Cancun Hotel Zone Ferry to Isla Mujeres

If you are staying in the Hotel Zone in Cancun and want to take the ferry over to Isla Mujeres, here is how to do it. There is one ferry port in the Hotel Zone that connects with the north end of Isla Mujeres where the main attractions are. The ferries are new and a very comfortable way to travel over to Isla Mujeres to walk around and discover what is there. We recommend this activity because Isla Mujeres offers a nice contrast to the glitzy built-up Hotel Zone with a laid-back island. You can visit some of the best beaches in Mexico on Isla Mujeres or eat at some of the local seafood restaurants! This is a great side trip from Cancun to the nearby island of Isla Mujeres.

Where is the ferry to Isla Mujeres?

On the north end of the Hotel Zone is the Xcaret Ferry Terminal (El Embarcadero Isla Mujeres). Everything in the Hotel Zone is posted by kilometer since the zone is about 22 km long (14 miles) and all on one road. So, the Hotel Zone is pretty big! The ferry is at kilometer 4.5 and is easy to spot because there is a bridge here and the tall Scenic Tower right next to the port.

Note: There are three different ferries ports that have service to Isla Mujeres from Cancun. There is only one ferry pier that services the Hotel Zone. The other two ferries leave from the mainland. Punta Sam is far away from the Hotel Zone and only used for cargo and cars going to Isla Mujeres. The other is from Puerto Juarez which is for most people leaving from downtown Cancun to Isla Mujeres.

Cancun Ferry to Isla Mujeres — People arriving to take the Xcaret’s ferry from the Hotel Zone in Cancun to Isla Mujeres.

How much is the ferry to Isla Mujeres?

A single ticket for the ferry to Isla Mujeres costs $14.50 USD for adults and $11 USD for children 5 to 11 years old. The round-trip ticket costs $28 USD for adults and $21 USD for children based on current exchange rates.

Below you can see the ticket windows for buying ferry tickets. You can buy them at the port of buy in advance and skip the lines.

Do you want a discount on the ferry to Isla Mujeres?

By clicking this link to the official page for the ferry you can save 10% Off on our tour to Isla Mujeres. Buying your tickets in advance will also save you from waiting in line at the port. This discount is available until December 31, 2024.

Buying tickets for ferry to Isla Mujeres — This is where you will buy your tickets if you need them at the dock.

What is the schedule for the ferry to Isla Mujeres from the Hotel Zone?

Here is the current schedule. Please check the official website for changes to this schedule. Schedules are dependent on the weather.

Ferries leave Cancun’s Hotel Zone daily at 9:00am, 10:00am, 11:00am, 12:00pm, 1:00pm, 2:00pm, 4:00pm, 5:00pm, 6:00pm, 7:00pm.

Ferries leave Isla Mujeres at 10:00am, 11:00am, 12:00pm, 1:00pm, 2:00pm, 4:00pm, 5:00pm, 6:00pm, 7:00pm, 8:00pm.

Note: Your tickets allow you to board any ferry time you want.

Tip: the bussies times are on Saturday and Sundays when more people go for the day to Isla Mujeres. To avoid crowds, try mid-week when locals are working.

How long does the ferry take between the Hotel Zone and Isla Mujeres?

The ferry takes about 20-30 minutes each way between the Hotel Zone and Isla Mujeres depending on weather.

Extra bonus for taking the ferry

Here is a cool thing that you might now know about taking the ferry from the Hotel Zone to Isla Mujeres. Included in your ticket is access to the Scenic Tower in Cancun. This is right next to the ferry dock. This normally is $20 USD for adults, just to show you how much you save by taking the ferry and getting free admission to the Scenic Tower.

The tower is 80 meters tall and the cabin spins at the top, so you get a 360-degree view of the Hotel Zone and even across to Isla Mujeres. It is a fun thing to do and included when you take the ferry.

Ferry to Isla Mujeres — Teh Scenic Tower is right next to the ferry port. You can go up in tis tower for free with your ticket on the ferry.

Transportation to and from the ferry port

If you are staying nearby, there are sidewalks that connect the ferry port to nearby hotels. If you are more that walking distance to the ferry pier, below are the transportation options.

Taxis

Most likely you are staying in the Hotel Zone and want to take this ferry. The easiest transportation to and from the ferry is a taxi. Taxi fares in the Hotel Zone are about 200-400 pesos (about $11-$20 USD) each way for 1-4 people. Below you see a taxi fare chart which is at the ferry terminal. Taxis are the easiest option because they are direct, and cheaper than including transportation from Xcaret to the ferry.

Note: The prices below are for taxi stand prices. These are more than getting a taxi on the street. These are the same taxis, only taxi stands charge more since they are waiting there for you. Even if you get a taxi on the street, since there are no meters, the taxi fare is up to the driver, and it is best to ask the price before getting in.

Uber

Uber is new”ish” to Cancun. It works but is not as active as many other cities in the world. Prices are less than taxis, the only thing is the wait time might be more.

Public Bus

There are public busses that run in both directions in the Hotel Zone. These buses run about every 5 minutes. This is the cheapest option costing around .50 cents in USD. The good thing is these buses are full in the morning coming into the Hotel Zone and busy leaving for Cancun downtown in the evenings. Most people will be taking the bus the opposite way during rush hour. This will make the buses a little less busy for you if you choose this option. If you have any questions about taking the buses, ask at your hotels front desk and they can give you all the details.

Self-driving to the take the ferry

If you have a car or rental car you can drive to the ferry dock. There is a large parking garage there that can accommodate all the people wanting to cross over to Isla Mujeres. The garage charges 15 pesos per hour or 180 pesos for 24 hours.