Ferry From Cancun to Isla Mujeres: Prices, Routes and Schedules.

If you are here, it is (almost) a fact that you are interested in traveling by ferry from Cancun to Isla Mujeres and looking for the best way to do it. There are many options departing from Cancun, and here we will tell you in detail what they are. But first, let's answer some basic questions.

What is a ferry?

A ferry is a large vessel transporting passengers, vehicles, and cargo. They usually travel medium and short distances, sell round-trip tickets, and have several daily departures.

What are the ferry routes from Cancun?

Depending on the company, there are ferries from Cancun to Isla Mujeres and from Playa del Carmen to Cozumel. If you don't know which island to visit during your vacation, check out our blog, Isla Mujeres vs. Cozumel: Which one should you visit?

Ferry trip from Cancun to Isla Mujeres (and vice versa)

In Cancun, there are so far three ferry companies that depart to Isla Mujeres, each one with different characteristics. Here is the table of contents of this blog post. Click on the different topics to scroll directly to them 🔍.

1. Jetway
2. Ultramar
3. Xcaret Xailing
4. Price and schedule comparative table
5. How to get to Puerto Juarez?
6. How to get to Embarcadero Isla Mujeres by Xcaret?
7. Where is the Isla Mujeres Maritime Terminal located?

Ferrys Jetway

Jetway is a Mexican company that started operations in August 2021. This company distinguishes itself by offering affordable ferry service to Isla Mujeres, which is mainly aimed at workers and locals. However, it is an excellent option for anyone looking to save a little during their trip.

Boats: They have 3 Waterjet-type boats, 2 with a capacity for 77 passengers and the third with a capacity for 280 passengers.

Amenities: Toilets, beverages, and snacks are on board.

Pets: Pets may be transported on board in the spaces provided. Service animals are welcome on board.

Discounts available: Locals, INAPAM, Isla Mujeres residents.

Service hours: 08:30 hrs to 18:30 hrs from Monday to Sunday.

Duration of the trip: Between 20 and 30 minutes.

Jetway departure port from Cancun: Many people wonder where to take the ferry to Isla Mujeres. In the case of Jetway, you can buy your ticket and board at the Terminal Marítima Api en Puerto Juárez.

Jetway departure port from Isla Mujeres: Terminal Marítima de Isla Mujeres.

Parking: There is no parking.

Ultramar Ferry

Ultramar is the most popular ferry company in Quintana Roo. With over 30 years of experience in the marine transportation field, it has departure terminals located in multiple sites in Cancun and a variety of routes. Travel agencies prefer to add Ultramar to their clients' itineraries. While Ultramar also has a Playa del Carmen-Cozumel route, this blog will focus on the Cancun-Isla Mujeres route.

• Boats: They have 14 ships equipped to transport people with panoramic views, open-air decks, air conditioning, purser service, restrooms, and screens. Their capacities are 800, 550, 300, 250, and 150 passengers. According to its website, its most recent vessel is the high-speed JETLINE type, with a length of 157 feet and three levels and a capacity for 800 passengers. This last vessel has a children's area, live music, underwater lighting, ramps for express disembarkation, and low pollutant emission engines.

• Amenities: There are restrooms, beverage and snack sales on board, live music, purser service, First Class, and a Kids Zone. The ship also has a cargo service for transporting cars and oversized luggage.

• Pets: The boats are pet-friendly at no cost; the only requirement is to travel with your pet in the designated area (usually the upper part) and always carry it on a leash or in a carrier if necessary.

• Available Discounts: Quintanarroenses, Local, INAPAM, Isla Mujeres Residents.

• Service hours: 05:30 hrs to 00:00 hrs from Monday to Sunday (the schedule varies by port).

• Duration of the trip to Isla Mujeres: 20 minutes departing from Puerto Juarez. 35 minutes departing from the Hotel Zone.

• Ports of departure of Ultramar in Cancun:

  Puerto Juarez, Terminal Marítima Ultramar

  Playa Tortugas Pier, Cancun Hotel Zone, Cancun

  Caracol Beach Dock, Hotel Zone, Cancun

• Port of departure from Ultramar in Isla Mujeres: As for the ferry crossing to Cancun, departures are from the Isla Mujeres Maritime Terminal.

• Parking: The Ultramar Maritime Terminal in Puerto Juarez does have parking. The cost is $324 MXN per 24 hours or $20 MXN per hour (and fraction). It has valet parking and authorized cabs. The other ports of departure do not have parking.

Xailing Isla Mujeres by Xcaret

Xperiencias Xcaret is a company that was born in 1984. With the opening of Xcaret Ecological Park in 1990, it became one of the most famous attractions in Cancun and Riviera Maya. Little by little, it grew into Grupo Xcaret, a company with eight amusement parks, five tour options in Yucatan and Quintana Roo, and three hotels in the Riviera Maya.

Recently, in 2021, the tourism giant of the Mexican Southeast added maritime transportation to its product portfolio through 2 modalities: A ferry trip from Cancun to Isla Mujeres by Xcaret Xailing and Catamaran crossing to Isla Mujeres.

• Boats: Xcaret Xailing boats comply with the MARPOL Convention to prevent pollution of the marine environment by ships) and their engines were built to the IMO Tier 2 emission reduction standard. Xcaret Xailing ferries have designated areas and seats for people with disabilities. So far, they have two ferries with a capacity of 650 passengers each. The names of the boats are Xcaret and Xel-Ha.

• Amenities: Restrooms, WiFi, luggage storage, traveler's insurance, and access to the Cancun Scenic Tower. Lockers with additional cost at El Embarcadero Isla Mujeres by Xcaret.

• Pets: The boats are pet-friendly at no cost. The only requirement is to travel with your pet in the designated area and always keep it on a leash.

• Available discounts: Quintanarroenses, Local, INAPAM, Isla Mujeres Residents.

• Service hours: 09:00 hrs to 19:00 hrs from Monday to Sunday (the schedule depends on the port).

• How long does the ferry to Isla Mujeres take? 25 minutes.

• Port of departure from Cancun: El Embarcadero Isla Mujeres by Xcaret

• Port of departure in Isla Mujeres: Terminal Marítima de Isla Mujeres.

• Parking: El Embarcadero by Xcaret does have parking at an additional cost.

How much does the ferry from Cancun to Isla Mujeres cost? 💵

If you are wondering how much the ferry costs in Cancun, here you have our Cancun to Isla Mujeres ferry price comparison table. The table includes schedules, departure docks, prices, and even the types of discounts that the ferry companies in Cancun handle.

How to get to Puerto Juárez? 🗺️

Puerto Juarez is an area of the city of Cancun. It is located 2 km north of downtown, on the road to Punta Sam. Here is where the Ultramar Maritime Terminal is located, and only 500 meters away, you will also find the Puerto Juarez Maritime Terminal. These are the most essential ports from which boats with passengers and cargo depart to Isla Mujeres.

There are several ways to get to the Puerto Juarez area, such as taking the ferry to Isla Mujeres.

• 🚕 Taxi on the street: You can catch a cab and ask him directly to take you to Puerto Juarez. You have to specify if you are going to the Ultramar pier or the one at the Puerto Juarez Terminal. The cost of the trip depends on the distance traveled; therefore, we cannot give you an exact rate.

• 🚕📲 Taxi by app: You can order a cab through DiDi or Taxi Naranja. We quoted a ride from downtown to Ultramar terminal for $80 MXN. Remember that the price may vary according to weather, traffic, and vehicle availability.

• 🚗Car: If you have or rent a car, our most humble suggestion is to open Maps on your phone and follow the assigned route. Remember that only the Ultramar terminal has parking (at an additional cost), so this is not a highly recommended option.

For your convenience, here are the links to both terminals:

• 🚐  Private transportation: As a tourist, this is the most recommended option, as it is safe and convenient. In most cases, your hotel staff can help you book a private transportation service. There are even some hotels that offer transportation as a courtesy. Ask in the lobby of your hotel for more information.

• 🚌 Public transportation: This is ideal for those who want to save money or live a more local experience.  To get to Puerto Juarez by public transportation, you have two options:

• Bus Route 1 Rehoyada: These buses run practically along Kukulkan Boulevard (Cancun's Hotel Zone) from start to finish. ⚠️ Make sure it says R1 Rehoyada on the bus (because there are different R1s). You can take this bus at any bus stop in the Hotel Zone, on Avenida Tulum, and at the Crucero.
  

• Combi Punta Sam/ Puerto Juárez: You can take these combis at the Crucero on Portillo Avenue. They usually have no number, but the front window says Punta Sam, Puerto Juarez, or All Ritmo (hotel). Some even have images of Ultramar and say Isla Mujeres 👇
  

Combi with Ultramar stickers

How to get to el embarcadero Isla Mujeres by Xcaret? 🛳️

Embarcadero Isla Mujeres by Xcaret is located in the km 4.5 of Cancun's Hotel Zone. You can get there by the following means:

• 🚕 Taxi on the street: You can catch a cab and ask him directly to take you to Xcaret's dock in the Hotel Zone. As a reference, you can provide Xcaret's scenic tower or Jolly Roger Dock, which have a ship that departs from the same point (although it is unlikely that a cab driver would know the location). The cost of the trip depends on the distance traveled, so we cannot give you an exact fare.

• 🚕📲 Taxi by app: Use DiDi or Taxi Naranja. We quoted a trip from downtown Cancun to Embarcadero Isla Mujeres by Xcaret, which cost $100 MXN. Remember that the price may vary according to weather, traffic, and vehicle availability.

• 🚗 Car: Since El Embarcadero has parking at an additional cost, you will have no problem arriving on your own with your car. Below is the address so you can check it on Maps: 

• 🚐 Private transportation: You can hire a private transportation service in advance. Also, since El Embarcadero is located in the Hotel Zone, they will likely have complimentary transportation service along Boulevard Kukulkán if you stay in a large hotel. Ask in the lobby of your hotel for more information.

• 🚌 Public transportation: The R1 and R2 buses run all along Boulevard Kukulkán. Locate a bus stop and take a bus bound for the Calinda Bridge or the Scenic Tower.

Where is the Isla Mujeres Maritime Terminal located? 🚢

Any ferry from Cancun to Isla Mujeres will take you to the Isla Mujeres Maritime Terminal. Here, we leave you the link to Maps so you can find it easily.  👇 

Other ways to visit Isla Mujeres ⛵

We don't want to say goodbye before letting you know that if you plan a day trip to the island, one of the best options is a catamaran tour to Isla Mujeres. Book a tour with food, snorkeling, and free time in Isla Mujeres, or if you prefer a private experience, check out our catamaran catalog for private charters to Isla Mujeres by Cancun Sailing.

And that's how we end our Cancun to Isla Mujeres ferry guide. We hope it will be helpful when planning your next vacation. If you have any questions or comments, leave them below 👇 and we will gladly answer them.