Where to Stay and How to Get to Isla Mujeres in High Season
- jo90m0
- Sep 3
- 2 min read
Updated: Sep 9
Planning a trip to Isla Mujeres during high season starts with two key steps: choosing where to stay and arranging how you’ll get to the island.
From mid December through Easter, demand is high, so planning early gives you more choices and takes away the last minute stress.
Choosing Where to Stay
Where you stay depends on the type of experience you want. Downtown and Playa Norte are ideal if you like being close to restaurants, shops, and nightlife, though they are also the busiest parts of the island. For a more local experience, the mid island area such as La Gloria offers smaller guesthouses and vacation rentals where you can get a sense of everyday life on Isla Mujeres. The southern end around Punta Sur has boutique hotels, villas, and stunning ocean views, while Sac Bajo is a peaceful peninsula with upscale options and calm waters.
You can explore all accommodation options here. Whether you choose a boutique hotel, vacation rental, or an all inclusive resort, now is the best time to book, as high season means options disappear quickly and reserving months in advance is always recommended.
Getting to Isla Mujeres
Getting to Isla Mujeres usually starts with landing in Cancun. From there, you’ll need to make your way to the ferry terminal (Puerto Juarez). Private airport transfers are the easiest option, taking you directly to the terminal and sometimes including your ferry tickets so you can skip an extra line. If you prefer to travel independently, taxis are available from the airport, but during high season they may take longer and will be more expensive.
Once at Puerto Juarez in Cancun, you’ll board the Ultramar ferry. Ferries run frequently, but during busy periods the lines have been known to stretch into the street, and seats fill quickly. Buying your tickets online or arriving early is worth it if you don’t want to wait for the next departure.
Some visitors choose to skip the ferry altogether by booking a private boat which takes you directly across the water without the lines and hustle and bustle of the ferry terminals.
A couple of simple steps can make your arrival and departure to Isla Mujeres much smoother. Reserve your airport transfer before you travel, buy ferry tickets in advance if possible, and double check schedules so you don’t end up waiting longer than necessary. If you’re arriving with family or a group, a private transfer or boat can sometimes be more efficient than splitting into multiple taxis or waiting in the ferry line.
From Isla Mujeres’ ferry terminal, you can also book taxis in advance to your accommodation on the island for a smoother arrival, as lines, and waits at the taxi station in Isla Mujeres are also common during this time.
Next in our high season series, we’ll take a closer look at getting around once you are on the island, with advice on golf carts, scooters, taxis, and more so you can make the most of your time here.
