Isla Mujeres Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Norte Beach which includes a sandy beach, general coastal views and tropical scenes
Isla Mujeres
Crayola House featuring outdoor art
Norte Beach featuring a coastal town, general coastal views and tropical scenes
Isla Mujeres which includes rocky coastline and general coastal views

This small, peaceful island is packed with some of Mexico’s most pristine beaches and jungle, and is home to one of Cancun’s more traditional communities. 

Sitting 13 miles (21 kilometers) off the coast of Cancun are the unspoiled beaches of Isla Mujeres. At only five miles (eight kilometers) long, and less than half a mile (800 meters) across, this compact island in the Caribbean Sea offers some of the most sought-after coastline in Mexico. The island is a site of great cultural significance for the Mayan people, and an interesting destination for history lovers. Before tourism became the primary industry of the region, Isla Mujeres was the home of a small fishing community, and remains an excellent example of a quaint Caribbean settlement.

While many choose to stay on the island itself, day trips are certainly viable too. Take a morning ferry to the island and arrive in time for breakfast. Hop in a taxi at the ferry terminal for the short drive to all of the island’s attractions. If you have the time, many of the island’s treasures can be reached on foot, and bicycles can be hired from the town.

Visit the Garrafon Natural Reef Park to find many of the island’s popular water attractions in one place. Snorkel across the coral reef and marvel at the colors of the tropical fish that swim beneath you. The water visibility around Isla Mujeres is exceptional, making it a popular destination for scuba divers.

Between May and September, swim with the world’s largest fish, the whale shark, in the waters off the island. The fish migrate to the area in search of warmer water, and seasonal charter tours are designed to help you experience this annual event.

Just as magical are the charismatic people who live here. The township on Isla Mujeres is popular among tourists wanting to escape the resorts of Cancun, and there are many locals still living a traditional way of life. Eat the customary cuisine of the island at one of the town’s many eateries on Hidalgo Street, or meet the locals at one of the island’s beach bars.

Isla Mujeres is just a short and inexpensive ferry trip from Cancun’s hotel precinct.

Where to stay in Isla Mujeres

Norte Beach showing a beach, general coastal views and tropical scenes

Centro - Supmza 001

If you're spending some time in Centro - Supmza 001, Isla Mujeres Ferry Terminal and North Beach are top sights worth seeing.

Centro - Supmza 001
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Salina Grande

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Salina Grande and surrounding area, you can visit West Coast of Isla Mujeres, Punta Cancun, and Punta Nizuc National Park and Shark Beach.

Salina Grande
Norte Beach featuring a bay or harbour as well as a small group of people

Salinas

Salinas might not have many top sights, but Garrafon Natural Reef Park and West Coast of Isla Mujeres, Punta Cancun, and Punta Nizuc National Park are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Salinas
Crayola House showing a small town or village

Colonia Meteorológico

Colonia Meteorológico might not have many top sights, but Garrafon Natural Reef Park and Shark Beach are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Colonia Meteorológico
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La Gloria

While La Gloria isn't home to many top sights, Shark Beach and Parque de los Suenos are some notable places to visit nearby.

La Gloria
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Colonia Salina Chica

Colonia Salina Chica might not have many top sights, but Garrafon Natural Reef Park and West Coast of Isla Mujeres, Punta Cancun, and Punta Nizuc National Park are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Colonia Salina Chica
Privilege Aluxes Isla Mujeres Adults Only
Privilege Aluxes Isla Mujeres Adults Only
4.5 out of 5
Adolfo Lopez Mateos Sm 1, Isla Mujeres, QROO
The price is £182 per night from 3 Aug to 4 Aug
£182
3 Aug - 4 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury resort in Isla Mujeres. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and 2 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in their ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,169 reviews)
"Nice small resort, the beach is public and it’s a good distance from the lounge chairs to the water. The liquor is cheap and burns, id stick with beer and wine. Friendly staff and cool clean rooms. Noisy daycare or school next door that begins screaming at 7am."

Reviewed on 1 Jul 2025

Privilege Aluxes Isla Mujeres Adults Only
Izla Beach Front Hotel
Izla Beach Front Hotel
4.5 out of 5
Sac Bajo, Fraccionamiento Lagunamar, Isla Mujeres, QROO
The price is £134 per night from 20 Jul to 21 Jul
£134
20 Jul - 21 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Isla Mujeres. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in their ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,016 reviews)
"The staff was very professional! The room was nice and spacious. Beautiful pool and the food was great"

Reviewed on 2 Jul 2025

Izla Beach Front Hotel
Mia Reef Isla Mujeres - All Inclusive
Mia Reef Isla Mujeres - All Inclusive
4 out of 5
Calle Zazil-Ha S/N, Zona 7, Islote El Yunque, Isla Mujeres, QROO
The price is £446 per night from 7 Jul to 8 Jul
£446
7 Jul - 8 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star beach resort in Isla Mujeres. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
7.8/10 Good! (1,074 reviews)
"Mia Reef staff were fantastic."

Reviewed on 1 Jul 2025

Mia Reef Isla Mujeres - All Inclusive
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Nautibeach Condos
Nautibeach Condos
3 out of 5
Av. Rueda Medina #7, Colonia Centro, Pl, Quintana, Roo, Isla Mujeres, QROO
Stay at this 3-star beach aparthotel in Isla Mujeres. Enjoy free parking, a full-service spa and a beach locale. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (302 reviews)
"A fabulous place , pool and facilities really lovely, easy parking for golf carts, friendly staff and the beach is divine great for families wanting to share a unit but not a bedroom. Grocery store is close. In room water dispensary."

Reviewed on 30 Jun 2025

Nautibeach Condos
Icaco Island Village - Adults Only
Icaco Island Village - Adults Only
3 out of 5
Av. Juárez 19 Aeropuerto, Isla Mujeres, QROO
Stay at this 3-star beach villa in Isla Mujeres. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Popular attractions Isla Mujeres Ferry Terminal and North ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (95 reviews)
Surprisingly amazing hotel.
"Beautiful property, I was very impressed with the beauty and cleanliness of this hotel, very comfortable beds and pillows, it even had a small terrace and a hammock, very quiet, you can listen the waves crashing. The breakfast was excellent, the beach is not the best, many rocks, but it was calm ..."

Reviewed on 5 Jun 2025

Icaco Island Village - Adults Only
Casa Azul Maya
Casa Azul Maya
3 out of 5
Av. Perimetral Poniente. Fraccionmiento, Fraccionamiento Mar Turquesa, Isla Mujeres, QROO
Stay at this 3-star beach aparthotel in Isla Mujeres. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and 3 outdoor pools. Popular attractions West Coast of Isla Mujeres, Punta ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (94 reviews)
"there was party music about 10:30 pm last night nearby. Beside that, everything was good."

Reviewed on 20 Apr 2025

Casa Azul Maya
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Isla Mujeres

4.2
Top destination
5 - Excellent
5
5 - Excellent 38%
4 - Good
6
4 - Good 46%
3 - Okay
2
3 - Okay 15%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Beautiful island with some dramatic coastline on the east side and spectacular beaches throughout.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

The island is quite basic and the total opposite to glitzy Cancun

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Nice friendly island Friendly staff

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Would return in an instant.

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller

Enjoyed it but very urbanized for such a small island...to busy

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Beautiful small island with great beach and sea

Cities near Isla Mujeres