6:30pm7:00pm30 min$14BOOK NOW 3 e1661788865313

Jetway Ferry Schedule

The following table shows the Jetway Ferry Schedule from Puerto Juarez Pier in Cancun to Jetway Pier on Isla Mujeres.

Departure TimeArrival TimeDurationPrice per Person
06:30am07:15am45 min$13BOOK NOW 3 e1661788865313
07:00am07:45am45 min$13BOOK NOW 3 e1661788865313
08:00am08:45am45 min$13BOOK NOW 3 e1661788865313
09:30am10:15am45 min$13BOOK NOW 3 e1661788865313
10:30am11:15am45 min$13BOOK NOW 3 e1661788865313
11:30am12:15pm45 min$13BOOK NOW 3 e1661788865313
12:30pm01:15pm45 min$13BOOK NOW 3 e1661788865313
01:30pm02:15pm45 min$13BOOK NOW 3 e1661788865313
02:30pm03:15pm45 min$13BOOK NOW 3 e1661788865313
03:30pm04:15pm45 min$13BOOK NOW 3 e1661788865313

How to get from Cancun International Airport to Isla Mujeres?

Cancun International Airport is only 12.5 (20.2km) miles from Puerto Juarez. It can take 30-40 minutes to get there; the drive time can also depend on the means of transport you choose. 

  • Shuttle minivan: These vans will take 15 minutes to reach Puerto Juarez. They will cost $8-10 per person (100 mxn pesos). These shuttle minivans start at midnight and provide service until 6 PM. These minivans run at 40-minute intervals. 
  • ADO bus: The second best and the most cost-efficient route is to get the ADO bus from Cancun airport to Downtown Cancun. Then, board a shared shuttle or public bus from downtown to Puerto Juarez. This will cost you $5-6 or even less if you opt for a public bus. 
how to get from cancun to isla mujeres3
©depositphotos.com

How to get from Downtown Cancun to Isla Mujeres?

Downtown is only 3.4 miles away from Puerto Juarez and is a small drive (10 minutes.)

  • Taxi: Taxi is the easiest to find and probably the fastest. Getting to Puerto Mujeres will cost $10 (100 mxn). 
  • Public Bus: Public buses can be time-consuming but are still very cheap. The R1 line will get you to the destination at $1. 

How to get from the Cancun Hotel zone to Isla Mujeres?

The most affordable route from the Cancun hotel zone to the island will be via Puerto Juarez. Take a taxi to Puerto Juarez and then board the Ultramar ferry unless you want to board a ferry close to your hotel. 

You can take direct ferries from Playa Tortugas, El Embarcadero, and Playa Caracol from the Cancun hotel zones. Ultramar ferry rides from these piers will be slightly more expensive than the ones from Puerto Juarez. Direct ferries can cost you $18-20 (360-400 Mexican Pesos) 

  • The same high-speed ferry from El Embarcadero will take an hour to get to the island.

Please note: These ferries travel less frequently. El Embarcadero rides three times a day. Playa Tortugas travels four times daily, and Playa Caracol travels once daily. 

Taking the car from Cancun to Isla Mujeres

Would you prefer to travel with your car to Isla Mujeres?

You can, but it can be challenging to find parking areas in Isla Mujeres, given its small size. However, if you cannot leave your car behind, cargo ferries transport your vehicles from Puerto Juarez to Isla Mujeres. 

Ultracargo terminal, also operated by Ultramar, is based in Punta Sam and is 10 minutes away from Puerto Juarez. These Ultracargos only travel 2-4 times a day, and the prices differ every time. 

The starting cost of shipping a car (with its driver) to Isla Mujeres is $400. The charges may increase with a bigger vehicle. 

How to get from Cancun Airport to Isla Mujeres, Mexico1
©depositphotos.com

Want to book the complete trip from Cancun Airport to Isla Mujeres?

Yes, with Bookaway, you can book a door-to-door service from Cancun Airport to the island without delaying or changing rides.

These services can be expensive and may cost you $150-200 (up to 400 pesos). On the plus side, these door-to-door rides will save you time and effort with clear-cut guides and instructions. 

  • Shuttle+Ferries: They start at 5 AM and operate until 2 PM every hour. Shuttle+Ferries will cost you $48-50 (964-1000 mxn). The travel time is 1 hour and 20 minutes.
  • Private Standard bus+ferries: Private transfers in standard buses are more expensive than shuttle+ferries. They will cost you $198-$200 (4000 Mexican pesos). 

Arriving at Isla Mujeres

You can travel via taxi or golf cart on the island or use your rental car to enjoy the beauty around Isla Mujeres.

Nonetheless, Isla Mujeres is best traveled at feet. Enjoy the sun, warm sand, cold waves, and the cozy island at Isla Mujeres cost-friendly. 

Taxis are the best option to travel from one location to another. But if you’re going to tour the island on wheels, golf carts are fun and quite famous.

Renting golf carts may cost you $50 per day. So, skip renting vehicles and enjoy the beaches unless utmost necessary. 

Bottom line: 

Once you figure out your personalized method of traveling, you can peacefully enjoy Isla Mujeres and Cancun. We tried to include every possible and cost-friendly means of transport for you. 

Best day tours in Isla Mujeres, Mexico

Cancun to Isla Mujeres

Get Your Guide helps you find the best tours wherever you are heading. It’s usually the first website I check when I plan a trip to a new place.

Here, you can find some of the best tours in Isla Mujeres, Mexico.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cheapest way to get from Cancun to Isla Mujeres?

The cheapest way to get from Cancun to Isla Mujeres is by boarding the Jetway ferry, which costs only $13.

How long is the ferry from Cancun to Isla Mujeres?

The ferry from Cancun to Isla Mujeres takes about 30 minutes one way. The way to the island by high-speed ferry is truly scenic!

How much is the ferry from Cancun to Isla Mujeres?

The standard ferry ride from Cancun to Isla Mujeres costs about USD 10. If you take the high-speed ferry to Isla Mujeres, it will cost about USD 17.

Where does the ferry drop you off in Isla Mujeres?

The exact drop-off location at Isla Mujeres depends on the ferry company you will book with. The Ultramar and Jetway Piers in Isla Mujeres are located at Av. Rueda Medina.

Where do I buy Isla Mujeres ferry tickets?

You can conveniently buy Isla Mujeres ferry tickets online. This can be done in advance to secure your preferred travel time, among other things. Alternatively, you can also buy tickets directly at the terminal.

What time is the first ferry to Isla Mujeres?

The first trip of a Cancun to Isla Mujeres ferry is at 6:30 AM. This is a standard ferry run by Jetway. Ultramar’s first trip to Isla Mujeres from Cancun is at 10:30 AM.

What time is the last ferry to Isla Mujeres?

The last Cancun ferry to Isla Mujeres leaves at 6:30 PM. Ultramar services this. Jetway’s last trip to Isla Mujeres from Cancun is at 3:30 PM.

How often does the ferry run to Isla Mujeres?

The Ultramar Ferry from Cancun to Isla Mujeres has six trips daily. On the other hand, Jetway services this route ten times a day.

How much is the cheapest ferry to Isla Mujeres?

The cheapest Isla Mujeres ferry from Cancun costs USD 10.46. This is a standard ferry operated by Jetway.

What ferries go from Cancun to Isla Mujeres?

Two companies have Isla Mujeres Cancun ferry services: Jetway and Ultramar. You can both get updates on their schedules and prices here online.

How far is the ferry ride to Isla Mujeres?

The ferry to Isla Mujeres from Cancun travels the distance between the two destinations, which is 13 kilometers or 8 miles. The scenic journey lasts for about 30 minutes.

Where does the Ultramar ferry in Cancun depart?

The Puerto Juarez ferry dock is where the Ultramar ferry leaves from Cancun. It is also referred to as Gran Puerto or simply Puerto Juarez.

Where can I park my car to take the Isla Mujeres Ferry?

If you are riding any of the Cancun ferries to Isla Mujeres and leaving your vehicle behind in Cancun, you can use the parking garage at the Ultramar Gran Puerto Terminal. There is also free parking at the Punta Sam ferry dock.

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