Playa Norte
There is one thing about this beach worth knowing before you plan anything else on this coast: it never gets seaweed.
Playa Norte's orientation shields it from the currents that carry sargassum onto the mainland beaches. When Cancun and the Riviera Maya are having a bad seaweed year, this beach is still clear. That is not marketing — it is geography.
The water is shallow and calm a long way out, which makes it unusually good for small children and for anyone who does not love waves. Go between 7:00 and 10:00 to have it nearly empty, or stay until 18:00–19:00 for the sunset, which faces the right way.
Getting around
The island is 7.7 km long and you can drive the whole thing in about two hours. Renting a golf cart is the standard way to do it, and it is genuinely the best way.
What to see
- Punta Sur — the southern tip, sea-carved cliffs and the remains of a Mayan temple to Ixchel, goddess of the moon and fertility. It is also the first place in Mexico to catch the sunrise.
- Turtle sanctuary — a working conservation centre, not a show. Hatchling releases in season.
- Hacienda Mundaca — the ruins of a 19th-century estate with a story about a pirate and a woman who turned him down.
- The east coast road — rougher water, almost nobody there, worth the drive.
- Whale sharks — June to September, in the waters north of the island. Regulated tours only.
Where to eat
| Place | What it is |
|---|---|
| Lonchería Alexia y Geovanny | Mexican home cooking at a fair price. The kind of place locals eat at |
| Xandolo | Contemporary Mexican and seafood |
| Marea Beach Club | Mexican kitchen with a beach club setting |
| Il Pomodorino | Authentic Italian, long-standing on the island |
| Capricci Pizza · Frizzi | Artisan pizza, both well regarded |
Day trip or overnight?
Most people come for the day and leave on the late-afternoon ferry. That works, but it means seeing the island at its most crowded and missing the two best hours.
Staying one night changes it completely: the day-trippers leave around 17:00, and what is left is a small Caribbean town with a genuinely good sunset. If your schedule has any flexibility, it is the single best use of one night in the region.
Getting to the Isla Mujeres ferry
The ferry leaves from Puerto Juárez, about 20 minutes from the airport. Book a transfer straight to the terminal and skip the taxi negotiation with your bags.
Fixed price per vehicle · up to 8 passengersCommon questions
How much is the ferry from Cancun to Isla Mujeres?
The Ultramar ferry from Puerto Juárez costs 290 MXN one way per adult and 580 MXN return, with children at 220 and 440. On top of that there is a 36.56 MXN environmental charge required by the municipality, which is not included in the fare. The crossing takes about 20 minutes and boats leave roughly every 30 minutes.
How do I get from Cancun airport to the Isla Mujeres ferry?
The ferry leaves from Puerto Juárez, about 20 minutes north of the airport. There is no direct public transport from the terminal to the pier: it is a taxi, a pre-booked transfer from 50.0 USD for the whole vehicle, or the ADO bus to downtown Cancun and a second taxi from there. Ferries run until late evening.