Whether you are flying into Cancun or driving through the Yucatan, you are going to end up on a boat to Isla Mujeres. There are a few ways to go about this and you will need to decide which is most convenient for you. Whichever way you choose will involve taking some sort of vehicle transportation to the ferry port and then taking a ferry across to the island. The whole trip will take a little more than an hour from the airport.
We recommend using a private van service if it is your first time to Isla. The Cancun airport is crazy and it’s just nicer to know you have pre-arranged transport if you’re not familiar with gauntlet of salespeople and tourism representatives all yelling at you.
We recommend CARM Tours and Transfers, they are on time, communicate well with you and let you pre-purchase your ferry tickets with your online van booking so you save a step at the ferry terminal. Remember – there are cold drinks waiting for you when you get here.
The Cancún airport, and all Mexican airports for that matter, are strict about taxis and does not allow city taxis into the airport. That leaves you the option of either pre-paying inside the airport for a collectivo van – Hiring a private van service in advance before you leave your home (Which WE HIGHLY RECOMMEND) or taking the ADO bus from the airport to the main bus station downtown and then getting a green city cab to the ferry port. Whichever way you choose to get there, your final destination is PUERTO JUAREZ- ULTRAMAR. Once at the ferry port you will purchase tickets inside the little ticket office on the right side. The ferries begin running at 5:30 AM, leaving every 30 minutes. After the 8:30PM ferry they leave each hour at 9:30, 10:30 with the last one at 11:30PM. Please check the ULTRAMAR link to confirm ferry schedule as it can change depending on the season.
You will be able to get here on foot from the ferry in about 5 minutes. Once you disembark at the ferry dock you will be approached by some men (Maleteros) who may offer to carry your luggage. Depending on how much luggage you have, you may want to take them up on their offer (aside from the convenience of having someone schlep your stuff, you will get to see them use these awesome tricycle things to carry everything). There is no official charge, but you are expected to tip. Plan on spending around 200 per maletero if you have 2-3 bags. Of course tip more if you are bringing more luggage. After deciding if and how you want to carry your luggage, follow everyone down the dock to the main road. Exit the ferry terminal and cross the street. Directly across from the ferry is a street called Bravo. The hotel and golf cart rental company, D’Gomar is on the left corner and there is an open-air bar on the right. Walk straight onto this street, heading away from the water and Cancún. After the first block, you’ll go through an intersection with Juárez. Keep walking and the second street you come to will be Hidalgo. There will be a basketball court on your left and a juice stand/ice cream vendor on your right called Michoacana. Turn right onto Hidalgo. La Sirenita will be the fourth building on the left. Look for a white building with a wooden stick gate. We will contact you prior to your stay with self check in information. We are available to meet you at the ferry if you prefer, just let us know what you need. The official address for our building is SM 001 Col. Centro MZ 23 Lote 09 77400 Isla Mujeres, Quintana Roo Mexico. This address may or may not help you, as if you stop to ask for directions, most locals don’t use street names. You’d be better off asking “¿Dónde está la Michoacana?”
Although we hate to see you go, eventually you will have to get back to the airport. We recommend that you be on the ferry as close as possible to 3hrs before your flight time – if booking CARM, they will ask you to be on the ferry 3 1/2 hrs before. When you sail across the bay and arrive at Gran Puerto Cancun, there are usually plenty of cabs ready and waiting to take you to the airport, both inside the parking structure and outside on the street. If you feel adventurous, you can also take the ADO bus by following the above instructions to get here, only backwards.
Some of you will be coming to us via car. You don’t need a car on the island and it may be easier to leave your car in the nice parking deck at the UltraMar port on the Cancun side and take the passenger ferry over especially if you are staying only a few days. Parking on Isla Mujeres is extremely limited. If you do want your car, your only option is to take the car ferry from Punta Sam. Punta Sam is located about 5km north of Cancun. From downtown Cancun you will need to find Av. Lopez Portillo and take it north, away from town. You will pass the UltraMar Ferry on your right and then the other passenger ferry company a little further down and then follow the signs and keep driving. The current ferry schedule from Punta Sam-Isla Mujeres can be found online. The service leaves according the schedule and takes about 45 minutes to arrive on the Island. Buy your tickets before boarding. The lines can be long at times, so it is advisable to arrive at least one hour before departure.
La Sirenita is for the independent traveler without need for 24 hour service who likes to have adventures and to come home to a clean, calm room at the end of a day.
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