Where Isla Mujeres is and why people go
Isla Mujeres is a narrow island off Cancún, about six kilometers northeast of the coast. Quintana Roo's tourism information system describes it as roughly seven kilometers long and only 500 meters wide: in some places you can see the sea on both sides.
It has been a Pueblo Mágico (Magical Town) since September 25, 2015, and its appeal is an unusual mix: a small, colorful town, calm beaches, reefs and, at the southern tip, Punta Sur, with Maya remains that tradition links to Ixchel, the goddess of the moon and fertility.
How you get there from Mérida
Isla Mujeres isn't on the mainland, so the trip has two parts:
- The drive from Mérida to Cancún, crossing Yucatán on the highway with a stop halfway.
- The boat crossing from Puerto Juárez, one of the departure points to the island listed by the Quintana Roo government (the others are Playa Tortugas, El Embarcadero and Playa Caracol).
On the Mary Tours trip, ground transportation and the boat are included, along with snorkel gear and lunch. The island's sanitation fee, shopping and extra drinks are paid separately. If you'd rather do the island on your own, there's also a private transfer from Mérida to Puerto Juárez; in that case the crossing is paid separately.
What you do on the island
- Sailing across the Caribbean is part of the fun: the water between Cancún and the island is some of the most photogenic on this coast.
- Snorkeling on El Meco reef, with basic gear included.
- A beach club with a buffet lunch and loungers.
- Playa Norte, known for its fine sand and shallow water: you can wade a long way out and still touch bottom.
- Free time downtown to walk, shop or grab a bite.
You head back to Mérida in the afternoon and arrive at night.
Reefs, mangroves and an underwater museum
The state tourism system records beaches, lagoons, reefs and mangroves on Isla Mujeres. Between the island and Cancún there's also MUSA, an underwater museum opened on November 27, 2010, with more than 440 submerged sculptures in the Manchones area. MUSA isn't part of the day trip, but it's a good example of how this coast tries to draw visitors away from natural reefs by giving them something else to see.
To protect the reef while snorkeling: don't touch or stand on coral, don't feed the fish, and use biodegradable sunscreen only.
Is Isla Mujeres in one day worth it?
It's worth it if you want to experience the Mexican Caribbean without switching hotels and you prefer a laid-back beach to a party scene. It's the most "Caribbean" ocean-beach trip you can do in a day from Mérida.
Keep in mind that it's a lot of driving and your time on the island is limited. If boats make you seasick, bring motion-sickness tablets. If there are four or more of you, the per-person discount coupon on this page makes a real difference to the total cost.
What to pack
- Swimsuit on from the start, a towel and a change of clothes.
- Biodegradable sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses.
- Cash in pesos for the sanitation fee, drinks and shopping.
- Motion-sickness tablets if you need them.
- A dry bag or waterproof phone case.
Fun facts
- Isla Mujeres is so narrow that in places it's only about 500 meters from side to side.
- It has been a Pueblo Mágico since 2015.
- Near the island there's an underwater museum with more than 440 submerged sculptures.
Related tours
Coupon −$300 MXN per personCaribbean · 17 h
Isla Mujeres
Playa Norte, which makes every list for a reason
from $2,500 MXN per person
See itinerary
5:00 AM – 10:00 PM · daily
- 4:45 AM Boarding — We leave from the downtown office. If your accommodation is on the way, we collect you there — agreed beforehand on WhatsApp.
- 5:30 AM Drive to Valladolid — Two hours on the motorway, with a fifteen-minute stop.
- 7:45 AM Drive to Puerto Juárez — Two more hours to the pier in Cancún.
- 10:00 AM Isla Mujeres — Sailing the Caribbean, snorkelling at the reef with gear included, a stop at Playa Norte, buffet lunch at the beach club and free time in town.
- 6:00 PM Back to Mérida — Four hours back, with a stop halfway.
Included: Transport, Guide, Boat transfer, Snorkelling gear, Lunch
Not included: Environmental tax, Shopping on the island, Extra drinks
Transfers · 17 h
Transfer to Isla Mujeres
Mérida to the ferry pier and back, the whole day
from $5,550 MXN per vehicle
Coupon −$300 MXN per personCaribbean · 17 h
Bacalar, the lagoon of seven colours
Seventeen hours for water that changes colour every metre
from $2,800 MXN per person
See itinerary
5:00 AM – 10:00 PM · daily
- 4:45 AM Boarding — We leave from the downtown office. If your accommodation is on the way, we collect you there — agreed beforehand on WhatsApp.
- 5:30 AM Drive to José María Morelos — Two hours. Fifteen minutes there for toilets and to stretch your legs.
- 7:30 AM Drive to Bacalar — Two and a half hours more, now crossing into Quintana Roo.
- 10:15 AM Boat trip on the lagoon — Pirates’ Channel, Cenote Negro, Cenote Esmeralda and Bird Island, with an explanation of the stromatolites and the ecosystem.
- 12:15 PM Lunch — Lunch in the town, beside the lagoon.
- 1:30 PM Bacalar magic town — Three and a half hours free: the San Felipe fort, the square, the piers, the cafés and the crafts.
- 5:00 PM Back to Mérida — Five hours back, with a stop halfway. Arriving around ten.
Included: Transport, Guide, Boat trip, Lunch
Not included: Drinks
Coupon −$300 MXN per personCaribbean · 14 h
Tulum and the Casa Tortuga cenotes
The only Maya city built facing the Caribbean
from $2,500 MXN per person
See itinerary
6:00 AM – 8:00 PM · daily
- 6:00 AM Boarding — We leave from the downtown office. If your accommodation is on the way, we collect you there — agreed beforehand on WhatsApp.
- 6:30 AM Motorway to the rest stop — An hour and three quarters, with fifteen minutes for toilets and something light.
- 8:30 AM On to Tulum — An hour and a half more to the Quintana Roo coast.
- 10:00 AM Tulum archaeological site — Guided visit to the walled city: El Castillo, the Temple of the Frescoes and the Temple of the Descending God, with the sea behind.
- 12:15 PM Casa Tortuga cenotes and lunch — Four cenotes of different kinds, with a guided route, trails and changing rooms. Lunch is on site.
- 4:00 PM Back to Mérida — Four hours back, with a stop halfway.
Included: Guide accredited by the Ministry of Tourism, Round-trip transport, Lunch, Cenote entry
Not included: Tulum archaeological site entrance, Drinks
Frequently asked questions
Is the boat included on the Isla Mujeres tour?
Yes. The Mary Tours trip includes transportation from Mérida, the boat, snorkel gear and lunch. The sanitation fee and extra drinks are paid separately.
Where does the boat to Isla Mujeres leave from?
The tour crosses from Puerto Juárez in Cancún. The Quintana Roo government also lists Playa Tortugas, El Embarcadero and Playa Caracol as departure points.
How big is Isla Mujeres?
About seven kilometers long and around 500 meters wide, according to the state tourism listing.
Do I need to know how to swim to snorkel?
You should be comfortable floating. If you're not a confident swimmer, mention it when you book so they can advise you on flotation gear.
Is there a group discount?
Yes. Booking from this page gives you a per-person coupon for groups of 4 to 20.
