hotel-xenia
  • Home
  • ROOMS
  • BOOKING
  • GETTING HERE
  • FAQ
  • ISLA MUJERES
  • HOTEL POLICY
  • GIFT CARDS
Book Now!

How To Get Here:

Whether you are flying into Cancun or driving through the Yucatan, you are going to end up on a boat to Isla Mujeres. There are a few ways to go about this and you will need to decide which is most convenient for you. Whichever way you choose will involve taking some sort of vehicle transportation to the ferry port and then taking a ferry across to the island. The whole trip will take a little more than an hour from the airport.

We recommend using a private van service if it is your first time to Isla; We suggest CARM. The Cancun airport is crazy and it’s just nicer to know you have pre-arranged transport if you’re not familiar with gauntlet of salespeople and tourism representatives all yelling at you. CARM is great, too because they let you pre-purchase your ferry tickets with your online van booking so you save a step at the ferry terminal. We have also listed a few other options below. Click through them to get the scoop. Remember – there are cold drinks waiting for you when you get here.

From the Airport to the Island

The Cancún airport, and all Mexican airports for that matter,  is very strict about taxis and does not allow city taxis into the airport. (update: summer 2018. Cancun has passed a transportation bill that now allows Über and other ride share companies to operate within Cancun. We do not know how that affects the airport and also cannot personally recommend using Über. We urge you to do some independent research before your trip and before relying solely on Über) That leaves you the option of either pre-paying inside the airport for a collectivo van (around USD$22 a person – Look for the kiosk right when you leave customs), hiring a private van service in advance before you leave your home (around USD$39-$45 a van for up to around 10 people (We like CARM) or taking the ADO bus from Terminal 2 at the airport (65 pesos) to the main bus station downtown and then getting a green city cab to the ferry port (around 50 pesos). Whichever way you choose to get there, your final destination is PUERTO JUAREZ- ULTRAMAR. Once at the ferry port you will purchase tickets inside the little ticket office on the right side (300 pesos roundtrip). The ferries begin running at 5:30 AM, leaving every 30 minutes. After the 8:30PM ferry they leave each hour at 9:30, 10:30 with the last one at 11:30PM.

From the Ferry to Casa El Pio

The easiest way is to print out or screencap our MAP TO CASA EL PÍO and bring it with you. If you want really detailed directions, keep reading. You will be able to get here on foot from the ferry in about 5 minutes. Once you disembark at the ferry dock you will be approached by some men (Maleteros) who may offer to carry your luggage. Depending on how much luggage you have, you may want to take them up on their offer (aside from the convenience of having someone schlep your stuff, you will get to see them use these awesome tricycle things to carry everything). There is no official charge, but you are expected to tip. Plan on spending around 100-150 pesos ($5-$7 USD) per maletero if you have 2-3 bags. Of course tip more if you are bringing more luggage. After deciding if and how you want to carry your luggage, follow everyone down the dock to the main road. Exit the ferry terminal and cross the street. Directly across from the ferry is a street called Bravo. The hotel and golf cart rental company, D’Gomar is on the left corner and there is an open-air bar on the right. Walk straight onto this street, heading away from the water and Cancún. After the first block, you’ll go through an intersection with Juárez. Keep walking and the second street you come to will be Hidalgo. There will be a basketball court on your left and a juice stand/ice cream vendor on your right called Michoacana. Turn right onto Hidalgo. Casa El Pío will be the fourth building on the left. Look for a white building with a blue gate. Come on in to the office through the gate and we’ll get you checked in to your vacation! The official address for our building is SM 001 Col. Centro MZ 23 Lote 09 77400 Isla Mujeres, Quintana Roo Mexico. This address may or may not help you, as if you stop to ask for directions, most locals don’t use street names. You’d be better off asking “¿Dónde está la Michoacana?”

Getting Back to the Airport

Although we hate to see you go, eventually you will have to get back to the airport. We recommend that you be on the ferry as close as possible to 3hrs before your flight time – if booking CARM, they will ask you to be on the ferry 3 1/2 hrs before. When you sail across the bay and arrive at Gran Puerto Cancun, there are usually plenty of cabs ready and waiting to take you to the airport, both inside the parking structure and outside on the street. Our tip is to pass by all the guys inside and walk through the parking structure. Exit onto the street and ignore all the guys outside their cab, shouting at you. Instead turn left and walk up the street until you see a moving cab. Get in that guy’s cab. There is the official taxi rate of 280 pesos for the trip to the airport that they should abide by. You may also book CARM for your return but it is sometimes a lot easier to just hail a cab. If you feel adventurous, you can also take the ADO bus by following the above instructions to get here, only backwards.

Getting to the Island by Other Means

Some of you will be coming to us via car. You don’t need a car on the island and it may be easier to leave your car in the nice parking deck at the UltraMar port on the Cancun side and take the passenger ferry over especially if you are staying only a few days. If you do want your car, your only option is to take the car ferry from Punta Sam. Punta Sam is located about 5km north of Cancun. From downtown Cancun you will need to find Av. Lopez Portillo and take it north, away from town. You will pass the UltraMar Ferry on your right and then the Marinsa Ferry a little further down and then follow the signs and keep driving. The current ferry schedule from Punta Sam-Isla Mujeres can be found online. The service leaves according the schedule and takes about 45 minutes to arrive on the Island. Buy your tickets before boarding. The lines can be long at times, so it is advisable to arrive at least one hour before departure.

Welcome to our adorable five room hotel perched on the sea in beautiful, vibrant downtown Isla Mujeres, Mexico. Casa el Pío is for the independent traveler and adventurous spirit.

hola@casaelpio.com