If you’re thinking of taking your family on vacation, then this island is the perfect spot with plenty of things to do in Isla Mujeres with kids.
As there are a lot of diverse activities on the island, it doesn’t matter the age of your children as you will find plenty of things for you to do together as a family.
Water activities are one of the main things to do on the island so this is a great opportunity to teach your children new water sports and learn more about the marine life that inhabit Isla Mujeres.
Whether you’re taking a day trip from Cancun or planning to visit Isla Mujeres for a few days, you will not be stuck on what to do when you’re visiting the island.
In this guide you will find information on how to get to Isla Mujeres from Cancun, places to stay on the island for families, the best things to do in Isla Mujeres with kids and tips for travelling to the island with children too.
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How to Get to Isla Mujeres
The only way to get to Isla Mujeres is from Cancun, but there are a few different options for you to choose from.
If you’re traveling with children, then we recommend getting the ferry from Puerto Juarez to Cancun. This terminal has a lot of different departure times, so it is the most flexible option for you. Not just that, but your kids will love sitting on the ferry’s top deck and enjoying the ride from Cancun to Isla Mujeres.
There are a few other ports that you can choose from when leaving Cancun in the hotel zone, which includes Playa Tortugas, Playa Caracol, and El Embarcadero. These are all really great options but the departure times are more limiting than if you go from Puerto Juarez.
Alternatively, you can take a day trip from Cancun to Isla Mujeres which will include all your transportation. This is a great choice if you’re just wanting to go to Isla Mujeres for the day and not stay over.
However, if you have the time, you should spend a few days in Isla Mujeres to take advantage of some of the awesome things to do there.
Places to Stay in Isla Mujeres with Kids
When traveling with children, it is important to find a place to stay that offers enough activities for them and is also convenient for you to explore further.
There are plenty of great places to stay in Isla Mujeres for all different types of budgets. Below you will find 3 different accommodation options in Isla Mujeres so that you can choose based on what is in your budget.
On a Budget
If you’re traveling to Isla Mujeres with your family and you’re on a budget, don’t worry. There are plenty of amazing places to stay, but Izla Hotel is a great choice for your family.
At Izla Hotel, there is a great large pool which is perfect for any children that just don’t want to get out of the water. Another perk about this hotel is that it is only 50 yards away from Pescador Beach as well.
There are two on-site restaurants, so when your family is hungry, you won’t need to go far to get something to eat. Quite a few other restaurants are also nearby, so you can switch things up when you like.
Affordable All-Inclusive
When you’re traveling with children, all-inclusive is one of the best options. After jumping in and out of the pool all day, your kids can build up quite an appetite, and the costs for meals, snacks, ice cream, and drinks soon add up.
This is where Mia Reef comes in! It is great for families and a luxurious place to stay in Isla Mujeres.
It is situated on a private island near Isla Mujeres and has everything your family could possibly want. This vibrant resort has four different restaurants on-site, which is great if you have picky eaters!
In addition, Mia Reef offers plenty of activities for you and your family. One of the main perks is the kids’ club, where you can give your children a break from the sun and make some holiday friends, too.
In the evening, some activities are fun for the whole family, including bingo, live music, and entertainment. At the resort, you can rent bicycles together, use the billiards table or the snorkeling equipment.
This is a great option for your family. With so much going on at all times, your children will certainly never be bored!
Luxury Hotel
Your family deserves the best, and Zoetry Villas is one of the ultimate luxury hotels in Isla Mujeres. It is truly one of the most beautiful places to stay and your family will absolutely love it.
If you’re travelling to Isla Mujeres with older children then this is the best spot for you to stay. Many activities are available at this resort, including water sports, snorkeling, bike tours, and so much more.
Two outdoor pools are available on-site, and the hotel is also very close to the beach. This hotel promotes relaxation, which is why we recommend it if you’re traveling to Isla Mujeres with teens who don’t get bored as easily.
Although there is no kids’ club, there are so many activities available that you won’t be stuck for things to do. Therefore, it is still a great spot for younger children, but there is not as much entertainment on-site as if you were staying at Mia Reef.
Things to do in Isla Mujeres with Kids
Snorkeling with Whale Sharks
When you visit Isla Mujeres, you can’t miss snorkeling with whale sharks. This is the ultimate bucket-list adventure that you and your family will never forget.
Sail on the Caribbean Sea and keep your eyes peeled for marine life along the way. You will then get the opportunity to snorkel in the waters and see these friendly giants in the wild.
You will need to swim quite fast to see the whale sharks, and you will be surprised how quickly they move. Due to this, we recommend that this activity be best for older children who are strong swimmers in Isla Mujeres.
This is a great opportunity for your family to learn more about marine life and the ocean itself. Your family will never forget this experience and it is a great way to bond together.
Take a trip to Cancun
You must travel from Cancun to reach Isla Mujeres. If you have not visited Cancun before, you may want to take a family trip there. You can either do a day trip or spend two days in Cancun if you have enough time!
While it has a bad party reputation, Cancun is definitely worth visiting for families because there are many different activities for kids. If you have the time, you should spend a few days there to make the most of it, either at the end of your trip to Isla Mujeres or before returning to the island.
Head out to Ventura Park, a great amusement park that hosts Cancun’s only rollercoaster. There are also lots of adventure parks in Cancun, where you can enjoy ziplining and so much more!
Enjoying the beaches
There are a lot of amazing beaches in Isla Mujeres so you should explore as many of them as possible. Some of the beaches we recommend visiting include Playa Norte and Playa Centro.
You can build sandcastles, swim in the gorgeous blue Caribbean sea, and play sports on the beach. If you visit Playa Norte, you can also enjoy a volleyball net, so you may want to bring a ball with you to Isla Mujeres.
Depending on the hotel you choose to stay in, you may also have your own private beach for the hotel. Mia Reef in particular has its own beach and is located on its own private island.
Diving
If your children are over five years old, you may want them to have their first diving experience, and Isla Mujeres is a great place to do that.
Whether your family is new to diving or has already received their PADI certifications, you will find that there are plenty of different dive shops in Isla Mujeres to choose from.
As Isla Mujeres is quite a touristy spot, you will find that the dive shops speak English fluently so you shouldn’t have any issues with translation issues either.
Rent a golf cart
One of the best ways to get around the island is by renting a golf cart. This means that it will be much more accessible to get around the island and see the sights.
Your family will absolutely love the novelty of riding around in a golf cart, and it is such an easy way to get around.
Explore the zocalo
The Zocalo (town) in Isla Mujeres is absolutely stunning and is a vibrant place for you and your family to explore during both the day and night.
During the day, it is a great place to wander around the shops, enjoy some breakfast or lunch, and take in the beauty of the town. At night, Isla Mujeres really comes alive, where you will find street performers and plenty of options for dinner.
The zocalo is a buzzing hub of activity at night, and there are even a few places where you can stop to enjoy live music. If you’re looking for some live music spots, then El Patio is a great place to choose.
Deep Sea Fishing
Whether you and your family have done any fishing before or not, Isla Mujeres is the perfect opportunity to take part in this activity.
For any fishing beginners, these tours will teach you how to fish, including deep-sea fishing. This is a really great way for you to bond as a family and try a new activity.
With these tours, all your fishing equipment is included, and once you’re back on the island, your fish will be cleaned for you. Often, the guides on these tours can also recommend restaurants that will cook your fish for you so that you can enjoy your hard work!
Kin Ha
Kin Ha is a hub for family activities, including kayaking, snorkeling, and paddleboarding rentals, rope swings, and even 3 swimming pools. This is a popular area for families, so it will be a great opportunity for your children to make some vacation friends, too.
You could easily spend the whole day here and there are plenty of things to keep everyone occupied. Kin Ha is the perfect place for families to visit and create plenty of new memories in Isla Mujeres.
Punta Sur
Punta Sur is a magical destination that offers kids a mix of adventure, learning, and breathtaking beauty. Perched on the island’s southernmost tip, it’s home to stunning cliffs overlooking the Caribbean Sea, perfect for sparking a sense of wonder in young explorers. Kids can marvel at the colorful sculptures in the outdoor art park and learn about Mayan culture by visiting the ancient temple dedicated to the goddess Ixchel.
The area’s natural beauty, including vibrant flowers, iguanas sunbathing on rocks, and crystal-clear waters, provides a perfect setting for teaching kids about marine life and the importance of environmental conservation.
Glass Bottom Boat Trip
Taking a trip on a glass-bottom boat is really good fun, and young children particularly love it. If your children are too young to enjoy snorkeling and diving, this is a great option for them to get close to marine life.
From the glass-bottom boat, you never quite know what marine life you’ll see! The local guide will help explain the animals you see, and it is an incredible way for your children to learn in a fun and exciting way.
Tips for Travelling to Isla Mujeres with Kids
- Check the best time to visit – when you’re travelling as a family, you want to check the best time to visit Isla Mujeres so that you can avoid the hottest temperatures but also visit when you’re not too deep in the rainy season too.
- Lots of suncream—Mexico is incredibly hot, and with your children in and out of the swimming pool and sea, you will want to make sure everyone regularly tops up their sun cream.
- Crowded Areas – during certain times of the year, the island can get very busy and crowded. Due to this, there are some things you need to be careful of in Isla Mujeres, such as keeping an eye on your children in busy areas at all times, watching out for pickpockets, and not flashing your cash.
Visiting Isla Mujeres as a Family
Isla Mujeres is one of the best places in Mexico to visit as a family because there is something everyone can do. As parents, if you’re looking for a relaxing breakaway but want plenty of activities to keep the kids occupied, then this is the place for you!
No matter your children’s age, you will find plenty of new adventures for them to try, whether deep-sea fishing, swimming with whale sharks, or watching out for fish on a glass-bottom boat.
This is an incredible island that you will want to return to again and again. Even if you’re just visiting Cancun and considering a day trip to Isla Mujeres, it is definitely worth spending more than a day there or planning a future trip solely for Isla Mujeres!
Save “Isla Mujeres with Kids” for Later
We always talked about going to Isla Mujeres with our kids, but never actually acted on it. Looks like a wonderful place for the kids to explore (the iguanas are always a hit with them).
Since I love Mexico and my nephew loves the water, this sounds like it would be the perfect destination for a little family trip! Good advice on the crowds, I’ll have to try to visit during a lower season since my nephew gets overwhelmed around a lot of people. Time to start looking into those hotels!
Great post! I’ve actually never heard of Isla Mujeres but it sounds like a great place to visit!
Snorkeling with whale sharks would be a DREAM!!
Isla Mujeres sounds like an incredible destination for families. That parade of golf carts is crazy! Snorkeling with whale sharks stood out as a highlight. I don’t know if I could swim fast enough though!