Isla Mujeres

Isla Mujeres is a small Caribbean island close to Cancún, reached by a 15-minute ferry from Puerto Juárez. Visitors come for reef snorkeling, Playa Norte and swimming with dolphins.

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Isla Mujeres is an island in the Caribbean Sea, about 13 km off the Yucatán Peninsula in Quintana Roo, Mexico. Its town of the same name is a municipality close to Cancún. The rocky east coast takes the surf, while the calmer west coast lies inside Costa Occidental de Isla Mujeres National Park. Long before the Spanish arrived, Maya pilgrims came to honor Ixchel, a goddess tied to childbirth, fertility and medicine, and left offerings on its beaches. The Spanish later named the island for the many female figurines they found there.

Most visitors come as day-trippers for the beaches, reef snorkeling and swimming with dolphins. The island is also known for sea turtles and sailfish. Passenger ferries from Puerto Juárez take about 15 minutes, and the car ferry from Punta Sam takes about 45 minutes. Playa Norte, on the north end, is the best-known beach. Activity quiets down in the evening after the day-tour groups leave.

Isla Mujeres in five

Take the ferry from Puerto Juárez or Playa TortugasPassenger ferries cross from the Cancún mainland in roughly 20 to 30 minutes. A separate car ferry runs from Punta Sam. Check each operator's schedule and last return before you plan an evening on the island.
Rent a golf cart for Punta Sur and the west coastA cart is the standard way around the island. Inspect it before you drive off, photograph any damage and ask what the rental covers; roads are short, but local drivers are fast.
Go to Playa Norte early or lateShallow, calm water makes it the island's best swim spot, but shade is limited at midday. Beach clubs rent loungers and umbrellas, and prices vary by season.
Snorkel with a licensed operatorReef and underwater-sculpture trips run from the island and Cancún. Ask about group size and stops, and do not touch coral or wildlife.
Stay a night for the quietDay-trippers leave by late afternoon, so a night puts you on a calm island for sunset and an early swim. Dinner is easy in town, and the last ferry back is the limit if you stay out.

Things to do in Isla Mujeres

See all attractions in Isla Mujeres

brown wooden house on beach during daytime

Beach · Isla MujeresPlaya NorteGolf cart parking fills up later in the day, especially at weekends. Arrive earlier or leave the cart and walk.

a view of the ocean from the top of a hill

Landmark · Isla MujeresPunta SurArrive early in the morning for the sunrise and for quieter paths.

Museum · Isla MujeresHacienda Mundaca

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Need to know

Airport: Cancún (CUN), about 20–30 min to the ferry docks
Getting there: Passenger ferry from Puerto Juárez or Playa Tortugas, about 20–30 min
Getting around: Golf cart, scooter, taxi or on foot
Best base: Town center for restaurants; Playa Norte for the beach
Time needed: 1 day from Cancún; 2 nights for a slower stay

Weather by month

Rainy days
Days with storms

Best
Good
Mixed

JanuaryRain14 rainy daysHigh26°Low22°Dry, breezy
FebruaryPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh27°Low23°Dry, warm
MarchPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh28°Low23°Dry, busy
AprilPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh29°Low24°Dry, clear
MayRain14 rainy daysHigh30°Low25°Sargassum risk
JuneRain18 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh30°Low26°Hurricane season
JulyRain15 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh31°Low27°Hot, humid
AugustRain19 rainy daysHigh31°Low27°Hot, storms
SeptemberRain22 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh30°Low26°Peak storm risk
OctoberRain21 rainy daysHigh29°Low25°Storm risk
NovemberRain15 rainy daysHigh28°Low24°Drier, quieter
DecemberRain13 rainy daysHigh27°Low23°Holidays, dry

Average daily high and low in Isla Mujeres, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Isla Mujeres

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 30°
Humidity: 73%
Wind: 10 km/h
Chance of rain: 61%

Isla Mujeres

07:56 PM

Monday, November 2

GMT-5

Today29°26°61%Monday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 26°. Chance of rain 61%.
Tue28°25°10%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 28°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 10%.
Wed28°28°12%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 28°, Low 28°. Chance of rain 12%.
Thu28°27°14%Thursday: Partly cloudy. High 28°, Low 27°. Chance of rain 14%.
Fri28°25°22%Friday: Drizzle. High 28°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 22%.
Sat28°25°33%Saturday: Drizzle. High 28°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 33%.
Sun29°27°49%Sunday: Partly cloudy. High 29°, Low 27°. Chance of rain 49%.

Updated 05:54 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 18.81 MXN

Amount

Converted to

MXN · Mexican Peso

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

Day trips by train

Isla Contoyabout 1.5 hours by boatA protected bird island north of the coast; visits are by licensed tour only.
Cancúnabout 20–30 min by ferryThe hotel zone, markets and airport, a short crossing away.Read the guide
Isla Holboxvia Cancún, about 3–4 hoursA car-free island that works as a next stop rather than a day trip.Read the guide

Before you go to Isla Mujeres

Snorkel and boat tripsReef, sculpture and island toursCompare day trips

Island hotels and guesthousesWalk to the ferry and Playa NorteCheck availability

eSIM for the Cancún coastFerry times and maps on arrivalRead the guide

Insurance for beach and boat daysCancellation and water-sport coverRead the guide

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Rules for Isla Mujeres, checked

Entry rules depend on your passport. Check them on gob.mx before you fly.Source
Sea turtles and their eggs are protected under Mexican federal law, so do not take them.
The west coast lies inside Costa Occidental de Isla Mujeres National Park. Follow the park rules when you snorkel or dive there.
Hurricanes and tropical storms are the main natural risk. Check the forecast with the Servicio Meteorológico Nacional before you book boats or ferries.Source
Dial 911 for police, fire or an ambulance. Tipping in restaurants is customary; check the bill for a service charge first.

Plan around Isla Mujeres

All of Mexico

Entry, money, safety and the regions on one page

Read the guide Isla Cozumel

Reef diving and San Miguel, a ferry from Playa del Carmen

Read the guide Cozumel or Isla Mujeres?

Which island suits divers, couples and day trippers

Read the guide Isla Holbox

Car-free sand streets and whale shark season

Read the guide Cancún

The airport city, hotel zone and ferry docks

Read the guide Plan transport in Mexico

Ferries, buses, rental cars and the Tren Maya

Read the guide

Isla Mujeres FAQ

Is Isla Mujeres worth visiting?

Yes for an easy beach and snorkeling day or two. It is smaller and quieter than Cancún, but beaches and reef trips are the main draw, not nightlife.

How do you get to Isla Mujeres from Cancún?

Take a taxi or bus to Puerto Juárez or Playa Tortugas, then the passenger ferry. The crossing takes roughly 20 to 30 minutes. Check the last boat back before you plan a late dinner.

Is Isla Mujeres better than Cozumel?

Pick Isla Mujeres for Playa Norte, golf carts and an easy trip from Cancún. Pick Cozumel for serious diving and a bigger island. Our comparison shows which suits your trip.

Do you need a night on Isla Mujeres?

Not required. A day trip covers Playa Norte, a cart tour and lunch. Stay a night for sunset and a quiet morning, or if you want to snorkel before the day boats arrive.

When is the best time to visit Isla Mujeres?

November to April is driest and calmest. Whale shark season runs roughly from June to September, but it is also hurricane season, so check forecasts and keep bookings flexible.