Updated November 2026 · By Terry Barkhuizen, NOM-08 certified tour guide (credential N012608). Ferry timetables and fares change with the season; check the operator’s website on the day.
Part of our Getting Around the Riviera Maya guide.
Isla Mujeres is a short boat ride from Cancun, and the ferry is easy once you know which pier to use. Most visitors should go from Puerto Juárez, just north of downtown Cancun: it’s the cheapest, with the most departures and the latest boats. The Hotel Zone piers are convenient if you’re staying nearby, but they cost more and stop earlier.
Quick answer
- Best pier for most people: Puerto Juárez (Ultramar), with departures roughly every 30–60 minutes from early morning until late evening.
- Crossing time: about 15–30 minutes.
- Price: a few hundred pesos return from Puerto Juárez for foreign visitors. Hotel Zone piers cost more.
- Last boat back: late evening from the island to Puerto Juárez; Hotel Zone piers’ last boats are typically in the early evening.
The piers compared
| Pier | Where | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Puerto Juárez (Ultramar) | North of downtown Cancun | Cheapest, most frequent, latest boats | 20–45 min from the Hotel Zone |
| Gran Puerto (Ultramar) | Next to Puerto Juárez | Modern terminal | Same location issue |
| Hotel Zone piers (Playa Tortugas, Playa Caracol, El Embarcadero) | Along Boulevard Kukulcán | Close to Hotel Zone resorts | Higher fares, fewer departures, earlier last boat |
Getting to Puerto Juárez
- From the Hotel Zone: the local R-1 bus heads downtown; change for a bus to Puerto Juárez, or take a taxi (agree the fare first).
- From downtown Cancun: a short taxi or local bus.
- From Cancun airport: take the ADO bus downtown, then a taxi, or a pre-booked transfer. See our Cancun airport guide.
- From Playa del Carmen: ADO bus to downtown Cancun (about an hour), then a taxi. See Getting Around.
Tips
- Buy a return ticket only if you’re sure you’ll use the same company and pier.
- Check the last departure before planning dinner on the island.
- Keep cash for golf-cart rentals and small restaurants on the island – see money and ATMs.
- The car ferry from Punta Sam is only needed if you’re taking a vehicle – most visitors don’t.
On the island
The ferry arrives in the town centre, a short walk from Playa Norte. Rent a golf cart or bike to loop the island to Punta Sur. In summer, whale shark trips leave from here – see our whale shark guide.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the ferry to Isla Mujeres?
About 15–30 minutes depending on the pier and boat.
Can I do Isla Mujeres as a day trip?
Yes. Take a morning ferry from Puerto Juárez, spend the day at Playa Norte and Punta Sur, and return in the evening.