Isla Mujeres FAQ: Everything You Need to Know Before Your Visit

Isla Mujeres is a Caribbean island 30 minutes from Cancun airport plus 20-minute Ultramar ferry ($200-250 pesos round trip, every 30 min-1 hour, first-come first-served boarding), North Beach (Playa Norte) ranks top 10 beaches worldwide with white sand and crystal-clear waters (go early morning to beat crowds, lounge chairs/umbrella rentals reasonable if you confirm price first), whale shark swimming season mid-May to mid-September ($150 USD set fee, verify operator has license, 1-2 hour boat ride each way, seasickness medication recommended). Isla Mujeres is safe with friendly vibrant people, colorful boutique shops, amazing local/international restaurants, fun nightlife perfect for single travelers, friends, couples, or families, idyllic island preserves beauty, charm, and relaxed vibe despite being close to Cancun's hotel zone, and seaweed (sargassum) gets cleaned daily making Playa Norte one of only seaweed-free locations on entire Riviera.

Where is Isla Mujeres, Mexico?

Isla Mujeres (Island of Women) is a Caribbean island in Mexico, located about a 30-minute drive from the Cancun airport. From there, it's a short 20-minute ferry ride to the island. Despite being so close to Cancun, Isla Mujeres feels like a world away from the bustling hotel zone.

What's It Like on Isla Mujeres?

Isla is an idyllic little island that has preserved its beauty, charm, and relaxed vibe. This colorful Mexican island is full of friendly, vibrant people and boasts one of the top 10 beaches in the world. You'll have the chance to swim with the world's largest fish (whale sharks) and enjoy many other unique island experiences.

It's also a great place to find unique boutique shops and enjoy amazing local and international dishes along with fun nightlife. Isla is the perfect destination for single travelers, friends, couples, or families looking for some fun in the sun. Embrace the island's culture along with all the amenities you need, including grocery stores, pharmacies, food delivery, and private chef services.

What's the Best Beach?

North Beach (Playa Norte) is THE beach to visit, with endless white sand and crystal-clear waters. It has been named one of the top ten beaches in the world various times, and for very good reason.

Go early in the morning if you want to beat the crowds. During the day you can throw your towel on the sand or rent lounge chairs and an umbrella for a reasonable price. Always be clear on the price before you rent.

What Do I Need to Know About the Ferry?

The most common ferry runs from Puerto Juarez (Cancun) to Isla Mujeres and is operated by Ultramar. Jetway is another company with smaller boats and less frequent service.

A few important things to note:

• The ferry ticket you buy is not for a specified seat or time. You must line up to board on a first-come, first-served basis.
• Ferries are particularly busy in the mornings and evenings when people are going to and from work.
• If you're leaving the island to catch a flight during peak times, arrive at the ferry terminal early in case you miss one and need to catch the next.
• Ferries run every 30 minutes or every hour during off-peak times.
• You can purchase tickets online or upon arrival.

Is Isla Mujeres Safe?

Yes, Isla Mujeres is safe.

As with any destination, including your own hometown, there are safe and less safe areas. The media and governments sometimes paint all of Mexico with one negative brush, which isn't fair or accurate. Similar crimes in other cities don't always create the same travel warnings.

That said, Mexico isn't perfect and 100% crime-free. Where can you get accurate, up-to-date information? From local expat groups and people who live here or vacation here year after year. Use common sense as you would anywhere, and you should be fine. The millions of visitors to the island each year would agree.

Is It Best to Use Pesos or Dollars?

Both Mexican Pesos and USD are accepted on the island. However, when using USD in most restaurants and shops, you won't get as good an exchange rate as you would at a casa de cambio (exchange booth) or bank.

Your options on the island:

• Use USD (but accept a less favorable exchange rate)
• Exchange money at a bank or exchange booth (best rates)
• Bring pesos from home
• Use an ATM (fees apply from both the local machine and your bank)

Best places to exchange money:

• Banca Azteca in Elektra, located on the north end of Av. Guerrero
• CI Bank on Rueda Medina (the ferry street), heading north towards Playa Norte

Note: Banamex and HSBC on the island do not exchange money. Also, damaged, ripped, or torn bills are not accepted in Mexico.

Important tips:

• Have small change on hand for taxis, tips, water, etc.
• Not all businesses accept credit cards, and some may charge a fee for card payments.

When Is the Best Time to Visit?

Isla is one of those places you can visit any time of year, assuming you like hot and sunny weather, which it is most of the time. When it does rain, it's usually for short bursts unless there's a "Norte" (north wind) or storm rolling through, which can last a few days.

Weather by season:

• Winter months: Generally hot but comfortable with a cool breeze on the Caribbean side. Perfect for a warm getaway, but also the busiest time.
• Summer: Super hot and densely humid.
• Hurricane season: June to November, hard to predict.
• Wettest months: September to November, which is also a quieter time for the island.

Should I Stay at an All-Inclusive?

There are several all-inclusive resorts on the island. Whether to stay at an AI or rent a hotel, boutique hotel, Airbnb, or vacation rental comes down to personal choice.

What most experienced Isla visitors will tell you is that there's way too much to enjoy, eat, drink, shop, and explore on Isla to stay confined to an AI. Plus, you'll miss meeting many friendly locals. One common point is that AI food isn't always very good.

However, if AI is your thing, you can enjoy both worlds. Spend a day by your pool sipping cocktails and then enjoy a night out on the town at one of Isla's many restaurants, bars, and shops.

All-Inclusive resorts on Isla Mujeres:

• Privilege Aluxes Isla Mujeres Hotel
• Zo�try Villa Rolandi
• Hotel Mia Reef Isla Mujeres
• Hotel Belo
• Impression Isla Mujeres by Secrets

When Can I Swim with Whale Sharks?

The whale shark season runs from mid-May to mid-September. There are various operators on the island, though not all have a license to operate. There is a set fee of $150 USD for this trip, and you can ask the operator to see their license if you have any doubts.

What to know:

• Whale sharks may be far out to sea at times, and the boat trip is usually 1-2 hours each way.
• Seasickness medication is recommended.
• Once you reach the whale sharks, you'll swim with them a few times with a guide, two people at a time.
• No touching is allowed.
• Strict guidelines protect the whale sharks, their behavioral patterns, and environment.
• If you want pictures, ask your tour operator ahead of time about this service and any additional cost.

Always choose a responsible and reputable tour operator.

Is There Seaweed (Sargasso) on the Island?

Every summer for the past several years, the Mayan Riviera has been hit with seaweed (sargassum). Luckily, due to the island's positioning, whatever little seaweed does arrive gets cleaned up daily.

You can rest easy knowing that Isla's world-famous North Beach (Playa Norte) is seaweed-free. It's one of the only seaweed-free locations on the entire Riviera.

Is There Reliable WiFi?

Most, if not all, accommodations include WiFi. Several networks operate on the island, and some are better than others. In general, WiFi should be good enough for video calls, but sometimes it's slow or cuts out due to weather, power outages, or an oversaturated network.

It's best to ask directly about the services available where you're staying.

Final Thoughts

Isla Mujeres is a special place that captures the hearts of everyone who visits. From world-class beaches to swimming with whale sharks, from amazing local food to friendly people, this little island offers something for everyone. Whether you're here for a week or planning to stay longer, you'll quickly understand why so many people fall in love with Isla and keep coming back year after year.

Have more questions? Connect with the local expat community, and we'll be happy to help you plan your perfect island getaway!

Related Isla Mujeres Resources

• Isla Mujeres Complete Guide
• More Isla Mujeres Travel Guides
• Add Your Business to ExpatsList