As its name suggests, Isla Holbox is an island. There are no roads to Holbox. The only way to the island is on the 15-minute Holbox ferry or by plane.
But don’t let that scare you away. It’s super easy to get from Cancun to Holbox in 2 hours.
We’ll go through all the different ways to travel from Cancun to Holbox. If you’re going to take the Holbox ferry, you’ll need transportation to Chiquila, where the ferry to Holbox departs from.
If you’re looking at how to get to Holbox from another city, check out our How to get to Holbox guide.
Easiest Way Cancun to Holbox
If you’ve just landed and want to know how to get to Holbox from Cancun airport, the easiest way is by private shuttle. Check rates here.
Having a driver waiting for you at the Cancun airport going to Holbox and an air-conditioned vehicle all to yourself is the best. Leave as soon as you’re ready and stop along the way when you want.
Related Article: Everything You Need To Know Before Visiting Isla Holbox
Private Shuttle from Cancun to Holbox
Cancun to Holbox private shuttles should be booked online in advance to arrange and guarantee the best rates. Rates at the airport can be very inflated. If you’re traveling to Mexico with kids or a larger group, private shuttles are often the cheapest option. They for sure are the most comfortable!
To get the best price we recommend booking online with this company, they offer several different vehicle types. If you need car seats, be sure to inquire in advance so you don’t have to travel with them if not needed.
- $225 for up to 9 passengers
- $300 luxury transport up to 6 passengers
- $300 up to 16 passengers
Isla Holbox Ferry from Chiquila
Once at the Chiquila Port, the ferry to Isla Holbox is 15 minutes. There are two Holbox ferry companies operating between Chiquila and Holbox. Holbox Express and 9 Hermanos, both companies are nearly identical – they both are the same price and offer the same service.
The only difference is their schedule. They both leave every 30 minutes. One ferry departs on the hour, and the other ferry departs on the half-hour.
When you get to the Chiquila port, you’ll just purchase a Holbox ferry ticket for the next available departure. Holbox ferry bookings online in advance are unavailable, and it’s not needed.
- Adults & Children over 4 feet: $220 pesos
- Children under 4 feet: $180 pesos
- Children under 2: Free
- Chiquila Port Address: Chiquilá, Quintana Roo, Mexico
- Ferries run starting at 5 am, and the last ferry to Holbox is at 8:30 pm
Make sure to check our complete list of the best restaurants in Holbox for a more detailed post.
Traveling to Isla Holbox from Cancun by Rental Car
If you’ve rented a car in Cancun, sadly, you can’t drive to Holbox, Mexico, BUT you can drive right to the town of Chiquila and hop on the Isla Holbox ferry from there.
This is our preferred way to travel in Mexico. Renting a car in Mexico is super cheap. Typically rental cars are between $20-40 a day. We have never paid more than $20 a day from Cancun Airport. For the cheapest prices, click here to get prices on Discovercars.com. They also offer free cancelations should your travel plans change.
For more tips on driving in Mexico and everything, you should know before renting a car in Mexico, click here.
- Cancun to Holbox / Chiquila
- Toll Road 145 km | 1 hr 55 minutes
Parking at Chiquila Holbox Ferry
When you get close to the ferry at the roundabout, take the third exit and then turn left (you can’t turn right because that is the pier). Here you will see several local places with parking options.
We parked our rental car in the front yard of one other local house/business there for four nights for 100 pesos a day. Our car was in a safe and secure location. We have not used this same ladies’ house on our last three trips to Holbox.
Make sure to take all your belongings with you and leave nothing valuable in the car. We had no issues at all and plan on parking here again on our next trip to Holbox.
Have ultimate freedom and save tons of money on tours with your own rental car! Don’t worry – It’s safe (we’ve rented 20+ times), the roads are good, and it’s easier than you think! We always rent from Discover Cars, it’s easy & they have the best prices.
Traveling to Isla Holbox by Bus from Cancun
If you are traveling to Mexico on a budget, the cheapest way to Holbox is by bus. We have taken the ADO bus a ton over the years. They are comfortable, safe, and reliable.
We suggest booking tickets online in advance if you know your schedule. We have often found the prices are cheaper online or on their app. Below are a few sample times & prices for public buses to Isla Holbox from popular Yucatan destinations.
- Public Bus Cancun to Holbox / Chiquila
- $266 pesos | 3-3.5 hours
Click here for the ADO bus schedule to Isla Holbox and to book tickets online.
Traveling from Cancun to Isla Holbox by Shuttle Bus
Shared shuttles sound like a good idea and are cheaper, but they are our least favorite way of traveling. Shuttles are known for making passengers wait until they are full, or they’ve gathered all the guests and then taking you on a hotel tour as they drop everyone off before you. Not to mention being overpacked and uncomfortable.
Shared shuttles have scheduled departures that aren’t convenient for most travelers. Below are a few sample prices and times.
- Cancun Airport to Holbox Ferry / Chiquila
- 10:15 am, 1 pm, 3:45 pm, and 6 pm
- $40 per person
Related Article: Things to do in Cancun
Flying from Cancun to Isla Holbox
You can fly from Cancun to Holbox by renting a private plane! Sadly there aren’t shared flights, and the price is per plane, not per person. It definitely is the most scenic and epic way to travel to Holbox.
Flying to Isla Holbox is actually a lot cheaper than I would have thought, considering you’ll have the entire plane to yourself. You’ll have to organize this in advance, and you can enquire online here with the company.
- Cancun to Holbox Flight:
- 35-minute flight
- Flights: 6:30 am to 6 pm
- Max weight 350 kg / 780 lbs with passengers & luggage
- 16% Federal tax additional
*When looking for the best price and biggest selection of hotels, check prices on Booking.com. We’ve found they are the best option and have a great cancelation policy.*
Places in Mexico to Visit Before or After Holbox
If you’ve got more time to explore Mexico, there are some amazing places in Mexico nearby you should check out. If you can’t go on this trip, consider them on your next trip. Check out some of our other Mexico articles to fuel your wanderlust.
Bucket List: 6 Best Mayan Ruins in Mexico | 2023 Guide
In Mexico, you’ll find more than 4,000 Mayan ruins dating back 2,500 years. Here are our picks for the 6 Best Mayan Ruins in Mexico to visit.
5 Things you Should Know BEFORE Renting a Car in Cancun
Don’t rent a car in Cancun without reading this first! Cancun car rental guide: driving in Mexico tips, common scams, what to do if police pull you over, best rental car company, and more
Ultimate List Of The Best Cenotes in Mexico
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