Best way to get to Isla Mujeres from Temptation on your own?

Hello

Looking to explore the Isla with some fellow June Junkers this year. Have not explored the Isla alone before.

For those who have been there before:

What ferry is closest to TTR/ best to take?

Is it in walking distance?


Isla Mujeres Ferry Services : TravelYucatan.com I see Puerto Juarez and Gran Puerto to be a couple that have a frequent departure schedule.

What in your opinion are good arrival/ departure times for a day trip?

What suggestions do you have about the Isla?

Have you gone in a large group to the Isla before and how was it?

Do you have to rent a chair to relax at Playa Norte?



Anything else you want to share - please do!!

 

We used Puerto Juarez (Magana ferry). It was a bargain price. You have to get the bus (think it's R-15) from outside the resort (same side of the road) and takes about 10 - 15 mins to get to Puerto Juarez. Bus stop right outside - driver will stop in front of it. This is the local's ferry across, and although it's a bargain price (think it was about $2 each way in Jan '12) it wasn't as frequent as the Ultramar.

Ultramar goes from Gran Puerto, which is the stop before Puerto Juarez. You can't miss it. It's a huge yellow and blue building, again with a bus stop right outside. I think this one is more expensive (about $5 each way?). Advantage here is the Ultramar has a 'top deck' where you can sit outside across to the island. Magana only has inside seating (old wooden benches).

Other boats go from near the hotel, and also another Ultramar at Playa Tortugas further down Hotel Zone, but I've not used these. They charge a lot more, simply because it's in the Hotel Zone!

I'd recommend going as early as possible, say leaving hotel at 8am. More time you have to explore island earlier in the day, the better (in my opinion).

BTW, on returning to hotel, we decided to get a cab, save having to wait for the bus. Price seemed reasonable to me ($80 pesos). If you tell the cab drivers you're catching the bus, they seem to quote a reasonable price for journeys as you're not reliant on them to get where you're going.

 

There is also a ferry very close to Temptation that will take you to Isla Mujeres. It's by the pirate ship area or as far as you can walk on the beach if going towards the hotel zone. It's probably a half mile away, so it's within walking distance in the morning. Here is a great link that lists the ferrys (the first one is the one closest to TTR)...

Cancun Ferry Schdules

 

Please note: the ferry times in the above link are different than the times listed on the actual ferry website. (which is called the Ultra Mar Ferry) Here is the link:

ULTRAMAR

Also, just a warning, there is some pretty loud music that plays when you open this link.

 

Ok, now my opinion on Isla Mujeres. We have been to TTR 4 times, and have gone over to the Isla on our own the last 3 times. It is a great way to spend a day. I recommend taking the UltraMar ferry from the El Embarcadero dock, which Departs from Kukulcan Blvd. Km. 4, Cancun Hotel Zone, Mexico. TTR is at Kukulcan Blvd. Km. 3.5, or .5 Km. away. If you walk to the beach and turn right, it is about an 8 minute walk, very easy. You buy your round trip tickets at the dock for $17 U.S. I would advise you to have your group on the 9:00 ferry. This will give you opportunity to rent the best golf carts, before too many of them have been taken. People on the ferry will try to get you to rent a cart, but we don't do that. Once we get there, we go to one of the many rental places and can see the exact carts we are going to get before we pay for them(They have some bright pink ones that the ladies like). As for what to do when you get there, I very highly recommend ordering a Mapchick map. I'm not sure if links to other sites are frowned upon on this site, so just google "mapchick maps" and it is easy to find. Order them asap, as they have a ton of good information on them, as well as a guide to take an island tour on your golf cart.

 

We have taken a day trip to Isla for the past couple years and it's a great trip. It's nice to get away for the day and just relax and recuperate a bit. We get golf carts for half a day and just ride around and look at the scenery, Do a little shopping, have lunch and head back to the resort.

 

We have gone to Isla Mujeres many times and always take the "Ultramar" (google it) ferry at El Embarcado. Go out the lobby doors down the street to the left 5-10min walk or go down the beach to the right and look for the Pirate ships. There is a open air lobby area where you buy your tickets which are $17 us pp return. I think they leave every hour on the half hour there? don't quote me. Get the first one at 9 or 9:30am whichever it is. The ferry is blue and yellow. When you get over there rent a golf car which is to the right on the street after you get off the ferry. Make sure you take your license with you as you need to leave it with the rental guy to get a cart. no worries. Tour the island, all the little side streets. Pick up a beer at any corner store for the drive... you can drink and drive no problems it's legal. HIGHLY recommend having lunch at Jacks Bar and Grill which is on the main street to the left of the ferry. american owned and very clean, safe, inexpensive and YUMMY! don't bother renting chairs on any of the beaches. We thought we had too but if you take a towel and sit on the shoreline it's fair game. Rentals are just a scam. Have fun!

 

Yes, the high speed ferry is the way to go. Although, in hindsight, next time I will pay the 75 cent bus fare, as the 10-15 minute walk was a little hot in September. Just go straight across the street and catch the first bus going east. The high speed ferry is just before the bridge. Here are some pictures:

 

We didn't end up getting a golf cart. They quoted 950 pesos for the day, which I thought was a bit steep. Then, as mentioned above they wanted the driver's licence. I had huge reservations leaving my driver's licence with a stranger! I would've provided a photocopy, but I get the impression they keep your licence so they can scam you in some way if something happens to the cart. I'm pretty sure it's still illegal to drink and drive in Mexico too!

 

Ok so the port closest to Temptation is EL EMBARCADERO - correct?

Early in the morning, I only see departures of 9:00 and 10:30 so I am assuming 9:00 is the best bet!