The island of Holbox has become a very popular destination for hundreds of travelers who visit the state of Quintana Roo, or more specifically, travelers who visit Cancun and the Riviera Maya.
Why is the island so appealing to visitors? Because it is one of the few places in the state of Quintana Roo that still retains its charm as an untouched island: a place where you won’t find nightclubs, hotels taller than 3 stories, paved roads, or cars.
So what will you find? Shallow beaches where you can even “literally walk on water” for several meters, bioluminescence at night, humble hotels with 3 stories or less, cabins, typical Yucatan cuisine, and of course, seafood.
Streets filled with sand, hammocks on the beaches, the most beautiful sunset in Mexico, hundreds of birds, hundreds of wildlife species, and truly a paradise on Earth.
You probably already want to visit the island, and the million-dollar question is, how to get to Holbox? Well, the answer can be a bit complicated or simple, depending on where you are. But don’t worry, keep reading because we will answer it for you right now.
How to Get to Holbox from Cancun
If you are in the city of Cancun, the best option (not to say the only one) to get to the Chiquila maritime terminal is the **private transfer service**. Of course, this is a somewhat “expensive” option, but it’s worth it in terms of comfort, time, and freedom.
The other options are the ADO bus, the Mexico Bus, and if you’re adventurous, renting a car and driving the road on your own.
Right now, we will delve into each of these options in more detail. But before that, remember that all transfer services are designed to take you to the Chiquila maritime terminal. Don’t know what we’re talking about? Well, don’t worry, and click here.
Private Transfer to Holbox
The private transfer service is the best option for getting to Holbox from Cancun. It’s a service in which **”you choose the departure time”**. This is an advantage because bus and collective transport services have **”specific departure schedules”**.
But that’s not all: with this transportation service, you can also choose the time you want them to pick you up in Holbox and take you back to Cancun.
This will undoubtedly allow you not to be in a rush to catch the return bus. So it’s definitely an excellent option.
Is that all? Not really. This service also allows you to customize it with drinks, snacks, air conditioning, Wi-Fi, and ample space for a comfortable trip to Holbox.
How much does this service cost? The private transfer service costs $225 USD for a one-way trip (either one way or round trip) and this cost is for up to 8 passengers. The cost of the round trip is $435 USD, also with the capacity to carry (and bring back) up to 8 passengers.
If this is the service you are looking for, you can book it right now **from here**.
Bus to Holbox
If you’re looking for something more economical, then the ADO transportation line might be for you. The cost of the ADO bus transfer ranges from 259.00 MXN to 344.00 MXN. It’s worth mentioning that the regular price for the ADO bus to Holbox is 344.00 MXN.
However, they often have promotions, so the price can be 259.00 MXN, 308.00 MXN, 310.00 MXN, etc. You can see this in the following image.
What is the schedule for the ADO bus? The earliest ADO bus from Cancun to the Chiquila port departs at 8:15 am. After that, the other departures are at 10:00 am, 11:00 am, 12:00 pm, 1:00 pm, 3:15 pm, and the last departure is at 5:00 pm.
Remember that this schedule aligns with the ferry schedule to Holbox. So, if you want to arrive early and enjoy as much as possible of this paradise, you should take the bus that departs at 8:15 am.
Car Rental
**Could renting a car be a good transportation option to Holbox?** Absolutely. The car cannot be taken to the island itself, but there are several private parking lots in Chiquila that charge around 100.00 MXN per day.
This means that if you want to have control over your time and visit Holbox without the need to rush to catch the return transportation, you can rent a car from Cancun, set your GPS, and drive to the island, which is approximately 2 hours from Cancun.
How to Get to Holbox from Playa del Carmen
Holbox Collection
Holbox Collection is a private transfer service that mainly operates in the cities of Playa del Carmen and Tulum. This service specializes in private transfers from Playa del Carmen to Holbox.
Why not book the private transfer from Cancun? First of all, most private transfer services in the Riviera Maya are based in Cancun. Therefore, if you are in Playa del Carmen and book your transfer to Holbox with any company other than Holbox Collection, you will have to pay more.
Why? Because you will be charged for the transfer from Cancun to Playa del Carmen (even if you don’t use it) and from Playa del Carmen to Holbox.
That’s why if you are in Playa del Carmen or Tulum, Holbox Collection is the best transfer option.
Bus
Just like in Cancun, you can use the ADO’s affordable transportation service from Playa del Carmen. The cost of the bus ride is around 370.00 MXN, and the first departure is at 9:30 am.
It’s worth noting that the journey from Playa del Carmen to Holbox usually takes a little longer than from Cancun to Holbox.
On the other hand, the ADO terminal in Playa del Carmen only has 4 departure times to Holbox, which are 9:30 am, 11:40 am, 1:40 pm, and 3:10 pm.
How to Get to Holbox from Tulum
Tulum is located 148 km from Holbox Island, and the transfer takes approximately 2 to 2.5 hours. Just like in Playa del Carmen, you can take the Holbox Collection transfer service or the ADO bus from here.
Holbox Collection
As mentioned, Holbox Collection is a private transfer service that can be taken in Playa del Carmen or Tulum and is perfect for getting to Holbox Island or, in this case, the Chiquila port.
Being a private transfer service, you get to choose the time you want them to pick you up at your hotel in Tulum, and at the same time, you can choose the day and time you want them to pick you up from Holbox and return you to your hotel in Tulum or anywhere else in the Riviera Maya.
ADO Bus
Holbox Collection, being a private service, tends to be more expensive. If you’re looking for a much cheaper option, then the ADO bus service is perfect. It’s worth mentioning that the cost of the transfer is almost 500.00 MXN, unlike other locations closer to the island like Cancun or Playa del Carmen.
Holbox Airport
Yes, that’s right! Another way to reach Holbox Island is through a flight to Holbox Airport. Did that surprise you? Very few people know that Holbox Island has an airport, but wait: Lower your expectations a bit because this airport is small.
In fact, **Holbox Airport receives charter flights** (small and private planes) **from Cancun and Merida**. The flights are generally more expensive than ferries but offer a faster and more direct way to reach Holbox.
Remember that the state of Quintana Roo has two major airports, and the closest one to Holbox Island is **Cancun Airport**. This is why there are **flights from Cancun to Holbox**. Although it’s a much faster way to get there, let’s not forget that it tends to be a bit more expensive.
What is the cost of a flight to Holbox?
Ticket prices vary depending on the season and the airline. In general, tickets cost around US$100 for adults and US$50 for children.
Below, you can find the companies that offer private flights to Holbox Island.
| Company | Address | Phone | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Holbox Express | Calle 10, No. 157, Col. Centro, Cancun, QR | +52 984 873 1000 | $100 USD (adult), $50 USD (child) |
| 9 Hermanos | Av. Tulum, No. 55, Col. Centro, Cancun, QR | +52 984 873 3700 | $100 USD (adult), $50 USD (child) |
Conclusion
As you can see, depending on where you are, you will have more or fewer options to get to Holbox. If you are in Cancun, private transfer is the best option, and if you are in Playa del Carmen or Tulum, you can use Holbox Collection or the ADO bus. Finally, it’s important to mention that Holbox is an island to be enjoyed, so don’t hesitate to spend more than two days here.