Playa Mujeres is a gated resort and golf community on the mainland coast just north of downtown Cancun, looking across the water to Isla Mujeres. There is no town here – just a long white-sand beach, an 18-hole golf course and a handful of large all-inclusive resorts, about 35–45 minutes from Cancun Airport. It suits travelers who want a quieter stay than the Cancun Hotel Zone while keeping the city, the Isla Mujeres ferry and the airport close.
At a glance
- From Cancun Airport: 35–45 minutes by road; private transfer from 64 USD one way per vehicle.
- Best for: all-inclusive stays, couples, golfers and families who want a calm beach.
- Where: north of downtown Cancun near Punta Sam, facing Isla Mujeres; part of the Isla Mujeres municipality, but on the mainland.
- Getting around: taxis or private transport; there is no town to walk to outside the resorts.
Where is Playa Mujeres?
Playa Mujeres lies on the coast north of Cancun, past the Puerto Juárez ferry terminal and the road toward Punta Sam. Administratively it belongs to the municipality of Isla Mujeres, but it is not on the island – Isla Mujeres is the strip of land you see on the horizon from the beach. The area is a private, gated development, so access is through security checkpoints and most visitors are hotel guests.
Driving times are roughly 25 minutes to downtown Cancun, 30–45 minutes to the Hotel Zone and 10–15 minutes to the Puerto Juárez ferry, depending on traffic. Directly north is Costa Mujeres, a newer stretch of coast with its own group of resorts – many people use the two names interchangeably.
How to get to Playa Mujeres from Cancun Airport
There is no airport in Playa Mujeres; you fly into Cancun International Airport (CUN) and continue by road. The drive takes 35–45 minutes. A private transfer costs from 64 USD one way or 110 USD round trip per vehicle for up to 8 people, with door-to-door service to your resort. Details: Cancun Airport to Playa Mujeres.
Book your transfer to Playa Mujeres
Because the area is gated and there is no direct public transport to the resorts, a pre-booked transfer is the simplest option. Taxis and car rentals are also available at the airport.
Playa Mujeres resorts
Almost everyone who stays here books an all-inclusive. The main resorts covered on our site:
- Excellence Playa Mujeres – adults only, on a long stretch of beach.
- Finest Playa Mujeres – the family-friendly resort of the same group, with an adults-only club section.
- Beloved Playa Mujeres – a smaller, adults-only boutique resort aimed at couples.
- Secrets Playa Mujeres Golf & Spa Resort – adults only, beside the golf course; reopened in January 2026 after a full renovation.
- Dreams Playa Mujeres Golf & Spa Resort – the family-friendly neighbor of Secrets, with a kids’ pool and water play area.
- Atelier Playa Mujeres – an adults-only resort with a contemporary Mexican art and design theme, set between the beach and the golf course.
For the newer resorts just to the north, such as Riu, Catalonia, Grand Palladium and Majestic, see the Costa Mujeres hotels list.
Beaches and golf
The beach faces the Bahía de Mujeres, the bay between the mainland and Isla Mujeres, so the sea here is usually calmer than on the open-ocean side of the Hotel Zone. The sand is white and the water shallow near shore – good for swimming and paddleboarding. As anywhere on the Mexican Caribbean, seaweed (sargassum) can arrive in some months; resorts clean their beaches, but conditions vary.
The Playa Mujeres Golf Club is an 18-hole course designed by Greg Norman, laid out among dunes and mangroves at the heart of the development. Several resorts sit right next to it, and guests can book tee times through their hotel.
Things to do nearby
- Isla Mujeres: passenger ferries from Puerto Juárez, 10–15 minutes from Playa Mujeres by car, cross in about 15–20 minutes and run frequently all day. Spend the day at Playa Norte, rent a golf cart or visit Punta Sur. Ferry tips: Isla Mujeres ferry · Isla Mujeres guide. A car ferry leaves from nearby Punta Sam.
- Isla Contoy: a protected national park and bird sanctuary north of Isla Mujeres. Visitor numbers are capped (about 200 a day) and you can only go with an authorized tour – see the Contoy Island tour.
- Whale sharks: the official season runs from mid-May to mid-September (May 15 to September 17 in 2026). Tours leave by boat from Cancun and Isla Mujeres.
- El Meco: a small Maya archaeological site on the road between Puerto Juárez and Punta Sam, a few minutes from Playa Mujeres. It reopened in 2024 after restoration; check current hours and fees with INAH before you go. More sites: archaeological sites.
- Snorkeling and day trips: snorkel tours, Chichen Itza, Tulum and more are listed on our Cancun tours page.
Where to eat
Most meals in Playa Mujeres are eaten at the resorts, which have several à la carte restaurants each, and some allow guests to dine at sister properties next door. For a night out, downtown Cancun is the nearest option and has the most local, affordable food – see downtown Cancun restaurants. For seafood with a sea view, the restaurants around Puerto Juárez and on Isla Mujeres are an easy outing. The Hotel Zone has the widest choice of restaurants and nightlife: Cancun restaurants · Cancun bars.
Getting around
- Taxis: wait at the resort entrances. Ask the front desk about typical fares and agree on the price before you get in.
- Private transport: handy for dinners in town, the ferry or day trips, since you are dropped off and picked up at your hotel.
- Rental car: useful if you plan to explore; the coastal road links Playa Mujeres with downtown Cancun and Costa Mujeres.
- On foot: fine inside your resort and along the beach, but there are no shops or restaurants to walk to outside the hotels.
FAQ
How far is Playa Mujeres from Cancun Airport?
The drive takes 35–45 minutes. A private transfer costs from 64 USD one way or 110 USD round trip per vehicle for up to 8 people.
Is there an airport in Playa Mujeres?
No. Fly into Cancun International Airport (CUN) and continue by road – it is the closest airport.
Is Playa Mujeres on Isla Mujeres?
No. Playa Mujeres is on the mainland north of Cancun. It belongs to the Isla Mujeres municipality and faces the island across the bay, but you need a ferry to reach Isla Mujeres.
What is the difference between Playa Mujeres and Costa Mujeres?
Playa Mujeres is the gated golf and resort community closest to Cancun. Costa Mujeres is the newer stretch of coast just north of it, with more recently built resorts and a slightly longer drive from the airport.
Is Playa Mujeres good for families?
Yes, if you pick the right resort. Several Playa Mujeres resorts are adults only, while Dreams and Finest Playa Mujeres welcome children.