⭐⭐⭐⭐ ★ Mixed Experience – Great Crew, But Too Much Upselling and Disappointment on Isla Mujeres Mixed Experience – Great Crew, But Too Much Upselling and Disappointment on Isla Mujeres
We recently went on a catamaran trip with high hopes, and while the crew, especially Andy the tour leader, were absolutely fantastic and made the journey out lively and fun, the rest of the experience left much to be desired.
The snorkelling portion was enjoyable in theory, but in practice, it felt rushed. We were practically chasing the guide from point A to B with barely any time to stop and take in the reef, fish, or the unique underwater statues—which were the main reason we booked the tour in the first place.
The real letdown came once we landed at Isla Mujeres. From the get-go, there was a strong push to rent overpriced golf buggies with the message that we “really needed” them to see anything. We were led into a jewellery and tequila store, but the buggy drivers were quickly whisked away, leaving no time for tastings or even a bathroom break. Once we finally got our buggy, we weren’t given a map or any recommendations—just told to “go enjoy.” We ended up sticking with two other couples and did a quick lap of the island, but our buggy kept stalling, making the experience frustrating and rushed. When explaining to the hire guys there was no apology, or offer of reimbursement for the issues raised. They were simply not interested at all. Approx 1h 40 mins for $120 US is extortion.
We had expected a guided convoy-style tour to Isla Mujeres’ highlights, but this didn’t happen. Considering we paid over $120 USD, and knowing local rentals are far cheaper at around. $80 US for 24 hour rental, this felt like a real rip-off. Honestly, you’d probably have a better time just walking around the colorful streets near the drop-off point and heading to the beach on foot.
After our buggy adventure, we were taken to a so-called “beach club”—which was more of a run-down shack. The boat docked in a tributary, and we walked a long, odd path through mangroves and across a road to get there. The buffet food was less than poor, and birds were pecking at the food in the buffet trays, which was enough to put us off eating entirely.
The beach itself was small but pleasant. However, the presence of a shark enclosure—where sedated sharks lay motionless for tourists to pose with—was really upsetting and unnecessary.
The trip back to Cancun lifted the mood again. The drinks flowed, music played, and the crew did a great job entertaining us. But then came the second upsell: $60 USD for a photo package that included just 11 photos—4 printed, 7 digital. It was a nice memento, but far too expensive for what it was.
We ended our day back at Margaritaville, hungry and ready for a proper dinner and some relaxation.
Final Thoughts:
Big thanks to Andy and the wonderful crew who did their best to keep the vibe high. However, the constant upselling and poorly planned island experience really soured the day. With some changes—less hard selling, better organisation on Isla Mujeres, and more focus on guest enjoyment—this could be a truly great trip.
Written April 26, 2025
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