Many people believe that the term “transfer to Holbox,” whether by private transportation service, ADO, taxi, or own car, is sufficient to reach the Island. HOWEVER, they actually get a “little surprise” that they didn’t expect. What is this surprise? To reach Holbox Island, you need to take a ferry!
That’s right! A small part of the journey to Holbox Island is done by ferry, but you don’t take this ferry at the beginning of your journey from Cancun, Isla Mujeres, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, or anywhere else in the Riviera Maya (or Mexico). This ferry journey takes place in the final stretch of your trip, and now we’ll tell you everything you need to know.
Ferry to Holbox
Most people planning their trip to Holbox are unaware that an essential part of the experience is the ferry journey. While many prepare for a private transportation service, an ADO bus, or even their own car, the “little surprise” is the need to board a ferry to reach the island.
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Why a Ferry?
Holbox is an island located in the Gulf of Mexico, separated from the mainland by a stretch of water. Therefore, to access this paradise, one must cross the sea. This ferry crossing is one of the distinctive features of the Holbox travel experience and offers visitors a unique panoramic view of the marine environment and the beauty of the Mexican Caribbean.
Group ferry
If you’re organizing a group trip to Holbox, you’re in luck! Ferry fares for groups offer attractive discounts. For groups of 10 or more people, a 10% discount is applied to the regular price. But if your group is even larger, with 20 or more people, the discount increases to 20%. It’s important to remember that groups should make their reservations in advance to take advantage of these exclusive discounts.
Pet ferry
If you’re an animal lover and want to bring your furry friend with you to Holbox, you can! Pets are welcome on the ferries, but they must travel safely in cages or travel bags. The cost of the ticket for your pet is $50 pesos per trip, allowing you to enjoy the company of your faithful companion during your adventure on the island.
Other Special Fares
In addition to standard fares, there are some other options that might interest you:
- Round-trip fares: If you plan to return from Holbox to your starting point, round-trip tickets are often more cost-effective than buying two individual tickets, allowing you to save on your return journey.
- Low-season fares: If you have flexibility in your travel dates, consider visiting Holbox during the low season when ticket prices are lower. This is an excellent way to enjoy the island without breaking your budget.
- Student and Senior Citizen fares: If you are a student or a senior citizen, you’re in luck as special discounts are generally offered on ticket prices. Make sure to carry your student or senior ID to take advantage of these discounts.
How to Buy Ferry Tickets to Holbox
Ferry tickets to Holbox can be purchased in person at the Chiquilá port or online through the websites of the ferry companies we will tell you about shortly.
Buying Tickets in Person
To purchase ferry tickets in person, you should head to the Chiquilá port in advance, as ferries tend to fill up, especially during high season periods. You can buy tickets at the ticket counters of the ferry companies. It’s worth noting that the accepted methods of payment for purchasing your ticket in person are:
- Cash
- Credit Cards
- Debit Cards
Accepted credit and debit cards include Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover.
Buying Tickets Online
To buy ferry tickets online, you can visit the websites of the ferry companies. These companies offer a variety of payment options, such as credit cards, PayPal, and bank transfers.
Ferry 9 Hermanos
The maritime transportation company 9 Hermanos is the one that operates the ferry to Holbox from early in the morning. It starts operations from 5:00 AM in the morning, and every 1 hour or 30 minutes, a new ferry departs for Holbox.
It should be noted that its last departure time from the port of Chiquila to Holbox is at 8 pm, and the last departure time from the port of Holbox to Chiquila is at 9 pm.
Below are the departure schedules from Chiquila to Holbox and from Holbox to Chiquila.
| Holbox to Chiquila | Chiquila to Holbox |
| 05:00 a. m. | 06:00 a. m. |
| 07:00 a. m. | 07:00 a. m. |
| 08:00 a. m. | 08:00 a. m. |
| 09:00 a. m. | 09:00 a. m. |
| 10:00 a. m. | 10:00 a. m. |
| 11:00 a. m. | 11:00 a. m. |
| 12:00 p. m. | 12:00 p. m. |
| 01:00 p. m. | 01:00 p. m. |
| 02:00 p. m. | 02:00 p. m. |
| 03:00 p. m. | 03:00 a. m. |
| 04:00 p. m. | 04:00 p. m. |
| 05:00 p. m. | 05:00 p. m. |
| 06:00 p. m. | 06:00 p. m. |
| 07:00 p. m. | 07:00 p. m. |
| 08:00 p. m. | 08:00 p. m. |
| 09:00 p. m. |
Ferry Holbox Express
Holbox Express is a maritime transportation company (ferries) that offers trips from the Port of Chiquila to Holbox Island. The ferry’s cost is 220.00 MXN for adults and 180.00 MXN for children.
Their maritime transfer operations start every day at 6:30 am, and then another ferry departs every hour for the island. Their last departure time is at 8:30 pm.
Below is the departure schedule for the Holbox Express ferry line from Chiquila to Holbox and from Holbox to Chiquila.
| Holbox to Chiquila | Chiquila to Holbox |
| 06:30 a. m. | 06:30 a. m. |
| 07:30 a. m. | 07:30 a. m. |
| 08:30 a. m. | 08:30 a. m. |
| 09:30 a. m. | 09:30 a. m. |
| 10:30 a. m. | 10:30 a. m. |
| 11:30 a. m. | 11:30 a. m. |
| 12:30 p. m. | 12:30 p. m. |
| 01:30 p. m. | 01:30 p. m. |
| 02:30 p. m. | 02:30 p. m. |
| 03:30 p. m. | 03:30 a. m. |
| 04:30 p. m. | 04:30 p. m. |
| 05:30 p. m. | 05:30 p. m. |
| 06:30 p. m. | 06:30 p. m. |
| 07:30 p. m. | 07:30 p. m. |
| 08:30 p. m. | 08:30 p. m. |
NOTE: The last ferry departure from the port of Holbox to Chiquila is at 9:00 PM. That means that after that time, you will not be able to leave the island until the next day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Before we start with the article, let’s first answer some key and frequently asked questions from our hundreds of users and travelers.
Is there a ferry from Cancun to Holbox?
No, the answer is no. There is no direct or indirect ferry that can take you from the city of Cancun to Holbox Island, and this also applies to Cozumel, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, etc.
Where do you take the ferry to get to Holbox?
The ferry that takes you to Holbox (better known as Ferry or Ferri) can be found at the maritime terminal in the town of Chiquila or at the Chiquila port.
What is Chiquila?
Chiquila is a small fishing village located northwest of the city of Cancun and is part of the Lazaro Cardenas municipality. It is part of the state of Quintana Roo and currently has economic importance due to its port, which is the only one from where you can take the ferry to Holbox Island and also receives ferries coming from the port of Holbox.
Can I travel to Holbox Island by car?
Yes, you can travel by your own car or by renting one to get only to the port of Chiquila. In that place, there are several private parking lots where you can leave your car for an average cost of 100.00 MXN per day. But YOU CANNOT BRING YOUR CAR TO THE ISLAND.
What is the cost of the ferry to Holbox?
Currently (2022), the cost of the ferry to Holbox is 220.00 MXN for adults and 180.00 MXN for children. These prices are one way, so a round trip for an adult costs 440.00 MXN and 360.00 MXN for a child. It should be mentioned that if you are a resident of the state of Quintana Roo, the cost of the trip is 180.00 MXN.
What is the distance from Chiquila to Holbox?
The distance between the port of Chiquila and Holbox Island is 12.1 km.
How long does the ferry to Holbox take?
The ferry transfer time to Holbox, whether it’s the 3 Hermanos company or Holbox Express, is approximately 20 to 25 minutes.
Conclusion
Many people mistakenly believe they can reach Holbox by ferry from Cancun or the Riviera Maya, which is completely false. So don’t be deceived by misinformation. On the other hand, remember to include the cost of the ferry in your travel budget, as many people only consider the cost of transportation.
To stay in the same context, we invite you to read about “how to get to Holbox” and “private transfer to Holbox.”