You can travel from Playa del Carmen to Holbox by ferry + bus, shuttle, private transfer, or rental car. Check out our guide with all the important information.
If you’re looking for some secluded beaches and crystal waters, then Holbox is a great place to explore. This tiny island off the Mexican coast has stunning turquoise waters that will make your heart soar!
Holbox is a sanctuary with breathtaking natural beauty and an intriguing tropical ambiance, and it is situated in the Yum Balam Ecological Reserve in the state of Quintana Roo.
Kayaking, diving, snorkeling, and swimming are just a few outdoor pursuits you can participate in here!
In addition to its incredible underwater life, Holbox boasts a lively downtown area where you can get a taste of the local lifestyle and witness some of the most amazing colorful murals.
And what better way to discover every corner of this magnificent island than by joining one of the numerous Holbox guided tours!
We recommend booking and joining this Holbox Full-Day Tour with Lunch, which will take you to explore the small streets and stunning beaches of Isla Holbox!
This full-day trip to the Island of Holbox includes a stroll through the charming neighborhoods, a swim in the crystal-clear sea, and a visit to the Yalahau Cenote, topped off with a delicious lunch!
Book now and discover all Holbox has to offer!
Check out our guide for all the important information on traveling from Playa del Carmen to Holbox.
Distance from Playa del Carmen to Holbox
The distance from Playa del Carmen to Holbox is about 135 kilometers or 84 miles by car and ferry.
It takes around 2 hours and 30 minutes to travel by car and ferry from Playa del Carmen to Holbox.
Transportation Options from Playa del Carmen to Holbox
The following table outlines all transportation options from Playa del Carmen to Holbox:
| Method | Travel time | Price |
|---|---|---|
| ADO Coach Bus + Holbox Express Ferry from Playa del Carmen to Holbox | 3 hours 50 minutes | USD 40 |
| Holbox Shared Shuttle + Holbox Express Ferry from Playa del Carmen to Holbox | 3 hours 40 minutes | USD 44 |
| Private Transfer + Ferry from Playa del Carmen to Holbox | 3 hours 40 minutes | – |
| Rental Car + Ferry from Playa del Carmen to Holbox | 2 hours 30 minutes | – |
Getting to Holbox from Playa del Carmen
1. ADO Coach Bus + Holbox Express Ferry from Playa del Carmen to Holbox
Travel time: 3 hours 50 minutes
The easiest and cheapest way to travel from Playa del Carmen to Holbox is to get on the ADO coach bus to Chiquila and take the ferry to Holbox!
However, instead of organizing your trip and buying both tickets separately, we recommend booking this ADO Coach Bus + Holbox Express combo ticket that covers the whole trip!
ADO provides daily trips from Playa to Chiquila. However, there is only one departure available for the combined ticket.
But if you prefer another time, there are more bus departures throughout the day.
Once you arrive in Chiquila on the bus, you’ll transfer to the ferry that will take you to Holbox in only 30 minutes!
The whole trip takes about 3 hours and 50 minutes, and one combined ticket costs USD 40!
This is the ideal option if you’re a budget traveler. So, book your ADO Bus + Ferry ticket today and ensure your trip from Playa del Carmen to Holbox!
2. Holbox Shared Shuttle + Holbox Express Ferry from Playa del Carmen to Holbox
Travel time: 3 hours 40 minutes
To travel from Playa del Carmen to Holbox, you can also get a combined Holbox Shared Shuttle and Holbox Ferry ticket!
Holbox Shuttle offers relaxing transportation in brand-new, spotless, air-conditioned vans. You will reach your location safely and quicker thanks to their daily shared shuttles! The whole trip from Playa del Carmen to Holbox lasts about 3 hours and 40 minutes.
The ferry ticket and accommodation pickup are also included in this deal, which costs only USD 44!
There are two daily departures, one in the morning and one in the afternoon, so book the one that suits your schedule!
| Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Price per Person | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 08:30 AM | 12:10 PM | 3 hours 40 minutes | USD 44 |  |
| 03:30 PM | 07:10 PM | 3 hours 40 minutes | USD 44 | |
3. Private Transfer + Ferry from Playa del Carmen to Holbox
Travel time: 2 hours 30 minutes
Another choice for traveling to Holbox from Playa del Carmen is to arrange a private transfer, which is incredibly convenient if you have a larger group traveling with you or you desire more comfort.
You can arrange a private transfer that will take you to the port in Chiquila and then just transfer on the Holbox ferry that will get you to the island in 30 minutes!
However, this option does not include the ferry ticket to Holbox, so you must book that separately.
Prices for a private transfer from Playa del Carmen to Chiquila differ depending on the number of passengers and start at around USD 130. The ferry ticket costs an additional USD 15.
You can arrange a private transfer online and set your time and departure point! As for the ferry tickets, you can get them at the port in Chiquila, but we recommend making a reservation online to skip the wait in line!
Prices for a private transfer from Playa del Carmen to Chiquila
- Up to 3 passengers (Standard Minivan): USD 134
- Up to 7 passengers (Standard Minivan): USD 158
- Up to 14 passengers (Standard Minivan): USD 218
4. Driving with Rental Car + Ferry from Playa del Carmen to Holbox
Travel time: 2 hours 30 minutes
The final alternative is to rent a car and travel from Playa del Carmen to Holbox on your own!
First, you’ll have to drive to Chiquila for roughly two hours. However, the drive is relatively easy, and you can easily find your way.
Once you get to Chiquila, you can leave your car in one of the paid parking areas that are immediately outside the ferry port. Since Holbox is a car-free island and you cannot take your car there, you must park nearby.
You will then take a short 30-minute ferry to Holbox. The ferry ticket costs only USD 15!
We recommend buying your ferry tickets in advance and searching for the best car rentals online!
Best day tours in Holbox, Mexico
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Check out the following widgets for more day tours in Holbox, Mexico!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest option to get from Playa del Carmen to Holbox?
The cheapest option to get from Playa del Carmen to Holbox is by bus and ferry. The cheapest option is the combined ADO Coach Bus + Holbox Ferry combo ticket, which costs only USD 40!
What is the fastest way to get from Playa del Carmen to Holbox?
The fastest way to get from Playa del Carmen to Holbox is by car and ferry. First, you’ll need to drive to Chiquila and then take a ferry to Holbox. The whole trip takes about 2 hours and 30 minutes!
Is there a ferry from Playa del Carmen to Holbox?
No, there is no ferry service between Playa del Carmen and Holbox. A little village called Chiquila, located 122 kilometers (75.8 miles) from Playa del Carmen, is where the ferry to Holbox departs from.
How long is the drive from Playa del Carmen to Chiquila?
This depends on the mode of transportation you select. Private transfers are quicker and get you to Chiquila in roughly 1 hour and 45 minutes. The shared shuttle travels from Playa del Carmen to Chiquila in roughly 2 hours; the bus travels in 2 hours and 10 minutes.
How long is the ferry from Chiquila to Holbox?
The journey between Chiquila and Holbox lasts about 30 minutes.
How much does the ferry to Holbox cost?
A ferry ticket to Holbox costs USD 15!
More Routes from Playa del Carmen
Author: AnaMarija Mishachkovska
AnaMarija is a devoted SEO travel writer with deep expertise in Transport in Costa Rica, Transportation in Mexico, Transport in Guatemala, Transport in Peru, and Transport in Thailand. Experience: AnaMarija's academic journey commenced with pursuing a bachelor's degree at AUE FON University in Macedonia. Subsequently, she immersed herself in the realm of travel writing, specializing in creating comprehensive transportation guides for diverse regions in Latin America and Southeast Asia. Since 2021, AnaMarija has been employed as a travel writer with expertise in transportation at Universal Traveller. Furthermore, in 2022, she expanded her horizons by becoming a travel writer for Guatemala Transport Service and Mexico Transport Service. Since 2023, AnaMarija has been actively sharing her extensive knowledge in Thailand transportation as a contributor to Bangkok Insiders. Expertise: AnaMarija holds profound expertise in transportation across various countries, including Costa Rica, Mexico, Guatemala, Peru, and Thailand. Her comprehensive knowledge enables her to navigate the most efficient routes effortlessly, while her writing style ensures that this valuable information is easily understandable and readily accessible online. Education: AnaMarija's educational background includes studies in Design and Multimedia at AUE FON University in Macedonia. To augment her academic foundation, she pursued online courses in Search Engine Optimization…
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AnaMaria is a dedicated SEO specialist and content strategist with profound expertise in Transport in Costa Rica, Transportation in Mexico, Transport in Guatemala, Transport in Peru, and Transport in Thailand.
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