Holbox vs Isla Mujeres, side by side
Both are islands in northern Quintana Roo with turquoise water, but the trip is very different.
| Fact | Holbox | Isla Mujeres |
|---|---|---|
| Getting there | Road to Chiquilá (2 to 3 h from Cancún) and a 25-min ferry | Ferry from Puerto Juárez, Cancún, about 30 min |
| Ferry, adult one way | MXN 300 to 330 | About MXN 290 |
| Last ferry back | Around 20:30 | Around midnight |
| Size | About 42 km long and 1.5 km wide | About 7 km long and 650 m wide |
| Getting around | On foot, by bike or golf-cart taxi; no visitor cars | Taxis, golf carts and scooters |
| Population | About 1,800 people (2020) | Over 12,000 in the town (2010) |
| Beaches | Shallow, calm water; Punta Cocos and Punta Mosquito | Playa Norte, calm water, a walk from the ferry |
| Nature | Yum Balam protected area, flamingos and bioluminescence | Underwater Museum of Art (MUSA), snorkelling and diving |
| Whale sharks | Yes, May to September, on boats of 8 to 10 people | Yes, same season, with trips from Cancún too |
| Best for | Unplugging for two nights or more | A day trip from Cancún |
Choose Holbox if…
Holbox rewards people who arrive with time.
- You want a quiet island with no cars and sand streets.
- You are into flamingos, bioluminescence and mangroves.
- You can stay at least two nights: the transfer from Cancún is 5 to 7 hours there and back.
- You want shallow beaches you can walk far out into.
Choose Isla Mujeres if…
Isla Mujeres is the easy option when Cancún is your base.
- You are staying in Cancún and have just one day.
- You want to snorkel or dive at MUSA.
- You prefer more restaurants, nightlife and late ferries.
- You do not want to drive or do long transfers.
Can you visit both?
Yes. The easiest way is a day trip to Isla Mujeres from Cancún and at least two nights in Holbox. To go from one to the other you return to Cancún and continue by road to Chiquilá.
Prices and times are approximate and change with the season and weather. Check them before you travel.
