How much does it cost to travel to Isla Mujeres?
You should plan to spend around $123 (MX$2,464) per day on your vacation in Isla Mujeres. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.
Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:
- $39 (MX$771) on meals
- $29 (MX$585) on local transportation
- $130 (MX$2,605) on hotels
A one week trip to Isla Mujeres for two people costs, on average, $1,726 (MX$34,491). This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
All of these average travel prices have been collected from other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.
Independent Travel
Traveling Independently to Isla Mujeres has many benefits including affordabilty, freedom, flexibility, and the opportunity to control your own experiences.
All of the travel costs below are based on the experiences of other independent travelers.
Is Isla Mujeres expensive to visit?
Prices in Isla Mujeres are reasonable and comparable to your average travel destination. Hotels, food, and sightseeing are generally within normal price ranges.
Within North America, which is known to be an expensive region, Isla Mujeres is a reasonably affordable destination compared to other places. It is in the top 25% of cities in North America for its affordability. You can find more affordable cities such as Vernon, but there are also more expensive cities, such as Key West.
For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Isla Mujeres Expensive?
How much money do I need for a trip to Isla Mujeres?
The average Isla Mujeres trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Isla Mujeres travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers.
|
Category
|
Cost
|
|
Accommodation 1
(Double Occupancy)
|
MX$2,605
($130)
|
|
Local Transportation 1
|
MX$585
($29)
|
|
Food 2
|
MX$771
($39)
|
|
Entertainment 1
|
MX$342
($17)
|
|
Alcohol 2
|
MX$211 -
633
($11 - 32)
|
Accommodation Budget in Isla Mujeres
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid for one person for accommodation in Isla Mujeres is $65 (MX$1,303). For two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room, the average price paid for a hotel room in Isla Mujeres is $130 (MX$2,605). This cost is from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Looking for a hotel in Isla Mujeres? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
Transportation Budget in Isla Mujeres
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The cost of a taxi ride in Isla Mujeres is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $29 (MX$585) per person, per day, on local transportation in Isla Mujeres.
-
Transportation1
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
$29
MX$585
How much does it cost to go to Isla Mujeres? Naturally, it depends on the dates. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all airlines.
The price of renting a car in Isla Mujeres will depends on dates, the type of car, the location, and your age. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all car rental companies.
Food Budget in Isla Mujeres
Calculated from travelers like you
-
While meal prices in Isla Mujeres can vary, the average cost of food in Isla Mujeres is $39 (MX$771) per day. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out an average meal in Isla Mujeres should cost around $15 (MX$308) per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Isla Mujeres is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.
-
Food2
Meals for one day
$39
MX$771
Entertainment Budget in Isla Mujeres
Calculated from travelers like you
-
Entertainment and activities in Isla Mujeres typically cost an average of $17 (MX$342) per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
-
Entertainment1
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
$17
MX$342
Alcohol Budget in Isla Mujeres
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The average person spends about $21 (MX$422) on alcoholic beverages in Isla Mujeres per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
-
Alcohol2
Drinks for one day
$21
MX$422
Water Budget in Isla Mujeres
Calculated from travelers like you
-
On average, people spend $0.63 (MX$13) on bottled water in Isla Mujeres per day. The public water in Isla Mujeres is considered safe to drink.
-
Water2
Bottled water for one day
$0.63
MX$13
Isla Mujeres on a Budget
Isla Mujeres, Mexico
About eight miles from the east coast of the Yucatan Peninsula, Isla Mujeres is an island in the Mexican Caribbean Sea. The town, of the same name, has a population of about 13,000. Tourism has grown in the area since the 1970s and today it is a significant part of the island's economy. As such, there are plenty of amenities that cater specifically to visitors. The island's proximity to Cuba make it a common transit point for Cubans in route to the United States.
The island has a tropical climate that is hot and humid throughout the year. The peak tourist season is during the winter months when the temperatures are at their coolest. During the summer, temperatures can climb over 90 degrees Fahrenheit, but if you hope to see whale sharks, then this is the time to visit.
Sights
There are some great sights around the island, but some of the most popular are the turtle farm, Hacienda Mundaca, and Punta Sur. The turtle farm is a government sponsored hatchery for endangered sea turtles. It is possible to see young turtles in tanks. Hacienda Mundaca is a 19th century hacienda that was built by the pirate Fermin Mundaca. The area now has walls, arches, gardens, birds, cattle, and an orchard. Punta Sur is the small ruins of an old lighthouse and temple to Ixchel, the goddess of fertility.
Neighborhoods
Isla Mujeres's main town is compact and fun to walk around. There are restaurants that cater to both locals and tourists.
Two of the islands most popular beaches are Playa Norte and Playa Sol. Playa Norte is the most crowded and it has plenty of restaurants and hotels. It's a beautiful stretch of white sand on the north side of the island with a shallow blue beach. Playa Sol is adjacent to Playa Norte and is the best place to watch the sunset. It also stays slightly less crowded than Playa Norte during the day time.
Activities
There is no shortage of activities around the island but some of the most popular and unique are the whale shark tours, deep sea fishing, scuba diving, and the dolphin discovery experience.
Whale shark tours run from mid-May through September, but the peak months are July and August. There are hundreds of whale sharks that gather in the waters around the island. It is best to go through an official operator that is regulated by the government. There are cheaper street vendors, but the quality and safety of the tour can not be confirmed.
Dolphin Discovery is a small amusement park that lets visitors interact and swim with dolphins.
If you want to stay on land, there is beach volleyball and a lovely town which you can explore.
Food and Dining
Most of the island's restaurants are concentrated on Hidalgo Street. This is also where you'll find the most expensive restaurants as they tend to cater to tourists. For more affordable restaurants that cater to the locals, head to the center of the island. Beach restaurants are also abundant. The liveliest places are found around the ferry terminal.
Seafood is plentiful and not to be missed. Much of the food is served with either a Caribbean or Mexican slant. Ceviche is a popular dish, but the island's signature dish is Tik-n-chik. This is a whole fish that is marinated in achiote and then grilled.
Transportation
The most common way to reach Isla Mujeres is by boat. You can catch a ferry in Cancun at Puerto Juarez, Gran Puerto Cancun, or Playa Tortugas. They cost about seventy pesos for a one way trip. If the weather is poor, the ride may be rough, but generally you make good time. If money is not a concern it is possible to charter a flight to the island as well.
The island has a small, compact main town that is easy to walk around. You can pick up a taxi at the ferry terminal to the downtown area for 30 pesos. The island is about seven kilometers in length and the best way to explore it is to rent a scooter or golf cart. You will have to negotiate the price and assume about $25 a day as a starting price.
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We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.