Located just off the coast of bustling Cancun, Isla Mujeres just may be one of the most perfect beach getaways in Mexico!
The plethora of fun things to do in Isla Mujeres is definitely a big part of the reason why… but the sheer beauty of Isla Mujeres’ beaches, not to mention its accessability from Cancun, also play major roles.
This stunning, small island is home to gorgeous beaches, an adorable and colorful town center, accommodation for every style, and potential adventures galore.
In other words, Isla Mujeres, Mexico, is one of those islands that just about everyone who visits, loves.
It’s laid-back and easy enough to navigate that even travelers tentatively stepping a foot out of Mexico’s all-inclusive scene for the first time will have a fantastic trip, and engaging enough that even long-time travelers will never be bored.
Boasting phenomenal sunsets, some of the most postcard-worthy beaches we’ve ever laid eyes on, and a wide variety of things to do, Isla Mujeres is one of those islands that’s impossible to resist.
We fell in love with it immediately during our visit, and fully expect to visit Isla Mujeres repeatedly throughout our lives.
Here’s exactly what to do on Isla Mujeres, plus tips for planning your trip!
Table of Contents
Planning your Isla Mujeres trip at the last minute?
We’ll cover all of the best things to do on Isla Mujeres in much more detail below, but if you’re trying to plan fast, here are the top excursions we recommend throughout this blog post:
- Swimming with Whale Sharks Near Isla Mujeres (a MUST if you’re visiting Isla Mujeres between June and September! You can choose your departure point.)
- MUSA Snorkeling Excursion (an art museum + snorkeling adventure in one!)
- Isla Mujeres Day Trip + Catamaran Day (the perfect one-day introduction to Isla Mujeres, complete with snorkeling)
- Isla Contoy + Isla Mujeres Excursion (ditch the crowds for Isla Contoy)
- Isla Mujeres Snorkeling Adventure (a classic for good reason!)
Wondering where to stay? Here are some highly rated hotels we recommend, including the one we loved staying in:
- Bahia Chac Chi (loved the spacious rooms and water views from the roof)
- Mia Reef (an all-inclusive option right on the beach!)
- Suites Los Arcos (popular budget option in the center of the action)
Fun Things to Do in Isla Mujeres, Mexico
Chill out on Playa Norte.
Often listed as one of the most beautiful beaches in Mexico and even the world, Isla Mujeres’ Playa Norte is a long stretch of white sand beach on the north side of the island and is all palm trees, incredibly soft sand, and bright water.
The beach can get crowded (multiple bars, restaurants, and resorts offering up beach chairs will do that), but it’s still an amazing place to spend a day in Isla Mujeres.
Personally, we walked all the way west on Playa Norte, about as far as you can get before reaching Playa Sol, and found the crowds far more manageable and the experience downright idyllic.
Rent a golf cart and road trip the island.
Exploring the island by golf cart (or moped, if you prefer) is one of the most quintessential things to do in Isla Mujeres and absolutely should not be missed!
Driving is both fairly easy and incredibly simple. With only one main road that circumnavigates the island, it’s virtually impossible to get lost when driving around Isla Mujeres.
If you’re wondering exactly how to best access some of the Isla Mujeres attractions that are further from town, the answer is simple: a golf cart will get you there.
Golf cart rentals are available from countless shops, they’re easy to find and generally don’t need to be booked in advance.
Just make sure to get price quotes from a few places to ensure you’re getting a reasonable deal!
Pay a visit to MUSA.
The Cancun Underwater Museum of Art, or MUSA, is made up of over 500 statues and various other structures and is located on the seafloor surrounding Isla Mujeres and Cancun.
Visiting is definitely one of the best things to do in Cancun and Isla Mujeres both!
Installed primarily to promote coral life in the area, MUSA doubles as a tourist attraction, and it makes for a phenomenal diving, snorkeling, and even glass-bottom boat tour location when visiting Isla Mujeres!
Check out the Ixchel Ruins and Punta Sur.
The Mayan goddess of Ixchel ruled over fertility, medicine, happiness, and the moon… you know, just a few important things in life!
At the very edge of the island, on the tip of Punta Sur (literally “South Point”) sits the ruins of the temple of Ixchel, along with a few other Mayan ruins.
The site itself is small, certainly nothing like the full-blown Mayan cities you can visit on the mainland, but the location itself is absolutely magnificent.
In addition to being a temple, Punta Sur also served as a lighthouse and looking out over the rough, rocky coast, I’m sure it’s obvious as to why!
Today, in addition to the Mayan ruins, Punta Sur is home to a statue of Ixchel, a gigantic iguana statue, and several souvenir shops and convenience stores set up to cater to the passing tourists.
Eat your heart out at Mercado Municipal.
Mercado Municipal, Isla Mujeres’ central market, is the perfect place for a no-frills, affordable, delicious breakfast or lunch.
Be sure to leave the more tourist-centered restaurants behind at least once to eat here, where everyone, tourist and local alike, settles on plastic chairs under overworked fans for fabulous food.
We ate breakfast here every single day of our Isla Mujeres vacation, unable to stay away.
Snap photos of the wild beaches on the east coast.
Isla Mujeres’ picture-perfect north coast and stunning west coast are where the bulk of the swimming happens on the island.
That being said, while the east coast beaches are far, far rougher, they are absolutely gorgeous and well worth admiring from the shore.
These definitely aren’t your typical calm Caribbean beaches, though: think something more akin to what you’ll find on the west coast of the US!
Spot the shell house.
As you drive down the east coast of the island, be sure to keep an eye on the glamorous mansions to your left as well as the stunning sea visible to the right.
If you do, you just may be able to pick out the shell house, which is one of the most famous Airbnbs in the world!
It’s easy to see from the road, and well, pretty distinct.
I had no idea exactly where it was on the island and spotted it immediately as we passed by in our golf cart!
… or hit the water for a sunset cruise.
Not content to watch the sunset from the shore?
Join a catamaran cruise to admire the sunset from the water instead!
This is one of the most popular Isla Mujeres activities, and one look at the sunsets over the island makes it very obvious why that is.
Grab a photo with the colorful Isla Mujeres sign.
All across Mexico, you can find colorful signs with the town’s name displayed in prominent public spaces, and Isla Mujeres is no exception!
Located close to the center of town, it’s easy to stroll over for a quick photo op and some lovely sea views.
Watch the sunset on Playa Sol.
Playa Sol is known for being a beautiful Isla Mujeres beach that is just ever so slightly less desirable than Playa Norte, partially because the water is a tad cloudier.
That being said, there’s no doubt that west-facing Playa Sol rules the island at sunset, when visitors can be treated to an absolutely stunning view as the sun goes down.
We absolutely loved our relaxing evenings watching the sunset here, and highly recommend making it to the sand for at least one sunset during your Isla Mujeres vacation!
Head to a beach resort to relax the day away.
From laid-back, no-frills beach resorts like Garrafon de Castilla (we adored the views from here!) to full-on adventure parks like Parque de los Suenos, there’s no shortage of places to hit the water in Isla Mujeres that are far away from the crowds of Playa Norte, but also not closed to the public.
The best way to find them?
With a golf cart!
Go snorkeling… or scuba diving!
Dive shops and snorkeling tours abound on the island, and admiring life underwater is definitely one of the best things to do in Isla Mujeres.
Snorkeling excursions like this regularly top travelers’ top memories from Isla Mujeres, for very good reason.
We didn’t get a chance to go scuba diving around Isla Mujeres on our first trip, but we fully intend to come back and enjoy it!
Stroll down Avenida Miguel Hidalgo.
Isla Mujeres’ bustling Avenida Miguel Hidalgo is the heart of tourism on the island.
Lined with restaurants, cafes, boutiques, and souvenir shops, it’s colorful, photogenic, and absolutely a fun place to see in Isla Mujeres.
We wouldn’t necessarily recommend eating or shopping here unless you’re comfortable with a steeper-than-average price tag for the area, but even if you don’t sit down at a restaurant, Avenida Miguel Hidalgo is definitely worth a stroll.
Take a day trip to Isla Contoy.
Beautiful, uninhabited Isla Contoy lies about 30km/18 miles away from Isla Mujeres, and is one of the best day trips from Isla Mujeres!
Home to stunning white-sand beaches and an impressively diverse bird population, Isla Contoy is a protected island and a delight to visit.
If you book a day trip to Isla Contoy, you’ll also almost certainly stop for some incredible snorkeling along the way.
Planning a day trip from the mainland and want to squeeze in visits to both bustling Isla Mujeres and the more remote feeling Isla Contoy? This tour is a great option!
Book your day trip to Isla Contoy + Isla Mujeres today!
Admire the colorful murals of Isla Mujeres.
The beautiful, vibrant town Isla Mujeres is positively covered in beautiful street art, from its well-known sea wall murals to intricate paintings on everything from souvenir shops to municipal buildings.
Be sure to keep your camera handy when exploring Isla Mujeres: you’ll want to capture some of these for yourself.
We had so much fun wandering the streets in search of art after breakfast and before beach time each morning.
Go swimming with whale sharks.
From June to September, the waters near Isla Mujeres play host to some of the most awe-inspiring underwater creatures that can be observed with nothing more than a snorkel: whale sharks!
Often clocking in at more than 40 feet long, these slow-moving gentle giants are completely safe to get in the water with, making swimming with them a one of the most sought-after activities in Isla Mujeres.
Sadly, our first Isla Mujeres vacation didn’t overlap with whale shark season, which is all the more reason to return to the island soon.
If you are visiting Isla Mujeres between June and September, consider this an absolute must-see that is worth planning the rest of your vacation around!
Where to Stay in Isla Mujeres
Isla Mujeres has all kinds of accommodation, from budget hostels to luxury digs, with plenty in between.
Unless you’re planning on renting a golf cart for the duration of your stay and/or you’re more interested in hanging out on one particular beach than exploring all the different things to do in Isla Mujeres, we recommend staying within walking distance of Avenida Miguel Hidalgo and Playa Norte.
As long as your hotel is a comfortable walk from there, you’ll be within reach of all the action.
Here are a few well-reviewed options, including the hotel we loved!
Budget
Suites Los Arcos — For those looking to leave hostel life behind but still travel on a budget, Suites Los Arcos is an excellent place to stay in Isla Mujeres!
Located in the heart of downtown and less than a 10-minute walk from Playa Norte, Suites Los Arcos gets rave reviews, especially for its location (though be prepared for a bit of noise).
Check rates & book your stay at Suites Los Arcos today!
Mid-range
Bahia Chac Chi — We loved our stay at Bahia Chac Chi!
Featuring spacious rooms, a lovely staff, comfortable beds, and an excellent location within an easy walk of both the port and Playa Norte, we greatly enjoyed our stay and would be happy to return.
The only downside? The limited continental breakfast.
We ended up skipping breakfast and spending a few dollars for breakfast at Mercado Municipal every day instead, which was well worth it to us!
Check rates & book your stay at Bahia Chac Chi today!
Luxury
Mia Reef — Isla Mujeres doesn’t have a ton of the all-inclusive luxury hotels that the Riviera Maya is known for, but Mia Reef is among them!
Boasting a competitive price for an all-inclusive and an excellent location on the north point of the island (depending on the tide, Mia Reef appears to sit on a private island of its own), Mia Reef gets great reviews for offering all the convenience of an all-inclusive experience while also being right next to the town of Isla Mujeres and steps away from Playa Norte!
Check rates & book your stay at Mia Reef today!
How to Get to Isla Mujeres
Isla Mujeres is extremely simple to access from Cancun: ferries leave every 30 minutes, starting at 5:30 AM and going until 11:30 PM, from Puerto Juarez.
There are also additional ferries that leave less frequently (and for a higher price tag) from Cancun’s hotel zone.
You can check ferry prices, schedule, and tickets on their website.
Getting to Puerto Juarez from the Cancun Airport
Puerto Juarez is about a 30-minute drive from the Cancun Airport, and the easiest way to get there is via shuttle or taxi service.
Feel free to negotiate with one of the taxi companies that has set up shop near the exit to the Cancun Airport, but keep in mind the price is a bit steep (usually around $45 USD, though it varies a lot).
To avoid negotiating, you can also opt to book a transfer service in advance.
To save money, you can also take the ADO bus (Mexico’s main first-class bus network) into Cancun, and then pick up a local bus or taxi that will take you to Puerto Juarez.
This will take longer and be less comfortable, but definitely save lots of money!
Taking a Day Trip to Isla Mujeres
Want to take a day trip to Isla Mujeres from Cancun?
You absolutely can!
If you’d like to spend a day experiencing all the best things to do in Isla Mujeres, you have two options: book a fun boat day like this, or hop the ferry yourself.
The bulk of the ferries to Isla Mujeres leave from Puerto Juarez (more on that in the above section), which is outside Cancun’s hotel zone, but there are also ferries leaving directly from the hotel zone (for a higher price).
An organized Isla Mujeres day trip is best for those who are mostly looking to see Playa Norte, do some snorkeling, and enjoy the sparkling waters from a catamaran.
This day trip is a great option for that.
If you’re hoping to check out several of the best things to do in Isla Mujeres and explore independently, we recommend simply taking the ferry.
You can check out the schedule here, and read more about the experience above.
Bottom line: the Isla Mujeres ferry is very easy to use, and we highly recommend it!
Want to combine a boat tour, snorkeling, and a visit to Isla Mujeres?
Is Isla Mujeres Safe?
Safety is, of course, a deeply personal issue, so I can only offer our perspective here.
However, we perceive Isla Mujeres to be extremely safe, which is in line with additional reports and articles about the area.
As of July 2026, the US State Department considers Quintana Roo (the state where Isla Mujeres is located) to warrant a “Level 2: exercise increased caution” advisory, a distinction that it shares with France, Italy, the UK, and Spain.
Crime against tourists, when it occurs, tends to be limited to property crimes of opportunity.
We wouldn’t recommend leaving your phone on your beach chair and walking away to swim, for example, but we also wouldn’t be remotely fearful of walking down the street.
After traveling to more than 50 countries and extensively throughout Mexico, we consider Isla Mujeres to be an ideal first destination in Mexico for a traveler who is a bit nervous about visiting but also wants to avoid the all-inclusive resort bubble.
The island is friendly, easy to get around, a small/manageable size, easy to access, and there are plenty of English speakers around if your Spanish is limited or you get tripped up!
Of course, basic safety requirements are required in Isla Mujeres: don’t get too intoxicated (especially alone or at night), don’t step foot near any sort of illegal activity, and stay aware of your surroundings.
But that being said, I really cannot overemphasize how generally safe, relaxing, and comfortable we found the environment on Isla Mujeres.
Best Time to Visit Isla Mujeres
There are two distinct best times to visit Isla Mujeres.
The first is from January to April, when you’ll find the best weather with the highest chance experiencing an uninterrupted stream of warm, sunny days. This is the window in which we visited Isla Muejres!
The second is from June to September, when the weather can be a bit more temperamental (read: cloudy and rainy), but the whale sharks are in town.
Regardless of which time frame you choose to visit the island, you’re bound to enjoy many of the best things to do in Isla Mujeres, Mexico!
What to Pack for an Isla Mujeres Getaway
Wondering what to pack for an Isla Mujeres vacation?
We have a detailed Mexico packing list that covers just about anything you need, but to get you started, be sure to throw these in your bag:
Reef-Safe Sunscreen — Protect the sensitive coral reefs that live in the area by bringing reef-safe sunscreen along on your Isla Mujeres vacation!
Travel Insurance — We don’t ever recommend traveling without insurance. Anything can happen, and this is definitely a case of better safe than sorry.
Traveling to Mexico is generally safe, of course, but it also likely involves stepping outside your comfort zone and trying out new adventures in a foreign land… where you may or may not speak the language.
Pacsafe
This travel safe is affordable, sturdy, easy to pack, and will help keep your valuables safe in your hotel room during your Isla Mujeres vacation (not that you should need to worry much about theft in your hotel, but it’s better to be safe than sorry!).
Comfortable Day Bag — We currently use Pacsafe’s sleek anti-theft backpack and love it, but if you don’t want to shell out the cash for this trip, that’s totally understandable.
Just aim for something comfortable to wear, not flashy, and medium-sized. We used a Northface backpack leftover from my college days for years and loved it as well.
Cute Beach Coverup — You won’t want to walk around town wearing only your bathing suit, but dealing with wet clothes is also a pain.
Something like this is the perfect solution!
Dry Bag
You’ll want to have a dry bag on your Isla Mujeres packing list!
A dry bag will allow you to safely bring your electronics, passports, etc., onboard without fear of damage, and will even allow you to swim to shore from a boat with your phone/camera if you plan to visit any islands via boat!
Sea Bands
This is especially true if you want to spend any longer times on boats, like to go swimming with whale sharks.
Read More About Visiting Mexico + Latin America
Excited to visit Isla Mujeres… and maybe some other travel destinations in Mexico and Latin America, too?
If you found this isla Mujeres travel guide helpful, we’d love to continue to be part of your trip planning process here on Our Escape Clause!
You can browse all of our Mexico blog posts here, read more about us here, or check out these guides:
- The Ultimate 10 Day Yucatan Road Trip Itinerary
- 11 Cool Things to Do in Chiapas, Mexico
- The Ultimate 2 Week Colombia Itinerary: The Coast, Coffee Triangle + Beyond!
- The Ultimate Mexico + Central America Packing List
- Why We Didn’t Click With Placencia, Belize
24 hour golf cart rental is $90!
That seems about right, since we rates were around $30-45 when we visited a few years ago for the day (not keeping it overnight). I wouldn’t be surprised if prices have gone up a bit since February 2020, which is when we were last there!
Tortugranja closed in 2021 due to mismanagement. Just wanted to let you know as I found it from your post and wanted to check if it was an ethical encounter. Figured I’d let you know.
That’s too bad, but thank you for letting us know! I’ll get the post updated.
Very informative,thank you. We are going in Feb. My one question is where did you actually enjoy good snorkling?
Thank you for your tips. They were really helpful for our preparations. Having been there yesterday (October 2021) with the family, I do feel the need to add a few impressions to provide potential visitors with a fuller picture:
1. If you want to snorkel, you have two options: take a boat tour or go into one of the restaurant/hang out places (where you pay for the amenities with higher food prices). Snorkeling with your own gear simply by jumping into the sea at a beach is not really an option.
2. The east coast is near impossible to swim or snorkel. It is pretty rocky and whenever you find a spot with a possible entrance, the background was either a large trash dump or an ugly construction site or some other unwelcoming scenery. On the west coast the line of hotels was so close that by passing the road in your golf cart you could hardly get a glimpse of the beach. The view was usually blocked by high walls and large hotels complexes.
3. The island isn’t an idyllic small remote “untouched” place. It is a crowded, busy and intensely developed place. Even the much vaunted Playa Norte didn’t offer anything that our house beach (Playa Paraiso) on the mainland doesn’t offer as well, except for the big crowds and the people shouting “massage” when you pass them.
4. This most southern point offers the best photo opportunities with the open landscape and the turquoise sea in the background and a restaurant, but is well frequented as well, including entire big bus loads of tourists.
5. The ferries run from Juarez every 30 minutes and can be booked last minute (at least in October) but are fully occupied inside and near full on the upper deck (with no sun protection). The view plus the life music make the upper deck the more entertaining option by far.
Thank you. Agreed with what you said.