Narrowing down where to travel in the Mexican Caribbean is no easy feat. So you’ve done well by whittling it down to Cozumel vs Isla Mujeres.
For better or worse, these islands are different.
Very different.
I spent two weeks on Isla Mujeres and have visited Cozumel three times. So, I’ll share the most significant differences between the two. And if you’re curious whether they have similarities, they do, and I’ll reveal them at the end.
Accessibility Note: If you’re a wheelchair user, check out our accessible guides on Cozumel and Isla Mujeres.
Cozumel vs Isla Mujeres Overview
I know the need to have answers at one’s fingertips. So, below is a cheat sheet on the biggest points I’ll cover.
| Feature | Cozumel | Isla Mujeres |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial airport | Yes | No |
| Size | Large | Small |
| Mode of transportation | Scooter, car, or taxi | Foot, golf cart, or taxi |
| Day trip feasibility | Moderately feasible | Very feasible |
| Activities | Abundant | Limited |
| Budget | Expensive | Moderate |
| Beaches | Lots of options, rockier | Fewer options, sandier |
Did I pique your interest?
Good. I’ve got lots more where that came from.
10 Differences Between Cozumel vs Isla Mujeres
Are you ready to reduce your chances of coming down with a case of “should-have” regrets mid-trip? Read on.
1. Cozumel Is Bigger
Cozumel is the clear winner in terms of size when compared to Isla Mujeres.
It’s nearly 185 square miles. In contrast, Isla Mujeres is only about five miles long and a half-mile wide.
So naturally, Cozumel has more beaches, restaurants, activities, and hotels. Cozumel’s large size also makes it a better fit for longer stays.
But bigger isn’t always better when deciding whether to visit Cozumel or Isla Mujeres.
Isla Mujeres has a small-town charm that Cozumel lacks, and some people love that they don’t need to rely on wheels to get around it.
2. Isla Mujeres Is Better for Day Trips
When you’re comparing Isla Mujeres vs Cozumel in terms of day trips, you’ll need to take a ferry from either island to arrive at the mainland.
Isla Mujeres requires about half the ferry time as Cozumel. It’s about a 20-minute ride from Isla Mujeres to Cancun, whereas the ferry ride from Cozumel to Playa del Carmen takes around 45 minutes. In both cases, you run the risk of delays due to bad weather.
Most people wanting to take a day trip from Cozumel stick with Playa del Carmen.
The advantage of this is that once you arrive in Playa, you won’t need transportation; the ferry port sits in the heart of Playa del Carmen’s tourist district. You can check out my article on Cozumel vs Playa del Carmen for details on what to expect from both destinations.
In contrast, when you arrive at the ferry port in Cancun from Isla Mujeres, you’ll need to take a taxi to arrive at the Hotel Zone. And even then, since Cancun is so spread out, you might need to take a couple of taxis to see different areas in Cancun.
But given the shorter ferry ride and the plethora of tours that depart from Cancun, you could also take a day trip to Chichen Itza, Valladolid, and even Playa del Carmen.
That’s not to say you can’t venture further than Playa del Carmen if you take a day trip from Cozumel. But the ferry ride is longer, and fewer group tours depart from Playa.
3. Cozumel Offers More Activities
Deciding between Isla Mujeres or Cozumel is a no-brainer if you like to stay busy exploring when you’re on vacation.
Choose Cozumel.
Because Cozumel is so big, you’ll have loads of activities for your vacationing pleasure. Some examples of the most popular things to do in Cozumel include:
- Punta Sur Eco Beach Park
- San Gervasio ruins
- Chankanaab Beach Adventure Park
- El Cielo beach for starfish sightings
Snorkeling and diving excursions are also favorite activities among those visiting Cozumel.
In contrast, Isla Mujeres’ main attraction is Playa Norte. This beach gives the phrase “postcard perfect” a run for its peso, and it’s arguably nicer than any beach you’ll encounter in Cozumel.
Snorkeling and diving are also popular in Isla Mujeres. And Isla Mujeres even has its own set of ruins in Punta Sur.
But as a whole, Isla Mujeres is a beach-it kind of island, whereas Cozumel is a beach-it and explore-it destination.
4. Isla Mujeres Has a Vibrant Beach Bar Scene
Before I dig myself into a sand hole, let me clarify: Isla Mujeres and Cozumel aren’t great party destinations.
If you want crowded clubs and an around-the-clock nightlife scene, you’re better off staying in Cancun or Playa del Carmen.
So if we take that hard-core party vibe out of the mix, we’re now comparing Cozumel vs Isla Mujeres on a more equal nightlife plane. And of the two, Isla Mujeres has more of a hopping beach bar scene.
I believe there are two reasons for this:
- Isla Mujeres is compact, so people are limited in where they can grab a drink.
- Cancun is 20 minutes away by ferry, so it draws in the nightclub crowd.
Playa Norte is the most popular spot for people wanting a beach bar scene in Isla Mujeres. It has cute stands-in-the-sand bars and a laid-back vibe.
In contrast, Cozumel’s bar scene occurs in downtown San Miguel de Cozumel and at beach clubs throughout the island. But given that things are so spread out, the nightlife often feels sparser than in Isla Mujeres.
And Cozumel’s nightlife is definitely more expensive.
5. Cozumel Has an International Airport
Cozumel and Isla Mujeres may share the characteristic of being islands, but their ease of access is different.
The Cozumel International Airport serves domestic and international destinations. So, if the thought of arriving there via a 45-minute ferry ride from Playa del Carmen makes you queasy, you can fly to its airport instead.
Some of the destinations that the Cozumel airport serves include:
- Dallas
- Miami
- Houston
- Toronto
In contrast, the closest airport to Isla Mujeres is in Cancun. Isla Mujeres technically has an airport, but it doesn’t serve commercial flights.
The drive from the Cancun airport to Puerto Juarez, the most popular ferry port for getting to Isla Mujeres, is about 30 minutes.
6. Isla Mujeres Is Cheaper
If I hadn’t already visited Cozumel before my trip to Isla Mujeres, I would have laughed if someone told me Isla Mujeres is cheap. Depending on your accommodation and food choices, you can make it cheaper than what you’d pay in the U.S.
But Isla Mujeres isn’t a cheap destination.
If you want cheap cheap, head inland to Merida or pretty much anywhere else in Mexico except Los Cabos, San Miguel de Allende, and, yes, Cozumel.
When comparing Cozumel to Isla Mujeres in terms of prices, Cozumel will make Isla Mujeres’ prices look reasonable.
You can expect to pay as much or more for a meal in Cozumel as you would at a restaurant in an equivalent location in the U.S. (beachfront versus a few blocks back).
And speaking of a few blocks back, you can always find relatively cheaper…well, everything…by heading away from the tourist zones in Isla Mujeres and Cozumel.
I was determined not to break the bank during my two weeks in Isla Mujeres and wrote a blog post on the cheapest restaurants in Isla Mujeres so you won’t have to either.
7. Cozumel Requires Transportation
Unless you plan on booking an all-inclusive resort and beaching it there, you’ll need transportation to get around Cozumel. The island is just too big for it to be any other way.
Luckily, there are several methods you can use to get around Cozumel, including:
- Taxi
- Car
- Scooter
You can travel around Isla Mujeres via these methods too. But when comparing Isla Mujeres vs Cozumel, Isla Mujeres stands out because the most popular ways are to walk or rent a golf cart.
8. Isla Mujeres Is Less Developed
Isla Mujeres is less developed than Cozumel. But comparing these islands to other popular beach destinations in Mexico like Cancun and Cabo, both appear underdeveloped.
Nevertheless, Cozumel is more developed than Isla Mujeres because it boasts many high-end resorts. It also has a modern and well-developed town center, San Miguel de Cozumel.
In contrast, when comparing Cozumel vs Isla Mujeres, Isla Mujeres’s downtown center consists of small shack-like shops and restaurants. I use the word “shack” endearingly, as it rightfully deserves.
You can find some higher-end hotels and resorts on Isla Mujeres, but they’re not the standard. I stayed and worked at the boutique hostel and cowork Selina Isla Mujeres and loved it (or, should I say, loved the cowork’s view).
9. Cozumel Has Rockier Beaches
It can be tough if you’re trying to decide between Isla Mujeres or Cozumel for the best beaches. Isla Mujeres undoubtedly has better sandy beaches, but Cozumel has more—and less crowded—options.
And they both offer areas of crystal-clear water, although Isla Mujeres’ Playa Norte takes the “taco” on all crystal-clear water, if you ask me.
But it’s undeniable that Cozumel has more rocks on its beaches. Much of this has to do with the Mesoamerican Reef being on its “shore”step.
So, broken pieces of coral wash up on the shore. And since Cozumel has so many remote beaches, they often remain there.
Nevertheless, both Cozumel and Isla Mujeres have chunks of rock-only shorelines. They also have rougher waves to the eastern side of their beaches, given that those face the open Caribbean Sea.
10. Isla Mujeres Is (Possibly) Safer
If you’re weighing whether Cozumel or Isla Mujeres is safer, Isla Mujeres is probably your answer.
But not by a lot—the U.S. Department of State (DOS) classifies both Cozumel and Isla Mujeres as a Level 2 for safety, given that these destinations fall within Quintana Roo state (check out my guide on safety in Quintana Roo).
Below is a chart showing what this Level 2 safety category means and the other levels for comparison.
| Level | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | Exercise normal precautions |
| 2 | Exercise increased caution |
| 3 | Reconsider travel |
| 4 | Do not travel |
But while Isla Mujeres and Cozumel are seemingly equal in their safety level according to the DOS, Numbeo painted a more detailed picture once upon a time, showing that Cozumel had a slightly higher crime index than Isla Mujeres (they’ve since removed that data, presumably for lack of more recent information).
But the reality is that both Cozumel and Isla Mujeres are much safer than several of their mainland Yucatan counterparts, such as Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum.
For more details on safety in these destinations, check out my articles, Is Cozumel Safe? and Is Isla Mujeres Safe?
Similarities Between Cozumel and Isla Mujeres
Now that you (hopefully!) have a grasp of the many ways that Isla Mujeres and Cozumel are different, below are the similarities these islands share.
1. Excellent for Water Activities
Cozumel and Isla Mujeres both offer some of the best snorkeling and diving experiences in the Mexican Caribbean.
You’ll have the opportunity to explore the Mesoamerican Reef in Cozumel. This reef is the largest barrier reef in the western hemisphere, so you’re practically guaranteed excellent marine life sightings.
In contrast, Isla Mujeres has a smaller set of reefs. But its crystal clear, calm water makes it an excellent place for people new to snorkeling or diving.
2. Similar Weather
Isla Mujeres and Cozumel are less than 100 miles apart. Therefore, they experience the same general weather trends (though isolated thunderstorms are expected).
The most popular time to visit Cozumel and Isla Mujeres is during the winter when temperatures are milder and there isn’t the threat of hurricanes.
Furthermore, excessive amounts of seaweed aren’t a problem in the winter. That said, both Isla Mujeres and Cozumel share the same characteristic that little seaweed lands on their western shores since their eastern shores catch it.
That varies significantly from the mainland Riviera Maya, where the entire coast serves as a net to usher seaweed onto its previously pristine beaches.
For more details on temperature, hurricanes, and weather in the Mexcian Caribbean, check out my guide on the best time to visit Cozumel.
3. Tourism Is the Biggest Money-maker
If you’re not a fan of touristy vibes when traveling, Isla Mujeres and Cozumel will likely disappoint you.
Tourism drives both islands’ economies.
Yes, you can find more remote areas on either island where you’re away from tourist crowds. But you’re still on a tourist island, and the locals will see you as such.
Therefore, expect vendors to try to sell you souvenirs, tours, and taxi rides.
How To Get From Cozumel to Isla Mujeres
If you’ve decided that you’d like to visit both islands now that you understand the differences between Cozumel vs Isla Mujeres, I’ve got good news and bad news.
The good news is that these destinations are close enough to visit on the same vacation.
As for the bad news, there isn’t a direct ferry or flight between Cozumel and Isla Mujeres. Therefore, your trip will look like this (or reversed, depending on your starting point):
- Take a ferry from Cozumel to Playa del Carmen (approximately 45 minutes).
- Drive from Playa del Carmen to the Cancun ferry terminal (approximately 1.5 hours).
- Board a ferry from Cancun to Isla Mujeres (approximately 20 minutes).
Needless to say, it’s possible but not feasible to visit Isla Mujeres as a day trip from Cozumel or vice versa.
There’s simply too much transportation involved for you to see your day trip island well, even if it is the tiny island of Isla Mujeres.
Cozumel vs Isla Mujeres: Which Will It Be?
I love Cozumel and Isla Mujeres for different reasons. But when push comes to shove, I’d choose Isla Mujeres over Cozumel.
There’s something about the extra-small island life I loved, and getting to most places on foot was a dream. Plus, the prices in Isla Mujeres were easier to swallow than those in Cozumel.
I’m curious—which destination are you leaning toward?
If you have questions about Cozumel or Isla Mujeres, leave a comment and I’ll be happy to help.
