Wondering how to get to Holbox Island from Tulum? Check out this post with all the options available to make the trip, so you can pick the best option to get from Tulum to Holbox.
Holbox is a dream of an island located off the northern coast of Quintana Roo. With its sublime beaches, untamed nature, and slow pace of life, it’s a perfect place to relax and recharge your batteries.
Swimming in its turquoise waters, snorkeling with whale sharks, or reading your favorite book on powdery white-sand beaches are just a few of the things you can do in Holbox.
I’ve been to this island multiple times and seen it change over the years. It’s still a paradisiac, car-free island, but bigger hotels are being built and I’m afraid Holbox will not be the same in a few years. That’s why you should make the trip now, while Holbox Island is still relatively unknown!
⌛ So how do you get to Holbox from Tulum? The distance between them is 104 miles (168 km), and it takes 2.5 hours to drive. There are several options to make the trip, and they vary in terms of cost and convenience.
| METHOD | COST | |
|---|---|---|
| PRIVATE TRANSFER + FERRY | $343 (up to 8 passengers) + $14 | BOOK IT HERE |
| ADO BUS + FERRY | $34 + $14 one way | BOOK IT HERE |
| TOUR | $94 per person | BOOK IT HERE |
Here I give you all the relevant information about each option so you can decide which one suits your plans and your budget better. Making the trip from Tulum to Holbox is actually pretty easy. Read on!
Table of Contents
TULUM TO CHIQUILA
If you’re visiting Holbox on your own, your trip will be divided into two journeys. You’ll first need to get to Chiquila Port, and from there hop on a ferry to get to Holbox.
Chiquila is a small town 115 miles (185 km) north of Tulum, and the drive to get there takes around 2.5 hours. Below you’ll find 3 different transportation options to make the trip from Tulum to Chiquila Port. Your choice should depend on your budget and preferences.
TULUM TO HOLBOX BY PRIVATE TRANSFER + FERRY
Without a doubt, the most convenient way to make the trip is to have a private driver pick you up at your hotel. You’ll be driven hassle-free and dropped off at the ferry terminal in Chiquila.
| ⌛ Length: | 2.5 hours |
| 💲 Price: | 343 USD |
| 👉 Where to book it: | BOOK IT HERE |
When booking a private transfer, you pay per vehicle instead of per person, so if you’re traveling with a group, it can be a really good value for money.
The company I recommend is the one I use every time I travel to Mexico. They’ve always been on time to pick me up, and the drivers are not only friendly but very professional.
We’ve been offered complimentary refreshments during the ride, and I enjoyed traveling in comfortable and immaculate vehicles, without having to worry about anything.
▶️ The advantage of pre-booking a private transfer is that you’ll get a bilingual driver, and be transferred in a fully-insured, air-conditioned vehicle, completely hassle-free.
💲The regular private transfer Tulum – Holbox costs $343 for up to 8 people, and $685 if you choose roundtrip. This is a great option if there’s a group of you because you can split the cost. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
▶️ If you want to add some class and style to your trip, check out the Luxury Transfer service which takes you and up to 5 friends to the port in a suburban type vehicle with VIP Service.
💲The luxury transportation price for 6 passengers is $675 one way, or $1,350 if you book roundtrip. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
Traveling with a larger group? Check out the company’s transfer service that’s ideal for extended families or friends, as it can accommodate way more people than the regular service.
| Group transportation (up to 16 passengers) | BOOK IT HERE |
Book your private shuttle in the search box down below 👇
⚠️ Note: The private transportation takes you to Chiquila Port, from where you’ll take the ferry. The ferry trip is not included in these options. You can buy your ferry tickets online.
Pros and Cons of the Private Transfer
✅ It’s the most comfortable way of traveling between the two locations. You’ll be picked up at your hotel in Tulum, and taken to Chiquila port in an air-conditioned vehicle reserved for you and your group.
✅ You’ll have a professional English-speaking driver, so no need to worry if you don’t speak Spanish.
✅ It’s the fastest transportation option, given that there won’t be any unnecessary stops along the way and you’ll travel straight from your accommodation to the port.
❌ I can only think of one downside, and that’s the cost of the transfer. It’s the most expensive way to make the journey, even if the service offered is worth the price tag.
Read what the reviews say:
”Very easy to book and inexpensive. The driver was efficient yet careful. We received a confirmation for the return pickup without having to call or schedule anything. Carlos, our driver even gave us a courtesy call 15 minutes before arriving to the hotel. All in all a stress free experience, which is what you want during a vacation. Highly recommend.”
Dorota Rashid – Check out other reviews
BUS FROM TULUM TO HOLBOX + FERRY
If you’re wondering how to get to Holbox from Tulum spending as little money as possible, then this is the answer. You can save money by going from Tulum to Isla Holbox by bus.
| ⌛ Length: | 3 hours and 20 minutes |
| 💲 Price: | 34 USD |
| 👉 Where to book it: | BOOK IT HERE |
ADO is the main bus company in Mexico, and you can rest assured that the quality of the service is good. They have large buses with air conditioning, toilets, and reclining seats.
You can take a direct bus from Tulum to Chiquila, where you’ll board the ferry to Holbox.
▶️ The ADO bus from Tulum to Holbox departs from the ADO Bus Stop in Tulum Downtown.
💲The bus leaves at 8.10 AM and takes 3 hours and 20 minutes to arrive, with tickets costing $34 per person. ➥ BUY IT HERE
Pros and Cons of the ADO Bus
✅ It’s the cheapest way to travel to Holbox, ideal for solo travelers and those who are on a budget but looking to travel comfortably.
❌ It won’t pick you up at your accommodation (obviously) and if you’re staying in Tulum Hotel Zone you’ll have to take a taxi to the ADO bus station in Tulum Downtown.
❌ It takes almost an hour longer than a private vehicle to make the journey, so it’s not a good option if you’re just going for the day or want to make an early start. If that’s the case, I recommend taking the private transfer instead.
TULUM TO HOLBOX BY TAXI + FERRY (Not Recommended)
An alternative private transfer would be taking a taxi from Tulum to Chiquila. However, I don’t recommend it at all. Taxi fares are not fixed in Mexico and you’ll have to haggle hard with the driver.
You will most likely end up paying more than with a private transfer. If you decide to take a taxi anyway, ask your hotel to book one for you from a company they trust, and always arrange the price in advance.
FERRY TO ISLA HOLBOX FROM CHIQUILA
Holbox is a car-free island, and to get there you’ll need to take a ferry. The ferry to Holbox departs from Chiquila, a small town 115 miles (185 km) north of Tulum. The drive to the Chiquila ferry port takes around 2.5 hours.
From Chiquila you’ll be taking a ferry, and there are 2 companies offering the journey: Holbox Express and 9 Hermanos. They are both quite similar in terms of quality and the service they offer, but there are some differences.
| ⌛ Length: | 20 minutes |
| 💲 Price: | 13-14 USD |
| 👉 Where to book it: | BOOK IT HERE |
▶️ Holbox Express runs high-speed ferries from Chiquila Port to Holbox and back, all of which are equipped with AC and toilets. The ferries depart every hour from 6.30 AM to 9.30 PM, and the journey takes 20 minutes. A one-way trip costs $14 in either direction.
For the return trip Holbox – Tulum, ferries run hourly from 6.30 AM to 8.30 PM
▶️ 9 Hermanos lists the ferry trips as standard as opposed to high-speed. Nevertheless, the journey also takes 20 minutes, so don’t let that deter you.
The ferries run every hour from 6 AM to 9 PM, so between the two companies, there’s a ferry departing every 30 minutes. A one-way trip costs $13, and the cool thing is that the ticket is valid for the whole day, so it doesn’t matter at what time you board the ferry, as long as you travel on the same day.
You can buy your Ferry to Holbox tickets online to save you time when you get to Chiquila.
💲You can buy from any of the companies – the Chiquila ferry ticket will cost between $13 and $14. The journey to Holbox takes 20 minutes regardless of which ferry you go with. ➥ BUY IT HERE
⚠️ The timings are updated, but you should check the current Holbox ferry schedule to ensure nothing has changed before your trip.
Once you’re on the island, you might be able to walk to your hotel if it’s located in the city center. For further Holbox hotels, you’ll find tuk-tuk-kind of taxis right outside the port (and some fancier hotels offer complimentary pickup as well).
TOUR TO HOLBOX FROM TULUM
If you want to go to Holbox for just one day, figuring out transportation and arranging the trip on your own could be a pain, considering the distance and the time it takes to get there.
In that case, a great idea is to book a tour and go to Holbox on a day trip where everything is arranged for you to make the best of your day.
| ⌛ Length: | 1 Full Day |
| 💲 Price: | 94 USD |
| 👉 Where to book it: | BOOK IT HERE |
▶️ This Holbox Full-Day Tour with Lunch is one of the best day tours available. Departing from Tulum, it takes you to three islands and even a cenote! You’ll get to swim in the clear waters of Yalahau Island, visit a cenote surrounded by nature, and explore the best of Holbox Island with free time to roam its picturesque streets.
You’ll also walk the pristine beaches of Isla Pasion, which has some of the most turquoise waters you’ve ever seen.
This tour includes: Hotel pick-up and drop-off, a guide, entrance fees, a boat tour, beverages, and lunch. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
👉 For more options, check out this list of Holbox tours from Tulum and other locations in Quintana Roo and Yucatan.
Pros and Cons of Tours
✅ It includes roundtrip transfers from your hotel in Tulum, as well as plenty of activities to enjoy in Holbox and meals, so you literally don’t have to plan a single thing – only enjoy!
❌ It’s the most expensive way to visit Holbox, and if you’re a group of people it adds up.
❌ You don’t have a say on the itinerary, or on how long you want to stay in each specific location. You’ll have to follow a fixed schedule and your guide’s instructions.
TULUM TO HOLBOX FAQs
Holbox is on the northern end of the Yucatan Peninsula, so it’s not super close to Tulum, but the distance can be covered on a day trip. For you to have an idea, the drive to the ferry takes around 2.5 hours by private transfer, which is not much considering how big Mexico is.
Tulum is 115 miles (185 km) south of the island. The Tulum to Holbox drive takes about 2.5 hours by private transfer, or a little less than 3.5 hours by ADO bus (plus the 20-minute ferry ride).
This depends on the type of transport you choose. Private transfers are faster and take about 2.5 hours to get to Chiquila. The trip from Tulum to Chiquila by bus takes over 3 hours. To all these times, you need to add the 20 minutes of the ferry journey from Chiquila to Holbox.
Absolutely! It’s a miracle that Holbox has managed to stay quiet and away from mass tourism considering how amazing it is! It has some of the clearest waters and most beautiful beaches, and its car-free policy makes it a great place to take a breather from the crowds on the mainland.
