Top Tips for Visiting Isla Mujeres in High Season
- jo90m0
- Aug 28
- 2 min read
Updated: Sep 9
High season is one of the busiest and most popular times to visit Isla Mujeres, as visitors escape the cold weather in the USA, Canada, and Europe, and many come to celebrate holidays. From mid-December through Easter, with peak weeks around Christmas, New Year, Carnival, and Semana Santa, the island sees more visitors, fuller beaches, and busier restaurants.
If you’re planning a trip to paradise between December and May, we’ve put together a high season series to help you make the most of your visit to the island. Over the coming weeks, we’ll cover everything you need to plan ahead: transportation to and from the island, getting around, booking tours, reserving restaurants, insider tips to avoid long waits, and more.
Today, we’ll start with some essential tips for preparing your trip so you can enjoy Isla Mujeres smoothly and without stress.
Book Ahead with Taste
During high season, ferries can fill up quickly and lines sometimes extend into the streets, causing delays. Golf carts, restaurants, beach clubs, and popular tours also reach capacity faster than usual. Make reservations in advance, especially for tours with limited passes such as Isla Contoy, beach club beds, snorkeling and diving trips, and restaurants with limited seating or sunset views.
Beat the Crowds
Start your days early if you want to enjoy quieter beaches like Playa Norte before they fill up. Exploring the south end of the island or venturing away from downtown can also give you more space. Dining slightly earlier or later than peak meal times helps avoid long waits at popular spots in downtown Isla Mujeres.
Get Around Smoothly
Golf carts are the most popular way to explore Isla Mujeres, but they often sell out in high season. Reserve one before you arrive, or consider alternatives like scooters or taxis. Many areas downtown and near Playa Norte are walkable if you prefer to avoid traffic. You can also take it slow with the hop-on hop-off daily bus pass.
Plan Day Trips in Advance
Certain experiences are limited by permits or small group sizes, such as Isla Contoy excursions or guided cenote tours. These should be reserved well before your trip. Even smaller activities, like securing loungers at beach clubs, can be worth booking ahead during busy weeks.
This is the first part of our high season series. Up next, we’ll cover how to get to Isla Mujeres during high season and where to stay, including tips on private transfers, ferry options, and what each neighborhood has to offer.
