Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Isla Mujeres?

Q: Is one day enough time in Isla Mujeres?

One day is usually not enough time to experience the relaxing island of Isla Mujeres, so you may find yourself somewhat rushed. You don't want to miss the main attractions such as scuba diving and snorkeling, the beaches, the cuisine, and the nightlife, as well as the Underwater Museum of Art. You'll likely want more than one day, as many tourists set aside around one to two days for their visit. However, if your schedule is tight, we have a handful of recommendations to make the most of your journey below.

Should you spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Isla Mujeres?

Not sure how much time you'll need in Isla Mujeres, Mexico? Most people spend one to two days in Isla Mujeres during their visit. After all, the relaxing island will let you snorkel or scuba dive, swim at the beach, enjoy a meal at a restaurant, and enjoy the evening activities.

Isla Mujeres is a beautiful island that's just 13 kilometers off the coast from Cancun. Many visitors spend a day or two on the island and enjoy the paradise-like setting. Whether you have a few hours or a couple of days, this island is worth the trip.

Do you have one or two days to visit Isla Mujeres? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.

Is one day enough time in Isla Mujeres?

One day is usually not enough time to experience the relaxing island of Isla Mujeres, so you may find yourself somewhat rushed. You don't want to miss the main attractions such as scuba diving and snorkeling, the beaches, the cuisine, and the nightlife, as well as the Underwater Museum of Art. You'll likely want more than one day, as many tourists set aside around one to two days for their visit. However, if your schedule is tight, we have a handful of recommendations to make the most of your journey below.

How to spend a day in Isla Mujeres

Scuba diving and snorkeling around Isla Mujeres is world-class, and is one of the main reasons why so many visitors come here. Spend a day exploring the beauty of the surrounding underwater world. There are many great snorkeling and diving areas just off the island. It's easy to arrange tours that will take you to the best spots. Popular areas include Manchones Reef, the Underwater Museum of Art, and Garrafon Natural Park.

A few tour suggestions include:

PADI Discover Scuba Diving for divers without certification ($167)
Scuba diving at MUSA the underwater museum for certified divers ($135)
Snorkel Tour at Musa and Manchones Reef ($45)

The restaurant and food scene here is top notch, so make sure you spend time at one of the local restaurants where you can taste the delicious cuisine. The island has many restaurants, particularly along Hidalgo Street in the Centro area. They typically have a laid back island vibe and serve local seafood or other popular cuisines.

Isla Mujeres is a walkable city and easy to explore on foot. With only a day in the island, you'll have no trouble seeing the local sights. The most walkable part of the island is the North part, which is the town center.

Is a weekend (two to three days) enough time in Isla Mujeres?

Many visitors choose to spend around a weekend exploring Isla Mujeres. This would give you the chance to experience the island's most popular activities such as scuba diving and snorkeling, the beaches, and the cuisine. Since many visitors prefer to spend around one to two days here, we have a few suggestions of things to do.

Isla Mujeres, Mexico

How to spend 2 days in Isla Mujeres

Having a weekend (two to three days) in Isla Mujeres will provide you with more time to take in the best activities in the island.

The beautiful beaches await you in Isla Mujeres, so spend the day (or several, if you can) relaxing on the sand or swimming in the water. The island has spectacular beaches where the white sand meets the blue water. The idyllic setting is the perfect place to relax with a drink or soak up the island vibe. Playa Norte is an award winning beach that has calm water and stunning snorkeling. Playa Centro has many restaurants and bars, and you'll likely see people sunbathing topless. There's a beach club at Playa Albatros as well as hammocks, umbrellas, and recreational activities.

A few tour suggestions include:

Tour Isla Mujeres excursion in Collective Transparent Boat ($42)
Whale Shark & Manta Ray Snorkel -(May-Sept) Only 10pp per Boat ($199)
Clear Boat Ride at Isla Mujeres Coast ($30)

The nightlife scene is very popular here. After dark, head out to one of the many venues around town. Many people visit the island as a day trip, but those who spend the night will enjoy hanging out at the beach bars along Playa Norte. Many have a laid back vibe and some have live music or DJs.

The public transit in Isla Mujeres is fast and efficient. Over the course of a few days, you should be able to explore the island quite easily and affordably. There are two bus routes around the island that are operated by Isleños Bus.

More Info

If you're looking for more information about Isla Mujeres, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.