The short answer
There are four places to catch the ferry to Isla Mujeres, and the ticket price is almost the same at all of them. What changes is where the pier is, how often the boats leave, and how late the last one comes back.
Staying in the Hotel Zone? Use the pier closest to your hotel, either Playa Tortugas or Playa Caracol. Staying downtown or flying straight to the island? Go to Puerto Juarez. Like roomy boats with a view tower thrown in? Try the Xcaret ferry. The sections below break down each option.
The four piers at a glance
Ultramar runs three terminals and Xcaret runs the fourth. The crossing takes about 20 minutes everywhere.
| Pier | Where it is | Operator | Boats per day | One way adult | Last boat back |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Puerto Juarez | Downtown Cancun | Ultramar | 28 | 290 pesos | Midnight |
| Playa Tortugas | Hotel Zone, km 6.5 | Ultramar | 10 | 290 pesos | 6:45 pm |
| Playa Caracol | Hotel Zone, km 8.5 | Ultramar | 9 | 290 pesos* | 6:45 pm |
| Embarcadero Isla Mujeres | Hotel Zone, km 4.5 | Xcaret | Hourly, 9 am to 7 pm | 306 pesos | 8 pm |
*Playa Caracol adds its own small pier fee on top of the ticket.
Puerto Juarez: the main terminal
Puerto Juarez is the big one, just north of downtown Cancun. Ultramar runs 28 departures a day from here, from 5:30 am to 11 pm. Boats leave every 30 minutes from 5:30 am to 6 pm, then hourly in the evening.
Its real superpower is the late return. The last boat back from Isla Mujeres leaves at midnight, with another at 11:30 pm. If you want dinner on the island, a sunset at Punta Sur, or drinks on Hidalgo Street without watching the clock, this is your pier. The Hotel Zone piers stop running back at 6:45 pm.
Use it if you are staying downtown or near the bus station, arriving from the Cancun airport and heading straight to the island, or catching the 5:30 am first boat. From the Hotel Zone, the R-1 or R-2 bus costs about 12 to 15 pesos but can take 25 to 45 minutes. A taxi runs 400 to 500 pesos and takes 15 to 20 minutes.
Playa Tortugas: the Hotel Zone favorite
Playa Tortugas sits at km 6.5 of Boulevard Kukulcan, in the middle of the Hotel Zone. If your hotel is anywhere from the north end down to about km 7, the ride to this pier can be as short as 10 to 15 minutes.
Ultramar runs 10 departures a day here. That is plenty for a normal day trip, but check the schedule first, because boats do not leave every half hour like at Puerto Juarez. Buying your ticket online skips the line at the dock.
The catch is the return. The last boat from Isla Mujeres to Playa Tortugas leaves at 6:45 pm. That fits a full beach day just fine, but it rules out sunsets and evenings on the island. If dinner on Isla is the plan, go from Puerto Juarez instead.
Playa Caracol: the quiet Hotel Zone option
Playa Caracol is at km 8.5 of the Hotel Zone, serving the southern part of the zone. If your hotel is past km 8, this is probably your closest pier.
Ultramar runs 9 departures a day here, and the same 6:45 pm last return applies. One thing to know: Playa Caracol charges its own pier fee at the terminal, so the total is a little above the 290 peso ticket price. Honestly, pick Caracol over Tortugas only if your hotel is right next to it. The schedules are similar and Tortugas has one more daily boat.
Embarcadero Isla Mujeres: the Xcaret ferry
Grupo Xcaret runs its own ferry from the Embarcadero Isla Mujeres at km 4.5 of Boulevard Kukulcan, next to the Cancun Scenic Tower. These are big modern boats for 650 passengers, with WiFi, a luggage section, toilets, a pet area, and a smooth ride.
A one way ticket is 306 pesos per adult. Boats leave hourly from 9 am to 7 pm on the Cancun side and 10 am to 8 pm from Isla Mujeres. The ticket is open, valid for 6 months on any departure, just like Ultramar.
The perk that sells it: a round trip ticket includes free access to the Cancun Scenic Tower, the 80 meter rotating tower with panoramic views. Ride it before or after your ferry. The last boat back is 8 pm, between the Hotel Zone piers and Puerto Juarez on flexibility.
What the ferry costs in 2026
Prices were verified in September 2026 and are the same across the Ultramar piers.
| Ticket | Price in pesos | About in USD |
|---|---|---|
| Adult, one way (Ultramar) | 290 | 17 |
| Adult, round trip (Ultramar) | 580 | 34 |
| Child under 1.20 m, one way | 220 | 13 |
| Environmental fee (per ticket) | 36.56 | 2 |
| Adult, one way (Xcaret) | 306 | 18 |
Children under 12 months ride free with a boarding pass. Kids up to 1.20 m tall pay the child fare, and above that the adult fare. The 36.56 peso environmental fee is added per ticket, so the checkout total is a bit above the headline price. Quintana Roo residents and INAPAM cardholders pay less with physical ID at boarding.
How tickets work
You do not need to book a date or time. Tickets are open, valid for 6 months on any departure of the route you bought. Buy online to skip the ticket line, or buy at the terminal. Both work fine.
Arrive about 30 minutes before the sailing you want, especially on weekends and holidays when lines get long. If your plans are fixed, the 9 or 10 am boats from the Hotel Zone piers are the sweet spot: a full day on the island with a comfortable buffer before the last boat back.
Tips for the crossing
- Sit up top if you can. The open air deck has the best views of the Cancun skyline and the island as you approach. Inside seating has air conditioning when you need a break from the sun.
- Keep your QR code handy. Online tickets arrive by email as a QR code. Keep it on your phone for the return trip too, and do not share it.
- Luggage is fine. Backpacks, suitcases, and even bicycles ride free on Ultramar, and Xcaret has a dedicated luggage section. For cars, use the cargo ferry from Punta Sam instead.
- Motion sickness is rare but real. The crossing is short and usually calm. If you get queasy, sit in the middle of the boat on the lower deck and face forward.
Which pier should you pick?
- Hotel Zone north of km 7: Playa Tortugas. Short ride to the pier, 10 boats a day, back in time for dinner.
- Hotel Zone south of km 7: Playa Caracol if it is closer, otherwise Tortugas. Watch for the small pier fee at Caracol.
- Downtown or near the ADO station: Puerto Juarez. Close by, constant boats, and the unbeatable midnight return.
- Flying in and heading straight to the island: Puerto Juarez. Our airport to island guide walks through the ADO bus plus ferry combo step by step.
- Want dinner or sunset on the island: Puerto Juarez. The midnight last boat is the only option that lets you stay for the evening.
- Traveling with pets or want the Scenic Tower: The Xcaret ferry. Comfortable boats and a free tower ride with the round trip.
Once you land, you will want wheels. Golf carts sell out on busy days, so read our golf cart rental guide with 2026 prices and the scams to avoid. And if this ferry ride is part of a bigger day, our hour by hour day trip itinerary fits the whole day together with real costs.
Frequently asked questions
Is the ferry price the same from all piers?
Yes, the Ultramar fare is the same at Puerto Juarez, Playa Tortugas, and Playa Caracol: 290 pesos one way for adults. Playa Caracol adds its own small pier fee, and the Xcaret ferry costs 306 pesos. The 36.56 peso environmental fee applies per ticket everywhere.
How long is the ferry ride to Isla Mujeres?
About 20 minutes of actual crossing. Plan on roughly 30 minutes dock to dock with boarding and landing time built in.
Do I need to book the ferry in advance?
No. Tickets are open and valid for 6 months on any departure of the route you bought. Buy online to skip the line or at the terminal, and arrive 30 minutes before the boat you want.
What is the last ferry back from Isla Mujeres?
To Puerto Juarez, midnight, with another at 11:30 pm. To Playa Tortugas and Playa Caracol, 6:45 pm. The Xcaret ferry runs back until 8 pm.
Which pier is closest to the Cancun airport?
None is at the airport. From the airport, take the ADO bus downtown and continue to Puerto Juarez, or take a taxi or transfer to the Hotel Zone piers. Our airport to island guide compares all three routes with prices.
More Isla Mujeres trip planning
Picking the pier is just the first step. Browse our Isla Mujeres and Cancun travel guides for itineraries, cost breakdowns, and honest 2026 advice, or start from the TravelBuddy homepage to see everything we cover.