Holbox Island is one of the destinations in Mexico among adventurous travelers looking for nothing more than the pleasure of resting in a place where you will practically do NOTHING. Holbox is an island located north of Quintana Roo, near Cancun.
In this place, you will be able to feel that unique sensation of being able to walk on the beach to sit and watch the sunrise or the beautiful sunsets alone.
There are no cars or anything that can make this small island lose its charm. Holbox has something unique and unrepeatable for each traveler and that is what makes it very special, but you have to come to discover it.
How to get from Cancun to Holbox?
Finding the way to Holbox from Cancun can be done:
By bus: At the ADO bus terminal in Cancun Downtown you can board a bus to Chiquilá, which is the town you have to get to take the boat that will take you to Holbox, this is the cheapest way to get there, also pretty safe. The road trip takes approximately 3 hours. Check schedules and prices on the page www.ado.com.mx
If you are in Chiquila the buses from there also go to Playa del Carmen, Tulum or Riviera Maya.
By Car: If you rent a car you have to ask for the exit to Mérida from Cancún, which is the free highway 180, – DO NOT TURN ON THE HIGHWAY – continue along the highway until you reach the town of Nuevo Valladolid (after Leona Vicario), ask for the deviation to the right towards Kantunilkin, in any case, you will be able to see it a little further on. Continue straight and you will find the signs that will take you to El Ideal and then to Chiquilá. (Don’t forget to check the map).
In Chiquilá there are parking lots that are charged per day. While none of them feels very official, there are lots of small car parks, for example business locals letting you park in their yards/garages for a small fee!
By private transportation: From the Cancun Airport, hotels, or your airbnb there is private transportation to Holbox, it is a service that you can take if you want to go comfortably and enjoy the scenery. It is not an expensive service considering that it is a trip of approximately 3 hours, if you travel with some friends and share expenses this can be a good option.
By plane: There is a small airport on Holbox Island, normally you can get there on a private flight and is the fastest way to visit Holbox, from Cancun Airport is around 30-40 minutes, but you can also make arrangements to fly from Cozumel, Playa del Carmen, Tulum or any place in the Yucatan Peninsula.
Once in Chiquilá, the ferry crossing is only 25 minutes and leaves daily from 6:00 am to 9:30 pm every half an hour. It costs around 12 usd (2023). There are 2 ferry companies but they offer exactly the same service and cost the same price. The only difference is that one leaves every hour, and the other on the half hour.
Once in Holbox there are a lot of golf cars that can drive you to your hotel or depending on your luggage you can walk because the island is relatively small, to get to the main square, for example, is around 10 minutes.
Holbox Map
Holbox is a small island, it is approximately 26 miles long and is part of the Yum Balam Nature Reserve.
As a small walkable island, the transportation options on Holbox are limited, but there are several ways to get around:
- Walking – A lot of visitors choose to walk around the island since it is relatively small and easy to navigate. Walking is a great way to explore the town and its beautiful beaches at your own pace.
- Golf carts – Another popular way to get around Holbox is by renting a golf cart. There are a lot of golf carts available for rent at different locations on the island, they are a fun and convenient way to explore the island.
- Bicycles – Bicycles are also available for rent on the island, and they are a great way to explore Holbox’s beaches and trails. Biking is a good option for those who prefer a bit more exercise.
- Taxis – There are a few taxis on the island, and they can be useful for longer trips or for those who don’t want to walk or bike. However, taxis can be expensive compared to other options.
How many days do you need in Holbox?
The amount of time you should spend in Holbox depends on what you want to do and see while you’re there and your travel style. If you just want to relax on the island’s beautiful beaches and enjoy the laid-back atmosphere, a few days might be enough.
However, if you want to mix a few days of relaxation and also explore more of the island’s natural beauty taking part in activities such as snorkeling or swimming with whale sharks, you might want to stay for more days.
A typical stay on Holbox is around 3-4 days, which gives you enough time to explore the island, relax on the beach, and take part in a few activities.
However, if you’re looking for a more immersive experience, you could easily spend a week or more exploring all that Holbox has to offer.
Can you do a day trip to Holbox from Cancun?
The short answer is: yes you can. Ultimately, the amount of time you spend on Holbox depends on your interests, schedule, and budget.
You can do a day trip but take into account the time you’ll spend getting to the island if you are in Cancun for example (around 3:30 or 4 hours in total to get there + the same amount to go back), we don’t recommend doing a day trip mainly because of this (except if you go by plane). If you spend a total of around 8 hours on transportation you’ll have very little time to enjoy the island.