Prefer a full-day boat trip with pickup? The listing shows free cancellation up to 24 hours ahead. Dates, prices and cancellation terms are shown on the listing. Booking through this link costs you nothing extra.
See Isla Mujeres catamaran trips from Cancun on GetYourGuideAffiliate links: booking through them may earn us a commission, at no extra cost to you.
Isla Mujeres is a short trip from Cancun, and most families choose between the public Ultramar ferry and a boat tour. The right choice depends on your children's heights and ages, how long they can stay out, and whether you want snorkeling. Here are the rules the operators publish.
At a glance
| Public ferry | Ultramar runs Cancun to Isla Mujeres from Puerto Juarez (Cancun center) and from Playa Tortugas and Playa Caracol in the Hotel Zone. |
|---|---|
| Ferry child fare | Infants 0 to 12 months: free, boarding pass required. Child from 1 year up to 1.20 m: child fare. Over 1.20 m: adult fare. |
| Ferry ticket terms | Non-refundable. Valid six months on any available departure of the route. Arrive 30 minutes before departure. |
| Boat tour | GetYourGuide catamaran trip: 8 to 10 hours, free cancellation up to 24 hours ahead, pickup available, 4.2 out of 5 from 3,327 reviews. |
| Snorkeling on the tour | The listing says participants must be at least 10 years old and in good physical condition. Not for pregnant women or people over 60. |
The public ferry
Ultramar's own pages list departures from Puerto Juarez, on the mainland side, and from Playa Tortugas and Playa Caracol in the Hotel Zone. Children are priced by height, not by age: infants up to 12 months travel free with a boarding pass, a child from 1 year up to 1.20 m pays the child fare, and anyone taller than 1.20 m pays the adult fare. Measure your children before you buy. Tickets are non-refundable and valid for six months, and the operator asks you to arrive at the terminal 30 minutes before departure. Fares change without notice, so read the current fares on the operator's page.
The boat tour
The GetYourGuide listing is a full day, 8 to 10 hours, with a catamaran trip to Isla Mujeres, hotel pickup where available, and a snorkeling stop listed at 30 minutes. What is included depends on the option you choose: the listing mentions an open bar, a buffet lunch and a beach club for the all-inclusive option, and a port fee of 20 USD that appears in the option details. Check on the booking page which option includes the port fee and the lunch, so there are no surprises at the dock.
Which one fits your children
If your children are under 10, the snorkeling part of the tour is not open to them according to the listing, so the tour is mostly a long boat day with a beach stop. A very small child may do better with the ferry and a short day on the island. If your children like boats and can handle 8 to 10 hours, the tour gives you one plan with food and a return. Either way, bring sun protection, swimwear and water, and tell the operator about your children's ages when you book.
If you stay in the Hotel Zone
Our Hyatt Ziva Cancun guide covers an all-inclusive resort at the tip of the Hotel Zone, which also works as a base for either option.
Official ferry fares
Current fares, departure times and terminal details are on the ferry operator's website.
An all-inclusive with 547 suites, the KidZ Club for ages 4 to 12 with a mini water park, three infinity pools, and a Tripadvisor rating of 4.6 out of 5 from 15,068 reviews (checked 8 October 2026).
Check rates on ExpediaAffiliate links: booking through them may earn us a commission, at no extra cost to you.
Questions
How are children priced on the Ultramar ferry to Isla Mujeres?
By height. Infants up to 12 months are free with a boarding pass, a child from 1 year up to 1.20 m pays the child fare, and over 1.20 m pays the adult fare.
Can the ferry ticket be refunded?
The operator says tickets are non-refundable. They are valid for six months on any available departure of the route.
Can young children snorkel on the catamaran tour?
The listing says participants must be at least 10 years old and in good physical condition.
Full-day option: the Isla Mujeres catamaran trip from Cancun on GetYourGuide (8 to 10 hours, pickup available, free cancellation up to 24 hours ahead, 4.2 out of 5 from 3,327 reviews, checked 15 October 2026). Dates, prices and cancellation terms are shown on the listing. Booking through this link costs you nothing extra.
See Isla Mujeres catamaran trips from Cancun on GetYourGuideAffiliate links: booking through them may earn us a commission, at no extra cost to you.
Another option: the all-inclusive Isla Mujeres catamaran with reef snorkeling and free transportation on Viator (7 hours, from $119 per person, free cancellation up to 24 hours ahead, 5.0 out of 5 from 437 reviews, checked 17 October 2026). Dates, prices and what is included are shown on the listing. Booking through this link costs you nothing extra.
See the Isla Mujeres catamaran on ViatorAffiliate links: booking through them may earn us a commission, at no extra cost to you.
Sources
Ultramar: fares and child policy