As the island grows in popularity, it is becoming easier to travel to Isla Holbox. However, Holbox is still a fairly remote island, and how to get to Holbox quickly takes just a little bit of planning.
From our visits to the island, we created this guide to take all of the headaches out of it and break down the best ways to get to Holbox.
Holbox is an island, so you can’t drive all the way there. Most trips involve a combination of ground transportation and a ferry boat, but there are flights to Holbox that can get you all the way there too!
Typically, when we travel to Holbox, we have a rental car and drive ourselves, and pay to park our car in Chiquila right by the ferry. Rental cars are cheaper than you think. We always book online here.
Unless you are flying, you need to get yourself to the small town of Chiquila and, from there, take the Holbox Ferry. There are several ways to get here for all budgets. Everything is explained below!
For even more info on the island, don’t miss our Isla Holbox Guide – with lots of tips, suggested itineraries, and things to do!
Jump to more info on Transportation to Isla Holbox:
- Isla Holbox Private Shuttle
- Holbox Ferry
- Driving a rental car to Isla Holbox
- Bus to Isla Holbox
- Flights to Holbox
The EASIEST and FASTEST Way to Isla Holbox
If you are looking for how to get to Holbox the easiest & fastest way, hands down, a private shuttle is the way to go. You’ll need to book online in advance to arrange and get the cheapest rates.
Traveling to Isla Holbox by Private Shuttle
Have a private driver waiting for you at the airport or pick you up at your hotel and bring you to the Chiquila Ferry, and then 15 minutes later, you’ll be in paradise.
If you are traveling with several people or a lot of luggage, a private shuttle is often cheaper and more comfortable. We recommend booking online with this company. They have several different vehicle types.
Isla Holbox Ferry from Chiquila
The ferry to Isla Holbox only takes 15 minutes! There are two ferry companies that run from Chiquila to Holbox and back. There is no difference in the companies. Really, there aren’t. We have taken them both numerous times.
They are the exact same price and same service, and they just operate on different schedules. Both leave every 30 minutes. One departs on the hour and the other on the half-hour.
You’ll pick the one with the next available ticket. You cannot book your ticket online in advance. We only waited about 15 minutes for the next ferry.
- Adults & Children over 4 feet: $220 pesos
- Children under 4 feet: $180 pesos
- Children under 2: Free
- Locals have reduced fares
- Chiquila Port Address: Chiquilá, Quintana Roo, Mexico
- Ferries start running at 5 am and the last ferry at 8:30 pm.
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 Car
If you’ve rented a car in Cancun, you won’t be able to drive to Holbox, but you can drive yourself to the town of Chiquila, where you get on the Holbox ferry.
Renting a car in Mexico is super cheap. Typically rental cars are between $20-40 a day. We have never paid more than $25 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 need to know before renting a car in Mexico click here.
- Cancun to Holbox / Chiquila
- Toll Road 145 km | 1 hr 55 minutes
- Playa del Carmen to Holbox / Chiquila
- Toll Road 123 km | 1 hr 45 minutes
- Tulum to Holbox / Chiquila
- Toll Road 186 km | 2 hours 30 minutes
- Merida to Holbox / Chiquila
- Toll Road 306 km | 3 hours 30 minutes
- Valladolid to Holbox / Chiquila
- Toll Road 159 km | 2 hours
Cancun to Holbox Travel Guide
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.
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.
Traveling to Isla Holbox by Bus
If you are traveling to Mexico on a budget, the cheapest way to Holbox is by public 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
- 3-3.5 hours
- Public Bus Playa del Carmen to Holbox / Chiquila
- 2.5-3 hours
- Public Bus Tulum to Holbox / Chiquila
- 3 hours 4 minutes
- Public Bus Merida to Holbox / Chiquila
- 5.5 hours
Click here for the ADO bus schedule and to book tickets online.
Traveling to Isla Holbox by Shuttle Bus
Shared shuttles to Holbox can be arranged. This is our least favorite way of traveling in Mexico. Shared shuttles are notorious for having to wait for all passengers, driving to several hotels to pick up passengers, driving like maniacs, and being crammed full of passengers.
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, 6 pm
- $40 per person
- Playa del Carmen to Holbox Ferry / Chiquila
- 11 am and 4 pm
- $25 per person
Make sure to check our complete list of the best restaurants in Holbox for a more detailed post.
Flight to Isla Holbox
The most expensive way but scenic is by plane. Private flights to Holbox can be arranged in advance. You can choose to fly to Holbox one-way or round-trip. Flights can be arranged from Cancún, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Cozumel, or Merida.
All flights are PRIVATE. The company offering flights does not organize shared flights. Prices are per plane, NOT per person. The prices below are for a plane with 3-5 passengers. Click here to request a booking.
- Flights: 6:30 am to 6 pm
- Max weight 350 kg / 780 lbs with passengers & luggage
- 16% Federal tax
- Cancun to Holbox Flight:
- 35-minute flight
- $714 per plane
- Playa del Carmen to Holbox Flight
- $996 per plane
- Tulum to Holbox Helicopter Flight
- price varies
- Cozumel to Holbox Flight
- $1088 per plane
- Merida to Holbox Flight
- $2188 per plane
No matter which way to Holbox you choose, you’ll end up in one of the best places in Mexico to visit and one of our personal favorites. We suggest going sooner rather than later before it becomes too popular. Make sure to read our ultimate Holbox guide before heading to Mexico.
*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 cancellation policy.*
Related Holbox Travel Guides
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Pepe
Tuesday 6th of June 2023
Thanks for the great info! Do you happen to know if dogs are allowed in the ferry?
elisa cardenas
Monday 27th of July 2020
Thank you for all the information, we plan to go next month god willing.
Jo Davis
Wednesday 6th of November 2019
Thank you for all the info on how to get to Holbox. We are going there on Nov. 16th! Do you have any more information on What to do or where to stay? I didn’t see anything on your website but maybe I missed it.
Hannah Lukaszewicz
Monday 6th of April 2020
Make sure to check out our complete Holbox guide here: https://www.gettingstamped.com/isla-holbox-mexico/
This should answer all your questions.
Tash M
Tuesday 6th of August 2019
Cheers for the Info! Isla Holbox is a dream destination for me and I appreciate this article being shared!