Major city · Mexico
Isla Mujeres
Give it 2 nights minimum, 3 if you dive or do the whale-shark tour (mid-May–Sep): the island is 7 km (4.3 mi) end to end and one day only covers Playa Norte.Give it 2 nights minimum, 3 if you dive or do the whale-shark tour (mid-May–Sep): the island is 4.3 mi (7 km) end to end and one day only covers Playa Norte.
Isla Mujeres is a 13 km ferry hop from Cancún and a Pueblo Mágico: a compact, walkable town on the north end, a rocky southern tip with the Ixchel temple ruin and a sculpture park, and calm, clear water over the Manchones reef. It is small enough to see in a day and good enough to keep you two or three. Winter is the comfortable season; summer is hot and humid but brings the whale sharks.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- MXN
- Best months
- Dec–Apr
- avoid Jul–Sep (heat, humidity, hurricane season)
- Airport
- CUN
- Nights
- 2–3
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- Mexico ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Mexico's National Migration Institute (INM) or your nearest Mexican consulate; keep proof of your entry (stamp or digital record) until you leave.
- Mexico ↗Security advice differs by state: some governments advise against travel to parts of several states. Check your own government's advice for each region on your route.
- Mexico ↗Do not drink tap water; use bottled or filtered water and ice from reliable places.
- Mexico ↗Foreign visitors to Quintana Roo (Cancún, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Bacalar, Holbox) pay the state VISITAX online at visitax.gob.mx only; lookalike sites add fees.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Isla Mujeres911 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Isla Mujeres, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Mexican peso (MXN, $).Mexico-wide
- SIM or eSIMTelcel has the widest coverage; AT&T and Movistar are cheaper in cities.Mexico-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap; garrafón (20-litre jugs) and filtered water in hotels.Mexico-wide
- TippingcheckRestaurants: 10–15%; check the bill for an included 'servicio'.Mexico-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 127 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Mexico-wide
- SafetyIsla Mujeres is one of the calmer, safer corners of the Mexican Caribbean; the real risks are scooters, sun, and hurricane season.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPut paper in the bin, not the toilet, in most places; public toilets charge MXN 5–10 (≈ under US$1).Mexico-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance · 078 Tourist assistance (Ángeles Verdes / Sectur)
- Sundays & holidaysMost museums and many archaeological sites close on Mondays; banks close on public holidays.Mexico-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportCUN Cancún International (Nearest airport with scheduled flights; bus or taxi to Puerto Juárez, then the ferry.).
- Getting aroundThe town is walkable; taxis cover short hops in town for about M$30, and a scooter or golf cart is the way to reach Punta Sur and the east coast.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeM$40–70
- Street or quick mealTacos from a standM$15–30 each
- Beerbeach bar / shopM$50–90M$25–40
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi in townabout M$30
- Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per personMX$350 (≈ US$19)
- Mid-range bedGuesthouse or hotel double, a night, per roomMX$1,800 (≈ US$100)
- High-end bedGuesthouse or hotel double, a night, per roomMX$4,000 (≈ US$250)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget MX$900 (≈ US$50) · Mid MX$1,800 (≈ US$100) · High MX$3,500 (≈ US$190)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- CUN Cancún International (Nearest airport with scheduled flights; bus or taxi to Puerto Juárez, then the ferry.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Feb
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Mar
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Apr
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
May
not flagged
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jun
not flagged
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jul
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Aug
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Sep
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Oct
not flagged
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Nov
not flagged
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Dec
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Best: Dec–Apr. Avoid: Jul–Sep. Month by month →
Warmest May (33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)), coolest Jan (20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C) low), wettest Sep (14 rain days), driest Mar (3). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Isla Mujeres: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
5 rd
Feb
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
4 rd
Mar
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
3 rd
Apr
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
3 rd
May
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
6 rd
Jun
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
11 rd
Jul
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
10 rd
Aug
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
11 rd
Sep
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
14 rd
Oct
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
12 rd
Nov
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
8 rd
Dec
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
6 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The town is walkable; taxis cover short hops in town for about M$30, and a scooter or golf cart is the way to reach Punta Sur and the east coast. Watch for topes (speed bumps) and sudden wind gusts on the Caribbean side.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Cancún
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h to downtown Cancún (check)
Ultramar ferry from the island to Puerto Juárez, about 18 min
A city and hotel zone, not a beach upgrade; most travellers stay on the island.
Puerto Morelos
cautionDoor to door: About 2 h
Ferry to Puerto Juárez, then taxi or colectivo south
Reef and quiet village; a long half-day from the island.
Cozumel
skipDoor to door: 3 h+
Ferry to Puerto Juárez, transfer to Playa del Carmen, then the Cozumel ferry
Too long for a day; go as a separate stop if you want the diving.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Centro (around Hidalgo and the ferry dock)
Walk to the ferry, restaurants and Playa Norte; noisier at night.
Playa Norte
Beachfront hotels and bars; the calmest, shallowest water on the island.
Mid-island and the east coast
Cheaper, breezier, quieter; you need a scooter, golf cart or taxi for everything.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- M$900–1,500 excl. bed
- Mid
- M$1,500–2,800 excl. bed
- High
- M$2,800+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Guesthouse or hotel double1 × 2 nights × MX$1,800 | MX$3,600 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × MX$1,800 | MX$7,200 |
| Ultramar ferry, return2 × MX$470 · check | MX$940 |
| Scooter or golf cart, one day1 × MX$900 · check | MX$900 |
| Whale-shark tour (mid-May–Sep)2 × MX$2,500 · check | MX$5,000 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × MX$250 | MX$500 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | MX$1,814 |
| Trip total≈ MX$4,989 per person per day, bed included | MX$19,954≈ US$1,100 |
2026 estimate (check)
2026 estimate in pesos; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | M$40–70 |
| Tacos from a stand | M$15–30 each |
| Ceviche or grilled fish plate | M$150–350 |
| Beer: beach bar / shop | M$50–90 / M$25–40 |
| Taxi in town | about M$30 |
| Scooter or golf cart, one day | M$600–1,200 |
| Ferry Puerto Juárez → Isla Mujeres, one way | about M$260–300 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Scooter and golf-cart rentals: check brakes and helmet, and photograph existing damage before you ride.
- Strong sun and heat year-round; summer highs run well over 32 °C (90 °F).Strong sun and heat year-round; summer highs run well over 90 °F (32 °C).
- Hurricane season runs roughly Jun–Nov; check forecasts before booking non-refundable trips.
- Whale-shark trips: book with operators that follow the official rules; street-vendor prices are lower but not the regulated tours.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
- Tourist assistance (Ángeles Verdes / Sectur)
- 078
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Isla MujeresIsla Mujeres
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Tourist assistance078
Embassy
No embassy on the island; the US consulate and most embassies are in Cancún or Mexico City (check).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Ultramar ferry, Puerto Juárez → Isla Mujeres: about M$260–300 one way, 18 min
- Taxi in town: about M$30
- Scooter or golf cart, one day: M$600–1,200
Say or show
- Hola — Hello (OH-lah)
- Gracias — Thank you (GRAH-syahs)
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much is it? (KWAN-toh KWES-tah)
- La cuenta, por favor — The bill, please (lah KWEN-tah por fah-VOR)
- ¿Dónde está el ferry? — Where is the ferry? (DON-deh es-TAH el FEH-rree)
- ¿Puedo pagar con tarjeta? — Can I pay by card? (PWEH-doh pah-GAR kon tar-HEH-tah)
Ferry times and fares change with the season: check the operator's site before you travel.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Isla Mujeres. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Dec–Apr · avoid Jul–Sep (heat, humidity, hurricane season) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Ferry contract for Puerto Juárez: first and last departures field-checked, taxi fallback, open-ticket rule.
- Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: ferry dock and centro, Hidalgo, Playa Norte, Punta Sur.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (Punta Sur, Garrafón, the underwater museum) and eat pages with last orders.
- Whale-shark season fixture so the mid-May–Sep window is flagged before booking.
Sources
- officialIsla Mujeres municipal government
- officialUltramar Ferry
- officialMUSA — Underwater Art Museum
- secondaryWikivoyage: Isla Mujeres, revision 5311736 (CC BY-SA 4.0)