Planning a trip to Isla Mujeres
Getting There & Departing
Isla Mujeres does not have a commercial airport. Travelers fly into Cancún and take the ferry to the island. Ferries depart from the “Gran Puerto” dock at Puerto Juárez, just north of Cancún, or from the Embarcadero in the Hotel Zone. Ultramar (www.ultramarferry.com; [tel] 998/881-5890) runs fast boats leaving every half-hour between 5am and 8:30pm and hourly from 9:30-11:30pm from Puerto Juárez, making the trip in 15 minutes. There is storage space for luggage and the fare is 78 pesos each way. From the Hotel Zone’s Embarcadero at Playa Linda, located at Bulevar Kukulcán Km 4 on the northern tip of Cancún's Hotel Zone, Ultramar ferries to Isla Mujeres depart less frequently and cost $14 one-way. There are up to six scheduled departures per day. Depending on the season, Ultramar also operates ferries to Isla Mujeres from the Hotel Zone’s Playa Tortugas, at Bulevar Kukulcán Km 6.5, and from Playa Caracol at Bulevar Kukulcán Km 9.5.
You don't need a car to get around on Isla, but if you’re taking one to the island, you’ll use the Punta Sam port a little beyond Puerto Juárez. The 40-minute car ferry (http://www.maritimaislamujeres.com/pageH.html; tel. 998/877-0065) runs five or six times daily between 7am and 8pm year-round except in bad weather. Always check online or by phone to verify the schedule. Cars should arrive an hour before the ferry departure to register for a place in line and pay the posted fee, which is 256 pesos per car. A gas pump is at Avenida Rueda Medina and Calle Abasolo, northwest of the ferry docks. To get to Puerto Juárez and Punta Sam from Cancún, take the Ruta 1 city bus.
Note: Upon arrival by taxi or bus in Puerto Juárez, be wary of pirate "guides" who tell you either that the ferry is canceled or that it's several hours until the next ferry. They'll offer the services of a private lancha (small boat) for about 450 pesos -- and it's nothing but a scam. Small boats are available and, on a co-op basis, charge 200 to 350 pesos one-way, based on the number of passengers. They take about 50 minutes and are not recommended on days with rough seas. Check with the ticket office -- the only accurate source for information.
On your return to Puerto Juárez, you'll see taxi fares posted by the street where the taxis park, so be sure to check the rate before agreeing to a taxi for the ride back to Cancún. Rates generally run 120 to 150 pesos, depending upon your destination. Moped and bicycle rentals are also readily available as you depart the ferry. This small complex also has public bathrooms, luggage storage, a snack bar, and souvenir shops.
To get to Puerto Juárez or Punta Sam from Cancún, take any Ruta 8 city bus from Avenida Tulum. From the Cancún airport, take the shuttle bus to the pier (160 pesos).
Visitor Information
The City Tourist Office (tel. 998/877-0767, -0307; www.isla-mujeres.net/tourism/home.htm) is at Av. Rueda Medina 130, just across the street from the pier. It's open Monday through Friday from 9am to 4pm, closed on Saturday and Sunday. Islander is a free publication with local information, advertisements, and event listings.
Island Layout
Isla Mujeres is about 8km (5 miles) long and 4km (2 1/2 miles) wide, with the town at the northern tip. “Downtown” is a compact 4 blocks by 6 blocks, so it’s very easy to get around. The passenger ferry docks are at the center of town, within walking distance of most hotels, restaurants, and shops. The street running along the waterfront and in front of the ferry docks is Avenida Rueda Medina, commonly called the malecón (boardwalk). The Mercado Municipal (town market) is by the post office on Calle Guerrero, an inland street at the north edge of town, which, like most streets in the town, is unmarked. The Carretera a Garrafón runs the length of the island southeast to Hacienda Mundaca, Parque Garrafón, and Punta Sur at the southern tip. The road continues northwest along the island's windward side, past handsome homes and rugged coastline to town
Getting Around
A popular form of transportation on Isla Mujeres is the electric golf cart, available for rent at many hotels or rental shops for $49 for 24 hours. Prices are set the same at all rental locations. Ciro’s Golf Car Rental, Av. Guerrero 11; tel. 987/877-0568), copies Chevy fenders on their carts, giving them a fun flair. The golf carts don't go more than 30kmph (19 mph), but they're fun. Anyway, you aren't on Isla Mujeres to hurry.
Many people enjoy touring the island by moto (motorized bike or scooter). Gomar (tel. 998/877-0604), at the corner of Madero and Hidalgo, rents reliable scooters. Fully automatic versions are available for 100 pesos per hour, 250 pesos for 8 hours, or 350 pesos for 24 hours. They come with helmets and seats for two people. There's only one main road with a couple of offshoots, so you won't get lost. Be aware that the rental price does not include insurance, and any injury to yourself or the vehicle will come out of your pocket.
Bicycles are also available for rent at some hotels for about 200 pesos per day, usually including a basket and a lock.
Tricycle taxis are the least expensive and easiest way to get to your hotel if it's in town. From the ferry pier to any of the downtown hotels will cost about 20 to 30 pesos. If you ask the guys, they'll say "Oh, whatever you care to give." I will let them haul my bags and lead the way while I walk.
If you prefer to use a taxi, rates are about 25 pesos for trips within the downtown area, or 50 pesos for a trip to the southern end of Isla. You can also hire them for about 100 pesos per hour. Regular taxis are always lined up in a parking lot to the right of the pier, with their rates posted. The number to call for taxis is tel. 998/877-0066.
Neighborhoods in Brief
The main neighborhood is the compact Centro, or downtown area, at the northwest end of the island. The few streets are lined with shops, restaurants, hotels, dive shops, and other businesses. Travelers, expats, and locals wander throughout this area during the day and night. The main plaza, church, and City Hall are located at Hidalgo and Morelos. Playa Norte, the most popular beach, is at the north end of downtown and is lined with beach bars and hotels. A seawall runs along the northwest side of downtown. More hotels and attractions can be found in the Laguna Macax area southeast of town, the southern tip around Punta Sur, and the La Gloria neighborhood northeast of town.
Fast Facts
Area Code -- The telephone area code is 998.
ATMs & Banks -- Isla's main bank is HSBC Bank (tel. 998/877-0005), across from the ferry docks. It's open Monday through Friday from 8:30am to 6pm, and Saturday from 9am to 2pm. It has ATM machines altough increasingly so do many of the hotels and restaurants along Calle Hidalgo.
Currency Exchange -- Isla Mujeres has numerous casas de cambio, or currency exchanges, along the main streets. Most of the hotels listed here change money for their guests, although often at less favorable rates than the commercial enterprises. You'll get the best exchange rate at an ATM machine.
Drugstore -- YZA Farmacia (tel. 998/886-6035), located at the corner of Juárez and Morelos, stays open 24 hours.
Emergency-- Dial 006 for police, firemen or ambulance.
Hospital -- The Hospital de la Armada is on Avenida Rueda Medina at Ojón P. Blanco (tel. 998/877-0001). It's less than a kilometer (2/3 mile) south of the town center. It will treat you only in an emergency. Otherwise, you're referred to the Hospital Integral, on Avenida Guerrero, a block before the beginning of the malecón (tel. 998/877-0117).
Internet Access -- Free Wi-Fi is available in the town plaza, many hotels, and downtown businesses including Cafe Mogauga at Juarez and Madero and Rooster restaurant at Plaza Isla Mujeres, Hidalgo 1. Europa Computer Internet, at Abasolo between Hidalgo and Juárez, offers Wi-Fi and computers for 20 pesos per hour. It’s open Monday to Saturday from 9am to 10pm.
Post Office -- The correo is at Calle Guerrero 12 (tel. 998/877-0085), at the corner of López Mateos, near the market. It's open Monday through Friday from 9am to 4pm.
Seasons -- Isla Mujeres's tourist season (when hotel rates are higher) is a bit different from that of other places in Mexico. High season runs December through May, a month longer than in Cancún. Some hotels raise their rates in August, and some raise their rates beginning in mid-November. Low season runs from June to mid-November.
