How to Travel to Isla Mujeres, Mexico

Isla Mujeres (known simply as Isla) is a tiny tropical island off the Mexican Caribbean coast where the sands are white, the water warm and turquoise, the pace relaxed, and the people gracious. It has been discovered by a moderate number of tourists, many who return time after time. Isla is known as the antithesis of Cancun.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Sunscreen
• Bathing suit
• Passport

1. FLY TO CANCUN. Book a flight to Cancun, Mexico. You can easily research the cheapest flights from your point of departure using a variety of internet reservations services such as expedia.com or cheaptickets.com.
2. SECURE GROUND TRANSPORTATION. Once you arrive at the Cancun airport and complete your journey through customs, you will find in the airport lobby a number of ground transportation services offering taxi or a shared shuttle. The shuttle services take a little longer, but are less expensive. Plan on a 20-minute cab ride, or a 45-minute shuttle ride (times approximate based on author's experience). Tell the ground transportation agent and the driver that you want to go to the Gran Puerto ferry terminal at Puerto Juarez.
3. CATCH THE FERRY. The newest and most popular ferry is the Ultramar ferry service. At Puerto Juarez, purchase ferry tickets at the Gran Puerto ticket counter. The cost is $35 pesos one-way. There is a waiting area on the dock. Boats run from 5:30 a.m. to 12:30 a.m., every half hour or every hour, depending on the time of day. The crossing takes 20 minutes. The crew will stash your luggage for the crossing.
4. WALK OR GET A TAXI. On Isla, the ferry docks at the village waterfront. If your hotel is in the village, you can easily walk. Porters are for-hire to assist with luggage. Also, taxis are plentiful on Isla and line up outside the ferry terminal.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep all valuables on your person while traveling.
• To ensure accommodations on Isla, make hotel reservations before you go. There is an array of accommodations on the island from budget to luxury.
• Isla is casual. Pack for sun and beach. If you plan to dine in one of Isla's more elegant restaurants, pack a set of casual resort wear (light slacks and a shirt with a collar for men, and a light dress for women.) Isla is in the tropics, so be cool.
• See www.islamujeres.info for information on Isla Mujeres, including where to stay, where to eat, and things to do.