Travel

Ah, Isla Holbox, how I adore you! This little island is tucked off the coast of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula and is a little car-free paradise of white sand, blue waters and island living.

Believe me, you’ll want to visit this haven, particularly if you want to discover the beautiful and unique bioluminescent plankton that can be found here.

But before you start fantasising about lying on the beach with a margarita in hand, let’s get down to business: how do you get there?!

Knowing how to go to Isla Holbox is like knowing the secret password to a VIP club. And, fortunately for you, I’m here to be your guide and give you all the information you need to get to Isla Holbox.

Now pack your sunscreen and ready your sense of adventure, because we’re about to embark on a trip to paradise. Time to delve into the many transportation options and determine the best route for you to go to Isla Holbox!

Getting to Isla Holbox by Bus

First up, let’s talk about taking the bus to Isla Holbox. I know what you’re thinking; “A bus? That sounds unpleasant.” So bear with me while I explain why this is a fantastic way to travel.

The ADO bus network is one of the largest in Mexico. During my 3-week trip, I travelled a lot on the ADO buses and had a great experience every time.

The buses are considered first class, so expect to be treated to reclining seats, and most importantly air con! Some of the ADO bus brands, such as ADO Platino, offer more luxury. These buses have facilities like Wi-Fi, free drinks, fewer seats and travel kits.

Where do the buses run from

Buses frequently run throughout the day across the Yucatan, but to get to Holbox you will need to get a bus to Chiquila before getting a ferry to the Island.

You can get a direct bus to Chiquila from Cancun Central, and It will take you around 2.5 hours and prices depend on when you book. Expect to pay somewhere from around £10, or $13 upwards

I was travelling to Holbox from Playa Del Carmen so took the bus from the bus station there. This took over 2 hours and Is around the same cost as above. This route starts in Tulum so if that’s where you are travelling from, you can pick up the bus there but expect to pay a little more.

Arriving by bus into Chiqulia

After you arrive at the bus station in Chiquila, you’ll need to make your way to the ferry terminal to grab a boat over to Isla Holbox. But don’t be concerned; it’s only a short walk from the bus stop to the ferry terminal. I will go into more detail about taking the ferry later in this post.

How to book bus tickets to get to Holbox

You can book your bus directly from the ADO website. The website is in Spanish, but you can translate the website using google translate.

For the most up-to-date information on schedules and fares, see the ADO website.