Playa Norte, Isla Mujeres - all you need to know

Playa Norte is the most famous beach on Isla Mujeres and, for most visitors, also the best place for a swim on the whole island.

The beach, approximately 700 metres long, curves around the northern tip of the island. It boasts fine, light-coloured sand, very shallow turquoise water and usually only minimal waves.

We also include the neighbouring Playa Centro in this description; it is a little closer to the harbour but actually has exactly the same characteristics.

That said, don’t expect a deserted Caribbean beach. The coastline is lined with hotels, restaurants and beach clubs, and from late morning onwards, day-trippers from Cancún start to arrive.

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Unrivalled

How did we get on here?

If you want to visit just one beach on Isla Mujeres, choose Playa Norte. The combination of light-coloured sand, calm shallow waters and a lower risk of sargassum is among the best in the entire Mexican Caribbean.

Playa Norte is particularly ideal for families with children, less confident swimmers and anyone who wants to enjoy a peaceful swim without big waves.

Its main drawbacks are the crowds and the abundance of beach clubs. Arrive by around 9.00 am at the latest, when the beach is considerably quieter and it’s easier to find a free spot in the shade. Another pleasant time of day begins after 4.00 pm, when the organised tours gradually leave and sunset approaches.

If you’re staying on Isla Mujeres itself, you’ll experience the best moments at Playa Norte in the morning and early evening. The chance to enjoy the beach away from the main crowds is one of the best reasons to spend at least one night on the island.

Swimming and the beach’s appearance

Playa Norte has significantly calmer waters than the east coast of Isla Mujeres and most of the open beaches in Cancún.

Fine, light-coloured sand
Crystal-clear water with a striking turquoise colour
A very gentle slope into the sea
Minimal waves
Good conditions for children and less confident swimmers
Views of the sunset over Cancún
Restaurants and beach clubs right on the beach
Large numbers of visitors and boats during the day

In some places, the water is still only waist-deep several tens of metres from the shore. However, the depth and width of the beach vary depending on the tide, the wind and previous storms.

Cruise ships and yachts are moored further out to sea. When swimming, stay within the area marked by buoys and do not attempt to swim out to the moored boats.

Which part of Playa Norte should you choose?

The different sections of the beach vary slightly.

The western section

The western end joins Playa Sol and Playa Centro. It is closest to the ferry terminal and offers the best views of the sunset.

You’ll find more restaurants and beach clubs here. The water at Playa Centro gets deeper more quickly than at Playa Norte itself.

The central section

In the central section around Cabañas Maria del Mar, there tend to be more palm trees, and this is also where you’re most likely to find a free spot for your own towel without having to pay for a sun lounger.

If you don’t want to use the beach club, this is where we’d head first.

The eastern section

At the eastern end, near Villa Kiin and the islet with the Mia Reef resort, the water is usually very shallow. At Villa Kiin, you can try some simple snorkelling, which is suitable even for beginners.

However, do not swim directly under the wooden bridge. Stronger currents may occur here, and stinging fire coral grows beneath the surface.

Playa Norte is generally not the best spot for snorkelling on the island. Most of the seabed consists solely of sand, and for coral it is better to head to the Garrafónor MUSA reefs.

When to visit and how to avoid the crowds

Playa Norte is usually at its quietest in the morning until around 10.00.

From late morning, cruise ships arrive from Cancún and the beach clubs, restaurants and public areas of the beach start to fill up. It’s usually busiest between around 11.00 and 16.00.

After 4.00 pm, day-trippers start to leave. The beach remains lively, but the atmosphere is much more pleasant and you can also watch the sunset.

You should expect exceptionally high visitor numbers, particularly:

over Christmas and New Year
during Spring Break
during Semana Santa
on Mexican public holidays
on summer weekends

For a day trip from Cancún, make the most of one of the first ferries of the morning.

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Entrance fees, beach clubs and prices

Entry to Playa Norte is free. It is a public beach and there is no charge for swimming or laying out your own towel.

However, most sun loungers, parasols and sun beds belong to hotels or beach clubs. Hotel sun loungers are usually reserved for guests staying at the hotel.

Beach clubs use various pricing systems:

a fixed fee for a sun lounger and parasol
a minimum spend on food and drink
a combination of hire and a minimum spend
more expensive all-day sun loungers for several people

Before sitting down, always ask about the total price, the minimum spend and the services included in the price.

To give you an idea, at the time of writing, Guru Beach Club charges 1 000 mxn for a sun lounger for up to 4 people, plus a minimum spend of 500 mxn per person. Simpler beach clubs may be cheaper.

If you don’t want to pay for a sun lounger, bring your own towel and look for a spot in the central part of Playa Norte or on the more spacious Playa Centro. Free spots in the shade of the palm trees get snapped up quickly.

On the beach you’ll find:

restaurants and bars
sun lounger and parasol hire
toilets and showers at the beach clubs
vendors selling drinks, fruit and souvenirs
paddleboard and other equipment hire

Public toilets, showers and luggage storage facilities are not always available. If you require these services, choose a beach club that explicitly includes them.

Sargassum and seaweed

Playa Norte is one of the beaches with the lowest risk of sargassum in the Cancún and Riviera Maya area.

Thanks to its north- and west-facing orientation, significantly less seaweed usually drifts here than on the island’s east coast or the open Caribbean beaches on the mainland.

However, this does not mean that Playa Norte is completely immune to sargassum.

Following a change in wind direction, a storm or a cold front, seaweed can accumulate here too.

How to get to Playa Norte

Playa Norte is situated at the northern tip of the island, right next to the centre of Isla Mujeres.

On foot from the ferry

From the ferry terminal, head north along the coastal Avenida Rueda Medina.

It takes about 10 to 15 minutes to walk to the western end of Playa Norte. The route is flat and runs through the town, so there’s no need to take a taxi or hire a golf trolley.

If you have heavy luggage and are staying at the opposite end of the beach, a short taxi ride may be more convenient.

From the southern part of the island

From Punta Sur, Garrafón and hotels on the south coast, take a taxi, the local bus or a golf buggy.

A taxi is the quickest option. Make sure you agree on the fare before getting in, as taximeters are not used on the island.

If travelling by golf trolley, bear in mind that parking in the centre is limited. Playa Norte does not have a large car park of its own, and the surrounding streets fill up quickly during the day.

Don’t hire a golf trolley just to visit Playa Norte. It’s mainly worth it if you plan to carry on to Punta Sur and other places in the south of the island on the same day.

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From Cancún: ferry or organised tour?

If your main aim is a full day’s swimming at Playa Norte, choose the public ferry from Puerto Juárez. Once you arrive, you can walk to the beach and decide for yourself when to return.

An organised catamaran trip makes more sense if you’re keen on the cruise itself, snorkelling, lunch or the open bar.

Read the itinerary carefully. Some full-day trips only allow around an hour of free time at Playa Norte, or stop at a different beach club instead.

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Our hotel recommendations near Playa Norte

The area around Playa Norte is the best place to stay on Isla Mujeres if you want to be close to the beach, the ferry, restaurants and nightlife.

You won’t need a golf buggy or a daily taxi. However, do expect higher prices and a busy atmosphere during the day.

Mia Reef Isla Mujeres is an all-inclusive resort on a small islet connected by a bridge to the northern end of Playa Norte. It’s ideally situated for families and guests who want to spend most of their time by the sea.
Casa del Jaguar Beach Hotel is a smaller luxury hotel right on the beach, particularly suitable for couples.
Privilege Aluxes Adults Only offers its own section of the beach and is one of the best adults-only options within walking distance of the centre.
Ixchel Beach Hotel is situated right on the widest part of Playa Norte and is suitable for families and longer stays.
Sea Hawk Suites are a simpler and usually cheaper option, situated approximately 130 metres from the beach.

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