You can get from Cancun to Isla Mujeres by ferry, private transfer, or car ferry. Cancun and Isla Mujeres are separated by 13 km (8 miles) of turquoise Caribbean waters.
The ferry ride from Cancun to Isla Mujeres takes just 20–45 minutes, depending on your departure port. With multiple terminals and frequent departures, this island escape is a must-do for travelers seeking pristine beaches like Playa Norte, ranked among the world’s best.
Transportation
Gran Puerto, Cancún. Photo by David Stanley, C.C.
There are 3 ferry companies connecting Cancun to Isla Mujeres: Ultramar, Ultracarga, and Xailing.
1. Ultramar Ferry (Puerto Juarez)
The most popular choice, Ultramar operates from Puerto Juarez, offering modern, spacious boats with frequent departures.
- Location: End of López Portillo Ave, 50 minutes from Cancun Airport, 20 minutes from downtown ADO bus station.
- Travel Time: 20 minutes.
- Perks: Luggage porters, convenience stores, and restrooms at the terminal.
2. Hotel Zone Ferries (Playa Tortugas, Playa Caracol, Embarcadero)
For convenience, three piers in Cancun’s Hotel Zone offer scenic routes:
- Ultramar (Playa Tortugas & Playa Caracol): Departs hourly (first at 9:00 AM), 35-minute ride.
- Xailing (Embarcadero): Includes a free Scenic Tower ticket when booked online.
- Travel Time: 30–35 minutes.
3. Ultracarga Ferry (Punta Sam Terminal)
Primarily for vehicles.
- Location: Punta Sam, 55 minutes from the airport, 30 minutes from downtown.
- Travel Time: ~45 minutes.
- Note: The island’s narrow streets and limited parking make cars unnecessary for most visitors.
4. Private Water Taxis
Luxury hotels often arrange private yacht transfers. For late-night or early-morning trips, dive shops offer private charters (~$250 USD one way).
| Online booking | Yes | No | Yes |
| Official Site | ultramarferry.com | Not provided | Xcaret-Xailing |
| servicioalcliente@ultramarferry.com | contacto@ultracarga.com | reservaciones@xailing.com | |
| Telephone | (998) 881-5890 | (998) 302-9244 | (998) 883-3143 |
- Kids under 5 ride free.
- Ultramar offers the most frequent departures.
- Ultracarga is ideal for vehicles (though not recommended for tourists).
Schedule
Isla Mujeres maritime terminal. Photo by Larry D. Moore, C.C.
Ultramar Ferry: Puerto Juarez ⇄ Isla Mujeres
| Departure from Puerto Juarez | Return Departure from Isla Mujeres |
|---|---|
| 5:30 a.m. | 6:00 a.m. |
| 6:30 a.m. | 7:00 a.m. |
| 7:00 a.m. | 7:30 a.m. |
| 7:30 a.m. | 8:00 a.m. |
| 8:00 a.m. | 8:30 a.m. |
| 8:30 a.m. | 9:00 a.m. |
| 9:00 a.m. | 9:30 a.m. |
| 9:30 a.m. | 10:00 a.m. |
| 10:00 a.m. | 10:30 a.m. |
| 10:30 a.m. | 11:00 a.m. |
| 11:00 a.m. | 11:30 a.m. |
| 11:30 a.m. | 12:00 p.m. |
| 12:00 p.m. | 12:30 p.m. |
| 12:30 p.m. | 1:00 p.m. |
| 1:00 p.m. | 1:30 p.m. |
| 1:30 p.m. | 2:00 p.m. |
| 2:00 p.m. | 3:00 p.m. |
| 3:00 p.m. | 3:30 p.m. |
| 3:30 p.m. | 4:00 p.m. |
| 4:00 p.m. | 4:30 p.m. |
| 5:00 p.m. | 5:00 p.m. |
| 5:30 p.m. | 5:30 p.m. |
| 6:00 p.m. | 6:00 p.m. |
| 7:00 p.m. | 6:30 p.m. |
| 8:00 p.m. | 7:00 p.m. |
| 9:00 p.m. | 7:30 p.m. |
| 10:00 p.m. | 8:00 p.m. |
| 11:00 p.m. | 9:00 p.m. |
Ultramar Ferry: Hotel Zone ⇄ Isla Mujeres
Playa Tortugas Schedule
| Departure from Playa Tortugas | Return Departure from Isla Mujeres |
|---|---|
| 9:15 a.m. | 9:45 a.m. |
| 10:00 a.m. | 11:15 a.m. |
| 10:45 a.m. | 12:45 p.m. |
| 12:15 p.m. | 2:15 p.m. |
| 1:45 p.m. | 4:00 p.m. |
| 3:15 p.m. | 5:30 p.m. |
| 4:30 p.m. | 7:00 p.m. |
| 6:00 p.m. | – |
Playa Caracol Schedule
| Departure from Playa Caracol | Return Departure from Isla Mujeres |
|---|---|
| 9:00 a.m. | 9:45 a.m. |
| 10:30 a.m. | 11:15 a.m. |
| 12:00 p.m. | 12:45 p.m. |
| 1:30 p.m. | 2:15 p.m. |
| 3:00 p.m. | 4:00 p.m. |
| 4:45 p.m. | 5:30 p.m. |
| 6:15 p.m. | 7:00 p.m. |
Xailing Ferry: Embarcadero ⇄ Isla Mujeres
| Departure from Embarcadero | Return Departure from Isla Mujeres |
|---|---|
| 9:00 a.m. | 10:00 a.m. |
| 10:00 a.m. | 11:00 a.m. |
| 11:00 a.m. | 12:00 p.m. |
| 12:00 p.m. | 1:00 p.m. |
| 1:00 p.m. | 2:00 p.m. |
| 2:00 p.m. | 4:00 p.m. |
| 4:00 p.m. | 5:00 p.m. |
| 5:00 p.m. | 6:00 p.m. |
| 6:00 p.m. | 7:00 p.m. |
| 7:00 p.m. | 8:00 p.m. |
Prices
Ultramar
One way, Premium Plus service.
| Online Purchase - Adult | Online Purchase - Child |
|---|---|
| $290.00 MXN | $220.00 MXN |
Xailing
One way service, includes a free Scenic Tower ticket.
| Online Purchase - Adult | Online Advance Purchase - Adult | Online Purchase - Child | Online Advance Purchase - Child |
|---|---|---|---|
| $14.32 USD | $12.72 USD | $10.92 USD | $9.67 USD |
Embarcadero, Cancun. Photo by Xcaret.
Coupons available March 2025
Coupon codes tested and working.
Ferry by Xcaret Xailing offers 10% off trips to Isla Mujeres from Cancún and Cozumel from Playa del Carmen, exploring Mexico’s Caribbean gems.
Ultracarga
Compact family car, SUV, unladen pickup or pickup truck: $680.00 MXN
Location
Playa Tortugas pier. Photo by Fraser Mummery, C.C.
Cancun Ferry Terminals:
- Gran Puerto (Ultramar): End of López Portillo Ave, 20 mins from downtown.
- Hotel Zone Piers: Playa Tortugas, Playa Caracol, and Embarcadero.
Isla Mujeres Terminal: Located downtown, a 5-minute walk to Playa Norte.
Distance
The distance between Cancun and Isla Mujeres is 13 km (8 miles), with ferry rides taking 20–45 minutes.
Crossing to Isla Mujeres by Car
Ultracarga operates car ferries from Punta Sam (prices start at $500 MXN one way), but cars are not recommended due to limited parking.
Tips
- Avoid round-trip tickets unless certain of return times.
- Pre-book Ultramar or Xailing tickets online to skip lines.
- Quintana Roo residents get discounted fares presenting an official ID (INE).
