TRAVEL BASICS
AIR TRAVEL
Direct flights to Cancun Airport are available daily from all major US cities. We suggest aiming to arrive in Cancun before 7pm to allow ample time to collect luggage and leisurely make your way to the ferry.
PLEASE NOTE: When booking your return flight home, please make sure the departure time is no earlier than 9am. You need to leave time to take the ferry to the taxi and the taxi to the airport. The earliest ferry leaves Isla Mujeres at 5:30 am and takes half an hour to get to the mainland. The taxi takes 30 to 45 minutes depending on traffic. Departing at 9am or later will insure you have plenty of time to get to the airport.
TAXI / SHUTTLE
On arriving in Cancun you will transfer to the Puerto Juarez/Gran Puerto ferry terminal. Taxis are available directly outside the airport but tend to be very pricey. We suggest arranging a private transfer or using a shuttle service.
For groups of 3 or more the private transfers are both fastest and most economical (approx $45 USD one way/per vehicle). A shared shuttle provides a less expensive option (approx $15 USD one way/ per person) though the ride may be longer as you are likely to drop off other passengers along the hotel strips in Cancun before reaching the ferry. We suggest the following transport services:
Tripper Tours offers reliable airport transfers to and from the airport. Their website is easy to navigate and also boasts a bunch of tour options for those staying few extra days and interested in scuba diving or seeing more of the Mayan coast. You can also email the owner directly with your pickup request at candelariajusto@gmail.com.
Isla Mujeres Trips also offers shared or private airport transfers with reliable service at a good rate
Canada Transfers offers reliable transfers with the option to pre-order beverages to await you in your vehicle for the 25 minute ride to the ferry. They have also been known to greet you with a cool towel to refresh after exiting baggage claim.
FERRY
UltraMar catamarans run every half hour from Gran Puerto to Isla Mujeres from 5am to 8:30pm with additional ferries at 9:30pm, 10:30pm & 11:30pm. Tickets are 70 pesos one way/cash only/per person and can be purchased at the gift store to the right of the ferry terminal entrance. (There is an ATM machine on front of the OXXO on the left hand side of the terminal entrance). The ferry offers icy AC in the cabin below and a splendid view of the Carribean Sea from the open upper deck.
GETTING AROUND
Depending on how much luggage you have, all the below hotels are within a 7 minute walk from the ferry. As you exit the ferry terminal you will encounter taxis that will also take you to your door. All wedding activities with the exception of the reception itself will be within walking distance of these hotels so there is no need for any other vehicular transport. Golf carts and bicycles are available for rent however for those who would like to explore the island further.
HOTEL
Isla Mujeres offers a wide array of accommodations from the simplest room to the grandest villas. We suggest the following establishments. All of these hotels are on the beach (Playa Norte) and within walking distance of each other. *You may click on their names below to be directed to the individual sites. However, we have found that the best deals can often be discovered on websites such as Cheaptickets.com which allows travellers to book without a deposit (which some Mexican hotels require when booking directly through their sites).
There are a multitude of options to choose from beyond these - just remember when booking that anything beyond the North side of the island will require taxi or golf cart rental in order to get around. For groups / families / or those looking to make an extended vacation of the festivities, there is also the option of renting an apartment or villa. For this option we suggest perusing airbnb.com or VRBO.com
The Ixchel Beach Hotel boasts a prime location on Playa Norte and is comprised of single rooms and 2 bedroom suites that offer living rooms, kitchenettes and decks overlooking the twin swimming pools with a sidelong glance at the western sky.
Whilst theres no way to say the name of this establishment without a giggle, Nautibeach condos offer lovely 2 bedroom suites nestled into tropical gardens with a shared pool overlooking Playa Norte. A wonderful option for those looking to share a condo or for families requiring more than one bedroom, the hotel also offers a select number of single rooms.
Chic-ly spare and priced for its beachy yoga vibe, Na Balam occupies the primely secluded corner of Playa Norte and offers beachside sun beds and daily yoga classes in its rooftop palapa. Make sure to ask for the beachside rooms. Those on the other side of the street tend to be cool and dark, which may be your thing, or it may just be cool and dark.
PRIVELEGE ALUXES
The most high end establishment on the Playa Norte coast, and the most resort-like. For those looking for more amenities this would be your best bet. Several other high end hotels exist on Isla but tend to be further down island and thus require golf cart rental or taxis to get around. They may also have slightly more eccentric personalities. Aluxes has a distinctly high end hotel chain feel.
For those looking for a simple place to hang their hat or their fins, Hotel Plaza Almendros is just that. A mere 2 blocks away from Playa Norte this traveller's hotel offers free wifi, clean rooms and a courtyard swimming pool at an unbeatable price. Do ask for a courtyard room as its location on Hidalgo street makes the street side rooms... festively noisy late at night.
*Plaza Almendros is not on the beach