Isla Mujeres: The Island That Keeps Calling Us Back
Ten years ago, we hopped on a ferry to Isla Mujeres for the first time, not really knowing what to expect. What we found was a small, sleepy island where we cruised the streets almost completely alone. Since then, we've been back four times, including one trip where we stayed four days in one of the charming little hotels you find scattered around the island. With every visit, Isla Mujeres has earned a firmer spot on our list of favorites, even as it has changed quite a bit along the way.
Getting There: Traveling from Playa del Carmen to Isla Mujeres
This one takes a bit more effort than hopping over to Cozumel, since Isla Mujeres' ferries depart from Cancún rather than Playa del Carmen. The most common route is to first get yourself to Cancún, either by taxi, or ADO bus from the Playa del Carmen terminal, and then continue to one of the ferry terminals. Ferries run year-round from Cancún's ports, with regular departures throughout the day, and the crossing itself takes only about 20 to 30 minutes.
What does the trip cost approximately?
Transfer to Cancún: An ADO bus from Playa del Carmen to Cancún takes around an hour and ten minutes, and costs between roughly $5 and $14 USD depending on the time of day. A taxi is faster but pricier, especially if you're not splitting it between a group.
Ferry: Tickets to Isla Mujeres are generally affordable, with frequent departures so you rarely wait long.
Total travel time: All in, count on around 2 to 2.5 hours from Playa del Carmen, door to door.
Golden Travel Tip: If you can swing it, spend at least one night on the island. The sunsets, street music, and late-night margaritas make it well worth the extra effort of getting there. We can confirm this from experience: our four-day stay remains one of our favorite mini-trips in the area.
What Makes Isla Mujeres So Unique?
Isla Mujeres is small, walkable, and easy to fall into a slow rhythm on. The town center is full of cosy restaurants and bars, the kind of places where you end up staying for "just one more drink" more often than planned. Outside of town, the island unfolds into beach club after beach club, each with its own character, plus a handful of quieter spots if you know where to look.
Exploring by Golf Cart
Almost everyone gets around the same way here: by golf cart. Rentals are everywhere, and it's genuinely the best way to see the island. Cruising along the coastal road with the wind in your hair, stopping wherever a beach or a view catches your eye, is exactly the kind of laid-back freedom that makes Isla Mujeres what it is.
One thing worth mentioning honestly: the island has changed since our first visit ten years ago. Back then we barely saw another soul on the road. These days, depending on when you go, it can get genuinely busy, more golf carts, more people, more noise. But even with the crowds, the island hasn't lost its charm. It's just a bit livelier than it used to be.
A Must-Stop: The Joint
No trip to Isla Mujeres is complete for us without a stop at The Joint, all the way at the far end of the island. Live music plays most days, the cocktails are excellent, and it's the kind of spot where you sit down for "a quick drink" and end up staying for hours. If you do one thing on this list, make it this.
The Beaches: One Side Stays Clean
One of the best things about Isla Mujeres is that one side of the island rarely gets hit by sargassum, which means the beaches there stay genuinely beautiful, soft white sand and clear water, even during seasons when other parts of the coast struggle with seaweed. It's worth planning your beach time around this side if pristine sand and clear water are high on your list.
How We'd Spend a Few Days Here
Isla Mujeres is easily a multi-day destination if you let it be. Spend a morning wandering the town center on foot, browsing the little shops and grabbing breakfast somewhere cosy. Rent a golf cart for an afternoon and just drive, stopping at beach clubs as you go. Save at least one evening for The Joint. And build in time to simply lie on the beach and do nothing, because that's really what this island is for.
The Vibe Remains
Isla Mujeres has grown since we first saw it, there's no denying that. It's busier, livelier, and a little less undiscovered than it once felt. But underneath all that, the same easy, unhurried island spirit is still there. Whether it's our first afternoon or our fourth visit, stepping off that ferry still feels like exhaling.
