The village you need to get to on the mainland to take the ferry across to Isla Holox is Chiquila.
Chiquila is at the far northern side of the peninsula approximately 2-3 hours drive from Cancun.
3 OPTIONS TO GET YOU THERE
1. BUS
The most economical and time consuming way to get to Holbox. Use the information below for additional bus information and links.
2. DRIVE YOURSELF
For those adventurous travelers with a rental car, drive yourself to Chiquila and follow the instructions below for additional details.
3. VIP TRANSFERS
Book a full service door-to-door VIP private Holbox transfer. They will pick-you up, get you on the ferry, and take you to your hotel by taxi on Holbox. This is the way to go on vacation!
HOLBOX TRANSFER OPTIONS
Book door to door transportation service to or from Holbox throughout the Riviera Maya and Yucatan
GETTING TO CHIQUILA
DRIVING FROM CANCUN
Go west from Cancun on the free highway until you hit the town of El Ideal. Watch for the signs for Isla Holbox then turn North to Chiquila.Follow the signs [Isla Holbox] in El Ideal for the road to to Chiquila.
DRIVING FROM MERIDA / VALLADOLID
Drive East on Hwy 180 past Valladolid until you reach El Ideal. Follow the signs [Isla Holbox] in El Ideal for the road to Chiquila.
TAKING THE BUS FROM CANCUN AIRPORT
There is an Airport ADO Bus that runs approx every hour from 7:00am to 10:00pm. It leaves from the airport Terminals 2 and 3 and goes to the downtown central bus station in Cancun City on Tulum Ave.
There if you arrive early enough you can catch the 7:30am MAYAB line bus to Chiquila. The next bus is at 12:30pm MAYAB line to Chiquila, and the last bus is 1:45pm NORESTE bus line.
Many flights arrive in Cancun too late to make these connections so you might have to spend one night downtown at a hotel close to the Bus Station.
Going back to Cancun from Holbox there is a 5:30am NORESTE bus from Chiquila, a 7:30am MAYAB Bus from Chiquila and finally a 1:30pm MAYAB bus from Chiquila.
DRIVING FROM MAYAN RIVIERA
You can drive through the jungle if you wish taking the route to Coba first then heading north. We only recommend this route to the adventurer. We have gotten lost numerous times taking this route ourselves and found it faster to simply take Hwy 307 up towards Cancun then turn West onto Hwy 180.You can of course take the jungle route. Just make sure you enter with a full tank of gas and leave in the morning [plan your drive for daylight].
TAKING THE BUS FROM CANCUN CITY
There are daily departures [7:30 am, 12:30 pm, and 1:45 pm] from Cancun to Chiquila from the main bus terminal in Cancun City.
TAKING THE BUS FROM MERIDA
The only bus we know that travels to Chiquila from Merida is a late nighter departing from Merida main bus terminal at 11 pm.
You could also take a bus to Valladolid then find a ride to El Ideal or Chiquila if you had to.
For more information on Mexican bus services see: Mexican Bus
PUBLIC FERRY SERVICE FROM CHIQUILA
The 9 Hermanos [9 Brothers] and Holbox Express operate Public Ferry Services back and forth from Holbox to the mainland [Chiquila].
The cost is $100 Pesos per person each way.
The crossing time is approximately 20-30 minutes and the water is generally not too rough.
Chiquila to Isla Holbox
Every hour from 6:00 am – 9:30pmThere are some additional boats put into service during the summer month Whale Shark season and on weekends. That’s a “temporary” non-published schedule posted only on the piers in Chiquita and Holbox.
If you miss a boat or arrive after the last ferry, don’t despair! You’ll always be able to find a fisherman hanging around the smaller Lanchas there at the Municipal Pier.
GETTING AROUND ON HOLBOX
Besides walking and bicycling, the primary means of transportation is GOLF CART.
These handy machines carry four comfortably and can go to both ends of the island. They rent per hour or by the day.
There are five major golf car rental operations on Holbox, the best being Monkey’s [on the main street coming into town from the Pier] and Rentadora Glendy next to Don Antonio Internet Cafe, one block west of the Park and Catholic church.
