How to get to Isla Mujeres? I thought it would be easier. It sounds more complicated than it actually is. However, once you do it, you realize the only complicated thing about it is switching your mode of transportation to get there. I mean, plane, bus, taxi, boat, etc.? Yes. That’s right. Getting to Isla Mujeres sounds more complex with all the modes of transportation you have to take. Fear not. Once you do it, it will seem like a breeze.
How to Get to Isla Mujeres? Step 1: Cancun Airport!
I’ve been here before… but it’s been a while. Considering my family is from this part of the world, I would’ve thought I would remember this airport. It’s easy enough. Immigration is a breeze. The lines are fast. You’re immediately put in baggage claim afterward. You exit to your right. You go through security again and begin to wander the Airport.
As you get closer to the airport exit, you’ll see one ATM machine. However, it only gives you US dollars. Therefore there’s no point in getting cash…
Before the ATM machine there’s a circular desk in the middle of the room. I asked about currency exchange and they told me it’s too expensive in the airport and I should just get money from within the city. This is generally a true statement at all airports. So, I took their advice and exchanged money once I was in the city.
How to Get to Isla Mujeres? Step 2: ADO Busses
As luck would have it. This circular “help” desk is actually the ADO Bus station ticket counter. You can purchase a ticket from the Cancun airport to Downtown Cancun, which is the destination you need to get to if you’re headed to Isla Mujeres.
Although, I should mention you can buy a ticket at this counter for many places. If you’re headed to Merida, Tulum, Cozumel, Play Del Carmen and even Belize city, this is where you buy your ticket.
I purchase an ADO bus ticket from this ADO stand. It’s $75 Mexican Pesos. Currently the exchange rate is 20 pesos for 1 USD… This means my luxury bus ride is almost $4 USD. That a bargain!
At this point I came across my in-flight neighbor who sat next to me. It turns out he’s from my home town of Long Beach (a suburb of Los Angeles.) He’s lost. I’m lost. He also didn’t speak Spanish so I helped him purchase an ADO bus ticket to Playa Del Carmen. Then we both wandered to our bus terminals outside of the airport.
We exchange contact information before he got on his bus to Playa Del Carmen! Making new friends while traveling on your own is easy and sometimes very random. How cool is that?!
I took ADO Bus to Central Cancun station.
How to Get to Isla Mujeres? Step 3: Getting to Puerto Juarez Ferry Terminal
From Cancun Central ADO bus terminal, you can do a couple of things to get to the ferry terminal. I’m told to take two busses to Puerto Juarez to catch my ferry, or I could take a cab that would over charge me at a whopping 80 Pesos.
They also suggested I hail a cab further down the road for 20 pesos.
I tried and walked down the street to get a less expensive cab. I mean $20 Pesos for a cab is literally $1 USD. However, no cabs stopped for me. After 20 minutes of unsuccessfully hailing a cab, I decided to get an expensive cab ride. I walked back to the bus station and got a taxi at their taxi stands.
You should realize that 80 pesos is literally 4 USD. Four Dollars! It will not break your bank.
How to Get to Isla Mujeres? Step 4: Puerto Juarez Ferry to Isla Mujeres
I made it to Puerto Juarez ferry terminal, and I got a round-trip ferry ticket for $300 Mexican Pesos…. It kind of freaked me out but when you convert it, it’s 15 USD for a round trip boat ride. Not too bad.
Although, this may sound like a lot, and it is. It’s not that hard to do, and it’s pretty economical. Now that you know how to get to Isla Mujeres its a breeze.
Let’s Break It Down a Bit:
From Cancun Airport, you buy an ADO bus ticket for about $4 USD to Central Cancun station.
From Central Cancun station you can take 2 buses or a very cheap taxi ride to Puerto Juarez Ferry Terminal. A round trip ticket will cost you $300 Mexican Pesos, or 15 USD.
Not bad, I think…
Check out their departure schedules and prices on their website here: https://www.ultramarferry.com
LOVE THIS ARTICLE? SAVE IT ON PINTEREST!
