You just landed at Cancun Airport and you want to get to Isla Mujeres. Good news. The trip is simple once you know the steps. There is no bridge to the island, so every route has two parts. First you travel from the airport to a ferry pier in Cancun. Then you take a short ferry ride across the water.
Most people should head to Puerto Juarez, the main ferry terminal for Isla Mujeres. Boats leave often, the first boat is early, and the last boat is late. The Hotel Zone piers make little sense when you come straight from the airport.
Quick answer: the 3 ways compared
| Way | Typical cost | Typical time to the island | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. ADO bus plus taxi plus ferry | About 480 to 750 pesos per person one way | About 1.5 to 2.5 hours | Solo travelers and anyone watching the budget |
| 2. Private transfer plus ferry | About 45 to 60 USD per vehicle, plus the ferry ticket | About 1 to 1.5 hours | Families, groups, and late arrivals |
| 3. Airport taxi plus ferry | Fixed fare per vehicle at the airport counter, plus the ferry ticket | About 1 to 1.5 hours | People who did not book ahead |
Prices can shift with the season and the exchange rate. In September 2026 the Ultramar ferry cost 290 pesos one way for an adult and 580 pesos for a round trip. A child ticket cost 220 pesos one way. There is also a small city environmental fee of about 37 pesos per ticket. The crossing takes about 20 minutes.
Way 1: ADO bus plus taxi plus ferry (the budget route)
This is the cheapest common route, and it is easier than it sounds. ADO buses are clean and comfy, but the air con can feel cold, so keep a light layer close.
Step by step
- Land and clear customs. Walk past the offers inside arrivals and head outside to the official ADO counter.
- Buy a ticket to downtown Cancun. ADO runs from Terminals 2, 3, and 4. In September 2026 the fare was about 145 pesos per person. Buses leave every 20 to 40 minutes and run until close to midnight.
- Ride to the downtown Cancun bus station. The ride takes about 30 to 60 minutes, based on your terminal and on traffic.
- Take a short taxi to Puerto Juarez. The ride takes about 10 to 15 minutes and usually costs about 5 to 10 USD. Agree on the price first.
- Buy your ferry ticket and board. Arrive about 30 minutes before your boat. Boats run from 5:30 am to 11:00 pm.
Total cost: about 480 to 750 pesos per person one way. The catch is that you change vehicles once and handle your own bags, which gets old with big suitcases or tired kids.
Way 2: Private transfer plus ferry (the easy route)
For a calm start, book a private transfer before you fly. A driver meets you at arrivals and takes you direct to Puerto Juarez. No bus station, no taxi hunt, no stops for others.
- Price: about 45 to 60 USD per vehicle one way for a standard car or van. The price is per vehicle, not per person. A round trip booking often costs less than two one way bookings.
- Drive time: about 30 to 40 minutes to Puerto Juarez in normal traffic. The terminal is about 22 km from the airport.
- Ferry: buy the Ultramar ticket at the terminal or online in advance. Budget 290 pesos per adult one way, plus the small fee.
- Total time: about 1 to 1.5 hours from the airport exit to the island pier if the ferry timing lines up well.
For a group of four, a 50 USD vehicle is about 12 to 13 USD each, with door to dock service. I suggest this for families, groups with lots of luggage, and anyone who lands tired. Send your flight number when you book so the driver can track delays, and ask where the driver will stand.
Way 3: Airport taxi plus ferry (the no booking route)
Forgot to book? Cancun Airport has official taxi counters. You pay a fixed fare by zone at the counter, then go to your taxi. Puerto Juarez is one of the closer zones.
- Price: the airport does not post one single fare online. You see the fixed price at the counter before you pay. Expect a price in line with a private transfer for the same ride.
- Drive time: about 30 to 40 minutes to the ferry terminal.
- Payment: pay at the counter and keep the receipt until you reach the taxi.
Only use the official counters. Walk past anyone who offers a ride plus a tour talk. Ride apps work in the city, but they cannot pick up inside the airport in the normal way, so do not count on one at night.
The ferry part, explained once
Whichever way you pick, the last part is the same. Here are the facts that matter for Puerto Juarez in 2026.
| Detail | What to know |
|---|---|
| First boat to the island | 5:30 am |
| Last boat to the island | 11:00 pm |
| Last boat back to Cancun | Midnight |
| How often | Every 30 minutes for most of the day, every hour later in the evening |
| Crossing time | About 20 minutes |
| Adult fare | 290 pesos one way, 580 pesos round trip |
| Child fare | 220 pesos one way, 440 pesos round trip |
| Extra fee | About 37 pesos per ticket for the city environmental charge |
| When to arrive | About 30 minutes before the boat you want |
The ticket is open, so you just take the next boat that suits you. In rough weather crossings can pause, so leave a little slack. You step off in downtown Isla Mujeres, about a ten minute walk from Playa Norte. Taxis wait near the pier, and you can also rent a golf cart on Isla Mujeres to explore the island.
What if your flight lands late?
The last boat from Puerto Juarez leaves at 11:00 pm, and you should be there about 30 minutes before. Work back from there.
- If you land by about 9:00 pm, a private transfer or airport taxi will get you to the pier with time to spare in most cases.
- If you land around 9:30 pm to 10:00 pm, it gets tight. You need a fast exit, a direct ride, and a bit of luck with traffic.
- If you land after 10:00 pm, plan to sleep in Cancun and take an early boat. The first boat at 5:30 am still gets you to the island in time for breakfast.
One calm night in Cancun beats a stressful dash and a missed boat.
Simple tips that save money and stress
- Book the transfer before you fly. You lock the price, and the driver waits for you.
- Carry some pesos. Cards work at the big counters, but cash helps with taxis, tips, and small snacks.
- Ignore the sales offers in arrivals. If a ride comes with a free tour or a breakfast invite, it is a sales pitch. The official counters are outside.
- Plan your first hours on the island. If you arrive with the day ahead of you, our Isla Mujeres day trip itinerary shows you how to use the time well, hour by hour.
- Keep the return in mind. Leave the island with a buffer if you have a flight to catch. Mainland traffic can slow down in the late afternoon.
FAQ
Is there a direct bus from Cancun Airport to the Isla Mujeres ferry?
No. The ADO bus from the airport goes to the downtown Cancun bus station. From there you take a short taxi ride to the Puerto Juarez ferry terminal.
How far is Puerto Juarez from Cancun Airport?
About 22 km by road. The drive takes about 30 to 40 minutes in normal traffic. At busy times it can take longer.
How much is the ferry to Isla Mujeres in 2026?
Ultramar charges 290 pesos one way for an adult and 580 pesos for a round trip. A child pays 220 pesos one way. There is also a small city environmental fee of about 37 pesos per ticket.
What is the last ferry to Isla Mujeres?
The last boat from Puerto Juarez leaves at 11:00 pm. Aim to be at the terminal about 30 minutes before.
Can I take an Uber from Cancun Airport to the ferry?
Ride apps work in the city, but they cannot pick up inside the airport in the normal way. Use the ADO bus, an official airport taxi, or a booked private transfer instead.
Which ferry pier should I use from the airport?
Use Puerto Juarez. It has the most boats, the earliest start, and the latest finish. The Hotel Zone piers suit people who are already staying in the Hotel Zone.
Ready to go?
That is the whole trip. Airport to pier, pier to island, and you are on Isla Mujeres with sand under your feet about an hour or two after you land. Pick the budget route if you travel light. Pick the booked transfer if you want the easy start. Either way, the ferry ride across that blue water is a pretty good way to begin a trip.
For more guides like this one, browse the TravelBuddy blog, or head back to the TravelBuddy home page to plan the rest of your time in Mexico.