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What to expect before, during, and after your arrival

On the plane, you'll be instructed to fill out 1 FMT/person (2-part, tourist visa) as well as a Customs declaration form. Present the FMT form as you pass through Immigration with your passport or birth certificate and picture I.D. The officer will stamp both parts with the number of days you can stay in Mexico (usually 30 days) and return the 2nd part to you, which you must have to leave Mexico. If you are traveling with a minor make certain you have proper documentation (ask your agent).

Reclaim your luggage and go through Customs where you will offer your declaration form and push the button and get a red or green light. Green means go. A red light means they'll search your luggage (usually quite casually unless you look suspicious).

A taxi, which goes directly to Puerto Juarez, costs approximately $36 U.S. (1 - 4 people) and takes about 20 minutes. This can be paid for in pesos or U.S. dollars. If there are more than 4 people it will cost less to take a suburban van, which can accommodate 8 people and which currently costs approximately $10 U.S. per person. However, the van driver will drop off the closest clients first and then finally take you to Puerto Juarez. So, unless all the passengers in the van are going to Puerto Juarez, it will take longer to get to the ferry - even more than 1 hour depending upon where the other passengers are going.

If you are arriving at the Charter Terminal, often there are no taxis available so the van is the best option. There are buses, which are cheaper, but it will probably take at least 2 hours to get to Puerto Juarez. If you pay for the van or taxi service, do not let them put you on the bus!

Remember there are 3 airport terminals at Cancun International Airport. One is primarily for scheduled International arrivals (Northwest, TWA, etc.) the second for National arrivals while the new terminal is for charters like Travel Charter and Apple Vacations (there are some exceptions). There is only 1 exit in the new Charter terminal so if you are going to be picked up making a connection is easy.

The money exchanges at the airport offer very poor exchange rates. There is a money exchange at Puerto Juarez and on Isla there is a bank, several money exchanges and 2 ATMs. U.S. Traveler's cheques and U.S. currency are easily exchanged (Do not bring Canadian currency.) . Credit cards are not widely accepted so it’s wise to bring your bankcard (know your PIN) In our experience you get a more favorable rate of exchange via the ATM than you do at banks or at currency exchange houses. And you don't have to wait in long lines. If you do use a bank or exchange house, it is a good idea to bring a pocket calculator.

An express boat leaves Puerto Juarez for Isla every hour, costs 35 pesos/person and takes 20 minutes. The boat is enclosed and air-conditioned. The last half hourly departure is at 8:30 P.M. However, there is now 1 final express crossing at 11:30 P.M.

Once you are on the island, taxis will be there at the dock to whisk you to your destination. For destinations on the northern part of the island, the fare is currently $1.00 (US). For destination on the southern portion, the fare is currently $3.50 (US).

You can rent golf carts to travel round the island, but cabs are a much more economical and quicker way to get around. We don't recommend mopeds because portions of the roads are not in great shape and lots of accidents occur.

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