How to Take a Day Trip to Isla Mujeres from Cancun

If you’re planning a trip to Cancun and wondering whether you should add an Isla Mujeres day trip to your itinerary, my answer is yes. The water alone is worth it.

We visited Isla Mujeres during our family trip to Cancun, and it ended up being one of my favorite days of the trip. The island is just off the coast of Cancun, but the incredibly clear turquoise water and laid-back atmosphere make it feel completely different from the resort experience.

One of the biggest questions when planning a day trip is how to get from Cancun to Isla Mujeres. Most people take the Isla Mujeres ferry, which is affordable, convenient and relatively easy to navigate. We decided to do something different and booked a catamaran excursion instead.

Our option was definitely more expensive than taking the ferry, but traveling with my kids, I loved how little effort it required. We basically showed up and let someone else handle the logistics. Transportation to the island, time on the water and our itinerary were all part of the experience.

Would I recommend the catamaran? Absolutely. But do you need to book one to visit Isla Mujeres? Definitely not.

If you’re trying to decide between the ferry from Cancun to Isla Mujeres and a catamaran excursion, I’m breaking down both options, plus what to do and where to eat once you arrive.

Where Is Isla Mujeres?

Isla Mujeres is a small island in the Caribbean Sea located just off the coast of Cancun, Mexico. Despite being so close to Cancun, it has a distinctly different feel.

The island is known for its beautiful turquoise water, beaches and relaxed atmosphere. It’s small enough that you can see quite a bit during a day trip, which is one of the reasons it’s such a popular excursion from Cancun.

If you're staying in Cancun and don't want to change hotels or spend several days away from your resort, Isla Mujeres is an easy way to experience another part of Quintana Roo.

We were staying at Moon Palace Cancun, and I loved being able to combine relaxing resort days with more adventurous day trips like Isla Mujeres.

How to Get From Cancun to Isla Mujeres

There are two main ways I would consider traveling from Cancun to Isla Mujeres for a day trip: taking the ferry or booking a boat or catamaran excursion.

The best option really depends on your budget and travel style.

If your priority is keeping the trip affordable and having complete control over your day, take the ferry.

If your priority is convenience and turning the transportation itself into part of the experience, consider a catamaran.

We chose the second option.

Our Isla Mujeres Catamaran Day Trip

Instead of figuring out ferry schedules and planning every part of the day ourselves, we booked a catamaran to Isla Mujeres.

It was more expensive, but this is one of those situations where I was happy to pay more for convenience.

As a mom traveling with two older kids, there are times when I want to plan every detail of a trip, and there are other times when I really don't want to think about anything. For this particular day, having everything organized for us was exactly what I wanted.

We didn't need to worry about buying individual ferry tickets, figuring out where we needed to go next or coordinating every piece of transportation ourselves.

We could simply enjoy being on the water.

And when the water between Cancun and Isla Mujeres looks like this, the boat ride isn't just transportation. It's part of the experience.

The Caribbean water was incredibly clear and blue, and being out on a catamaran gave us time to actually enjoy it instead of simply trying to get from point A to point B.

For our family, that convenience made the additional cost worth it.

Taking the Isla Mujeres Ferry: What to Expect

That said, you absolutely do not need to book a private boat or catamaran to visit the island.

Taking the Isla Mujeres ferry is one of the easiest and most popular ways to get there from Cancun.

Passenger ferries run between the Cancun area and Isla Mujeres throughout the day, making it very doable to visit the island independently.

The biggest advantage of taking the ferry to Isla Mujeres is cost. It will generally be significantly less expensive than booking a private boat or organized catamaran excursion, particularly if you're traveling solo or as a couple.

It also gives you more control over your schedule.

Instead of following an excursion itinerary, you can decide when you want to arrive, how long you want to stay and what you want to do once you get there.

The tradeoff is that the ferry is public transportation. You're traveling with other visitors rather than having a private or semi-private experience, and you're responsible for organizing the rest of your day once you arrive.

For a lot of travelers, that is completely fine.

In fact, if I were visiting Isla Mujeres without my kids or wanted to spend an entire day exploring independently, I would have no hesitation about taking the ferry.

Isla Mujeres Ferry vs. Catamaran: Which Should You Choose?

If you're deciding between the Isla Mujeres ferry from Cancun and a catamaran, I'd think about it this way:

Take the Isla Mujeres Ferry If:

• You want the most budget-friendly option.
• You want to explore Isla Mujeres independently.
• You want flexibility over your arrival and departure times.
• You're comfortable organizing transportation and activities yourself.
• You mainly want to get to the island as efficiently as possible.

Book a Catamaran to Isla Mujeres If:

• You want the boat ride to be part of the experience.
• You're traveling with family or a group.
• You don't want to plan every detail yourself.
• You'd rather have the day's logistics handled for you.
• Your budget allows you to prioritize convenience.

For our family, the catamaran won because it required almost no effort on my part.

Could I have saved money by taking the ferry? Absolutely.

Would the ferry have been difficult? Not at all.

But sometimes the easiest option is worth paying for, especially on vacation.

Is Isla Mujeres Worth a Day Trip From Cancun?

Is Isla Mujeres worth a day trip from Cancun? I definitely think so.

If you're already staying at a beautiful Cancun resort, you might wonder whether it's worth leaving for another beach destination.

For me, it was.

The water was the biggest reason.

There are certain places where you look at the water and wonder whether it's actually going to look like the photos when you arrive. Isla Mujeres really does have that gorgeous Caribbean blue and turquoise water.

It felt different from spending another day at our resort pool, and I loved that the kids got to experience another side of the Cancun area.

It's also close enough to Cancun that you don't have to sacrifice multiple days of your vacation to visit.

You can leave in the morning, spend the day exploring and be back at your Cancun hotel or resort later that day.

Is Isla Mujeres Good for Teens and Tweens?

I think Isla Mujeres with teens and tweens is a great day trip.

At this age, my kids are much more interested in experiences than they were when they were younger. They don't necessarily need children's activities or a tightly structured schedule. They want to swim, explore, eat good food and do things that feel memorable.

A boat day checks a lot of those boxes.

The catamaran also made the journey itself more exciting. Instead of the kids thinking of the ride as transportation we had to get through before reaching Isla Mujeres, being out on the water became part of the adventure.

If your kids love swimming and being on boats, I think this is an especially fun addition to a Cancun family vacation.

What to Do in Isla Mujeres for a Day

One of the nice things about Isla Mujeres is that you don't necessarily need an elaborate itinerary.

If you only have one day, I would resist the urge to pack in too much.

Part of the appeal of the island is slowing down and enjoying the water.

Depending on how you're visiting, some of the most popular things to do in Isla Mujeres include spending time at the beach, swimming, snorkeling, exploring the island, visiting local shops and stopping somewhere for a long lunch.

If you take the ferry independently, you'll have more freedom to build your own Isla Mujeres itinerary.

If you book a catamaran excursion like we did, your time on the island may be more structured, so check exactly how much free time is included before booking.

Visit Playa Norte

If you're researching the best beaches in Isla Mujeres, you've probably already seen Playa Norte.

Located on the northern end of the island, Playa Norte is famous for its shallow turquoise water and white sand.

It's also one of the most popular areas on Isla Mujeres, so don't expect to have it entirely to yourself.

If beautiful Caribbean water is one of your main reasons for visiting the island, though, it's worth having Playa Norte on your radar.

Where to Eat in Isla Mujeres

Food is always a major part of travel for me, and Isla Mujeres has plenty of options ranging from casual beachside spots to restaurants where you can sit down and make lunch part of the day's experience.

We had lobster during our Isla Mujeres day trip, which felt pretty perfect for an island day.

If you're only visiting for a few hours, I would choose your restaurant strategically. You don't want to spend half of your limited time getting across the island for lunch unless the restaurant itself is one of the experiences you're most excited about.

Instead, look for somewhere that fits naturally into your plans for the day.

And if you're a seafood lover, this is definitely a good place to enjoy it.

Impressions Isla Mujeres

If you're researching where to eat in Isla Mujeres or looking for a more elevated experience, you may also come across Impression Isla Mujeres by Secrets.

This luxury adults-only resort has become well known for its beautiful setting and highly photogenic design.

It's important to know that Impression Isla Mujeres isn't simply a public beach club you can automatically walk into as part of your day trip. Access to resort restaurants, amenities and day experiences can depend on current resort policies and availability.

If visiting Impression Isla Mujeres is specifically on your wish list, check directly with the property before your trip rather than assuming you'll be able to visit once you arrive.

For families traveling with children or teens, you'll also want to look elsewhere because the resort is adults-only.

Fortunately, Isla Mujeres has plenty of family-friendly restaurants and beach options to choose from.

Should You Rent a Golf Cart in Isla Mujeres?

One of the most popular ways to explore Isla Mujeres is by golf cart.

If you're taking the ferry and planning an independent day trip, renting a golf cart in Isla Mujeres can be a fun way to see more of the island beyond the ferry terminal and Playa Norte.

This is another area where taking the ferry and booking a catamaran can lead to very different experiences.

With an organized excursion, you may have a limited amount of time on land. If that's the case, renting a golf cart might not make sense.

If you're arriving early on the ferry and staying most of the day, however, you'll have much more time to explore.

How Long Do You Need in Isla Mujeres?

For a first visit, I think a full Isla Mujeres day trip from Cancun is ideal.

You can certainly stay overnight, and I can understand why people do. But if you're already paying for an all-inclusive resort in Cancun, changing hotels may not be worth the effort.

A day trip gives you a taste of the island without having to pack another suitcase or give up a night at your Cancun hotel.

I'd plan enough time that you aren't watching the clock all day.

If you're taking the ferry, going over in the morning and returning in the late afternoon or early evening would give you much more flexibility than trying to squeeze Isla Mujeres into just a couple of hours.

What to Bring on an Isla Mujeres Day Trip

Whether you're taking the ferry or a catamaran, pack fairly light.

For our day, the essentials were:

• Swimsuits
• Reef-friendly sunscreen
• Sunglasses
• Hats
• Comfortable sandals
• A lightweight cover-up
• A waterproof or water-resistant bag
• Phone or camera
• Some cash and a credit card
• A change of clothes if you want one

If you're traveling by catamaran, check what towels, food, beverages and snorkeling equipment are included before packing. The less you have to carry around all day, the better.

Is the Isla Mujeres Ferry Easy With Kids?

Yes. If the price of a catamaran doesn't make sense for your family, I would not let that stop you from planning a trip.

The ferry from Cancun to Isla Mujeres is a very common way for families to reach the island.

Our decision to book a catamaran wasn't because the ferry was difficult. It was purely about the kind of experience we wanted that day.

I wanted easy.

I wanted someone else to deal with the details.

And I wanted being on the water to be part of our Isla Mujeres experience.

For me, that was worth spending more.

But if your family would rather save that money for meals, activities or another excursion, take the ferry and enjoy the island on your own schedule.

Final Thoughts on Our Isla Mujeres Day Trip

Our day trip to Isla Mujeres from Cancun was easily one of the highlights of our Mexico vacation.

The water was absolutely gorgeous, we ate lobster, spent time together on the Caribbean and got to experience something completely different from a resort day.

I also loved our decision to take a catamaran.

It was more expensive than the Isla Mujeres ferry, but there are times when convenience becomes part of what I'm willing to pay for on vacation. Traveling with my family, being able to show up and have someone else handle most of the logistics made the day more relaxing for me too.

That doesn't mean I wouldn't recommend the ferry. Actually, I think the ferry is probably the better option for travelers who want to save money and have more freedom to explore Isla Mujeres independently.

Either way, I wouldn't skip the island.

If you're planning a Cancun family vacation, I think the perfect itinerary combines a few relaxing resort days with adventures outside your hotel. Isla Mujeres gave us exactly that.

For more ideas for your Cancun trip, check out my Moon Palace Cancun review and our experience at Xenses Park near Playa del Carmen here on Posh in Progress.

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