If you’re visiting Isla Mujeres for the first time or just staying for 2–3 nights, stay in the north of the island in El Centro or near Playa Norte.

It’s within walking distance of the ferry terminal, with restaurants and the best beach nearby, so you won’t need a taxi every day.

Choose the quieter west and south if your main aim is to enjoy the hotel, the swimming pool and some relaxation. Although Isla Mujeres is a small island, commuting from your resort to the centre will quickly make even a cheaper room more expensive.

Compare prices for all hotels on Isla Mujeres

Where to stay – the best locations

What you’re looking for from your stay	Best location
First visit or a stay of 1–3 nights	El Centro
Best swimming and beach right by the hotel	Playa Norte
Cheaper rooms, restaurants and everything within walking distance	El Centro
Peace and quiet, sunsets and a smaller resort	Sac Bajo and the west coast
A luxurious stay, privacy and views	The south and Punta Sur
A longer, more authentic stay	La Gloria and the centre of the island

For a one-night stay, always choose the centre. Accommodation far from the harbour won’t offer enough benefits during a short stay to make up for the extra trips with your luggage.

Playa Norte – the best beach, the highest prices

Choose accommodation near Playa Norte if you want to step straight onto the sand from your room in the morning. The water here is calm and shallow, the location is also suitable for families with children, and you can walk to the ferry in about 10–15 minutes.

Why choose it

• The best swimming on the island
• A beach without crowds early in the morning and before sunset
• The town centre, restaurants and the ferry are all within walking distance
• Lower risk of sargassum than on the east coast
• 👉 View hotels near Playa Centro/Norte

What to expect

• Prices are higher than a few streets away in the centre
• Lots of day-trippers from late morning through to the afternoon
• Busier area around the beach clubs

El Centro – the best value for money and location

The centre of Isla Mujeres is our top recommendation for most travellers. It takes just a few minutes to get from the ferry to your hotel, it’s about a 5–15-minute walk to Playa Norte, and in the evening you’ll find the widest choice of restaurants nearby.

Rooms tend to be cheaper than those right on the beach, and you’ll spend practically nothing on transport.

Just make sure you check the exact street: there can be noise late into the night on the pedestrianised Avenida Miguel Hidalgo.

An important detail: the western side of the town centre faces the calmer sea and Playa Centro. Hotels along the eastern Malecón offer lovely sunrises, but the coastline is rockier, the sea rougher and sargassum is more common here.

La Gloria and the centre of the island – cheaper, but without a good beach

Staying in the residential centre of the island makes sense for longer stays or if you can find a room that’s significantly cheaper. There are more everyday shops and local restaurants here, but tourist facilities are fewer and further between.

• You can’t easily walk to Playa Norte or the ferry terminal
• There is no long sandy beach in the vicinity comparable to Playa Norte
• Add the cost of a taxi or car hire to your room rate

We wouldn’t leave the centre just for a small saving. Choose this area for a week-long or longer stay.

Sac Bajo and the west coast – tranquillity and sunsets

Sac Bajo lies on the more sheltered side of the island, facing Cancún. Here you’ll find smaller beaches, beach clubs, marinas and resorts with views of the sunset.

It’s a good compromise if you want to spend most of the day relaxing at your hotel but don’t want to stay right at the southern tip. However, you’ll need to take a taxi or a golf buggy to get to the city centre.

The South and Punta Sur – a resort rather than an island

Choose the south for privacy, views, cliffs and a high-quality resort. Punta Sur is beautiful, but it isn’t an area with a long sandy beach.

• Ideal for couples, honeymoons and resort stays
• Plenty of peace and quiet and the most beautiful views
• Small hotel beaches or access points to the water instead of Playa Norte
• You’ll need a taxi or a minibus for practically every trip out

If you want to go to restaurants in the centre every evening, don’t choose the south. If, on the other hand, you want to spend two days barely leaving the hotel, it makes the most sense.

Cheapest accommodation

Hostel beds usually offer the lowest prices. For two people, however, always compare the price of a private room as well – the difference may be small, and the centre offers several simple hotels without resort facilities.

• Nílu Isla Mujeres by Selina – the cheapest beds in the north: a sociable atmosphere, a swimming pool and the beach within walking distance; not the best choice for a peaceful night’s sleep
• Xbulu-Ha – cheap private room: a simple hotel in the centre for those who want an en-suite bathroom and don’t need a swimming pool or resort facilities
• Mayan Monkey Isla Mujeres – the best sociable hostel: dorm beds and private rooms, a swimming pool and its own stretch of beach; it’s located outside the town centre, so expect to take a taxi

The happy medium – best value for money and location

• Sea Hawk Suites – affordable accommodation near Playa Norte: just about 130 metres from the beach, simple rooms with a fridge; without the facilities of a large hotel
• Casa Barco Hotel Boutique – a small hotel in the centre: about a 2-minute walk from Playa Norte, suitable for couples who want a nicer room without the price tag of a beach resort
• Hotel Bahia Chac Chi – the most practical option upon arrival by ferry: close to the terminal, with a swimming pool and views of the bay; not situated directly on the best part of the beach

The best hotels right on Playa Norte

• Ixchel Beach Hotel – the most versatile option: right on the wide stretch of Playa Norte, with swimming pools and within walking distance of the centre; suitable for both couples and families
• Nautibeach Beach Front Condos – best for families or groups: self-catering apartments, swimming pool and the beach right on the doorstep; more practical for longer stays than a standard hotel room

All-inclusive and luxury hotels

In the centre, it usually makes more sense to choose a hotel without meals or with breakfast only – there are dozens of restaurants nearby. All-inclusive deals are particularly worthwhile in the west and south, where every meal outside the hotel would mean an extra trip.

• Privilege Aluxes Adults Only – adults only at Playa Norte: the best combination of resort, beach and town centre; also offers all-inclusive stays
• Mia Reef Isla Mujeres – a unique location for families: situated on a small island connected to Playa Norte by a bridge; you’re mainly paying for the location, and reviews of the services tend to be less impressive than those of neighbouring hotels
• Esplendor by Wyndham Isla Mujeres – a quieter all-inclusive resort for couples and families: the former Hotel Beló on the west coast features swimming pools and views of the sunset; the town centre is a short journey away
• Almare, a Luxury Collection Resort – a modern adults-only resort: a luxury all-inclusive resort on the peaceful west coast for guests who mainly want to stay at the hotel
• Impression Isla Mujeres by Secrets – the biggest ‘wow’ factor: an exceptionally photogenic adults-only resort in the south with excellent food, views and its own boat service from Cancún

We spent two nights at Impression and paid a total of 2 650 usd.

The appearance and location were close to 10/10, but overall we’d give it 8/10: the beach is small, the pools aren’t ideal for swimming and the service was slow at times. We’d book it for the architecture, the tranquillity and the food, but not as a base for exploring the island frequently.

Which hotel would we choose

• As cheaply as possible: Xbulu-Ha for two, Nílu for solo travellers
• Best value for money and beach: Sea Hawk Suites
• A safe bet right on Playa Norte: Ixchel Beach Hotel
• For families or longer stays: Nautibeach Condos
• Adults only, no need to rely on taxis: Privilege Aluxes
• A luxury stay where the hotel is the destination: Impression Isla Mujeres

Always check the hotel’s location on a map before booking. The term ‘beachfront’ on the east coast does not necessarily mean a quiet, sandy beach suitable for swimming.