Major city · Mexico
Isla Aguada
Give Isla Aguada one night, two at most: a dolphin-and-bird lagoon boat trip, a lighthouse museum and empty Gulf beaches. Skip it as a base.
Isla Aguada is a small island town of about 5,000 people on the Campeche coast, 45 km northeast of Ciudad del Carmen on MEX-180, where the Laguna de Términos meets the Gulf. It is a Pueblo Mágico with a lighthouse museum, a handful of seafood palapas and beaches that stay quiet. The reason to stop is the lagoon: bottlenose dolphins, Bird Island and more than 200 bird species. Two nights covers it; one night plus a boat trip is enough for most travellers.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- MXN
- Best months
- Nov–Apr (dry, cooler)
- avoid Sep–Oct (rain and storm season), Easter week (Mexican holiday crowds)
- Airport
- CME
- Nights
- 1–2
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
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Isla Aguada911 ▾
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 Aguada, 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 Aguada is a quiet small town and the main risks are practical: sun and heat, unlit beach roads at night, and boat trips in bad weather.
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 (Mexico)
- 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.
- AirportCME Ciudad del Carmen International (About 45 km (28 mi) southwest on MEX-180; flights from Mexico City.CME Ciudad del Carmen International (About 28 mi (45 km) southwest on MEX-180; flights from Mexico City.
- Getting aroundThe town is small enough to walk, but the beaches and the boat dock are spread out, so a rental car or taxi is the practical choice.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeM$30–60
- BeerM$35–60
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi within townM$50–100 (check)
- Budget bedHostel or cabaña bed, a night, per personMX$350 (≈ US$19)
- Mid-range bedHotel double room, a night, per roomMX$1,400 (≈ US$80)
- High-end bedHotel double room, a night, per roomMX$2,800 (≈ US$160)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget MX$800 (≈ US$45) · Mid MX$1,400 (≈ US$80) · High MX$2,600 (≈ US$150)
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
- CME Ciudad del Carmen International (About 45 km (28 mi) southwest on MEX-180; flights from Mexico City. Taxi or rental car from there.)CME Ciudad del Carmen International (About 28 mi (45 km) southwest on MEX-180; flights from Mexico City. Taxi or rental car from there.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Feb
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Mar
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Apr
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
May
not flagged
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Jun
not flagged
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jul
not flagged
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Aug
not flagged
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Sep
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Oct
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Nov
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Dec
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Best: Nov–Apr. Avoid: Sep–Oct. Month by month →
Warmest May (34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)), coolest Jan (19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C) low), wettest Sep (16 rain days), driest Mar (3). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Isla Aguada: 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
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
5 rd
Feb
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
4 rd
Mar
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
3 rd
Apr
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
3 rd
May
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
6 rd
Jun
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
12 rd
Jul
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
12 rd
Aug
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
13 rd
Sep
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
16 rd
Oct
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
12 rd
Nov
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
7 rd
Dec
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
5 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 small enough to walk, but the beaches and the boat dock are spread out, so a rental car or taxi is the practical choice. Driving in Campeche is generally easy. Autobuses ATS runs from Ciudad del Carmen roughly every four hours; the ride is about 45 minutes.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Ciudad del Carmen
goDoor to door: About 45 min
MEX-180 southwest by car or taxi, or Autobuses ATS
Bigger town with the airport, banks and more restaurants; useful for a half day.
Champotón
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h 30 min
MEX-180 northeast by car
Beach town on the route to Campeche; combine it with the drive rather than a return trip.
Campeche
overnightDoor to door: About 2 h 30 min
MEX-180 northeast by car or bus
The walled colonial city deserves its own night, not a day return.
Palenque
overnightDoor to door: 6 h+
Long drive inland via Escárcega
Maya ruins in the jungle; plan a separate stop.
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.
Revolución (near the lighthouse)
Walkable to the malecón, the lighthouse museum and several seafood restaurants.
Meshal / Calle Marina
Lagoon-side street with palapa restaurants and hotels looking over the water.
Caleta I
Quieter stretch with garden hotels and pool; a short taxi ride from the centre.
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$600–1,000 excl. bed
- Mid
- M$1,000–1,800 excl. bed
- High
- M$1,800+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Hotel double room1 × 2 nights × MX$1,400 | MX$2,800 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × MX$1,400 | MX$5,600 |
| Lagoon dolphin and Bird Island boat trip2 × MX$500 · check | MX$1,000 |
| Autobuses ATS Ciudad del Carmen → Isla Aguada, one way2 × MX$30 · check | MX$60 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × MX$250 | MX$500 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | MX$996 |
| Trip total≈ MX$2,739 per person per day, bed included | MX$10,956≈ US$600 |
2026 estimate in pesos; long-distance transport excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | M$30–60 |
| Seafood plate (mojarra frita, camarones) | M$150–300 |
| Beer | M$35–60 |
| Michelada or piña colada | M$70–120 |
| Lagoon boat trip | M$500 (check) |
| Taxi within town | M$50–100 (check) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Lagoon boat trips run on small open boats: agree the price, the duration and whether Bird Island is included before you board.
- Beaches such as Playa el Cielo have no food, drink or shade vendors: carry water and sun cover.
- September and October bring storms and heavy rain; the 1980 ferry capsize here happened in a storm, and lagoon trips can be cancelled in bad weather.
- Some restaurants and cabañas take cash only: carry pesos, and there is no guarantee of an ATM in town.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
- Tourist assistance (Mexico)
- 078
Pocket card
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Isla AguadaIsla Aguada
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Tourist assistance078
Embassy
No embassy in town; the US, UK and Canadian embassies are in Mexico City, with consular agencies in Cancún and Mérida (check).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Ciudad del Carmen → Isla Aguada, ATS bus: about M$30, 45 min (check)
- Lagoon dolphin and Bird Island boat trip: about M$500 per person (check)
- Taxi within town: M$50–100 (check)
Say or show
- ¿Cuánto cuesta el paseo en lancha? — How much is the boat trip? (KWAN-to KWES-ta el pa-SE-o en LAN-cha)
- ¿Incluye la Isla Pájaro? — Does it include Bird Island? (in-KLOO-ye la EE-sla PA-ha-ro)
- Dos personas, por favor — Two people, please (dos per-SO-nas por fa-VOR)
- La cuenta, por favor — The bill, please (la KWEN-ta por fa-VOR)
- ¿Aceptan tarjeta? — Do you take card? (a-SEP-tan tar-HE-ta)
- ¿Dónde está la playa? — Where is the beach? (DON-de es-TA la PLA-ya)
Cash is king in Isla Aguada: bring pesos for boats, taxis and small restaurants.
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 Aguada. 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: Nov–Apr (dry, cooler) · avoid Sep–Oct (rain and storm season), Easter week (Mexican holiday crowds) · 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
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for CME: taxi and ATS timings field-checked, plus a late-arrival fallback in Ciudad del Carmen.
- Boat-trip page with verified departure point, price band, duration and weather cancellation rule.
- Place pages for the Lighthouse Museum and the two main beaches, with opening hours checked.
- Eat pages for the four palapa seafood restaurants with last orders and cash-only flags.
Sources
- officialVisit Mexico — Campeche
- officialAutobuses ATS
- secondaryWikivoyage: Isla Aguada, revision 4841274 (CC BY-SA 4.0)