Chiquilá. That's the name to remember — not Holbox, not Cancún. Chiquilá is the dock on the mainland, and everything funnels through it. No bridge, no airport on the island. Reach Chiquilá, then a short ferry across the lagoon, and you're on sand streets.
From Cancún
ADO bus or a transfer van north to Chiquilá — two-plus hours depending on the van and the highway. Then the ferry. Door to door from a Hotel Zone lobby, plan three to four hours on a kind day, half a day when you miss a connection. That's why a day trip for one swim is a bad personality — see the whale shark season guide before you try to raid the island in an afternoon.
By Car
Highway 180 west toward Nuevo Xcan, then north through Kantunilkín to Chiquilá. The final stretch north of Kantunilkín is a two-lane road through scrubland with no gas stations — fill up before you turn. Park in Chiquilá; secure lots near the dock run $5–8 USD a day, run by the same local families for years. Confirm the rate before you walk away from the car.
The Ferry
Holbox Express, 9 Hermanos, whoever's at the window — the crossing runs often, 15 to 30 minutes across. Reseller sites show around $18–21 USD; pay at the dock instead and skip the markup.
- Frequency: roughly every 30–60 minutes through the day, more often midday.
- Crossing time: 15–30 minutes. Choppier when the wind picks up on the shallow lagoon.
- Last boat: look at the board when you arrive. You do not want to learn Chiquilá at 11pm with no crossing left.
Getting Around Once You're There
No cars on the island that count. Cart or walk from the pier — see the golf cart rentals guide for what a cart actually costs in 2026 and whether you need one.
Rent a Car to Reach Chiquilá
You need wheels to reach the ferry — no practical public transit for the last stretch if you're not on the ADO route. Rent in Cancún, park in Chiquilá ($5–8 USD/day).
Compare rental carsFrequently Asked Questions
Plan three to four hours door to door on a kind day — the drive or bus to Chiquilá, then the ferry. Half a day if you miss a connection. That's the whole case against a same-day trip.
No. Park in Chiquilá's paid lots ($5–8 USD/day) and cross by ferry. The lots are informal but the same families have run them for years.
Reseller sites list $18–21 USD. Pay at the dock window instead and skip the markup.
You're sleeping in Chiquilá or paying for a very awkward night. Check the board the moment you arrive — don't assume the schedule from an old blog post.
No Uber. Taxis exist but cost more than a shuttle van makes sense for. A shared shuttle ($25–40 USD per person) is the reasonable middle option if you're not driving.
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