Wondering how to get to Holbox from Playa del Carmen? I got your back! Here you’ll find all the transportation options with pros and cons of each method.
Holbox is a relaxed and dreamy island on the northern coast of the Yucatan peninsula. It’s a perfect place to take a break from the main tourist spots and recharge your batteries while swimming in its crystal clear waters or enjoying your favorite drink at a rustic beach bar.
With its pristine beaches, untamed nature, and slow pace of life, Holbox Island will be hard to leave. that’s why I make it a point to spend 3 or 4 days here every time I’m in the region. Sure, Cancun and Tulum are exciting, but sometimes all you really need is a good book and an uncrowded beach!
But first things first: how do you get from Playa del Carmen to Holbox? There are several options to make the trip, and they vary in terms of cost and convenience.
You can opt for a private transfer, a shared shuttle, or a bus to get to Chiquila, but then you’ll need to take a ferry to Holbox. You could potentially also fly there…but we’ll cover that in a minute.
| METHOD | COST | |
|---|---|---|
| PRIVATE TRANSFER + FERRY | $295 (up to 8 people) + $13 | BOOK IT HERE |
| SHARED SHUTTLE + FERRY | $31 + $13 per person | BOOK IT HERE |
| ADO BUS + FERRY | $26 + $13 per person | BOOK IT HERE |
| TOUR | $99 per person | BOOK IT HERE |
| FLIGHT | $810 for up to 5 people | BOOK IT HERE |
Here you will find all the relevant information about each option so you can decide which one suits your plans and your budget better. Read on!
Table of Contents
PLAYA DEL CARMEN TO CHIQUILA
If you decide to visit on your own – unless you opt for the private flight to Holbox – your journey will be split into 2 parts: transportation to the Chiquila Port plus ferry to Holbox.
There are three ways to make the trip from Playa del Carmen to Chiquila, and they’re all valid, so you should choose based on your budget and priorities.
PLAYA DEL CARMEN TO HOLBOX BY PRIVATE TRANSFER + FERRY
Without a doubt, the easiest way to make the trip is to have a private driver pick you up at your hotel in Playa del Carmen and drop you off straight at the ferry terminal in Chiquila.
It can also be financially convenient if you are traveling as a group, compared to taking a shared shuttle, where you have to pay per person.
I strongly recommend pre-booking a private transfer from Playa del Carmen to Isla Holbox. It’s hassle-free and done by a reputable company that I personally know and use on my trips to Mexico, so you can travel knowing that you’re in good hands.
We recently traveled with this company on the route Playa del Carmen-Chiquila, and our driver Angel was fantastic. He made sure we had the best possible transfer, and that’s why I have no problems recommending them!
| ⌛ Length: | Less than 2 hours |
| 💲 Price: | 295 one way USD + 13 USD |
| 👉 Where to book it: | BOOK IT HERE |
▶️ With the private transfer from Playa del Carmen to Holbox Island, you’ll travel in a big comfortable vehicle with air conditioning. An English-speaking driver will pick you up at your hotel.
💲The regular transfer to Holbox costs $295 for up to 8 people, and you can save a bit if you book a round-trip, as the journey will cost $590. It’s a very cost-efficient means of transport if you’re a group because it will cost you almost the same as the shared shuttle for faster and more hassle-free service. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
▶️ Now, if what you want is to travel in style and comfort, check out this luxury transfer service. You’ll be greeted by a bilingual driver at your hotel door, and travel in a suburban type of vehicle with VIP Service.
💲The luxury transfer price for up to 6 people costs $570 or $1,140 if you want to add the trip back from Holbox to Playa del Carmen. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
If you’re with a larger group of people, check out this other service offered by the company.
| Group service (up to 16 passengers) | BOOK IT HERE |
Book your private shuttle in the search box down below 👇
⚠️ Note: The private driver takes you to Chiquila Port, from where you take the ferry. The ferry trip is not included in these options. You can buy online your ferry tickets to Holbox Island.
Pros and Cons of the Private Transfer
✅ It’s the fastest and most comfortable transportation option by far. You’ll be picked up at your hotel in a modern, air-conditioned vehicle, and driven directly to the ferry port in Chiquila. No unnecessary stops, no hassle.
✅ You are guaranteed to have an English-speaking driver, so that you can communicate with them easily even if Spanish is foreign to you.
❌ It’s the priciest option to get from Playa del Carmen to Chiquila. If you’re traveling solo, or are on a tight budget you might want to look for other options.
Read what the reviews say:
”Gabriel is great! Driving was great, the vehicle was clean and he was very friendly. Would recommend the company again!”
Tracey Cardenas – Check out other reviews
SHARED SHUTTLE TO HOLBOX FROM PLAYA DEL CARMEN
If you want to save on your trip from Playa del Carmen to Holbox you can take a shared shuttle instead of a private one. It’s a good in-between option: cheaper than a taxi or a private transfer, but still more expensive than the ADO bus.
| ⌛ Length: | 2.5 hours |
| 💲 Price: | 31 USD one way + 13 USD |
| 👉 Where to book it: | BOOK IT HERE |
The shared Holbox transfer departs from Calle 1ra Sur between Calle 45 and Carretera Federal Playa del Carmen, and reservations must be made ahead of time. No walk-ins are allowed.
▶️ You can take this Shared Shuttle from Playa del Carmen to Chiquila, and then get the tickets to Holbox at the Chiquila Port. It takes 2.5 hours to arrive at the port, and there are two daily departures, one at 8.30 AM and the other one at 3.30 PM.
💲A one-way ticket costs $31 per person. Be aware that it does not include the ferry tickets. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
▶️ Once you’re in the Chiquila port, you’ll need to get the ferry. You can buy online your ferry tickets to Holbox Island.
Pros and Cons of the Shared Shuttle
✅ It’s more affordable than the private transfer, and it goes straight from Playa del Carmen to Chiquila.
❌ You’ll have to make your way to the shuttle station in Playa del Carmen, and depending on where you’re staying you might need to take a taxi. Same upon returning from Holbox to Playa by shuttle.
❌ It takes longer than the private transfer, and it’s not as comfortable as traveling in your own vehicle as you’ll be sharing the van with other travelers.
BUS FROM PLAYA DEL CARMEN TO HOLBOX
If you’re a budget traveler, you can save money by taking an ADO bus from Playa del Carmen to Chiquila, and then the ferry from there. This is the cheapest option to get to Holbox from Playa del Carmen, and it has direct routes from Playa to Chiquila on a daily basis.
ADO is the main bus company in Mexico, so you can stay assured that the quality of the service is good. They have large buses with air conditioning, toilets, and reclining seats, with routes connecting all the major towns in the Yucatan Peninsula.
| ⌛ Length: | 2 hours and 10 minutes |
| 💲 Price: | 26 USD one way + 13 USD |
| 👉 Where to book it: | BOOK IT HERE |
▶️ The ADO Bus from Playa del Carmen to Holbox departs from the ADO Terminal Turistica Playa Del Carmen.
💲The first bus leaves at 9:30 AM, the next one at 11.40 AM, and the latest departure is at 1.40 PM. These are direct buses and take 2h 10m to arrive at Chiquila. A one-way ticket costs $26. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
👉 Once in Chiquila, you’ll need to take the ferry. Tickets to the ferry can be bought online and cost $13 one-way. ➥ BUY IT HERE
▶️ You can also buy a shuttle + ferry combo ticket that includes land transportation from Playa del Carmen to Chiquila, plus the ferry to Holbox. It’s a little pricier than buying the journeys individually, but more convenient as you only need to buy one ticket.
💲 There are three daily departures, the first one at 8.30 AM and then at 11.40 AM and 3.30 PM. The ticket costs between $40 and $44, depending on the bus company you choose. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
Pros and Cons of the ADO Bus
✅ It’s the cheapest transportation option, perfect for those traveling solo or on a budget and carrying big bags. Unlike the shared shuttles, the ADO buses can accommodate large luggage and offer spacious and comfortable seats.
❌ It takes 1.5 hours longer than traveling by private transfer.
❌ You’ll take the bus at the ADO bus station in Playa del Carmen. Unless you’re staying close by, you’ll have to take a taxi to get there, which adds to the cost.
TAXI FROM PLAYA DEL CARMEN TO CHIQUILA (Not Recommended)
An alternative to taking a private transfer would be getting a taxi from Playa del Carmen to Chiquila, although it’s not the option I recommend… especially if you don’t speak Spanish.
Taxi fares are not fixed in Mexico and you’ll have to haggle hard with the driver to get a fair price. If you decide to take a taxi anyway, ask your hotel to book one for you from a company they trust and arrange the price in advance.
FERRY TO ISLA HOLBOX FROM CHIQUILA
To get to Isla Holbox, Mexico you’ll need to take a ferry. The ferry to Holbox departs from a town called Chiquila, which is around 75.8 miles (122 km) north of Playa del Carmen. The drive takes around 1 hour and 45 minutes.
For the journey by ferry from Chiquila to Holbox, you can pick one of 2 companies: Holbox Express and 9 Hermanos. They are both pretty similar in terms of the services and quality they offer, but let’s take a closer look.
| ⌛ Length: | 20 minutes |
| 💲 Price: | 13 USD |
| 👉 Where to book it: | BOOK IT HERE |
Holbox Express offers high-speed ferry trips from the Chiquila Port to Holbox from 6.30 AM to 9.30 PM on an hourly basis. The journey takes 20 minutes, and a one-way trip costs $14 at the time of writing.
9 Hermanos is the other ferry company. Even though you’ll see it as “standard” (as opposed to high-speed), the trip from Chiquila to Holbox with this company also takes 20 minutes. The ferries run every hour from 6 AM to 9 PM, and the journey costs $13.
The ticket is valid for the whole day, so if you miss your ferry, you can use the same ticket for the next available trip that day.
▶️ Once you’re in the Chiquila port, you’ll need to get ferry tickets to Holbox Island.
You can get the tickets to the ferry in advance here from one of the two companies I mentioned above. Both are good. A one-way trip costs between $9 and $10.5, depending on which company you choose. ➥ BUY IT HERE
⚠️ We’ve recently updated the timings, but you should check the current ferry schedule to ensure nothing has changed before your trip.
Once you disembark, you might be able to walk to your hotel if you’re carrying light luggage and your hotel is in the town center. Otherwise, tuk-tuk-style taxis will be available right at the port to transport passengers to further Holbox hotels.
TOUR TO HOLBOX FROM PLAYA DEL CARMEN OR RIVIERA MAYA
If you want to go to Holbox for just one day, figuring out transportation and arranging the trip might feel like a pain. 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 most of your day.
| ⌛ Length: | approx. 12 hours |
| 💲 Price: | 99 USD |
| 👉 Where to book it: | BOOK IT HERE |
▶️ This Holbox Island Tour takes you on a full-day exploration from Playa del Carmen to Holbox Island. With this trip, you will not only visit Holbox but also two other islands, Yalahau Island and Isla Pasion.
You’ll get to swim in crystal clear waters, look for wildlife in a protected area, and spend time on the pristine Playa Holbox. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
👉 For more options, check out this list of Holbox tours that depart from different locations in Quintana Roo and Yucatan, including Playa del Carmen.
Pros and Cons of a Tour
✅ Your only responsibility is to enjoy the day! There’s no need for you to go over the hassle of booking transportation, looking for activities to do, and planning a day trip, as everything will be arranged by a team of professionals.
❌ You’ll have to stick to a fixed schedule and share the transfer and activities with other people.
❌ It’s not a good option if you could be spending a few days in Holbox, as the tour is expensive and only lasts one day.
TAXI + FLIGHT FROM CANCUN TO HOLBOX
Would you like to fly over the sea and get a bird’s eye view of Holbox on your way there? A unique option to get to Holbox Island is taking one of the private flights leaving from Cancun.
For this, you can take a taxi from Playa del Carmen to Cancun, and then board a private plane only for you and your group that will drop you off at Isla Holbox in only 30 minutes.
| ⌛ Length: | 30 minutes |
| 💲 Price: | 810 USD |
| 👉 Where to book it: | BOOK IT HERE |
▶️ This Private Flight from Cancun to Holbox is by far the most picturesque way to get to the island. Ask your hotel in Playa del Carmen to call a taxi for you (they’ll know which companies are trustworthy) to take you to Cancun Airport FBO, where the plane will be waiting for you.
💲This is a private flight for up to 5 passengers and it costs $1,000 one-way. You will board a plane equipped with restrooms, and receive a bottle of water per person. The first flight leaves at 7 AM and the last one departs at 6 PM. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
Pros and Cons of the Flight
✅ It’s by far the fastest way to reach Holbox, and it includes beverages and snacks giving you a VIP experience.
❌ It’s the most expensive option, costing $1,00 for only one way to the island. Plus you’ll need to pay for the transfer from Playa del Carmen to Cancun.
❌ It’s not eco-friendly, and I discourage you from choosing this transportation method.
PLAYA DEL CARMEN TO HOLBOX FAQs
This depends on the type of transport you choose. Private transfers are faster and take about 1h45m to get to Chiquila. The shared shuttle takes about 2 hours, while the trip from Playa del Carmen to Chiquila by ADO bus takes slightly longer – approximately 2 hours and 10 minutes. You’ll then have to add 20 minutes of the ferry journey.
Taxis in Mexico don’t have fixed rates and you’ll have to haggle with the driver to set a price (do it before the trip or chances are you won’t get a fair rate).
The best bet here is to take a Private Transfer, which does have a fixed rate and it’s done by serious companies that you can trust. This private transfer, for example, costs $295 for up to 8 people. Make sure to check out the other options on this post!
No, there’s no ferry from Playa to Holbox. The ferry that goes to Holbox departs from a small town called Chiquila, which is 122 km (75.8 miles ) and a 1h45m drive from Playa del Carmen.
