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Isla Mujeres Tourist Arrivals Are Skyrocketing – Here’s Why

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While Cancun may have made all the headlines last year when it broke its own record for traveler numbers, it’s not the only amazing destination in the Mexican Caribbean to be experiencing a boom in arrivals.

Isla Mujeres Tourist Arrivals Are Skyrocketing - Here's Why

The serenely beautiful settings of the Isla Mujeres have also enjoyed a sudden rise in the number of visitors over the past few months, as more and more travelers are keen to find out just what the fuss is about when it comes to this stunning island getaway. 

Long since touted as a popular day or overnight trip from Cancun, Isla Mujeres is starting to prove that it has more than enough to offer travelers as a top vacation destination in its own right, as an increasing number of travelers are beginning to realize. Here’s a look at how the total number of travelers to the island has skyrocketed in recent months, plus a run-through of what makes the Isla Mujeres a must-visit destination for any traveler heading to the Mexican Caribbean this year.

isla mujeres sign

The Isla Mujeres Boom – Information For Travelers

The Mexican Caribbean isn’t exactly short of beautiful beaches, colorful coral reefs, or clear, cerulean seas, but few destinations can encompass it all in such a neat little package as the Isla Mujeres does. Located northeast of Cancun and reachable by a short 15-minute ferry ride, the Isla Mujeres has always been a popular excursion for those coming to Cancun on vacation, but recent months have seen the island’s popularity reach dizzying new heights.

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isla mujeres aerial sea beach

The destination has had an extremely strong start to the year. Last month alone, 578,248 travelers made their way to or from the island, a figure which represents a significant 39% increase compared to January 2022. Back in December and November, the rise in passenger movements compared to the previous year was 16% and 24%, respectively, and every other month of 2022 also saw similar increases in passengers visiting the island compared to 2021. 

isla mujeres busy ferry

With so many travelers heading to the island, finding a place to stay has become an increasingly difficult task. Not a large island to begin with, the hotels in Isla Mujeres are practically bursting at the seams. The end of 2022 saw the hotel occupancy levels on the island hovering between 90 and 95%, as hundreds of thousands of travelers shared similar ideas of celebrating the holiday season in paradise. With new hotels planned for development on the island, their completion can’t come quickly enough. 

isla mujeres street

In order to cope with the pent-up demand, Isla Mujeres revamped its transportation offerings to make visiting the island even quicker and easier than before. Ultramar and Jetway, two of the leading ferry operators, claim that there are now ferries running every 15 minutes to the island, with Puerto Juarez the most popular port of embarkation. With plans afoot to improve and modernize the docks in the coming year, it looks like the destination is in a good position to cope with its red-hot popularity. 

Isla Mujeres Mexico Caribbean Beach Hotel - Drone Aerial Photo.

But what is it that makes the Isla Mujeres such a draw for travelers? For a start, it offers something different from other destinations in the region. Whether it’s the chance to visit a bird sanctuary, go shopping for authentic, locally made handicrafts, or visit the totally unique Underwater Museum Of Art (MUSA), the Isla Mujeres is home to experiences that are a little different to those you might find in the typical hustle and bustle of a place like Cancun. 

Sculpture of a car at the Underwater Museum of Art in Isla Mujeres, Mexico.

Perhaps the biggest reason, however, is that it is simply beautiful. It’s the perfect postcard island destination, with its swaying palms, powder-soft white sand, and water so inviting that you won’t be able to resist a swim – and, with some of the best diving and snorkeling sites in the world to explore, you might never want to leave the waves. Whether visiting for a day, a week, or an afternoon, visiting the Isla Mujeres is simply a must – 6 million travelers in 2022 alone can’t be wrong.

View of Isla Mujeres and Cancun surrounded by turquoise blue waters and white sand beaches.

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Teresa

Wednesday 15th of February 2023

Way too many cars(taxi) and golf carts in the island. More buses please

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