The ferry from Chiquilá to Holbox
The ferry leaves from the Chiquilá pier and arrives at the Holbox town pier. Both companies charge the same and take turns, so you take whichever boat is ready. You buy your ticket at the window on the pier; there is no need to book, except at Christmas, Easter and summer weekends, when it pays to arrive early.
Times change with the season and the weather. With northerly winds or storms, the Port Captain can close the crossing and both companies stop together. The last ferry waits only briefly for late passengers.
| Item | Approx. |
|---|---|
| Companies | 9 Hermanos and Holbox Express |
| Frequency | Every 30 min, alternating companies |
| From Chiquilá | 6:00 to 21:30 |
| From Holbox | 5:00 to 20:30 (sometimes until 21:30) |
| Crossing | 25 min, up to 40 in choppy water |
| Adult, one way | MXN 300 to 330 |
| Children | About half; babies in arms ride free |
| Payment | At the window; cash and usually card |
| Luggage | Included |
- 9 Hermanos: +52 984 108 7514
- Holbox Express: +52 984 187 3326
Getting to Chiquilá from Cancún, Mérida and Playa del Carmen
Chiquilá is a small town facing the island. You get there by car, by ADO bus or by shuttle (shared or private). Times are approximate and depend on traffic.
| From | By car | By bus |
|---|---|---|
| Cancún (city or airport) | 2 to 2.5 h | 2.5 to 3 h (ADO, a few departures a day) |
| Playa del Carmen | About 3 h | 3.5 h or more, usually via Cancún |
| Mérida | About 4 h | About 4 h (Oriente/ADO) |
From Cancún airport to Holbox
The nearest commercial airport is Cancún (CUN). From there, shared and private shuttles run to Chiquilá; book before you fly. You can also take ADO to downtown Cancún and catch the bus to Chiquilá there, though there are only a few departures a day.
If your flight home leaves before 10:00, cross to Chiquilá the day before. The first ferry and the drive leave no room for delays.
Flights to Holbox
There are no scheduled commercial flights to Holbox. The island has a small private airstrip used by private air taxis from Cancún, Playa del Carmen and other places, about 30 to 35 minutes from Cancún. They are booked ahead and priced per flight, not per person.
Parking in Chiquilá
Cars stay on the mainland. Next to the Chiquilá pier there are several private lots: you pay on arrival for the days you are away and keep your ticket. Open-air spaces cost approx. MXN 100 to 150 a day and covered ones about MXN 200; prices go up in high season (approx., Oct 2026).
Arriving at the Holbox pier
There are no visitor cars on the island: the streets are sand and you get around on foot, by bike or in a golf-cart taxi. Taxis wait at the pier for every ferry. With Holbox Go you can book one before you arrive, at your ferry time, at the official island tariff.
Prices and times are approximate and change with the season and weather. Check them before you travel.
