Isla Mujeres is a pretty island perfect for a day trip from Cancun since it is really tiny, although if you have more time, I recommend at least one or two more nights to explore the island.
Reaching Isla Mujeres is pretty easy, so you can organize your visit on your own or get an organized day tour from Cancun.
How to Get There
If you want to go directly to Isla Mujeres as soon as you land at Cancun airport, the direct way is to get one of the private airport transfers services to go to the Puerto Juarez terminal.
There are also several other options that you can find at the airport and downtown such as ADO buses or taxi services, just do not forget to ask the driver if he stops at Ultramar to take the ferry.
The ferry takes about 20 minutes to cross, with very frequent departures, and it drops you off at the main port of Isla Mujeres, right in the center of town. It can be better to get the round-trip ticket to not miss the ferry back.
Getting Around
Once in Isla Mujeres, you can easily explore the island on foot since downtown is not that big, but the most typical way is to rent a golf cart. Almost everyone gets around by cart, even locals, and you can rent them per hour or the entire day. I hired it with a man who was in front of the port, for the entire day, from 9 am to 7 pm. They just ask for your driver’s license and emergency contact for your contract.
You can also rent a bike, if you feel good to move around Isla Mujeres in an ecofriendly way, I recommend that before arriving on the island you have changed some Mexican pesos. I do not recommend exchanging money at the airport, as normally the exchange rate is lower.
If you have rented a golf cart, you can’t miss the tour along the east coast road. One of the most beautiful scenic roads also has a bike path where you can stroll a few meters from the cliff. There are also several samples of street art throughout the streets of the island that are worth a glance.
What to Do
Garrafon de Castilla
If you love the outdoor activities on the beach, head to the Garrafon de Castilla beach club, next to the national park with the same name, which I truly recommend visiting if you have time. The beach is quite small but a great spot for snorkeling, with hundreds of colorful fish right next to the sand.
Garrafon Park
If you are into scuba diving, Garrafon Park is also a great place to enjoy underwater. Isla Mujeres is surrounded by dolphins, and turtles during a certain time of the year. Tours depart from its port to swim with the whale shark, the largest fish on the planet.
Punta Sur
Visiting Punta Sur, located on the far side of the village, is ideal at sunrise. There, you can admire beautiful views of the cliffs, and the ruins of the Mayan temple to the goddess of the moon and fertility.
Where to Eat
As the island is not so big, there are several restaurants to choose from. You just have to walk around the streets to find budget restaurants. It is common to find small, mostly family-run restaurants.
If you want seafood, La casa del Tiki Xik is in front of the beach and it is a great option to visit. The ceviches are huge and tasty. Taqueria Lalo’s is another good option with delicious shrimp tacos. At the center of the island, you can also find some carts and stores with typical Mexican dishes like flautas, tortas, and quesadillas at a very good price.
Final Thoughts
Definitely, Isla Mujeres is an incredible island to visit, whether you want to just relax and explore or do some water activities. Hopefully, you are not afraid of iguanas, because the island is full of them. Don’t worry, they are harmless! You can’t leave the island without taking a picture with the famous colorful letters of Isla Mujeres.
