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.
- 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.
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.
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.
- RestroomsPut paper in the bin, not the toilet, in most places; public toilets charge MXN 5–10.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 southwest on MEX-180; flights from Mexico City.CME Ciudad del Carmen International (About 28 mi 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 (≈ US$2–4)
- BeerM$35–60 (≈ US$2–4)
- Taxi, about 5 kmTaxi, about 3 miTaxi within townM$50–100 (≈ US$3–6) (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 →
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 southwest on MEX-180; flights from Mexico City. Taxi or rental car from there.)CME Ciudad del Carmen International (About 28 mi southwest on MEX-180; flights from Mexico City. Taxi or rental car from there.)
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°C81°F
19°C66°F
5 rd
Feb
28°C82°F
20°C68°F
4 rd
Mar
31°C88°F
22°C72°F
3 rd
Apr
33°C91°F
24°C75°F
3 rd
May
34°C93°F
25°C77°F
6 rd
Jun
33°C91°F
25°C77°F
12 rd
Jul
33°C91°F
25°C77°F
12 rd
Aug
33°C91°F
25°C77°F
13 rd
Sep
32°C90°F
24°C75°F
16 rd
Oct
31°C88°F
23°C73°F
12 rd
Nov
29°C84°F
21°C70°F
7 rd
Dec
28°C82°F
20°C68°F
5 rd
High / low °C°F · rd = rain days
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.
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 & 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.
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- M$600–1,000 (≈ US$35–55) excl. bed
- Mid
- M$1,000–1,800 (≈ US$55–100) excl. bed
- High
- M$1,800 (≈ US$100)+ 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 (≈ US$2–4) |
| Seafood plate (mojarra frita, camarones) | M$150–300 (≈ US$9–17) |
| Beer | M$35–60 (≈ US$2–4) |
| Michelada or piña colada | M$70–120 (≈ US$4–7) |
| Lagoon boat trip | M$500 (≈ US$30) (check) |
| Taxi within town | M$50–100 (≈ US$3–6) (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
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Isla AguadaIsla Aguada
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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—
—
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 (≈ US$2), 45 min (check)
- Lagoon dolphin and Bird Island boat trip: about M$500 (≈ US$30) per person (check)
- Taxi within town: M$50–100 (≈ US$3–6) (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 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)