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Why visit the Unique Magical Town of Isla Mujeres?

A boat in the water.

With gorgeous shorelines and stunning landscapes, the Magical Town of Isla Mujeres in Mexico is a short ferry ride away from Cancun. Come discover the enchanting island with us.

A person standing on a cliff overlooking a body of water
Shiny water and tropical vibes

50 Shades of blue

Not only is the charming island eclectic but the water is unbelievably blue with multiple shades visible. The breathtaking views and cool breeze make the Magical Town of Isla Mujeres, a perfect destination to travel to.

A body of water with a rocky hill and buildings on the side
A sign with a square window depicting the Magical Town of Isla Mujeres
Official sign of Pueblos Magicos
A rocky beach with birds flying over it
Pueblos Magicos

The mesmerising vibes and astonishing landscape is the reason Isla Mujeres is deemed as a Pueblos Magicos or Magical Town in Mexico.

How to Get to Isla Mujeres

Who knew that just a 15-minute short ferry ride away from the hustle bustle of Cancun, lies a beautiful and serene island.

To catch a ferry to Isla Mujeres from Cancun, go to Puerto Juarez port. Ultramar is the biggest ferry providers in Cancun which makes it an easy option for travelers. The price of roundtrip ferry ride is around 550 pesos, with no definite time to return. This gives travelers flexibility to return back at any time convenient. The ferries run in half hour intervals starting from 5:30 am to midnight.

a group of people on a boat
A person at the counter of Ultramar ferry ride
Ultramar ferry counter at Cancun
A port near a body of water with Isla Mujeres terminal written
Arrival at Isla Mujeres port

If you are looking for a cheaper option, catch the Jetway ferry, whose counter is 1 km away from Ultramar ferry port.

How to get around the magical town of Isla Mujeres

Scooters are a good option to get around the island, but if you are looking for a unique and first-time experience, rent a golf cart. Golf carts come in different sizes and the smallest one can fit 4 people.

A person and person in a golf cart with ocean in the background.
Use Golf Cart to travel in Isla Mujeres
A wall with a painting on it and golf cart written on it

You can rent a golf cart opposite to the Isla Mujeres ferry port.

Quick note: Golf cart renting places on the main road are more expensive than the ones you can find in the side lanes. So, if you want to save a buck, try going into the lanes and checking for a smaller rent shop.

The approximate cost of a golf cart is 1500 pesos for an entire day. They come with full fuel tank.

Buses move around the island, but the frequency might not be very high. Taxis are available in Isla Mujeres and can cost anywhere between 100 to 250 pesos. Be prepared to haggle with taxis to get a good price.

Top 5 things to do in isla mujeres

We highly recommend you to spend at least 2 days in this charming island to absorb the truly local flavor of Isla Mujeres.

1. PUNTA SUR

Visit Punta Sur, a natural state reserve and eco-park, with a breathtaking view. Pay around 50-60 pesos for entry and enjoy the park with statues depicting Mayan culture. Encounter Iguanas as you walk along the park.

Punta Sur marks the southern-most point in Mexico where you can get lost in the turquoise Caribbean Ocean in front of you.

A rocky beach with blue water and a boat
Beautiful Punta Sur
A person standing on a stone ledge by the ocean
At the edge of Mexico
A lizard on a rock
Iguanas are believed to be carrying spirits of Mayan ancestors
2. playa norte

From one end of the island, to another, take a 20-minute golf cart ride to Playa Norte. Playa Norte ranks as one of the top 10 most beautiful beaches in the world; so, do not miss this white sand beach. 

Jump in the blue ocean, watch the gorgeous sunset and hit any one of the cool clubs at the beach for a drink.

A person lying on a beach
A person walking on a beach
A person looking at the sunset and sitting on the beach.
Stunning Sunsets at Playa Norte
3. Isla Mujeres Centro

Between the two end points of the tiny Magical Town of Isla Mujeres, is the center where you will find the port, rentals and shops to pick up souvenirs. The center also has an amazing bazaar vibe with cafes on the roads and live music in the evening. We highly recommend you spending an evening roaming the streets and soaking in the local Mexican flavor.

A street with shops and people walking down it
4. adventure activities

Isla Mujeres is a haven for adventure seekers with a variety of activities in the offing. Snorkel or go Scuba diving in the beautiful Caribbean Ocean. Say hi to the turtles, sting rays and so many more underwater life forms (of course from afar)!

 

A shark swimming in the water
5. musa

Explore MUSA, the underwater museum and see some extremely unique sculptures under water. You can visit the museum from Cancun as well. 

 

Scuba divers next to a statue underwater
Exciting experience of exploring underwater museum

Where to stay in Isla Mujeres.

There are many options to stay at Isla Mujeres, starting from basic rooms to high-end resorts. We recommend you stay at one of the cute Airbnbs in residential areas of the Island, to get a local feel. 

Check out Casa ­­­­Chepo, located at a quaint area with easy accessibility to get around and buy essentials.

Where to eat in Isla Mujeres.

  1. Mango Café- Cozy interiors and delicious food.
  2. Caribbean Brisas – Fresh handpicked seafood and lovely staff. Our personal recommendation.
  3. Rosa Sirenas – Truly Local food with a rooftop ambience in the residential area.
  4. Mamma Rosa – Eat while you shop at this amazing Italian food in the middle of a vibrant crowded street. 
  5. Tonichos – Great Mexican food with even better prices.
  6. Ocean’s Isla – Beautiful alfresco setting; great place to grab drinks with friends.
  7. Rolandis– The best pizzas in town. Is open till late so don’t worry you will get your share of pizza! 
A street with shops and people on it
Rolandis, great Italian food with a superb vibe
A group of people sitting at tables outside a restaurant
Caribbean Brisa -Delicious veggie options as well
A wall with license plates and a cross
Mango cafe

Clubs to hit in Isla Mujeres

For all you party animals, if you are looking to let your hair down and hit some fun and luxury clubs, here are a few great ones at the Magical Town of Isla Mujeres.

Beach Clubs near Playa Norte

  • Mayan Beach Club
  • Green Demon Club
  • Luxury Beach Club
  • Tarzan Beach Club
  • Zama Beach Club
A beach with palm trees and straw umbrellas

Beach Clubs away from Playa Norte and on the way to Punta Sur.

  • Nomad Hostel and Beach Club
  • Taboo Beach Club

Isla Mujeres stole our hearts! Visiting this enchanting, breezy little destination with friendly locals was a completely delight. Make sure you do not miss out on Isla Mujeres, as this is one of the happiest places to be in Mexico.

A person sitting in a rectangular frame
YAY! Isla Mujeres

Want to know more about Cancun, Tulum and some super cool hidden Cenotes? Check out our page on Mexico and read more. 

Hello, we are Sam and Aman, Local Backpackers! Welcome to our world of wanderlust and exploration! We are a travel-loving couple who share a passion for discovering new places, experiencing different cultures, and creating unforgettable memories.