How to get to Isla Mujeres
The International Airport of Cancun is served by a wide variety of airlines. Although some (such as charter flights) use Terminal 2, the majority of international flights use Terminal 3. To prepare yourself, read through our walk-through of the Cancun airport.
Your first selection is whatever method of transportation to employ to get yourself to Puerto Juarez where you will board a ferry to take you to Isla Mujeres.
Airport Transportation in Cancun
From the Cancun airport there are 3 methods to travel to the Puerto Juarez ferry docks that will transport you to the island. the bus, a shared airport vehicle, or a private van or car reserved through a third party.
As soon as you leave the terminal of the airport, you will be at the arrivals/pick-up area, where several businesses will be carrying signs. Look for a sign with your name on it if you have reserved private transportation in advance; if not, you will need to buy a shuttle or bus ticket.
ADO Airport Bus: To purchase your ticket to downtown Cancun (about $5 USD per person), look for the kiosk with a large "ADO" sign in red. Every half-hour, a bus runs. Take a taxi to the boat from the downtown bus station for about $5 USD total, or, if you're feeling very daring, board the "Ruta 13" bus, which will drop you off at Puerto Juárez close to the ferry dock. For just one or two people, this is the most cost-effective method.
Transport to and from airports. While waiting is inevitable, shared airport transportation is still rather affordable. Unless everyone else in the van is also traveling to Isla Mujeres, the van won't leave until it is completely full, and you will likely be the last one to be dropped off. Although they are a possibility, private airport taxis are rather pricey—more than $70 USD one way.
Private transportation that was reserved. Families and social groups use this method of transportation the most frequently. The payment is per vehicle not per person and there is no waiting. Tickets for one-way or round-trip travel are available online.
From the Cancun Airport to Isla Mujeres, Luxury Van Transportation provides door-to-door, all-inclusive transportation services in a private, air-conditioned luxury van. For more than 18 years, they have served Isla Mujeres, Cancun, Tulum, Playa del Carmen, and the rest of the Riviera Maya with ground transportation and private tour services. Transportation in a Luxurious Van
The Isla Mujeres Ferry
A short distance from Cancun's main square is Puerto Juarez, where the Gran Puerto Cancun (Ultramar) ferry station is situated. The boats leave every half hour from 5:00 am until 9:30 pm and every hour after that. The crossing takes roughly 15 minutes.
Porters are prepared to assist you with your luggage and put it onto the ships when you arrive.
From Gran Puerto, Puerto Juarez, UltraMar Service
Gran Puerto has excellent amenities, including clean restrooms, an Oxxo (similar to a 7-Eleven), a bar, a small food stand selling quesadillas, and a tourist apparel store where you can buy hats, sunglasses, beach bags, and beachwear. Tickets cost 160 pesos for one way travel and 300 pesos for round-trip travel.
You will be shown where to go if you are carrying your own luggage at the back of the boat. In the height of the season, there is a lot of traffic and a lot of luggage and bags. It is advisable to leave the loading to the porters ("maleateros"). Don't forget to tip, please!
On the boat, you can buy snacks, beer, soda, and water. You will always remember your first ferry voyage to the island if the weather allows (which is most of the time).
Around 5:00 AM, the first passage to Isla Mujeres opens. Until 9:30 p.m., ferries run every half hour. Thereafter, they run continuously until 11:30 p.m. (9:30, 10:30 and 11:30).
At 5:30 AM, the first ferry departs from Isla Mujeres and arrives in Cancun. From 9:30 p.m. until 12:00 a.m., ferries run every hour on the hour (10:00 pm, 11:00 pm, 12:00 am).
To accommodate the increased travelers, they will add more boats during busy seasons (such as the Easter weekend). To verify the schedule and prices, visit the Ultra Mar Ferry website: www.ultramarferry.com/en/routes-and-departures
Traveling to Isla by car
Since parking on the island is quite scarce and walking or renting a golf cart is much more enjoyable, it is not advised to bring a rental car to Isla. But, if necessary, a car ferry service is available at Punta Sam, which is approximately 10 minutes north of Puerto Juárez.
This is your only option if you plan to bring a vehicle to Isla Mujeres. One driver is provided at the fair, with additional fees for each passenger. Before boarding, purchase your tickets. It is essential to come at least an hour before departure because the lineups can occasionally be very long.
From the Hotel Zone in Cancun
The UtraMar also offers boats from Cancun’s hotel zone to Isla. There are fewer crossings and a higher cost ($14 USD one way). Three areas in the hotel district—Playa Tortugas, EL Embarcadero, and Playa Caracol—are where the ferry departs from. The schedule can be found at www.ultramarferry.com/en.
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