In my opinion, Isla Mujeres has the best beaches on this side of Mexico. The first time I saw Playa Norte, back in 2021, I was shocked at how untouched and tropical it was. These days, a lot has changed, but Isla Mujeres’ best beaches are still worth a visit.
In this guide, I’ll do my best to explain to you what the best beaches are in my personal experience. I’ve stayed on this island for a total of two years in the past five years. That also means I’ve got some hidden gems that I want to share with you. Let’s get started!
My Personal Experience
Isla Mujeres has a bunch of beautiful beaches. Playa Norte rightfully takes the crown for the best beach. These days, it’s quite crowded during the day, which can be great if a lively atmosphere is what you’re looking for. However, if you want to experience its true magic, visit it early in the morning (before 7 A.M.) or stay after sunset to see what this beach used to feel like.
I like to go to Playa Centro or Playa Publica Media Luna when it’s weekend, because Playa Norte gets a bit too crowded for me at that point. If I’m looking to escape everybody, Playa Joya is the spot, but you need to know how to get there since it’s definitely off the beaten path.
This is a beautiful island, and the beaches are one of the reasons I fell in love with it. Enjoy your time!
Playa Norte – The Crown Jewel
Most people come to Isla Mujeres for Playa Norte, and with good reason. If there’s one beach that you should see during your stay on Isla Mujeres, it’s this one.
Now, I do have to warn you: if you’re visiting this beach in high season (January – April), it does get very busy during the day. It’s quite a small and narrow beach, and these days, between 9 AM and 5 PM, it’s full of lounge beds from the beach clubs that line the shores of the island.
You can rent one of these lounge beds for 600 pesos ($30 USD) per day, or find a spot on the spaces that are left over. Either way, I’m sure you’ll find a spot even during the busiest of days. I always do.
During the day, Playa Norte does not provide a lot of shade. Back in the day, we would find a palm tree, but these days, these palm trees are all on property owned by beach clubs. If you visit between 12 PM and 4 PM, you either need an umbrella or you need to bring sunscreen. You’ll burn alive otherwise!
Taking a dip in the water is really easy. The water here is shallow, and you can walk 90 feet (30 meters) before the water reaches above your waist. It’s ideal if you have kids or aren’t a good swimmer. There’s also no current here.
My favorite part of the day on Playa Norte is sunset. Depending on the season, it starts at 6 to 7 PM. If it’s a non-cloudy day, you can see the sun disappear behind Cancun. Most people leave right after sunset, but I suggest hanging around for another 30 minutes. That’s when the sky becomes all kinds of orange, red, and purple. This beach provides the best sunsets, in my opinion.
Playa Centro – The Heart of the Island
Just a short walk from the ferry pier, Playa Centro is less flashy than Playa Norte but has its own charm. One of the pros of Playa Centro is that it’s a lot bigger than Playa Norte. Also, it’s right against the corner, and you can walk from Playa Norte to Centro without ever leaving the beach.
During busy days, I prefer Playa Centro. There are lounge beds here as well, but not nearly as many. Also, if you sit way further back from the shoreline, you may find a palm tree to sit under. There’s a beach club or two on Playa Centro as well, but not nearly as many as on Playa Norte.
The water here is shallow as well, but it gets deeper quickly. There’s also a line with buoys in the water that you can’t cross. That’s because Playa Centro is right next to the harbour of Isla Mujeres, which means small boats and ferries pass by regularly.
As you can see in one of the pictures I took, you can see the sunset from Playa Centro as well. It’s just as beautiful as the one on Playa Norte.
Playa Hermosa Caleta – A Hidden Gem
Playa Hermosa Caleta, is an extension of Playa Norte on the northern side of the island, is one of my favorite escapes. It’s basically the beach that most locals use. The gentle waves and the bright turquoise water make it feel like a private paradise.
Fewer tourists come here, which means you can practically have the beach to yourself if it’s not the weekend. The sand is softer than I expected, and the water is calm enough for floating and wading. Golden hour here is magical as well, although you won’t have as good a view of the sunset as you would have in Playa Norte.
Paddleboarding works well if you bring your own gear, and snorkeling near the small rocks is surprisingly fun. The small rock formations host colorful fish, perfect for a quick underwater adventure. If you’re into snorkeling, also check out my snorkeling Isla Mujeres guide.
Playa Publica Media Luna – The Forgotten Beach
Playa Publica Media Luna (click the link for the location) is Playa Nortes’ forgotten cousin. It’s almost just as beautiful as Playa Norte. However, these days I often prefer it when it’s the weekend, because all tourists and even locals completely skip this beach.
The main reason for that is that this beach faces the east side of the island, which means the water is choppier. Also, you’re not allowed to swim here. There’s a lifeguard on duty who will remind you about this fact when you get to deep into the water.
Nevertheless, the sand is beautiful, the palm trees are too, and the beach is quite wide. On most days, you’ll only find a handful of people lying here, even though it’s in the middle of the city center.
Pro tip: Playa Centro, Playa Norte, Playa Hermosa Caleta, and Playa Publica Media Luna are all connected. It’s a fun little walk if you feel like walking along the beach and letting your mind wander.
Playa La Joya – Off-the-Beaten-Path Seclusion
For those who want peace and a bit of adventure, Playa La Joya (right next to Hotel La Joya) is a hidden gem. Rocky coves and turquoise water make it feel isolated, even if you’re only a 15-minute ride from the main town. Keep in mind, though, that this beach can’t be found on Google Maps.
It’s located on the left side of Hotel Joya. You enter a small street off the main road, and you can park your scooter or golf cart down the road. Then, you have to walk a narrow path down the cliff, and you’ll arrive at one of the best-kept secrets of the island.
There are no big crowds here. Water clarity is excellent, and there’s almost no seagrass ever because it’s quite a protected little bay. Bring a mask if you’re snorkeling, because the rocky areas hide little coral patches.
Facilities are minimal, or better said, there are no facilities here. Anything you need, you’ll need to bring. That means water, snacks, sunscreen, and towels. It is still one of the quietest beaches on the island, though, so it’s worth it.
How to Get To Playa La Joya
This one is quite hard to explain because it’s by far the most unknown beach on the island. I have taken some picture to make sure you can find your way there. However, keep in mind that it’s a bit of a steep hike down and you’ll need to climb some rocks. Therefore, if you don’t have optimal mobility, do not attempt this.
Follow the instructions below from step 1 – 10. This is the location of Hotel La Joya.
Playa Lancheros – Local Flavor
A short golf cart ride from the center of town, Playa Lancheros is quieter and known for its seafood. That’s because Playa Lancheros can only be entered by a restaurant that carries the same name.
Besides the restaurant, Playa Lancheros is one of the places that has the Isla Mujeres swing that people love to take pictures with. Also, the beach is nice and well taken care of. It’s worth a visit if you want to get away from the crowds of the north, lie on a nice beach, and enjoy your food at the same time.
Do Isla Mujeres Best Beaches Suffer From Sargassum?
Most of Isla Mujeres best beaches do not suffer from sargassum. That’s because most beaches on the island, especially the ones that I have mentioned in this blog post, are located on the northern or western sides of the island. Sargassum typically comes in from the eastern side of the island.
The one beach that sometimes suffers from seaweed is Playa Norte. If the weather is very stormy and there are winds coming from the North, this beach may have some sargassum. However, authorities are very diligent at removing this from the beach quickly because Playa Norte is so important for tourism.
Therefore, if you arrive after 8 AM, a team of local workers has typically already cleared the beach of sargassum if there is any. All other beaches in Isla Mujeres are free of sargassum year-round.
Choosing the Right Beach for Your Stay
If you’re only on Isla Mujeres for one day, I suggest going to either Playa Norte or Playa Centro. These beaches best catch the Isla Mujeres island vibe. They also offer the best sunsets on the island and have the best beach clubs.
If you want to get away from the crowds and don’t care about amenities, you can opt for Playa la Joya or Playa Publica Media Luna. Playa la Joya is the most hidden option, whereas Media Luna is still in the middle of the city center, but is often just forgotten by most tourists.
Getting Around Isla Mujeres
Walking is doable in the center, but a golf cart or scooter opens up the entire island. I used to rent a golf cart, but those have become really expensive (in some cases up to 100 USD per day). Taxis are available and are cheaper for longer distances or multiple trips (150 pesos – 250 pesos per trip).
If you want to explore multiple beaches in a day, a golf cart or scooter is ideal.
Practical Tips for Visiting Beaches
If you’re going to Playa Norte, Playa Centro, Hermosa Caleta, or Publica Media Luna there’s not a lot of stuff you need to bring. Towels, sunscreen, and water will do the trick.
Keep in mind that some of the beach clubs or food stalls near the beaches only take pesos and don’t accept cards. No ATM’s are close to the beaches, and for all of them, you’ll need to walk a bit further south. It’s only a 5-10 minute walk, but it’s annoying if you’re enjoying a beach day. Therefore, I recommend doing that before going to the beach.
If you’re going to Hermosa Caleta, you may want to bring some swimming goggles if you like seeing fish, since this is a little bit of a snorkeling spot.
Besides money and the basics, you also don’t need to bring a lot to Playa Lancheros.
Best Beach Clubs on Isla Mujeres
If you want to relax at beach clubs during your stay on one of Isla Mujeres best beaches, then you’ll need to know where to go. Below are some of my favorite options.
1. Green Demon Beach Club
Right on Playa Norte, Green Demon Beach Club is one of the easiest beach clubs to settle into for a full afternoon. When you enter Playa Norte, you’ll want to walk to the right. Eventually, you’ll see a beach club with the iconic orange beds as pictured above. That’s Green Demon.
At Green Demon, you can chill at the bar/restaurant or rent one of the orange lounge beds. Do keep in mind that the lounge beds come with a mandatory fee. The fee is $500 pesos for the bed + $500 pesos of mandatory consumption. So a $1000 pesos (or $50 USD) total.
That’s worth it if you’re only there for a day and intent on staying there for many hours. We’ve done this once, and it was a really good time. That’s also because Green Demons’ playlist is a combination of vibey Spanish-speaking and Reggae songs, which was the right vibe for us. It’s also not too loud. The drinks are good (but of course a bit expensive) and so was the food.
2. Kin Há Beach Club
On the southern end of the island, Kin Há Beach Club offers a completely different beach club experience. Instead of soft sand, this spot is built along the rocky coastline with platforms, pools, and ladders that drop straight into incredibly clear water.
It feels a bit more like a resort day pass than a traditional beach club. There are pools, lounge areas, a restaurant, and even small water activities like snorkeling and paddleboarding. Also, it has a wooden walkway, which you can dive off and snorkel from. Because it faces open water rather than the bay, the sea here is deeper and great for jumping in.
What I like most is the view. The Caribbean looks darker and more dramatic here than at Playa Norte, and sunsets can be spectacular. It’s also usually quieter than the northern beaches.
3. Mayan Beach Club
Another solid option on Playa Norte is Mayan Beach Club. It’s easily one of the most popular beach clubs in all of Isla Mujeres. Mayan Beach Club is actually more affordable than Green Demon.
When you enter Playa Norte, walk to the left. It’s almost on the corner of Playa Norte and Playa Centro. It’s also one of the biggest beach clubs, so you can’t miss it.
To get a lounge bed here, you have to spend $600 pesos by 5 PM. At that point, your lounge bed is free. Honestly, for this spot on the island, that’s good value for money, especially if you’re going to be here most of the day.
It’s a good choice if you want a beach club that still feels lively without turning into a full party scene.
Activities Beyond the Beaches
If you’re a snorkeler or diver, Isla Mujeres offers plenty beyond the sand. Definitely check out this guide on all the interesting activities on Isla Mujeres that I wrote as well.
The island is near the MUSA underwater sculpture park, it’s small enough that you can explore most of it within a day by renting a golf cart, and scuba diving is an often done experience as well.
FAQ – Isla Mujeres Best Beaches
Which is the Best Beach for Swimming In Isla Mujeres?
Playa Norte and Playa la Joya are the best beaches for swimming in Isla Mujeres. The water at these beaches is calm, and they’re often free of sargassum. Both beaches also have shallow water, making it suitable for kids and people who aren’t good swimmers.
Are Playa Norte and Playa Centro Suitable for Kids?
Yes, both beaches are very suitable for kids. Do keep in mind that Playa Norte can get really busy during the day and that there won’t be a lot of places for them to build sand castles. If you have a bigger family and need space, go to Playa Centro.
What’s the Best Time of the Day to Visit Isla Mujeres?
Mornings before 10 AM are the best time to arrive in Isla Mujeres. If you arrive later, many of the spots on Playa Norte will already be taken.
Are There Any Hidden Beaches Tourists Don’t Know About?
Playa la Joya is a hidden beach that’s very rarely visited by tourists. It’s the most well-kept secret beach on the island.
Can I Rent Snorkeling Gear On Beaches On Isla Mujeres?
Most beaches don’t have stands that rent snorkeling gear. If you’re staying in a hotel, you can ask for snorkeling gear at the reception. If you need snorkeling gear, the grocery stores on the island (Super Aki and Chedraui) typically do have equipment that you can buy.
