This Is The Number One Island In Mexico This Year—& It’s Just 15 Minutes From Cancun!

Ahh, the Mexican Caribbean… its sun-kissed white sands hugged by teal-colored seas, the epic all-inclusive resorts where every single guest is treated like royalty, and the ancient Mayan World lying just beneath the surface, begging to be unearthed.

It’s no wonder Americans keep flocking there, year after year, after year, but if you think overtouristed, tried-and-true Cancun still rules the scene, you’re in for a surprise.

An island a stone’s throw away from the Cancun mainland, only 7 miles long and a mere 0.5 miles wide, Isla Mujeres may be small in size, but it scored big at this year’s World Travel Awards—that’s the Oscar of the tourism industry for you.

It took home the award for Best Island Destination in Mexico and Central America, and we can’t say we’re surprised:

This Island Has Some Of The Most Beaches In The Entire Mexican Caribbean

A small Caribbean island located just off the Mexican mainland, facing Cancun, Isla Mujeres may be tiny in size, at a length of only 4.3 miles, and 0.4 miles across, but it’s packed with must-see wonders—and the best part, it’s only 15 minutes by ferry from the Hotel Zone!

For starters, it has some of the most beautiful beaches in the entire Mexican Caribbean, with Playa Norte, located on the northern tip of the island, being a major highlight: picture white sands hugged by teal-colored seas, laid-back beach bars, and minimal sargassum year-round.

Playa Centro, near the ferry terminal, where tourists arrive from Cancun, is equally stunning, with its powdered-sugar sands backed by tall palm trees and traditional cantinas, and let’s not forget the small Playa Tiburón, a quieter stretch of coast where you can occasionally see nurse sharks.

An Underrated Cultural Destination

Although the Mexican Caribbean is one of the most culture-charged destinations in the world, dotted with millennia-old Mayan ruins and Spanish-built fortified towns, Cancun isn’t exactly known for its architectural heritage, or indigenous or colonial-era gems.

It was built as a planned resort for gringos in the 70s, after all.

Isla Mujeres, on the other hand, is incredibly rich in culture: in Punta Sur, the more wild, unspoiled south of the island, you’ll find the Temple of Ixchel, dedicated to the Mayan goddess of fertility, love, and the moon, perched on a small coastal cliff with panoramic sea views.

On the opposite end of the island, tourists can visit Hacienda Mundaca, a near-intact 19th-century estate built and formerly owned by Fermín Mundaca, a pirate and slave trader who, legend has it, fell in love with an islander and decided to stay.

Then of course, practically halfway between both, there’s the town of Isla Mujeres, known locally as Centro: with its colorful streets and murals, quirky shops, and local markets, it’s the best spot to sample food and experience everyday island life.

Isla Mujeres Fits Every Budget!

Isla Mujeres is far more quaint and peaceful than Cancun and the wider Mayan Riviera, due to its size: again, this is a very small island, and there are only so many hotels and accommodation providers it can host.

To be more precise, there are only 123 such properties listed on Booking.com, while in Cancun and its immediate vicinity, which includes coastal regions like Costa Mujeres, a whopping 721 hotels and guesthouses are found.

There is also something for every budget here, from inexpensive hostels only a few steps away from the beach, starting from $28-a-night (Mayan Monkey), to mid-range, rustic boutique hotels for $176-a-night (check out the trendy Casa Alkimia Town), to all-out luxury upwards of $644 (Almare).

Is It Safer Than Cancun? In Short, Yes.

Needless to say, Isla Mujeres is considerably less crowded and even safer than Cancun is—ok, perhaps Playa Norte isn’t exactly deserted, but it typically gets busy around ferry arrival hours, as it’s the one beach tourists go and check out if they’re only on the island for the day.

In terms of safety, you should know Isla Mujeres is a tight-knit, 13,000-people-strong community where violent crime is only seldomly heard of, and even pickpocketing rates are significantly lower compared to the mainland.

It sees very little gang activity, and the effective policing on the island makes it a less attractive destination for criminals. In other words, it is one of the safest places you can vacation in the Mexican Caribbean, especially if you’re sticking to the known tourist path.

For day-trippers, and those spending the weekend alike, you can easily explore the island by golf cart—the best way to brave its winding dirt roads. Rates for a typical 4-person golf cart start from $75 for 23 hours, and you’ll need to bring your driver’s license.

Getting To Isla Mujeres This Fall

The most convenient way to reach Isla Mujeres from the United States is flying into Cancun International Airport (CUN) and arranging a transfer to the ferry port.

There are two main departure points:

Port terminal	Location	Operator & frequency	Travel time	Approx. cost (in USD)
Puerto Juárez / Gran Puerto Cancún	North of downtown Cancún (Av. López Portillo, SM-84)	Ultramar (every 30-60 min)	15–20 minutes	Around $15 one-way / $28 roundtrip
Embarcadero (Hotel Zone, Km 4.5)	In the Hotel Zone (close to many resorts)	Xcaret Xailing ferry service	25 minutes	Around $15 one-way / USD 28 round trip