How to Get from Holbox to Cozumel
Reviewed by Jean Nájera, Transportation Industry Expert
From Holbox to Cozumel, the easiest way is GuateGo’s one-ticket combo: the ferry to Chiquilá, a shuttle to Playa del Carmen and the ferry to Cozumel for US$68 per person. Leave Holbox at 16:30 and you reach San Miguel at 22:45.
Reverse route: Cozumel → Holbox
There is no direct boat between the two islands.
Every overland route crosses to Chiquilá, drives about 2 to 2.5 hours to Playa del Carmen and takes a 35 to 45 minute ferry.
The detail everyone misses: every combo departure lands in Cozumel at night, because the bundle waits for an evening ferry.
Even the 10:30 combo only arrives at 20:45, although its shuttle reaches Playa del Carmen at 14:00.
Book the 10:30 shuttle and the ferry separately instead, and you can be on an afternoon boat and in Cozumel before dark.
At a glance
- Route: ferry to Chiquilá (20 min), road to Playa del Carmen, ferry to Cozumel
- One ticket: GuateGo combo, US$68, departures 10:30, 15:30 and 16:30
- Cheapest: ferry, ADO bus or shared minivan from Chiquilá and the Cozumel ferry, about US$50 to US$66
- Daylight arrival: 10:30 shuttle to Playa del Carmen, then an afternoon ferry
- Groups: private car from Chiquilá, from US$216 per vehicle
- Fastest: private flight, about 40 minutes, from US$3,432 per plane
Holbox to Cozumel transport options
Compare fares and travel times, then select an option for departures and booking details.
| Transport | Estimated fare | Travel time |
|---|---|---|
| Ferry + shuttle + ferry comboOne ticket on GuateGo | Estimated fareUS$68per person | Travel time6h to 10h, evening arrival |
| Ferry + ADO bus or minivan + ferryCheapest, book each leg | Estimated fareAbout US$50 to US$66per person | Travel timeAbout 4h 30m to 5h 30m plus waits |
| Shuttle to Playa, then the ferryBest for daylight arrival | Estimated fareAbout US$60 to US$72per person | Travel timeAbout 5h to 6h |
| Ferry + private car + ferryFrom Chiquilá pier | Estimated fareFrom US$216per vehicle, plus ferries | Travel timeAbout 4h to 4h 30m |
| Private flightHolbox airstrip to Cozumel | Estimated fareFrom US$3,432per plane, up to 5 seats | Travel timeAbout 40m |
Fares and travel times are estimates. Confirm current prices and departures before traveling.
More routes from Holbox
1. Ferry, shuttle and ferry combo, the one-ticket option
GuateGo sells one ticket that covers the Holbox ferry, a shared shuttle from Chiquilá to Playa del Carmen and the ferry to Cozumel.
It costs US$68 per person.
Departures leave the Holbox pier at 10:30, 15:30 and 16:30.
All of them end at the maritime terminal on Avenida Rafael Melgar in San Miguel, at 20:45 or 22:45.
The 16:30 departure is the quickest, at about 6 hours. The 10:30 departure takes about 10 hours, most of it waiting in Playa del Carmen.
My verdict: the least planning for one day of travel. Take the 16:30 departure, enjoy your last morning on Holbox and book your first night in San Miguel.
Want one ticket all the way?
2. Ferry, ADO bus or minivan and ferry, the cheapest
Holbox Express and 9 Hermanos run the 20-minute crossing to Chiquilá through the day, from about US$16 on Bookaway.
ADO buses wait a short walk from the Chiquilá pier.
Direct ADO buses to Playa del Carmen leave Chiquilá at about 13:00, 14:30, 15:45, 17:45 and 20:30. They take about 2 hours 20 minutes and cost US$24 to US$27.
Shared minivans from Blue Holbox and Holbox Shuttle Extreme cover the same road in about 2 hours for US$18 to US$20 on Bookaway.
The buses end at the ADO Terminal Turística on Fifth Avenue, about a 5-minute walk from the Cozumel ferry pier at the end of Avenida Juárez.
My verdict: the best value for solo travelers, and the 13:00 bus still gets you to Cozumel in the early evening.
Buy the ADO seat ahead in high season.
Booking it leg by leg?
3. Shuttle to Playa del Carmen, then the ferry
GuateGo sells the Holbox ferry plus a shuttle to Playa del Carmen for US$44.
The 10:30 departure reaches the colectivo terminal in Playa at 14:00, and the 17:30 departure reaches 50th Avenue at 20:00.
Coach options with the ferry included cost US$45 to US$49 and end at the ADO terminal on Avenida 20 at Calle 12.
From Playa, ferries to Cozumel run through the day.
Bookaway lists Winjet from US$16, Ultramar from US$17 and Xcaret Ferry from US$19, and GuateGo lists crossings from 8:00 to 22:00 for US$23.
My verdict: the best way to arrive in daylight. Take the 10:30 shuttle and a mid-afternoon or 17:00 ferry, and you land around sunset.
Want to arrive before dark?
4. Ferry and private car, for groups
GuateGo lists private cars from the Chiquilá pier to Playa del Carmen from US$216 to US$283 per vehicle, at a time you choose.
Ask the driver to drop you at the Cozumel ferry pier instead of a hotel.
You pay the Holbox ferry and the Cozumel ferry separately. With a morning boat, you can be in Cozumel by mid-afternoon.
My verdict: worth it for three or four people with luggage, or for anyone who wants to stop at a cenote or for lunch on the way.
Traveling as a group?
5. Private flight, the fastest
Bookaway lists a 5-seat private tourist flight from the Holbox airstrip straight to Cozumel airport. It takes about 40 minutes and costs from US$3,432 for the plane.
You choose the departure time when you book. Cozumel airport is a short taxi ride north of San Miguel.
My verdict: a splurge, but it replaces two ferries and a long drive. Split between five people it works out at about US$690 each.
Short on time?
Step by step: from Holbox to Cozumel
- Take a golf-cart taxi to the Holbox pier. Holbox has no regular cars, so allow extra time in the morning rush.
- Cross to Chiquilá. The ferry takes about 20 minutes. Combo and shuttle passengers are met at the pier.
- Drive south to Playa del Carmen. The road takes about 2 to 2.5 hours, and buses and shuttles stop once or twice.
- Walk to the Cozumel ferry pier. It sits at the end of Avenida Juárez, a few minutes from the ADO terminal on Fifth Avenue.
- Cross to Cozumel. The boat takes 35 to 45 minutes and docks in central San Miguel.
- Walk or take a taxi to your hotel. Taxis wait at the pier, and hotels in town are within walking distance.
What it costs for 1, 2 or 4 people
| Option | 1 person | 2 people | 4 people |
|---|---|---|---|
| Combo ticket | US$68 | US$136 | US$272 |
| Ferry + bus or minivan + ferry | About US$50 to US$66 | About US$100 to US$132 | About US$200 to US$264 |
| Shuttle to Playa + ferry | About US$60 to US$72 | About US$120 to US$144 | About US$240 to US$288 |
| Ferries + private car | From about US$248 | From about US$280 | From about US$344 |
| Private flight (up to 5) | From US$3,432 | From US$3,432 | From US$3,432 |
For four people, the private car costs about US$70 more than four combo tickets in total. It saves several hours and gets you to Cozumel in daylight.
Which option should you choose?
- You want one booking and don’t mind arriving late: the 16:30 combo.
- You want the lowest fare: the ferry and a shared minivan or ADO bus from Chiquilá.
- You want to arrive in daylight: the 10:30 shuttle and an afternoon ferry.
- You are three or four people: a private car from Chiquilá.
- Money is no object: the private flight.
Arriving in Cozumel
Passenger ferries from Playa del Carmen dock at the Muelle Fiscal on Avenida Rafael Melgar, in the center of San Miguel.
It is the island’s only town.
The main square, Parque Benito Juárez, is about 300 m from the pier, a 5-minute walk. Restaurants, shops and banks with ATMs line the waterfront and the streets behind it.
Taxis wait at the pier.
Cozumel taxis have set fares by zone, so check the posted rate or agree the price before you get in.
Arriving by the private flight, you land at Cozumel airport, a short taxi ride north of the town center.
Cozumel: things to do and where to stay
After the sandy streets of Holbox, Cozumel feels bigger and busier.
Its reefs off the west coast draw divers from around the world, and the east coast is wild and almost empty.
Most days revolve around the water: reef snorkeling, drift dives, beach clubs on the south coast and a drive around the island.
See the tour ideas below for guided trips.
Which area to stay in
- San Miguel center: walkable, close to the ferry pier and restaurants, best if you arrive on a late ferry.
- South hotel zone: the main resort strip along the reef, about 2 to 15 km south of the pier by taxi.
- North hotel zone: quieter beachfront hotels past the airport, a short taxi ride from town.
- East coast: wild beaches and very few places to stay, better as a day trip by car or scooter.
Best luxury hotels in and around Cozumel
- Cozumel Palace: an all-inclusive at kilometer 1.5 of Avenida Rafael Melgar, the closest of the big resorts to the ferry pier, with suites that have double whirlpool tubs.
- Presidente InterContinental Cozumel Resort and Spa: on the south hotel zone road at kilometer 6.5, known for one of the island’s largest private beaches.
- The Explorean Cozumel: a small all-inclusive jungle retreat at kilometer 7.5 in the south hotel zone, with no TVs and daily activities included.
- Secrets Aura Cozumel: an adults-only all-inclusive at kilometer 12.9 on the south coast, with swim-up suites and a rooftop lounge.
The resorts in the south hotel zone are a short taxi ride from the pier.
If you arrive on the 22:45 ferry, book a transfer through your hotel or take a taxi from the rank at the pier.
Practical tips for the trip
Bring cash from the mainland. Holbox ATMs can run dry, and golf-cart taxis are paid in pesos.
Watch the weather in winter. Cold fronts between about November and March can close the Holbox and Cozumel ports to small boats for a day or more, so keep a spare day.
Pack light for three changes. You load your bags onto two ferries and a van or bus, so a soft bag is easier than two large suitcases.
Use a VPN on public Wi-Fi. Ferry terminals, buses and cafés use open networks, so connect through ExpressVPN before you pay for tickets or check your bank.
Don’t bring a rental car. The Cozumel passenger ferries take no vehicles, so return a car in Playa del Carmen or leave it in a paid lot there.
Breaking the trip? Spend a night in Playa del Carmen with our Holbox to Playa del Carmen guide, then see the Playa del Carmen to Cozumel ferry guide and the full Cozumel ferry schedule.
Planning the way back? Our Cozumel to Holbox guide covers the return trip, and Cozumel to Tulum works if you head south next.
Tours from Cozumel
Popular tours from Cozumel include reef snorkeling and diving trips, catamaran days and island tours by jeep.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a direct ferry from Holbox to Cozumel?
No. You take the ferry to Chiquilá, travel by road to Playa del Carmen and take a second ferry to Cozumel. The only direct option is a private flight, from US$3,432 per plane.
How much does it cost to get from Holbox to Cozumel?
The GuateGo combo costs US$68 per person. Booking the ferry, an ADO bus or shared minivan from Chiquilá and the Cozumel ferry separately costs about US$50 to US$66.
How long does it take to get from Holbox to Cozumel?
About 6 hours on the 16:30 combo and 10 hours on the 10:30 combo. A private car or a well-timed bus connection takes about 4 to 5.5 hours.
What time do the combos leave Holbox?
GuateGo lists combo departures at 10:30, 15:30 and 16:30. They reach the San Miguel ferry terminal at 20:45 or 22:45.
Can I reach Cozumel before dark?
Yes. Take the 10:30 ferry and shuttle to Playa del Carmen, which arrives at 14:00, then a mid-afternoon or 17:00 ferry to Cozumel.
Is there a bus from Chiquilá to Playa del Carmen?
Yes. ADO runs direct buses at about 13:00, 14:30, 15:45, 17:45 and 20:30. They take about 2 hours 20 minutes and cost US$24 to US$27.
Which ferry goes from Playa del Carmen to Cozumel?
Winjet, Ultramar and Xcaret Ferry all cross from Playa del Carmen. Fares start at about US$16 and the crossing takes 35 to 45 minutes.
Where does the ferry arrive in Cozumel?
At the Muelle Fiscal on Avenida Rafael Melgar in San Miguel, about 300 m from the main square, Parque Benito Juárez.
Onward routes from Cozumel
Prices last verified: November 2026. Sources: combo, shuttle, coach, ADO, private car and ferry fares and times from GuateGo’s live listings; Holbox ferries, ADO buses, Cozumel ferries and the private flight from Bookaway’s live listings; pier location from OpenStreetMap; hotel details from the hotels and recent Cozumel hotel roundups; port closures from Quintana Roo news reports.
- About the Author
- More info
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.
- About the Author
- More info
Jean Nájera is the CEO of GuateGo, an online marketplace to buy transportation tickets in more than 200 cities. He has profound expertise in Transport in Costa Rica, Transportation in Mexico, Transport in Guatemala, Transport in Peru, and Transport in Thailand.
