Discovering Isla Contoy: Your Guide to the National Park and Whale Shark Swim Tours

Hotels and other questions about Isla Contoy

Written by Giovanna Ricalde | Mar 10, 2022 3:32:00 PM

Are there hotels in Isla Contoy? In this traveler's guide, we will answer this and other questions asked by those who want to spend an incredible vacation on this island. Are you ready?

Isla Contoy is a natural paradise that every traveler wants to visit. But there is not enough information to help travelers from far away plan their vacations to this beautiful destination.

As the adventurers that we are, we have created this blog post in which we will answer the most sought-after questions by tourists about Isla Contoy. 👇 Keep reading and learn all about this destination.

Is Isla Contoy accessible to the general public? 👋

Isla Contoy is open to the public. However, since it is a Natural Protected Area by the Mexican Government, access is limited to 200 visitors per day.

 

Is Contoy Island safe? 🏴‍☠️

Isla Contoy is not inhabited by humans (except for a few park rangers and researchers), so you are not exposed to crime. On the other hand, being a protected island, you will likely encounter animals in their natural habitat that, if disturbed, may respond. Isla Contoy's fauna is small and usually far away from the areas most frequented by humans, so it does not represent any danger to visitors. We recommend that you follow the guide's instructions to avoid any accidents.

 

Can you go to Isla Contoy on your own? 🙋

This is a question many people ask us. The answer is that you cannot go to Isla Contoy alone as a tourist. The only way to get to the island is to buy a tour. There are a few ways to visit Isla Contoy, for example, as a researcher, scientist, or volunteer. You must obtain a permit from the National Commission of Natural Protected Areas (CONANP in Spanish).

 

IS IT POSSIBLE TO STAY AT ISLA CONTOY? 🛏️

As a tourist, it is not possible to stay on Isla Contoy. Only park rangers, scientists, volunteers, and researchers can spend the night on Contoy.

 

ACTIVITIES IN ISLA CONTOY 🦅

Isla Contoy is a small destination recommended for a one-day trip. Tours to Isla Contoy usually include entrance to the park and access to areas such as the museum, the lagoon point view, the trails, and the beach.

Tours from Cancun to Isla Contoy include navigation, a stop at Isla Mujeres, food, and activities, which are ideal for traveling as a couple with friends or family.

In addition to relaxing on the beach, bird watching is a popular activity in Isla Contoy National Park. Here is a map of the areas that Isla Contoy's birds frequent.

*Some areas of the island may be restricted to tourists. For more information, ask your guide.
 

Are there hotels in Isla Contoy? 🏨

No, there are no hotels in Isla Contoy. If you plan to visit this destination during your Caribbean vacation, we suggest staying in Cancun, Isla Mujeres, or the Riviera Maya. Please note that most tours depart from Cancun.

 

How to get to Isla Contoy? 🏝️

As a tourist, you can get to Isla Contoy through a tour sold by authorized agencies. Usually, these packages depart from Cancun and include food and a visit to Isla Mujeres.

 

FROM CANCUN TO ISLA CONTOY

You can hire a tour with an authorized agency to take you to Isla Contoy. Most tours include food, snorkel, and a stop at Isla Mujeres.

FROM ISLA MUJERES TO ISLA CONTOY

On Isla Mujeres, there are agencies with small boats that have permission to go to Isla Contoy. Usually, these tours depart near the ferry or Punta Norte. For example, you can find the sales modules in the maritime terminal of Isla Mujeres.

FROM HOLBOX TO ISLA CONTOY

There is no direct way to get from Holbox to Isla Contoy. Since both islands are considerably far from each other, it is necessary to get to Cancun to purchase an authorized tour.

From Tulum to Isla Contoy

There are no boats that sail from Tulum's port to Isla Contoy. If you are in Tulum, you must take transportation to Cancun and then take an authorized tour to Contoy.

From Playa del Carmen to Isla Contoy

There are no boats that sail from Playa del Carmen to Isla Contoy. If you are in Playa, you must take transportation to Cancun (ADO or private transportation, for example) and then take an authorized tour to Isla Contoy.

 

We recommend you book a tour to Isla Contoy with transportation

🚐💨 This way, the transportation will pick you up at the hotel and take you to the marina. At the end of your tour, the transportation will be waiting for you outside the marina to take you to your hotel.

 

How much does it cost to visit Isla Contoy? 💸

Isla Contoy tour prices vary depending on the activities or inclusions. Here is a table with some examples.

Tour

From

Inclusions

Price

Contoy Island Tour by Isla Mujeres Trip

Isla Mujeres
  • Navigation
  • Light refreshments
  • Certified guide
  • Snorkel in reef
  • Lunch at Contoy Island
  • 1 hour of free time in Contoy
  • Guided tour of Contoy

Adults: USD 100

Kids: USD 85

Isla Contoy Experience

Cancun
  • Round trip transportation
  • Navigation
  • Light breakfast
  • 1 hour free on Isla Mujeres
  • National open bar on board
  • Snorkel in reef
  • Ecological tour of Contoy
  • Buffet on the island
  • Free time in Contoy

Adulto: USD 139

Niños: USD 109

Infants: Gratis

Excursión a las islas Paraíso: Isla Contoy e Isla Mujeres by Cancun Shuttle Travel

Cancun

  • Bottled water and soft drink
  • Lunch
  • Snorkel
  • Free time in Contoy
  • Free time in Isla Mujeres

Adults: USD 143

Children: USD 112

Infants: FREE

Ecoadventure in Contoy by Contoy Adventures

Riviera Maya

  • Round trip transportation
  • Navigation
  • Light breakfast
  • Visit to Isla Mujeres
  • National open bar
  • Snorkel
  • Ecological tour
  • Buffet on the island
  • Free time at the beach

Adults: USD 125

Children: USD 108

Infants: FREE

 

What is the cost of the entrance fee to Isla Contoy? 🎟️

Usually, the entrance fee to Isla Contoy is already included in the tour price, as well as the dock tax and the reef tax, so you will not have to pay anything when you arrive at the island.

Isla Contoy is a favorite of nature lovers for being a bird sanctuary of great importance for the Caribbean and its beauty. Do you have more questions? Write them in the comments, and we will happily answer them!