How to Get from Playa del Carmen to Isla Mujeres
Reviewed by Jean Nájera, Transportation Industry Expert
From Playa del Carmen to Isla Mujeres, there is no direct boat. Take an ADO bus to Cancún, a short taxi to the Puerto Juárez pier and the Ultramar ferry across, about 2 to 2.5 hours door to door.
GuateGo sells the bus and ferry together from US$35, so you only book once.
Doing it yourself costs about the same or a little less: from US$7 for the bus, a short taxi and about 270 to 290 pesos for the ferry.
The detail everyone misses: Ultramar’s Playa del Carmen ferry only goes to Cozumel. For Isla Mujeres you must go north to Cancún first.
At a glance
- Distance: about 70 km to the Puerto Juárez pier, then about 13 km by sea
- Easiest: GuateGo bus + ferry ticket, from US$35
- Cheapest: ADO bus to Cancún from US$7, taxi, then the ferry at about 270 to 290 pesos
- Ferry: Ultramar from Puerto Juárez, 05:30 to 23:00, 15 to 20 minutes across
- Arrive at: the ferry pier in Isla Mujeres town, a short walk from Playa Norte
Playa del Carmen to Isla Mujeres transport options
Compare fares and travel times, then select an option for departures and booking details.
| Transport | Estimated fare | Travel time |
|---|---|---|
| Bus + ferry ticket4 departures a day | Estimated fareFrom US$35per person | Travel time3.5 to 4.5h with waits |
| ADO bus + taxi + ferryBook each leg yourself | Estimated fareAbout US$31per person | Travel time2 to 2.5h |
| Private car to the pierLeave when you like | Estimated fareCheck quoteper vehicle | Travel timeAbout 1h + ferry |
| Rental carPark at Puerto Juárez | Estimated fareCar hire + parkingplus ferry | Travel timeAbout 1h + ferry |
Fares and travel times are estimates. Confirm current prices and departures before traveling.
More routes from Playa del Carmen
1. Bus + ferry ticket, the one I’d book
GuateGo sells an ADO bus from the terminal on Avenida 20 at Calle 12 combined with the ferry to the Isla Mujeres pier.
Departures are at 09:10, 11:10, 16:10 and 18:10.
The 18:10 costs US$35 and the others US$43. GuateGo lists 3.5 to 4 hours 20 minutes, which includes the transfer and waiting for the boat.
My verdict: the least hassle. One booking covers both legs, and the 09:10 gets you to the island by early afternoon.
Want one ticket for the whole trip?
2. ADO bus, taxi and ferry, the budget way
ADO buses leave Playa del Carmen for the downtown Cancún bus station about every 30 minutes. Bookaway lists them from US$7, and the ride takes about 1 hour 20 minutes.
From the Cancún ADO station, a taxi to the Puerto Juárez ferry terminal takes under 10 minutes. The R-1 city bus also runs there.
Ultramar ferries leave Puerto Juárez from 05:30 to 23:00, every 30 minutes until mid-afternoon and about hourly in the evening.
A one-way adult ticket is about 270 to 290 pesos, and the crossing takes 15 to 20 minutes.
My verdict: the cheapest way and often the fastest, at just over 2 hours if your connections line up.
Booking the bus leg yourself?
3. Private car to the pier
A private car or taxi takes you straight from your Playa del Carmen hotel to the Puerto Juárez ferry terminal in about 1 hour, depending on traffic.
My verdict: worth it for families or groups with luggage. You still buy the ferry ticket at the pier.
4. Rental car, park at the ferry
Drive north on Highway 307 to Cancún and follow signs to Puerto Juárez. There is paid parking by the ferry terminal, and you cross as a foot passenger.
My verdict: only useful if you already have a car. On the island, rent a golf cart instead.
Compare rental cars on Booking.com.
Step by step: Playa del Carmen to Isla Mujeres
- Go to an ADO terminal. Buses to Cancún leave from Avenida 20 and from the terminal on 5th Avenue at Juárez.
- Ride to downtown Cancún. Get off at the ADO bus station, not the airport.
- Take a taxi or the R-1 bus to Puerto Juárez. The ride is under 10 minutes.
- Buy an Ultramar ticket and board. Boats leave every 30 to 60 minutes.
- Walk off at the Isla Mujeres pier. Town and Playa Norte are a few minutes away.
What it costs for 1, 2 or 4 people
| Option | 1 person | 2 people | 4 people |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bus + ferry ticket | US$35 to US$43 | US$70 to US$86 | US$140 to US$172 |
| ADO + taxi + ferry | About US$31 | About US$55 | About US$100 |
| Private car + ferry | Quote + 290 pesos | Quote + 580 pesos | Quote + 1,160 pesos |
The do-it-yourself total assumes a taxi of about 150 pesos shared between the group. The ferry is paid per person.
Which option should you choose?
- Most travelers: the GuateGo bus + ferry ticket.
- Tight budget: ADO, taxi and ferry booked separately.
- Families or lots of luggage: a private car to Puerto Juárez.
- Day trip: leave Playa early and check the last ferry back before you go.
Arriving in Isla Mujeres
Ultramar ferries arrive at the pier on Avenida Rueda Medina in Isla Mujeres town, at the north end of the island.
The GuateGo bus + ferry ticket ends at this same terminal, so every option on this route finishes here.
Centro starts outside the gate and Playa Norte is 5 to 15 minutes on foot. For Sac Bajo or Punta Sur, take a taxi from the rank by the terminal.
Isla Mujeres: things to do and where to stay
Isla Mujeres is a small, relaxed island off Cancún with calm turquoise water, golf carts instead of traffic and a laid-back town.
Swim at Playa Norte, drive a golf cart to the cliffs at Punta Sur, snorkel at Garrafón and, in season, join a whale shark tour.
Which area to stay in
- Centro and Playa Norte: the town and the island’s best beach, walkable from the ferry.
- Sac Bajo: a quiet peninsula on the west side, home to several upscale resorts.
- South end: secluded resorts near Punta Sur, best with a golf cart or taxi.
Best places to stay in Isla Mujeres
- Impression Isla Mujeres by Secrets: an adults-only all-inclusive at the south end, with guest boats from a Cancún marina.
- Zoëtry Villa Rolandi: an all-inclusive boutique resort on Sac Bajo, where most oceanfront suites have a whirlpool on the terrace.
- Ixchel Beach Hotel: right on Playa Norte, a short walk from the pier.
- Na Balam: a relaxed beach hotel on Playa Norte with a garden setting.
Practical tips for the trip
Check the last ferry. Ultramar runs late, but confirm the final boat back if you are on a day trip.
Book a golf cart early. In high season, carts near the pier can run out by midday.
Use a VPN on bus and hotel Wi-Fi. Shared networks are easy to snoop on, so connect through ExpressVPN before you book onward tickets.
Carry pesos. Taxis and small restaurants on the island often want cash.
Related guides: Playa del Carmen to Cancún covers the bus leg, while Cancún to Isla Mujeres and Cancún Airport to Isla Mujeres cover the ferry from other starting points.
Tours from Isla Mujeres
Popular tours include whale shark swims in season, snorkeling at the underwater museum (MUSA) and catamaran trips.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get from Playa del Carmen to Isla Mujeres?
Take an ADO bus to downtown Cancún, a taxi to the Puerto Juárez pier and the Ultramar ferry. GuateGo also sells the bus and ferry together from US$35.
Is there a ferry from Playa del Carmen to Isla Mujeres?
No. Ferries from Playa del Carmen only go to Cozumel. Isla Mujeres ferries leave from Cancún.
How long does it take from Playa del Carmen to Isla Mujeres?
About 2 to 2.5 hours if your connections line up, or 3.5 to 4.5 hours on the combined bus and ferry ticket.
How much is the ferry to Isla Mujeres?
About 270 to 290 pesos one way per adult from Puerto Juárez, paid per person. Children pay less.
How often does the Isla Mujeres ferry run?
Ultramar boats leave Puerto Juárez from 05:30 to 23:00, every 30 minutes until mid-afternoon and about hourly after that.
Can I do Isla Mujeres as a day trip from Playa del Carmen?
Yes, but expect 4 to 5 hours of travel in total. Take an early ADO bus and check the last bus from Cancún to Playa before you board the ferry back.
Where does the ferry arrive in Isla Mujeres?
At the Ultramar terminal on Avenida Rueda Medina in Centro, where the GuateGo bus + ferry ticket also ends. Taxis wait just outside.
Can I take my car to Isla Mujeres?
Not on the passenger ferry. Park at Puerto Juárez and rent a golf cart on the island.
Onward routes from Isla Mujeres
Prices last verified: November 2026. Sources: bus and ferry bundles from GuateGo’s live listings; ADO fares from Bookaway; ferry fare and frequency from Ultramar and recent traveler reports.
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AnaMaria is a dedicated SEO specialist and content strategist with profound expertise in Transport in Costa Rica, Transportation in Mexico, Transport in Guatemala, Transport in Peru, and Transport in Thailand.
