The route: Mérida → Chiquilá → Holbox
Holbox is an island at the far northeastern tip of Quintana Roo, inside the Yum Balam Flora and Fauna Protection Area. CONANP's listing describes an overland route from Mérida to Chiquilá of about 245 kilometers and identifies Chiquilá as the road access point. The road ends there; the rest is by water, by ferry or boat.
Distance and travel time can vary with the route; either way, a same-day round trip from Mérida is the longest day trip you can do on the peninsula.
Yum Balam: why Holbox is special
Yum Balam was created on June 6, 1994, and covers more than 154,000 hectares of jungle, mangrove, coastal dunes and wetlands, according to CONANP, Mexico's protected areas commission. It's also a Ramsar site. Its waters are a refuge for whale sharks, Caribbean manatees and sea turtles.
CONANP lists birdwatching, kayaking and boat tours among the area's activities, with marked trails to explore with specialized guides. It recommends comfortable long-sleeved clothing that can get wet. Whale sharks are seasonal; we have a guide on Holbox and the whale shark.
How the Holbox transfer works
The Mary Tours transfer is an air-conditioned van with a driver from Mérida to Chiquilá and back. It leaves before dawn and returns at night. The van waits in Chiquilá while your group spends the day on the island.
It doesn't include the ferry, boat tours, food, drinks, entry fees or tips: you buy the ferry ticket at the Chiquilá ticket office. The price is per van; see the catalogue on this page. Bookings from here are for groups of 4 or more.
What to do in one day on Holbox
- Walk the beach and the sandy-street village.
- Book a boat tour of the lagoon and its islets on the island.
- Watch birds along the shore.
- Eat in town before the ferry back.
Check the time of the last ferry to Chiquilá and the drive back to Mérida.
Tips
- Official ID.
- Cash: the ferry and many island businesses ask for it.
- Swimsuit on, biodegradable sunscreen and insect repellent.
- Light long-sleeved clothing for sun and mosquitoes.
- Get to bed early the night before: it's the longest day in the catalogue.
Fun facts
- There are no cars on Holbox: people get around by golf cart or on foot.
- Yum Balam covers more than 154,000 hectares of jungle, mangrove, dunes and wetlands.
- The waters around Holbox are a refuge for whale sharks and Caribbean manatees.
Related tours
Transfers · 18 h
Transfer to Holbox
Mérida to Chiquilá and back, the whole day
from $5,550 MXN per vehicle
Coupon −$300 MXN per personCaribbean · 17 h
Isla Mujeres
Playa Norte, which makes every list for a reason
from $2,500 MXN per person
See itinerary
5:00 AM – 10:00 PM · daily
- 4:45 AM Boarding — We leave from the downtown office. If your accommodation is on the way, we collect you there — agreed beforehand on WhatsApp.
- 5:30 AM Drive to Valladolid — Two hours on the motorway, with a fifteen-minute stop.
- 7:45 AM Drive to Puerto Juárez — Two more hours to the pier in Cancún.
- 10:00 AM Isla Mujeres — Sailing the Caribbean, snorkelling at the reef with gear included, a stop at Playa Norte, buffet lunch at the beach club and free time in town.
- 6:00 PM Back to Mérida — Four hours back, with a stop halfway.
Included: Transport, Guide, Boat transfer, Snorkelling gear, Lunch
Not included: Environmental tax, Shopping on the island, Extra drinks
Transfers · 17 h
Transfer to Isla Mujeres
Mérida to the ferry pier and back, the whole day
from $5,550 MXN per vehicle
Frequently asked questions
How far is Holbox from Mérida?
CONANP describes about 245 kilometers by road from Mérida to Chiquilá, plus the ferry crossing to the island.
Can you drive to Holbox?
No. The road ends in Chiquilá; you cross to the island by ferry or boat, and there are no cars there.
Does the transfer include the Holbox ferry?
No. The transfer is the van from Mérida to Chiquilá and back; you buy the ferry ticket in Chiquilá.
Is Holbox a protected area?
Yes, it's part of the Yum Balam Flora and Fauna Protection Area, created in 1994.
Can you see whale sharks?
Yum Balam's waters are a whale shark refuge, but only in season and with authorized operators.
