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Ferries are a great way to move between islands and the rest of the Riviera Maya. With dozens of magical places to visit, some of the most breathtaking corners are not accessible unless it is by sea. The main passage between Cozumel or Isla Mujeres and the Yucatan Peninsula, including Cancún and the Riviera Maya, is the passenger ferry.
In a short ride, thousands of tourists and locals make this trip every day. It is easy to catch and it runs extremely frequently, making it easy for people who want to take a simple day trip to or from Cozumel or Isla Mujeres, which makes it easy to explore the other wonders and attractions of the Riviera Maya, such as the Mayan Ruins, Xcaret, or Xel Ha.
Ferry to Cozumel
Thanks to the proximity between the Island of Cozumel and Playa del Carmen, a total of 18 kilometers, visitors have the opportunity to travel between the two in a single day.
You can find two high-speed ferries that transport people back and forth to and from Cozumel throughout the day – Ultramar and Winjet (formerly Mexico Water Jets).
To get to Cozumel, make your way to the Maritime Terminal of Playa del Carmen. Ferries cross every hour daily. The ferry dock is located at the south end of Playa del Carmen just before Playacar. If you are coming from Cozumel, you can walk from the pier to much of the beachside of Playa del Carmen. Taxis,
If you are staying at a hotel in Playacar, the ferry dock is within walking distance.
In Cozumel, street parking near the ferry pier is available in the proximity of the dock. You can also find a parking garage in the supermarket nearby. It is perfect for storing your car in the shade if you are taking a day trip.
The regular trip is about 45 minutes long with the regular ferry, but there is a new luxury ferry from Ultramar that can take you from one side to the other in just 20 minutes depending on the weather conditions.
Ferry to Isla Mujeres
The cheapest way (and basically the only one) to get to Isla Mujeres is using the ferry. This is the way in which all the locals move from the peninsula to Isla Mujeres. It is a great way to get a view while you head to a beautiful destination.
The ferry is quite comfortable and the schedule is flexible. It makes trips throughout the day and will allow you to enjoy Isla Mujeres in full, calmly and with no worries.
If you travel or are planning to travel to the Riviera Maya you cannot miss Isla Mujeres, a small island but with a special charm.
Where does the ferry leave for Isla Mujeres?
Ferries to Isla Mujeres leave from Cancún and are operated by the Ultramar, Transporte Marítimos Magaña and Naviera Contoy, and depart from different points and destinations.
- Gran Puerto Cancún (Ultramar)
- Puerto Juarez (Magaña Express)
- Punta Sam (Naviera Contoy Vehicle Ferry)
- Hotel Zone:
- Embarcadero Pier (Ultramar, at Km 4)
- Playa Tortugas (Ultramar, at Km 7)
- Playa Caracol (Ultramar, at Km 9.5)
What is the price of the ferry to Isla Mujeres?
The price of the ferry to Isla Mujeres varies depending on the starting point. However, you must bear in mind that the cheapest option is the one that leaves from Puerto Juarez and Gran Puerto, because it is the closest point. The rest of the starting points are located in the Hotel Zone, and because of the influx of tourists in the area, tickets there are usually pricier.
If you find yourself or stay near the area, I recommend you leave from there. If not, consider the option closest to your accommodation, since transporting yourself to Puerto Juarez could end up costing the same overall.
About the ride
The duration of the journey from any starting point usually takes about 15 to 20 minutes.
During the high season, you may find there’s a long line for the ferry, and you will have to wait for the next one, so bear that in mind. From Puerto Juarez, ferries leave the doc every 30 minutes, while in the rest of the ports, they leave every hour to hour and a half.
Ferry Schedules
Ultramar schedule:
- From Cancún, the first ferry departs from Puerto Juarez at 5 am and thereafter, ferries depart every 30 minutes to Isla Mujeres. The last ferry departs at 11:30 p.m.
- For the rest of the ports, the first ferries leave at 9 am and, as mentioned previously, they leave with a frequency between one and one-and-a-half hours. The last ferry departs at 8:30 p.m. or 4:45 p.m. from Playa Caracol.
- From Isla Mujeres the first ferry departs in the direction of Puerto Juarez at 5:30 am and the rest of the ports at 9:30 am.
- The last ferry from Isla Mujeres to Cancún departs for Puerto Juarez at 12
am, 5:15 p.m. for Playa Caracol, and the rest of the ports at 9:15 p.m.
Magana Express:
- Daily boats leave every 30 minutes from 5:30 am to 8:30 pm. There’s a late ferry at 11:30 pm for those returning from partying in Cancún. The company also operates a slower open-air ferry from 5 am to 6 pm.
As a recommendation, plan your day around getting on the ferry for the sunset. It is a breathtaking view, and the view from sea is an incredible spectacle of nature.
Tickets for the Ferry
When you buy tickets for the ferry, make sure you get them from the port itself, don’t buy them from third parties. They may be unofficial and even fake, and you have no guarantee if you encounter any problems. If you buy them from the officers from the same port ticket office, you will avoid problems and inconveniences.
How to get to the different ports
To get to the different ports, the best recommendation is to use a taxi or a bus. They are generally not within walking distance, and you may find the heat unbearable if you try to ride a bicycle through the city. The public transport ride will be more comfortable and convenient. If you are not 100% sure where the nearest port is or how to get there from where you are, ask the taxi or bus driver.
For more information, see our article “Arriving and Traveling Around the Riviera Maya“.
If you have questions, or need more information, be sure to leave your comments below!
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