Location of Isla Holbox

How to get to Isla Holbox?

Isla Holbox has a landing strip for small planes. The closest airports are Cancún (CUN) and Mérida (MID).

First you must make your way to Chiquilá, where the ferries depart from. You travel by land from the Cancún airport to Chiquilá in car, taxi or organized transfer and the trip is around two hours. From the Mérida airport it is around three hours. Busses also make the journey from the central bus stations in both Cancún and Mérida, though the trip is longer and they make various stops before arriving to the destination. For information on trips to and from Chiquilá you can call the ADO bus line at 01 (800) 702-8000 (from Mexico).

From Cancún to Chiquilá by car

From the main street Avenida López Portillo in Cancún drive towards Mérida. You will pass through the entire city on this avenue, which becomes the “libre” (freeway) toward Mérida. Do not take the option marked “cuota”, you will pass the exit to Chiquilá and it is 120 kilometers (75 mi) to get back.

Traveling on the “libre” you will pass the first town Leona Vicario. Continue straight and you will reach the second town, Valladolid Nuevo, pass the town’s first speed bump (tope) and take the next right turn. On this corner you will see a palapa that serves as a taxi stand.

You are now on a relatively new highway on the way to the towns Esperanza and San Pedro that surely will not be on your map. Some 150 meters (500 ft) after passing the last town, you will reach a “T” where you will turn right and head in the direction of Kantunilkin, Solferino and Chiquilá.

Upon arrival in Chiquilá park your car in any of the many secure, shaded parking lots in the town. Make your way toward the pier and buy your ferry ticket at the window nearby. The crossing to Isla Holbox takes about one half hour and costs $65 MXN per person. Departures are every 60 minutes. There is also the option of making the crossing to Holbox in a private skiff that you can also hire at the pier.

Note: Arrange your trip to arrive at Chiquilá no later than 6:45pm as the last ferry departs at 7:00pm. For safety reasons, we also recommend that you travel during daylight hours.

From Mérida to Chiquilá by car

For this trip, you have the option to go by Tizimín or Valladolid. We sincerely recommend the second option because it is simpler.

Depart the city going toward Chichen Itzá, Valladolid and Cancún on the toll road (cuota). Upon arrival in Valladolid change to the freeway (libre) towards Cancún. If you continue on the toll road you will go past the exit to Chiquilá.

Pass through the towns Tikuch, Chemax, Candelaria, Xcan and Nuevo Xcan until you reach El Ideal. In this town you will see the turn off to the left, which is the way towards Kantunilkin, Solferino and Chiquilá.