How To Get To Holbox From Cancun: Backpacker Guide 2023
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How to get to Holbox from Cancun in four easy and straightforward ways.
Getting from Cancun to Holbox is easy, but it’s important to know there aren’t any direct routes. Holbox is an island, so whatever you do, you will need to board a ferry (unless you charter your own flight, which I doubt any backpackers are doing!).
But if you find yourself in Cancun with some extra time, or are looking for the next place to visit on your backpacking trip, let Isla Holbox be it. It was one of the most beautiful, laid-back and colourful islands we visited in Mexico.
So, let’s discuss how to get to Holbox from Cancun, so that your dream backpacking trip to Mexico is one step closer!
Other Mexico posts:
- How To Get From Cancun Airport To Chiquila (+ Isla Holbox) 2023
- Oaxaca Day of the Dead: Insider Guide + Tips For 2023!
- Best Beaches in Puerto Escondido: A Complete Guide (2023)
How To Get To Holbox From Cancun: A Summary
It’s important to know that there is no direct route from Cancun to Holbox. By this, I mean there is not just one bus, one ferry, or one taxi. Holbox is an island, so whatever you do, you will need to board the ferry.
With the ferry in mind, you have 4 options for getting from Cancun to Holbox. They are:
- Bus and ferry (the most popular backpacker option)
- Shuttle and ferry
- Taxi and ferry
- Rental car and ferry
NOTE: This is from downtown Cancun, NOT Cancun Airport. If you need to get to Holbox from Cancun Airport, please read: How To Get From Cancun Airport To Chiquila (+ Isla Holbox) 2023
If you’re choosing either a shuttle or taxi, you can have your transport pick you up from your hotel or wherever you’d like in Cancun. However, if you’re saving money and getting the bus, you will need to make your way to the ADO Bus Station in Centro Cancun.
Using any mode of transport, it’s going to take around 3 hours to reach Isla Holbox from Cancun.
In the rest of the post, I go into each mode of transport in more detail, so feel free to skip to the section that’s right for you!
1) How To Get To Holbox From Cancun By Bus + Ferry
NOTE: This is from downtown Cancun, NOT Cancun Airport. If you need to get to Holbox from Cancun Airport, please read: How To Get From Cancun Airport To Chiquila (+ Isla Holbox) 2023
Getting from Cancun (Centro) to Holbox by bus and ferry is relatively straightforward. It is one bus from Cancun, then a short ferry ride from Chiquila.
I highly recommend buying your bus ticket in advance, as buses can become booked up quickly during peak times. You can book your ticket via Busbud here, and all tickets will be sent as a PDF document via email.
Buses from Downtown Cancun (Centro) to Chiquila leave at the following times (2023):
- 8.15am
- 10am
- 12pm
- 1pm
- 3.15pm
NOTE: At this moment in time, 3.15pm is the latest bus you can get from Cancun to Chiquila for the Holbox ferry. If you are going to be arriving after this time, you will need to either rent a car, grab a taxi or private shuttle or stay overnight in Cancun to board the bus the following morning.
You do not need to buy your Holbox ferry ticket in advance. This can be done upon arrival in Chiquila.
The bus from Cancun to Chiquila is 2 hours and 20 minutes and should cost no more than £18 ($19) per person for a single.
When your bus arrives in Chiquila, it is a short 5-minute walk to the ferry dock. Here you can buy your ticket if you haven’t already, or board if you have.
The ferry is then a 25-minute ride to Holbox. This part of the Gulf of Mexico is usually calm, so you can relax and just enjoy the view.
Where to board the ADO bus from Cancun to Chiquila
The ADO bus terminal isn’t near the beach or Cancun’s main hotel zone, it’s in downtown Cancun, which is around a 25-minute car journey away.
If you have a long wait, you can sit in one of the nearby cafes or restaurants. There’s also a Mcdonald’s, a few shops and a few bars.
If you are looking for it on Google Maps, type in ‘ADO bus station Cancun’ and it should pop straight up. It’s quite close to the downtown Selina Hostel and Nomads, and is within walking distance if you’re planning on staying in either whilst you’re in Cancun.
The exact address of the ADO Cancun bus station: Calle Pino, SM23, MZ56, Lt 1 y 2 Supermanzana 23, Centro, 77500 Cancún, Q.R., Mexico
From this Cancun ADO station, you can board your bus to Chiquila. If you are visiting Isla Holbox, you need to get a bus to Chiquila to board the ferry from there.
You do not need to pre-book ferry tickets, but it’s handy to book them alongside your bus ticket. This means you can walk off the bus in Chiquila and straight onto the next ferry, without waiting around to buy tickets.
Buses and their departure times at the ADO bus stations will be shown on electronic boards. The boards will show which terminal you need to wait at closer to your bus departure time. No Spanish is needed here, it’s all in numbers and is easy to understand.
If you need the toilet, all ADO bus stations have public restrooms which you can use for 5-7 pesos. Make sure you have coins, as they do not accept cards or notes.
Are ADO buses in Mexico safe?
Yes, they are one of the safest ways for backpackers to travel around the country. We used ADO buses all over Mexico, and they were safe, clean, modern and reliable. There is also a toilet onboard, and for longer journeys, you are provided with a bottle of water.
If you’re travelling solo, the ADO buses are a great place to meet other backpackers!
2) How To Get To Holbox From Cancun By Shuttle + Ferry
If you don’t want to board the ADO bus to Chiquila from Cancun, you can book a private/shared shuttle. This small minibus will either pick you up from your accommodation or at a local meeting point. It’s a more expensive option, but you’ll have the luxury of not worrying about your bags and getting to those Holbox beaches quicker!
This will need to be booked via your hotel or hostel, or pre-booked here. However, if you pre-book, you will need to travel to Cancun Airport first. Most shuttles depart from Cancun Airport only, including the locally run minibuses.
If you’re already in the area, talk to the locals and your hostel receptionist. They will be able to advise you of the best-priced shuttle if you really don’t want to get the bus.
You can check out prices and availability for the Cancun Airport shuttle here, but it works out to around £40 ($45) per person for a private shuttle. Note that this does not include the ferry ticket to Isla Holbox, so you will need to buy that separately when you arrive.
You may have to share your shuttle with a few other people, depending on the day and time. If there’s a small group of you, this option is great to have your own private mode of transport.
When you’re in the shuttle, you can expect the journey to take around 2 hours.
3) How To Get To Holbox From Cancun By Taxi + Ferry
This will be your most expensive option, but if you’re short on time and have the luxury of a higher budget, it’s your best and quickest option.
If you’re getting a taxi direct from Cancun Hotel Zone to Chiquila, you can expect to pay upwards of £200 ($220) per vehicle. If there are four of you, it might be worth the money. Any less and it’s an expensive taxi ride!
Just check with the taxi driver before boarding and ensure he drops you at the Chiquila ferry port for Isla Holbox. When in the taxi, the journey from Cancun Hotel Zone to Chiquila should take around 2 hours and 30 minutes.
Note you will need to buy your ferry tickets when you arrive at Chiquila port if you are travelling by taxi.
Solo female traveller? Taxis in Mexico are safe. Just make sure to check they are licensed and always check the price before getting into the car. Still worried? Check out my post: Mexico: Solo Female Travellers Advice.
4) How To Get To Holbox From Cancun By Rental Car + Ferry
This is a great option if you’re only visiting Isla Holbox for a day or two. However, you will pay for the car rental for the entire time of hire, so if you’re staying longer than a day, this could be an extremely expensive option!
There are no car hire companies in Chiquila (it’s a tiny coastal town), so you will need to drop the car back to Cancun (or wherever you have picked it up from).
If you have the budget to park the car at Chiquila, visit Holbox for a few hours, then return to your rental car, it’s a great easy option. However, as backpackers, paying for a car we’re not using just isn’t on the cards!
If you’d like to check out prices and car availability, visit this website. We used this company all over Mexico, as they’re budget-friendly, reliable and easy to contact.
Chiquila Port to Isla Holbox
This is the easy part of your journey! The ferry from Chiquila Port to Holbox is only around 25 minutes. The waters are calm, so you can sit on the top deck and enjoy the views. If you don’t want to get wet, I recommend sitting in the middle aisle (I learnt this the hard way!)
Buses run from 6.30am from Chiquila to Holbox, and the last ferry in the evening leaves at 9.30pm.
Don’t worry about which ferry company you book with – both take the same amount of time and cost the exact same price.
Ferries from Chiquila to Holbox run frequently throughout the day, so you’ll never need to wait longer than 30 minutes to board.
Do you need to book Holbox ferry in advance?
No, you can buy ferry tickets at Chiquila Port when you arrive. Ferries leave Chiquila Port frequently throughout the day.
How long is the ferry ride from Chiquila to Holbox?
The ferry ride from Chiquila to Holbox is around 25 minutes.
What is the best way to get from Cancun to Holbox?
The best way to get from Cancun to Holbox is via the ADO bus. The journey from Cancun to Chiquila Port (where you need to catch the ferry to Holbox) takes around 2 hours and 20 minutes and is the cheapest option for backpackers.
If you have a bigger budget, a private shuttle or taxi to Chiquila is your best option when travelling to Holbox from Cancun.
Is Holbox cash only?
Most restaurants, bars and shops in Holbox are cash only, but the island is changing. More and more places are accepting cards, but it is still a predominantly cash island. Ensure you have enough cash on you for the duration of your trip, as the ATMs on Isla Holbox are unreliable and often run out of money.
ATMs in Isla Holbox also give out US Dollars, which you will then need to exchange (or pay a really bad conversion rate for in shops or restaurants). Bring enough cash with you to cover your trip to Isla Holbox. The only ATM on the island that gives Mexican pesos is the CI Banco, on the road towards the ferry dock.
Where to stay on Isla Holbox as a backpacker
If you’re visiting Isla Holbox for the first time, it’s important to know that the island is walkable, and all of the main attractions are close together. That means wherever you stay, you’ll be able to get to the bars, restaurants and beach within walking distance.
There are no cars on Isla Holbox, but you can rent bikes and golf caddies by the hour if you’d like to visit the beaches a little further out of the main town. But even these are walkable if you don’t mind walking for 45-60 minutes at a time.
If you’re a backpacker visiting Isla Holbox, I recommend staying in one of the following.
- Che Hostel: is the most well-known backpacker hostel on the island. Che is perfect if you’re travelling solo and want to socialise and party. It’s around a 5-10 minute walk from the beach, bars and restaurants.
- Tribu Hostel: One of the closest hostels to the beach (under a 25-second walk!) and only 2 minutes from the main bars and restaurants.
- Hostal Holbox: If you’re on a tight budget, I recommend Hostal Holbox. It’s cheaper than Che and Tribu, but is still close to the beach, has a fun atmosphere and is social for solo backpackers.
Is Holbox worth visiting?
Yes! Holbox is a special place in Mexico, and should be on every backpacker’s route. There’s a lot to do, although it’s perfect for a few days of calm, cocktails and Mexican street food. Expect turquoise crystal clear water and white sandy beaches with tall palm trees and blue skies. If you’ve just been to Tulum or Cancun, you’ll appreciate the quieter, less-developed Mexican island with no cars or built-up resorts.
Best backpacker travel insurance for Mexico
If you’re visiting Mexico as a backpacker, or even for a short vacation, it is so important to have travel insurance. And if you ended up on a post that’s called ‘epic party tips’, you know (just as well as I do) that you definitely need travel insurance.
Personally, I recommend SafetyWing. As a digital nomad and world traveller myself, I can confirm it is the best travel insurance out there. And one of the cheapest – they have deals that start at just $42 USD per month.
I know, I know, you’re thinking ‘but I can’t afford that!’. I was the same! It’s tough to fork out $42 a month on something ‘you might not need’. But what if something DOES happen? That extra Mezcal shot results in you falling down the stairs, or you eat something dodgy from a street food van.
If you need medical help at any point whilst in Mexico, you need travel insurance.
With SafetyWing, you’re covered on travel emergencies, basic medical costs and medical expenses throughout your trip, so you can travel without worry (at a backpacker’s price!)
Don’t even think twice about getting travel insurance for Mexico. Trust me, I have heard enough horror stories about backpackers who haven’t had insurance and have ended up in a lot of debt. Don’t be that person!
If you’ve been putting the job off because it takes a lot of time and effort to research the best travel insurance companies, I understand. That’s why I’ve done the hard work for you. Sign up for SafetyWing, and the job is done!
How To Get To Holbox from Cancun: In a Nutshell
So, there you have it! Everything you need to know about how to get to Holbox from Cancun. Hopefully, this helps you to plan your epic backpacking trip around Mexico!
When you’re planning a trip to Mexico, make sure you let me know over on Instagram or in the comments below!
If you haven’t come across my blog before, I write posts aimed at first-time backpackers on a budget. I’m currently backpacking Mexico with my boyfriend (read more here!), whilst creating guides and itineraries for you to follow in our footsteps!
Keep an eye out for more Mexico content, all written from a personal and realistic point of view. You can sign up for my newsletter and juicy travel updates here!
As always, thanks for reading and supporting the blog!
Happy travelling 🙂
Jennie x
Other Mexico posts:
- BEST Hostels in Oaxaca for Backpackers! (2023 Guide)
- How To Get From Cozumel To Tulum: Backpacker Guide 2023
- BEST Hostels in Tulum for Backpackers! (2023 Guide)
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MEET THE AUTHOR!
Hi! I'm Jennie! As a part-time travel blogger based in London, I'm using my 10+ years of travel expertise to encourage & inspire you to step out of your comfort zone through sustainable, mindful and purposeful travel.
If I'm not writing, I'm either reading, drinking coffee or taking a wild swim (all at the same time if I'm feeling impressive).
