A friend and I are traveling to Isla Mujeres, Mexico the end of January.
We have a tentative hotel at the Hotel Las Palmas downtown, one block from Playa Norte. For whatever reason I am having difficulty visualizing the island and it's layout.
We have been having a VERY difficult time trying to find accommodations with two beds. As it stand we have a room that we are switching nights with the bed.
We can afford the fancy hotels/all inclusives.
I'm assuming this destination is for couples as a general rule.
I have zero idea what to expect.
My main questions are about getting to the ferry from the airport (and reverse upon departure) and how to get to the hotel after the ferry ride.
I've been reading conflicting reports of transfer companies so if anyone has one they trust that would be great. It seems like I should book one in advance and not wait until we arrive.
As for the ferry it looks like there are two companies. Is there a preferred company?
Any help would be appreciated.
Posted by
9491 posts
We visited the island from Cancun, not sure why anyone would want to stay there instead of on the mainland.
Posted by
Calgary
1933 posts
We visited Isla Mujeres in 2023. The island is longish and narrowish. The main beach/tourist area is at the end of the island where the ferry docks.
Isla Mujeres has taxis, so you could get a taxi to your hotel if it isn't walking distance or you have too much luggage.
We didn't go directly to/from the airport when we visited Isla Mujeres, but we did prebook a transfer to Tulum for our arrival and took a hotel shuttle back to the airport from Cancun when we left. I felt that booking an arrival transfer in advance was useless. There are tons of people and tons of shuttles all in the same area. When we found the pillar where we were supposed to meet our shuttle, there was a person there, taking information and calling the shuttle. She seemed to be connected with multiple shuttles, and it didn't seem to make a difference if one had an advance reservation or not. YMMV.
(I can't comment on hotels in Playa Norte, because we stayed in a different part of the island.)
Here is my trip report. https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/mexico-yucatan-trip-report
Scroll down to almost the end for the section on Isla Mujeres.
Edited to add that we were VERY glad to be staying there and not in the Disneylandlike resorts around Cancun.
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA ☔️
7478 posts
It has been a long, long time since I enjoyed my stay of a few days on Isla Mujeres. The island was pleasant enough then, nice and low key. For me, it's greatest attribute was (and presumably still is) that is is NOT Cancun. I understand the island is still pleasant enough as long as you are not too picky (it has undoubtedly been developed and redeveloped a few times since I was there). For my tastes, the best parts of Mexico lay to the south, along the coast of Quintana Roo and inland - but those places require at least a minor effort (driving and going deeper). If you want a relaxed, easy beachy vacation that requires nearly zero effort to get far away from Cancun, Isla Mujeres is probably a pretty good choice. Tastes vary.