Isla Mujeres Tours and Tickets

There are plenty of ways to experience Isla Mujeres. Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:

• Isla Mujeres Luxury Sailing: Adults Only or Family Friendly

• All-Inclusive Isla Mujeres Catamaran

• Isla Mujeres Snorkeling Tour Adventure

• Whale Shark Tour from Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Tulum and Riviera Maya

• Whale Sharks Small-Group Tour in Cancun and Riviera Maya

While you can pay to take a public ferry to Isla Mujeres and then visit on your own for free, you can also book a guided tour that covers all logistics. Expect a basic snorkeling excursion or sailing cruise to set you back around US$50 per person, an all-day catamaran tour to cost at least US$80, and a diving trip to run around US$190 per person.

Yes, Isla Mujeres is worth visiting, even if you can only do a day trip. It may be only about 4 miles (6 kilometers) long, but it boasts one of Mexico's best beaches (Playa Norte) and offers a unique vibe and charm you won't find on the mainland or larger islands, such as Cozumel or Holbox. Plus, if you visit on a guided tour, you'll probably be taken to the best spots for swimming, snorkeling, tacos, and buying souvenirs like jewelry made from authentic Mexican silver.

Per one customer who booked the Isla Mujeres Luxury Sailing: Adults Only or Family Friendly tour, "Awesome excursion to Isla Mujeres. Catamaran ride was great. Time to snorkel and plenty of drinks. Staff and crew provided exceptional service. Explore the island's shops, restaurants, and beaches."

To get to Isla Mujeres from Cancun, you can take a ferry from the dock in Puerto Juarez, located a few minutes from downtown Cancun. If you want to take your car, you’ll need to head to the Punta Sam car ferry terminal. The crossing to Isla Mujeres takes about 20-30 minutes and ferries typically depart every hour on the hour. Alternatively, you can hire a private water taxi.

Located off the coast of Cancun, Isla Mujeres is a popular day-trip destination, which offers a more relaxed atmosphere to Cancun’s other beaches. At Garrafon Reef Park, you can go kayaking, snorkeling, and swimming. On the northern tip of the island you’ll find Playa Norte, and just off the southern coast is the Underwater Art Museum, which is home to more than 600 sculptures.

The best time to visit Isla Mujeres is from December to March. The island’s carnival celebrations take place in late February-early March, featuring five days of dancing, parades, and performances. From January through April, expect to encounter the biggest crowds and the highest hotel rates. If you want to swim with whale sharks, plan to visit between May and August.

Yes, Isla Mujeres is filled with rich historical significance and cultural artifacts. The Temple of the Goddess Ixchel—the Mayan mythology goddess who represents fertility, the moon, and medicine—is located in Punta Sur. And a notorious pirate built Hacienda Mundaca, an expansive estate and gardens. A more recent addition is the colorful Crayola House, which was once the home of Lenora Vaughn, the wife of blues guitarist Stevie Ray Vaughan.

Yes, Isla Mujeres is considered one of the best places in the Caribbean Sea to swim with whale sharks. During their annual migration, from June 1 to September 15, the warm weather in the Mexican Caribbean attracts these magnificent sea creatures. Take a guided tour if you’d like to learn more about whale sharks, as well as their conservation.

Yes, Isla Mujeres is safe for tourists and the crime rates are low. As with any tourist destination, keep an eye out for pickpockets, watch your belongings, and avoid walking alone, especially at night.

There are tons of fun things to do when you're done visiting Isla Mujeres. According to travelers, these are some of the top attractions in Cancun:

• Quintana Roo

• Chichen Itza

• Mayan Ruins of Coba (Zona Arqueológica de Cobá)

• Xcaret

• CoCo Bongo Cancun

View Viator's guide to all the best attractions in Cancun.