Yacht charter prices in Cancún vary so much that five operators will give you five different answers. That is not evasion: the price depends on the boat, the number of hours, where you want to go and who is coming along. What follows is a plain-language map of the market, built from operator and booking-platform listings we reviewed in October 2026.
Every figure below is in US dollars and should be read as a typical range, not a quote. Prices move with the season, fuel and availability, and many listings run promotions, so treat this as a way to set a realistic budget before you ask for exact numbers.
Prices change often. Treat any figure here as a guide and ask for a current quote.
Typical yacht charter prices in Cancún, by size of boat
Prices are for the whole boat, not per person, and almost always include a captain and crew. Duration is the second variable: four hours is the standard half-day, with six to eight hours the full day.
The listings we reviewed cluster roughly like this:
- Catamarans, 32 to 38 ft (about 13 to 25 guests): approximately $725 to $950 for four hours and $1,120 to $1,240 for seven hours, depending on the operator and boat
- Motor yacht, about 40 ft (up to 15 guests): approximately $650 for two hours, $990 for four hours and $1,350 for six hours on one operator's list
- Motor yachts, 42 to 52 ft (12 to 18 guests): approximately $1,720 to $2,630 for four hours
- Motor yacht, about 60 ft (up to 15 guests): approximately $1,500 for four hours, $1,710 for six and $2,000 for eight on one listing; another 60 ft Italian yacht starts at about $479 for a single hour
- Motor yacht, about 100 ft: approximately $9,800 for four hours on the one listing we found
- Motor yacht, about 120 ft (up to 30 guests by day): approximately $21,000 to $25,000 for a full day
See Viviana's private yachts from $1,500 →
What is usually included
Across most operators the base price covers exclusive use of the boat, a licensed captain, fuel for the usual bay and Isla Mujeres route, ice, towels or life jackets and snorkel gear. Many add a fixed quantity of drinks: for example 24 beers, 24 sodas and 24 waters on several mid-size yachts, or a full open bar of rum, tequila and whisky on some catamarans.
Food is the item that varies most. Some catamaran packages include lunch on the longer charter, while many yachts leave catering to be quoted separately or let you bring your own. Premium spirits and champagne are typically not in the base price.
Extra costs to budget for
The base price is rarely the final number. The items below came up repeatedly in the listings, and several are payable in cash at the marina, so it helps to know them in advance.
- Dock or marina fee: listed at about $15 to $20 per person by several operators, often paid in cash on arrival
- Marine park or conservation fee: one catamaran operator lists $20 per person, in cash, when you visit the Isla Mujeres area; ask whether it is already folded into your price
- Gratuity for the crew: usually not included. One 120 ft listing makes 10% mandatory; as a rule, plan on roughly 10 to 15% of the charter price
- Food and extra drinks: catering is commonly quoted separately; one operator lists a beach-club lunch at Isla Mujeres at about $25 per person
- Transport to the marina: hotel pickup is an add-on, listed from about $15 to $25 per person or per vehicle depending on the operator
- Fuel surcharge: some operators add one when you go beyond the bay
- Extra guests: larger yachts may charge a per-person supplement above a set head count
What drives the price up or down
Length and capacity set the baseline, but the biggest jumps come when you move from a 60 ft yacht to anything over 100 ft, where crew size, fuel burn and amenities all increase together. Duration is next: the first four hours carry most of the cost, and extra hours are usually cheaper than the first block. One catamaran listing shows additional hours at about $190.
Season matters too. Winter holidays, spring break and long weekends fill the better boats first. Destination also counts: a bay cruise is the cheapest, while Isla Mujeres, further snorkel stops or a route outside the bay can add cost. Finally, group size: a boat with a lower capacity is cheaper, but squeezing 15 people on a 40 ft yacht is rarely the comfortable choice.
Yacht or catamaran?
A catamaran is the better value for larger groups: it offers wide decks and a stable ride, and the per-person cost is usually the lowest. A motor yacht is faster, which gives you more time at each stop and a more polished, lounge-style day. For a bachelorette, birthday or small group of 8 to 12, a 40 to 60 ft yacht is a common sweet spot. For 20 or more, catamarans and the biggest yachts make more sense.
Private catamaran to Isla Mujeres from $900 →
How to book without surprises
Ask for a written quote that states the hours, the route, what drinks and food are included, and each fee payable in cash. Check the cancellation policy: the listings we reviewed ranged from a full refund up to 24 hours or three days before to no refund inside 30 days for the largest yachts. Confirm the departure marina, since Cancún's Hotel Zone has several. Viviana can handle all of this for you on WhatsApp, including matching the boat to your group size and arranging the chef or decor if you want them.
