Is Isla Mujeres Worth Visiting? 5 Pros & Cons

Can’t decide if you should visit? Is Isla Mujeres worth visiting? This small island off the coast of Cancun is famous for its turquoise waters, white-sand beaches, and laid-back vibe.

It’s beautiful and fun, but like any popular destination, it comes with both pros and cons.

In this guide, I’ll break down five key pros and cons of Isla Mujeres to help you decide if it’s the right destination for your trip. You’ll also find tips on how to get there, hotel and restaurant recommendations, and what to expect once you arrive.

Isla Mujeres is one of the most visited islands in the Caribbean for good reason; it’s home to stunning beaches, it’s easy to reach, and it offers a slower pace compared to Cancun. But before you book, let’s weigh the good and the not-so-good.

Fun Fact: Isla Mujeres means “The Island of Women” and is pronounced: “ee-sluh-moo-heh-rays.”

5 Pros for Isla Mujeres

Beaches in Isla Mujeres

Isla Mujeres is famous for its beaches throughout the island, with picture-perfect, clear turquoise water, soft white sand, and gentle waves.

As you fly into Cancun Airport, you can spot the island from the plane and its surrounding beautiful beaches.

If you love going to the beach, you’ll have a great time visiting Isla Mujeres. The island has three main beaches, all with their own atmosphere. Regardless, all are perfect for a relaxing day as you soak up the sun!

The following three are public beaches; there are other beach shorelines on the island to visit, but they’re reserved for beach clubs.

• Playa Norte – The best and most popular beach on the island, voted #23 best beach in the world by TripAdvisor
• Playa Lancheros – Located slightly south of the island, an ideal place to rent a beach lounger and relax
• Playa Centro – An alternative to Playa Norte, but usually slightly less crowded

Many Things To Do in Isla Mujeres

There are plenty of things to do in Isla Mujeres: long relaxing days on the beach, catamaran boat cruises, snorkeling, swimming with whale sharks, and much more!

Despite the island being small, Isla Mujeres has so much to offer. This is one of the many reasons many visit, even when visiting Cancun already!

Below, I’ve included some of the best things to do in Isla Mujeres when you’re visiting!

• Catamaran Sail Trip: Soak in the sun as you sail the calm waters of Isla Mujeres

• Visit Punta Sur: Located in the southernmost part of the island is this stunning park.

• Snorkel the MUSA: You can visit an underwater museum in Isla Mujeres, full of unique sculptures in the sea!

• Go to Isla Contoy: Visit this beautiful deserted island full of nature, close to Isla Mujeres.

• Swim with Whale Sharks: Isla Mujeres is one of the best spots in Mexico to swim with whale sharks.

Isla Mujeres is Walkable

One of the best qualities of Isla Mujeres is its walkability. You can walk to most places on the island in around 5 to 20 minutes.

Beachclubs, beaches, restaurants, shops, the Centro area on the island offers it all, within a short walking distance.

This is very convenient for those not looking to rent a golf cart on the island and families with kids. An island where you can walk to most places, say no more, right?

You will only need transportation if you stay at some hotels in the middle or south of the island. Also, there are attractions located in the southern part of the island, like Punta Sur and Parque de Los Sueños, which you will need transportation to.

But staying in the Centro area is very convenient and means you may never have to use any transportation in Isla Mujeres during your visit!

Island Atmosphere

There’s something about being on an island compared to being on the mainland, it’s just the atmosphere, it can’t be explained in any way. Being the fantastic island it is, Isla Mujeres offers just that!

Days in Isla Mujeres involve the beach, dining out, bar-hopping, and just soaking up the beauty of the place, and that’s it. The perfect island adventure, what more could one ask for?

Islands are nature’s paradise, with the beaches, laidback vibes, and a simplistic day routine. An island atmosphere can’t be replicated.

One of my favorite activities in Isla Mujeres is renting a golf cart or bicycle and riding around the island, gazing out at the stunning coastline.

Beach Clubs in Isla Mujeres

Sure, a day at the beach is great, but you know what makes it better? Some excellent food and a few drinks to go along with it.

Luckily, Isla Mujeres is known for its many great beach clubs to spend the day. Relaxing on a beach lounger under an umbrella with fresh Mexican ceviche, tacos, and a cocktail, that’s a perfect beach day if you ask me!

Here’s a list of the best beach clubs in Isla Mujeres for you to consider:

• Green Demon Beach Club (this beach club is popular, especially at sunset)
• Mayan Beach Club Restaurant & Tequileria
• Guru Beach Club & Restaurant
• Albatros Beach Club Restaurant & Bar (popular for buffet food/drinks)
• Zama Beach and Lounge

Isla Mujeres Beach Club Prices: The average price is 400 – 800 Mexican Pesos, around $23 to $47 US. The cost of entry, which includes a beach lounger, sometimes also goes towards food and drinks for the day.

Great for All Travelers & Nearby

Another excellent quality about Isla Mujeres is how accommodating the island is for all types of travelers and how close it is to Cancun, making it very easy to get to!

Whether you plan to visit Isla Mujeres solo, with a loved one, or with your family, Isla Mujeres accommodates you very well!

It’s only around a 20-minute ferry ride from Cancun to Isla Mujeres, so visiting Isla Mujeres is very easy. If you’re visiting Cancun and want to explore other destinations, it’s around 1 to 4 hours away, depending on where.

• Solo Travelers: Isla Mujeres is excellent for solo travelers. Walking around the Centro area and bar hopping, you’ll likely meet fellow travelers. Nomad is a fantastic hostel with a beach club that hosts many events worth checking out. Another option is Selina Isla Mujeres!

• Couples: For those visiting with their loved ones and celebrating a honeymoon, many excellent resorts in the southern part of the island offer plenty of privacy and great amenities. Otherwise, you can always stay in the Centro area if you’d prefer to be near all the action!

• Groups: Holidaying with a few friends? Isla Mujeres offers many things to do for those looking to enjoy the day with friends. There are several beach clubs on the island, or you can go on a Catamaran cruise and enjoy drinks on the water. Privilege Aluxes is the best hotel for those visiting in a group. The hotel even has a nightclub on-site, and is in the Centro.

• Family: Isla Mujeres is perfect for a family vacation. It’s walkable, making it easy to get around, and there are many activities to enjoy for the kids. Resorts such as Hotel Belo or Mia Reef are very accommodating!

5 Cons for Isla Mujeres

Very Touristy & Busy

Isla Mujeres is very touristy, and it makes sense why, due to its close location to Cancun, one of the most visited destinations in Mexico yearly, the city is a top choice for Americans and Canadians looking to go on vacation.

Naturally, when on vacation, one wants to explore, and as mentioned earlier, Isla Mujeres is only 20 minutes from Cancun. So, making a day trip to the island from Cancun is easy, and because of that, Isla Mujeres is the most touristy island in Mexico.

During the high season, the best time to visit Isla Mujeres is from November through April, when the ideal weather makes it very busy. These crowds can sometimes detract from the “island atmosphere” many of us desire when visiting an island and looking to relax.

Beaches get pretty crowded, and at beach clubs, you sometimes have to reserve lounge chairs before visiting. The Centro area is full of an extra influx of tourist traffic from Cancun throughout the afternoon, only adding to the already existing visitors to Isla Mujeres.

If you’re after a laidback island experience, unless you stay on the southern part of the island, where it’s much quieter and far from most things, it’s hard to find just that.

A great alternative to Isla Mujeres is Holbox, another island a few hours away that’s much less touristy, with a more local feel and fewer tourists.

Scams in Isla Mujeres

In most places, you go in Mexico, but not all, scams are common and well documented, with Isla Mujeres being the popular island and the influx of tourists coming and going daily. Scams do happen on the island.

Scammers in Isla Mujeres are here to take advantage of the tourist crowds and do it in a few different ways. Below, I’ve included a few common scams in Isla Mujeres to watch out for!

• Golf Cart Scam: You’ll spot workers trying to get you to rent a golf cart everywhere you walk on the island, and there’s no problem doing so. But some rental shops try to scam tourists once they rent a golf cart. Here’s how it usually goes.

Once you’ve rented the golf cart and returned it to the shop, the worker claims you’ve “damaged” the golf cart while you rented it and will ask you for money to repair the damage.

This “damage,” they claim, can be as minor as a dent or scratch. It was most likely there before, and they’re just trying to scam you out of money.

• Beach Theft: Watch your belongings when visiting the beach in Isla Mujeres. Valuables being stolen at the beach have risen in the last two years. There is limited beach space, and many locals and tourists visit, so there’s always someone nearby.

Theft happens from tourists and locals. Watch for your belongings at the beach and go into the water.

• Pick-pocketing: It doesn’t often happen on the island, but when you’re leaving the ferry, boarding, or walking in busy crowds in the Centro area, be slightly more cautious of your pockets and bags.

• Hotel Theft: While hotel room theft isn’t common, it happens in Isla Mujeres and other places in Mexico. I know this first-hand and from friends who’ve visited Isla Mujeres.

It’s best not to bring expensive jewelry or lots of money to Isla Mujeres or any vacation. If you’re wondering if your room safety box is vulnerable, it is. This isn’t the case for all hotels, but it’s better to be safe than sorry. Don’t bring or leave valuables in your room.

Island Lacks Culture

Isla Mujeres lacks local culture, unlike other islands far from the region, such as Holbox and Cozumel.

Many of us visit Mexico, and an essential aspect of our trip is experiencing the local culture, cuisine, and other aspects of daily life. Isla Mujeres disappoints in that regard, but there is no surprise there. Cancun is similar and worse in that regard.

This doesn’t mean there’s no local culture on the island; there is some, and you’ll find plenty of regional cuisine. But overall, the island feels more like one big tourist haven for tourists to enjoy.

Lackluster nightlife

Yes, Isla Mujeres does have nightlife, but it’s nothing compared to other nearby destinations, such as Cancun, Playa del Carmen, or Tulum.

The nightlife in Isla Mujeres primarily consists of bars, a few beach clubs open late, and fire shows at some hotels/restaurants.

If you’re visiting with friends and looking to have a crazy night out with various activities, you may want to reconsider your time in Isla Mujeres or visit for a quick day trip.

Isla Mujeres isn’t Cheap

Overall, Isla Mujeres isn’t cheap to visit, even more so if you decide to stay on the island. Compared to other popular destinations in this region, such as Cancun and Playa Del Carmen, it’s slightly more costly to visit.

Isla Mujeres is an island, after all, space at hotels is limited, and there are fewer hotels compared to other destinations. So it makes sense that costs are slightly higher.

However, you should think of it this way: no matter where you stay in Isla Mujeres, you’re close to a beach, and if you were to book a hotel in other destinations in Mexico, if you’re close to the beach, the hotel is costlier.

Some of these costs, especially when considering food, are justified because you’re on an island after all, and everything must get here by boat.

The average daily cost to visit Isla Mujeres is $160 US per day, including accommodation, food, and transportation.

While this is the average accounting for those staying in budget-friendly hostels, a more accurate daily cost for hotels is around $181 – $240 US per day.

Where to Stay in Isla Mujeres

Cheap Hotel in Isla Mujeres

• Selina Isla Mujeres: Selina is located in the Centro area, which is very convenient due to its location.

Mid-Range Hotels in Isla Mujeres

• Hotel Isla Caraco: Well-priced mid-range hotel located a short walk away from Playa Centro Beach, near plenty of shops and restaurants.

• Nautibeach Condos: This is a great condo rental by night, conveniently located in the Centro area with beautiful beach views of Playa Norte (the main beach in Isla Mujeres).

Luxury Hotels in Isla Mujeres

• Impressions by Secrets: A Luxurious Oasis, this top-ranked hotel is famous for its unique location on the island, excellent amenities, and romantic touch.

• Privilege Aluxes – Adults Only: In the Centro area, steps away from both main beaches on the island

Best Restaurants in Isla Mujeres

Are you wondering where you should eat in Isla Mujeres? Here’s a list of some of my favorite restaurants in Isla Mujeres to check out during your visit!

• La Lomita – Authentic Mexican restaurant known for its mole and ceviche, located in the southern part of the island.

• Lola Valentina – Mexican/American restaurant serving a wide variety of foods.

• Los Tacos de Humo – Known as the best taco spot in Isla Mujeres, Los Tacos serves excellent steak tacos and huge fish tacos.

• Picus – Top-ranked seafood restaurant on the island, Picus offers many Mexican ceviche styles, whole fried fish, fish tacos, popcorn shrimp, and much more.

• Muelle 7 – Seafood restaurant serving various seafood dishes, cocktails, and more. It is located right along the beach.

How to Get to Isla Mujeres

To get to Isla Mujeres, you must go to one of the main ferry ports in Cancun that operates daily ferries to the island.

There are four ferry departure locations from Cancun to Isla Mujeres.

Three ferries go back and forth from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM throughout the day, departing roughly every hour.

Except for Puerto Juarez, this ferry has rides going back and forth from 5:30 AM to 12:00 AM every hour.

• Puerto Juarez
• Playa Tortugas
• Playa Caracol 
• El Embarcadeo

Book Ferry Tickets Here

Departing from Puerto Juarez tends to be the cheapest way because of the frequent trips back and forth to Isla Mujeres from Cancun.

Final Thoughts on if Isla Mujeres is Worth Visiting

So, is Isla Mujeres worth visiting? Whether you visit Isla Mujeres for a day trip or plan to stay there a few nights, Isla Mujeres is very much worth visiting!

The island is lovely, there’s plenty to do in Isla Mujeres, and being so conveniently close to Cancun means you have no reason not to visit.

Each destination has its cons, no matter where you visit, but Isla Mujeres’s cons aren’t points that should persuade you not to see. But I will say this: if you’re looking for a more local, laidback island in Mexico to visit, you may want to consider Holbox or Cozumel instead.

If you are visiting Cancun and can’t decide whether to go on a day trip or spend the night in Isla Mujeres, I highly recommend spending at least a night in Isla Mujeres if you have the time.

That way, you won’t have to rush your visit. You’ll experience more of the island during your stay!