About the journey from Cancun to Chiquila
Chances are you’re not traveling from Cancun to visit Chiquila. Located on the very tip of the Yucatan Peninsula, this little pueblo, or town in English, is the jumping-off point for the spectacular Isla Holbox.
Most people take a bus or minivan to Chiquila and immediately jump on a ferry to paradise.
Companies offer combined tickets, organizing everything for your journey from Cancun to Holbox, but if you’d like to book the two-part journey separately or maybe stop off in Chiquila, here’s how!
Fun things to do in Holbox
Honestly, there’s not much to do in the small fishing town of Chiquila. You’ll find only a few restaurants and a handful of accommodations that only started popping up after Holbox became one of Mexico’s hotspots. That’s why we recommend you head straight to Holbox and check out some of these fun activities:
Go on the Three Island boat tour. This is the best way to see all of Holbox’s natural attractions. You’ll visit cenotes and other nearby idyllic islands. Keep an eye out for dolphins as you’re hopping between the stops!
Explore Punta Mosquito, a seemingly neverending sandbank that disappears into the crystal-clear waters of Holbox. Head here when the tide is out, and make sure to leave before the tide comes back in. Otherwise, you’ll be swimming back to your hotel.
Walk rescue dogs. Refugio Holbox Animal Sanctuary cares mainly for dogs but also cats, birds, and raccoons. For a small donation, you can take the dogs for a walk along the beach. This will undoubtedly warm your heart if you’re missing your furry friend.
Relax on the beach. Sometimes, the best activity on a tropical island is simply doing nothing. How often do you get to chill on a white-sand beach and read your book? Probably not that often. So take advantage of it!
Dance at Hot Corner. It’s a relatively small island with a pretty small town. Your choice of nightlife is limited, but that doesn’t stop you from having a good time. Hot Corner is a lively spot to kick off your evening, where people bring drinks and dance to the pumping music on the street.
How to get from Cancun to Chiquila
To get from Cancun to Chiquila, you’ll need to cover 65 km (40.6 miles), which can be done in three ways: by bus, minivan, or private car. The journey takes around 2-2.5 hours.
It’s one of the shorter journeys in Mexico, so sit back and watch how the urban jungle of Cancun is replaced by the actual jungle on your way to Chiquila.
By minivan
A shared minivan, slightly cheaper than the bus, will take you from Cancun to Chiquila in around 2.5 hours. They offer pick-up from both the airport and Downtown Cancun, dropping you off at the port in Chiquila.
Private minivans will get you there a tad faster in just over two hours. Fitting up to eight people, it’s a great option if you’re traveling in a group or as a family.
Both are comfortable and have air conditioning.
By bus
The bus is another great option for getting from Cancun to Chiquila. Multiple departures throughout the day leave the ADO bus station in Cancun. It takes 2.5 hours to get to the Chiquila ADO bus station, a 5-minute walk from the ferry port to Holbox.
The first-class buses offer comfortable reclining seats, air conditioning, and a toilet onboard.
By car
Hiring a private car is a convenient option if you’re arriving at Cancun Airport and heading straight to Chiquila.
Your driver will be waiting in the arrivals hall, holding a sign with your name on it. The journey couldn’t be easier, and it’s slightly faster than the other transport options, taking just over two hours.
The car can fit a maximum of three people, ideal for a small family or group of friends.
What to expect from the journey from Cancun to Chiquila
The trip from Cancun to Chiquila is a quick and safe one. Before you know it, you’ll have escaped the hordes of tourists in Cancun and replaced it with the much more laid-back vibe of Chiquila.
It’s unlikely that the driver will stop for a break on the journey as it’s a relatively short one. If you take the bus, you will have a toilet onboard.
How many days should you spend in Chiquila?
The quick answer to how many days you should spend in Chiquila is none!
We recommend heading straight to Holbox once you arrive in Chiquila since there’s not much to do, and the real haven is 30 minutes away by ferry.
When is the best time to visit Chiquila?
The best time to visit Chiquila is during the dry season, from December to April. During these months, it tends to only rain three to five days a year.
December and January are considered the coldest months of the year, but still average at a very pleasant 22°C (72°F). As the months go on, the temperatures get warmer.
If you’re heading to Holbox from Chiquila, it might be best to avoid the rainy season from June to October. The streets are dirt and not built for rain, which usually results in flooding and mud.
But if your dream is to swim with whale sharks, braving the rain might be worth it, as these magnificent creatures grace these waters between June and September every year.
Where should you go after Chiquila?
This was probably your plan already… head to Holbox. After a 30-minute ferry ride, you’ll be transported to a paradise island with turquoise waters, sandbanks that never seem to end, and a chilled vibe. You may never want to leave.
