The 5-Second Answer
• From the airport, you'll go to Puerto Juárez where you'll catch the ferry - DON'T TAKE A TAXI.• If you have more than a couple of people, pre-book a shuttle.
• For one or two people, take the ADO bus to the bus terminal, then taxi or colectivo to the ferry port from there.
• Then take the ferry over to the island, and walk or taxi to your hotel.
Read on for more details, pricing, and how to get there from the Hotel Zone or downtown Cancun.
So now you have to decide which terminal makes the most sense for you to ferry out of. Base it off of convenience and transportation cost depending on where you're starting from and how many people you have in your group. So what's the least expensive way to get to Isla Mujeres (and back)? Here you go! Use my tips to get the cheapest and most efficient trip between Cancun and the island.
Isla Mujeres From the Airport
The cheapest way to get from the airport to Isla Mujeres depends on how many people you have. If you have more than a few, then book a private van. Because it's more expensive to get to the hotel zone, there's no question that Puerto Juarez is the best place to get the ferry if you're coming from the airport.Private Shuttle ($60 up to 8 people)
You're not going to get a shared shuttle (that ended with COVID) to Puerto Juarez. A private van costs $60 OW (a little less for 2 people). BOOK AHEAD and order a some cold drinks for the ride. Read a little more about CUN airport shuttles here: Cheapest Transportation from Cancun Airport.ADO Bus then Taxi ($10)
Also conveniently waiting outside the airport terminal, is the ADO bus. A nice coach that will take you to the ADO bus terminal downtown for around $6 USD per person. From there, you can get a taxi for around 100 MXN ($5) to Gran Puerto / Puerto Juárez.ADO Bus then Colectivo ($5.50)
Take the ADO bus to the bus terminal downtown. At the bus station, ask where to get a colectivo to Puerto Juarez. It will either be just across Ave Uxmal or across Ave Tulum. Cross the street and hail a colecitvo van with Pto. Juarez across the top of the windshield. Shove yourself in the van in any slightly open space, bag on lap, and enjoy the local experience. The ride will cost you $.50. If you have anything other than a carry-on, and trust me it's even difficult with just that, you won't have room. They cram as many people as they can into the hot van and it's probably pretty full by the time it gets to the bus terminal.
The ADO buses are to the right after you exit the airport. One goes to Playa del Carmen, the other to downtown Cancun.
Isla Mujeres From the Hotel Zone
Via Hotel Zone Ports by Bus or Taxi
Within the hotel zone, just hop on the frequent local bus for $.50. The R1 and R2 buses will pass along the strip going north toward the city and past the 3 ports that are along then north edge of the hotel zone in this order: Playa Caracol, Playa Tortugas, El Embarcadero. Just tell them at which port you'd like to get off, likely Playa Caracol since that one is first. Larger group? You can get a taxi but the bus is cheaper. (Update: Ultramar does not seem to be running from El Embarcadero at this time.)Via Puerto Juarez by Bus
If you want to take a ferry outside the limited hotel zone schedule, go to the northern port. From the Hotel Zone, some public bus R1 are marked as going to Puerto Juarez, but it's not every R1 and quite frankly they don't run very often. You probably won't be able to see the Pto Juarez, sign in time before the bus drives by you, so just flag down the R1 anyway, and if it doesn't say Puerto Juarez (or Gran Puerto) on it, then wave the driver on. When you hop on the bus, tell the driver you are going to Gran Puerto. If you get tired of waiting for the R1 going to Pto Juarez, just take any R1 or R2 downtown, get off as soon as you're in the city, and take a taxi to the port.Via Puerto Juarez by Taxi
You can also take a taxi if you don't have time to wait for the bus, but make sure to agree on the price ahead of time.
Waiting at one of the ports in the hotel zone for the Ultramar ferry. Each port has a bar with cold beer! :)
Isla Mujeres From Downtown Cancun
If you are in the city, you can take a colectivo or taxi to Puerto Juarez for very little. A taxi (which you can really hail from anywhere) will cost around $5 from the ADO bus terminal. Colectivos are only $.50 if you don't have much luggage and don't mind being crammed in a van and waiting until it fills up to leave. If I remember right, you can get them on the north east corner of Bnampak and Kukulcan, and you can also hail one from across the street from the ADO bus terminal (ask at the terminal where to wait exactly).On the Island
Once you arrive on the island, you can easily walk to Playa Norte from the ferry dock or you can take a taxi for 40 pesos. It's about 1/4 mile.FROM Isla Mujeres to the Airport or Hotel Zone
Once again, this depends on the size of your group. With enough people, it's worth it to get a cab or pre-arranged shuttle. There are plenty of taxis and shuttles inside the port parking lot. IGNORE THEM. They will try to rip you off like it's nobody's business. Walk outside and across the small street where you can catch a taxi or a bus for a fraction of the cost. If you have enough people, you can also book a shuttle ahead of time to meet you at the ferry.To the Airport
Take a taxi or shuttle as stated above. For the taxi, do your best bargaining and see if you can get a taxi for 300 MXN / $15. In fact, just sort of state it like you are confirming the price, not like you are haggling. "300 aeropuerto?" and watch the guy cringe who followed you from across the street trying to charge you 4 times that amount.I suppose you could always do the reverse route, too by taking a taxi or coletivo to the ADO bus terminal, and getting the ADO airport bus from there. It depends on how much time you have.
To the Hotel Zone
You can certainly take a taxi (don't pay more than 300-400 MXN) or shuttle as stated above, or you can wait for the local bus to come along (also across the street) that says "Zona Hoteles" $.50. You might have to wait a little while so I guess it depends on if you feel you have more time or money at that point.Congratulations, you have now successfully navigated your way to and from beautiful Isla Mujeres without spending a fortune!
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