How to Get to Isla Mujeres: The Easiest Ways From the Airport, Hotel Zone, or Playa del Carmen

One of the things I love most about Isla Mujeres is how easy it is to reach. Just a quick 20-minute ferry ride off the coast of Cancun and boom, you’re suddenly surrounded by the bluest water, some of the best sunsets in Mexico, and a totally different vibe from the chaos of the Hotel Zone.

Whether you’re landing at the Cancun airport, coming from Playa del Carmen, or planning a day trip from your all-inclusive resort, getting to Isla Mujeres is refreshingly simple. 

This mini guide on how to get to Isla Mujeres breaks down everything you need to know, plus a few tips to make the trip even smoother. Because honestly, once you see how easy it is to reach, you might be like me and start planning your long weekends in Isla! 

My Quick Answer to How to Get to Isla Mujeres

Alright, I’ve made this journey more than five times, coming straight from the airport, after a long bus ride from Bacalar, and even just on a day trip from my all-inclusive resort. So there’s not much you could throw at me about this trip that I haven’t figured out.

In the simplest terms, you just need to get yourself to Puerto Juárez, where the ferry to Isla Mujeres departs every 30 minutes. Buy your ticket, hop on board, and twenty minutes later you’ll be stepping onto the island with a margarita in hand and your toes in the sand.

But if you want all the insider details, like how to skip overpriced taxis, which ferry is best, and the easiest way to get from the airport to the dock, keep reading, because I’ve got you covered.

How to Get to Isla Mujeres from Cancun International Airport

Obviously, this depends on where you’re flying in from, but to give you an idea, from Dallas to Isla Mujeres takes me less than four hours total. I mean, come on… a two-and-a-half-hour flight, a 30-minute ride to the ferry, and a 20-minute ferry ride, and you’re suddenly on a tropical island?! You really can’t beat that.

That’s honestly why I keep coming back—it’s just so easy. So, here’s exactly how to get from Cancun Airport to Isla Mujeres, step by step, without spending a fortune or getting stuck in the chaos of the Cancun taxi scene.

From Cancun Airport to Isla Mujeres

Once you land at Cancun Airport, your main goal is to get to Puerto Juárez, the ferry terminal that connects Cancun to Isla Mujeres. It’s about 35–40 minutes away depending on traffic, and there are a few different ways to get there depending on your vibe (and budget).

Option 1: Private Transfer (Most Convenient & My Recommendation)

If you just want to land, hop in a car, and zone out until you’re on the ferry, this is the move. You can pre-book a private transfer online, and they’ll be waiting for you with your name on a sign right outside arrivals. Prices usually start around $45–$60 USD one way, depending on your group size. 

(I recommend booking the roundtrip option, it cost $81 for two people and you won’t have to deal with the taxis at the port, they charge an exorbitant amount of money! You can book it here. Just book it to Puerto Juarez Ultramar Ferry!)

This is the easiest option and personally, I don’t think it’s that expensive. The past 3 times I’ve gone this is what I’ve done and it’s perfect. My driver was waiting with beers, so it felt like the drive there was the true beginning of vacation! No haggling, no confusion, and no dragging luggage through a crowd. Honestly, this is the absolute best option! 

Option 2: Taxi (Quick but Pricey)

You can technically grab a taxi from the airport, but taxis at Cancun Airport are known for being overpriced, we’re talking $75–$100 USD to Puerto Juárez. If you’re solo or traveling light, it’s not worth it. But if you are going to do it, just make sure to confirm the price before you get in.

Option 3: ADO Bus + Taxi (Budget Option)

This is my second most recommended option, and I’ve done it a few times since I used to travel solo quite a bit and this really helped me to save money. The ADO bus is a great option for travel all over Mexico. 

It’s clean, air-conditioned, and runs frequently from the airport to Cancun Centro (downtown). A ticket costs around $6 USD and takes about 25 minutes. From the ADO bus station, just grab a quick taxi to Puerto Juárez for around $10 USD. (200 pesos)

It’s a tiny bit more effort, but it can save you half the cost of a private transfer, especially if you don’t mind a little adventure.

Keep in mind, when you return from Isla Mujeres, the taxis leaving the port will cost MUCH more, around 5x the price and they won’t negotiate with you. I recommend booking a transfer to pick you up!

Option 4: Rental Car (Not Recommended)

I mostly put this, to tell you NOT to do this. You can rent a car at the airport, but honestly, it’s kind of pointless unless you’re road-tripping through the Yucatán. 

You can’t take a car onto Isla Mujeres unless you book the car ferry (which departs from Punta Sam and is slower), and driving on the island itself is unnecessary, like you really do not want a car! The island is full of scooters and golf carts and it’s the best way to get around. 

Taking the Ultramar Ferry Isla Mujeres

Once you’ve made it to Puerto Juárez, you’re basically moments away from paradise. This is where you’ll catch the Ultramar Ferry, the main and most reliable ferry company that runs between Cancun and Isla Mujeres.

How the Ferry Works

The ferry runs every 30 minutes from around 6:30 AM to midnight, so you don’t have to stress about missing one. Tickets cost about $18 USD one way or $30 round trip, and you can buy them right at the terminal or online. The boats are big, modern, and air-conditioned, though honestly, the top deck is where the fun happens.

Unless the weather’s bad, I always sit up top. There’s usually a live band playing, people cracking open beers, and that warm salty air hitting your face, it’s the perfect “welcome to Mexico” moment. It’s such a fun ferry ride that I actually look forward to it every single time.

The journey takes about 20 minutes, but the difference in vibe between Cancun and Isla Mujeres feels like night and day. You’ll step off the ferry and instantly feel that slow island rhythm, no traffic, no stress, just sunshine and golf carts.

Insider Tip:

If you bought a roundtrip ticket, keep your ticket!!! This is super important or you’ll have to buy a new one! You can hop on any ferry later without needing a set time. 

Other Ferry Options

There are smaller ferry terminals in Cancun such as Playa Tortugas, El Embarcadero, and Playa Caracol, but they don’t run as often and are pricier since they mainly serve the hotel zone. Puerto Juárez is still the easiest and cheapest option, it’s where the locals go, and where I always end up.

Getting to Isla Mujeres from the Cancun Hotel Zone

If you’re staying at an all-inclusive in Cancun, you’re in luck, getting to Isla Mujeres is super doable, even just for the day. 

Most resorts offer organized day trips that include round-trip transport to the marina, a catamaran ride, snorkeling, drinks, and a few hours on the island. I’ve done this once, and honestly, it’s such a fun, easy way to break up your beach routine. You’ll spend part of the day sailing, swim in ridiculously clear water, and still make it back in time for dinner at your resort.

If you’d rather go on your own, no problem. There are two other ferry ports in the hotel zone, Playa Tortuga and Playa Caracol, you can check out their ferry schedules here.

Once you’re at the ferry, it’s smooth sailing. Buy your ticket, hop on board, and you’ll be on Isla in about 30 minutes. It’s honestly one of the easiest day trips you can take from Cancun.

Is Isla Mujeres worth a day trip from Cancun

If your resort beach is loaded with seaweed or you’re craving something that feels a bit more local, it’s absolutely worth it. But if your resort already has those perfect turquoise waters and you only have a couple of days, you might skip it and just save Isla for your next trip.

Getting to Isla Mujeres from Anywhere Else in Mexico

If you’re coming from Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Bacalar, or pretty much anywhere else in the Yucatán, the easiest and cheapest way is to take the ADO bus. It’s reliable, safe, comfortable, and air-conditioned.

You’ll want to book a ticket to Cancún Centro, which is the main ADO terminal in downtown Cancun. Once you arrive, just grab a taxi to Puerto Juárez Ferry Terminal, it’s only about a 10–15 minute ride and usually costs between 100–150 pesos ($6–9 USD) depending on the driver.

From there, follow the same steps: buy your ferry ticket, hop on the Ultramar Ferry, and in 20 minutes you’ll be stepping onto Isla Mujeres with turquoise water and cold beer waiting for you.

I’ve done this route a few times now, once from Bacalar and once from Holbox, and it’s surprisingly smooth. The ADO buses run often, and are super used to travelers taking the busses all across Mexico, so you’ll be in good hands even if your Spanish is a bit rusty.

FAQ: Getting to Isla Mujeres

How to get to Isla Mujeres from Cancun Hotel Zone

It’s super simple. Just grab a taxi to get to the one of the Ultramar Ferry Terminals. Playa Tortuga and Playa Caracol are located in the hotel Zone. The ferries run every hour, and you can buy your ticket right at the dock, no need to book in advance.

How to get to Isla Mujeres from Playa del Carmen

Take the ADO bus to Cancun city center (it’s about an hour and a half), then hop in a taxi to Puerto Juárez. Once you’re there, the ferry will zip you over to the island in 20 minutes. Or you can book a shuttle bus from your hotel straight to the ferry dock. It can be an easy day trip if you leave early!

How to get to Isla Mujeres from Tulum

From Tulum, catch the ADO bus to Cancun (roughly 2–2.5 hours). From the bus station, grab a cab straight to Puerto Juárez. You’ll be island-side before you know it. If you’re staying in a hotel, many offer shuttle services to Cancun too which are worth asking about!

What is the Isla Mujeres ferry schedule?

The Ultramar Ferry runs about every 30 minutes from 6:30 AM to 11 PM from Puerto Juárez. The ride itself takes around 20 minutes, and ferries are super reliable. You can buy one-way or roundtrip tickets right at the terminal or online if you prefer.

How to get to Isla Mujeres from Cancun Airport

You’ve got a few options:

• Pre-booked private transfer: easiest, fastest, and most stress-free, takes about 30 minutes.
• Taxi: convenient but usually the priciest.
• ADO + Taxi: This is the cheapest option, and great for solo travelers. Travel to Cancun Centro and then get a taxi to Puerto Juarez.

Once you arrive at Puerto Juarez, it’s a quick 20-minute ferry ride to Isla Mujeres!

My Honest Take on How to Get to Isla Mujeres

Getting to Isla Mujeres is honestly one of the easiest island trips you can do in Mexico. It’s close to the airport but feels like a totally different world once you arrive.

In my opinion, booking private transport is 100% worth it. Around $40 per person roundtrip from the airport might sound like a splurge, but it saves you the hassle of haggling, waiting around, or getting lost. You’re on vacation , make it easy on yourself!

If you’re coming from your hotel, they’ll almost always help you arrange the best route to the ferry. But at the end of the day, all roads lead to Puerto Juárez. Get there, and you’re golden. And if all else fails, just tell your taxi driver “Isla Mujeres ferry” they’ll know exactly where to go.

Check Out My Other Isla Mujeres Travel Guides

Restaurants on Isla Mujeres: My Top Food Spots

Where to Stay in Isla Mujeres: The Best Areas & Hotels

Is Isla Mujeres Worth Visiting: My Honest Review

How to Get to Isla Mujeres: The Easiest Way to Get There

Best Time to Visit Isla Mujeres: My Seaweed & Weather Guide

Isla Mujeres Beaches: My Favorite Beaches in Isla Mujeres

Isla Mujeres Itinerary: How to Spend 3 Days in Isla Mujeres

Things to Do in Isla Mujeres: My Top 9 Activities

Day Trip to Isla Mujeres: How to Spend 1 Day in Isla Mujeres

Check Out My Other Mexico Guides

Is Mexico Worth Visiting: My Honest Review

Best Places to Visit in Mexico: My 11 Top Mexico Destinations