How to Get from Tulum to Chiquilá
Reviewed by Jean Nájera, Transportation Industry Expert
From Tulum to Chiquilá, the 14:30 shared shuttle is the best deal: US$30 per person for about 2.5 hours to the Holbox ferry pier. The direct ADO bus costs US$32 to US$35 and takes about 3 hours 20 minutes.
A private transfer from your Tulum hotel costs from about US$265 per vehicle.
Drivers can do the trip in about 2.5 hours inland via Cobá, then park in Chiquilá for the island.
The detail everyone misses: you do not need to change in Cancun or Playa del Carmen, because a direct bus and a shuttle run from Tulum to Chiquilá.
Each runs only once a day, so book a day ahead. Both arrive with hours of ferries to spare.
At a glance
- Distance: about 167 km by road, inland via Cobá
- Fastest: shared shuttle or car, about 2.5 hours
- Cheapest: shared shuttle from US$30
- Direct departures: ADO in the morning, shuttle at 14:30
- Ferry to Holbox: 330 pesos per adult, boats about every 30 minutes until 21:30
- Parking in Chiquilá: about 150 to 250 pesos per day
Tulum to Chiquilá transport options
Compare fares and travel times, then select an option for departures and booking details.
| Transport | Estimated fare | Travel time |
|---|---|---|
| Shared shuttle14:30 departure | Estimated fareUS$30per person | Travel timeAbout 2h 30m |
| Direct ADO busMorning departure | Estimated fareUS$32 to US$35per person | Travel timeAbout 3h 20m |
| Private transferHotel pickup, any time | Estimated fareFrom US$265per vehicle | Travel timeAbout 2h 30m |
| Rental carLeave when you like | Estimated fareCar hire + fuelplus parking in Chiquilá | Travel timeAbout 2h 30m |
Fares and travel times are estimates. Confirm current prices and departures before traveling.
More routes from Tulum
1. Shared shuttle at 14:30, the one I’d book
Holbox Shuttle Extreme runs a shared minivan from Avenida Venus Oriente in Tulum at 14:30, reaching the port of Chiquilá at about 17:00.
Bookaway lists it at US$30 per person with free cancellation.
It is the cheapest and fastest of the shared options.
You still have about four hours of ferries left when you arrive, so a delay on the road does not strand you.
My verdict: the best value, and the afternoon timing lets you enjoy a last Tulum morning. Book ahead, as it runs once a day.
Want this shuttle?
2. Direct ADO bus, the morning option
ADO runs a direct bus from the main Tulum terminal on Avenida Tulum to its stop on Avenida Delfines in Chiquilá, a short walk from the ferry pier.
GuateGo lists an 8:10 departure arriving at 11:30 for US$34. Bookaway shows a 10:25 departure arriving at 13:45, from US$32 in standard class or US$35 in ADO Primera.
The bus takes longer than the shuttle because it makes stops on the way. The two sites show different times, so check the departure on your ticket.
My verdict: the pick if you want to be on Holbox by lunchtime. Reclining seats and air conditioning make the 3 hours 20 minutes easy.
Want a confirmed seat?
3. Private transfer, door to pier
GuateGo lists private transfers from your Tulum hotel to the Chiquilá port at any time you choose, from about US$265 per vehicle.
Other vehicle options are listed at US$299 and US$320.
The ride takes about 2.5 hours. The driver drops you at the pier, so you walk straight to the ferry booths with your bags.
My verdict: worth it for families, groups or anyone arriving late in the day. Split four ways, it costs under US$70 each.
Prefer a private car?
4. Rental car, then park in Chiquilá
The direct road heads inland from Tulum toward Cobá and then north through small Maya villages to Chiquilá. It is about 167 km and takes around 2.5 hours.
Slow down for the speed bumps (topes) in each village, and try to drive in daylight, as the rural roads have little street lighting.
Holbox is car-free, so you leave the car in Chiquilá. Paid lots around the pier charge about 150 to 250 pesos for 24 hours.
My verdict: handy if Holbox is one stop on a longer road trip. Compare rental cars on Booking.com and take everything valuable out of the car before you park.
Step by step: Tulum to the Holbox ferry
- Book your seat the day before. Both the shuttle and the direct bus run once a day.
- Go to the right pickup point. The shuttle leaves from Avenida Venus Oriente and the bus from the ADO terminal on Avenida Tulum.
- Ride north through the jungle. Bring water and a snack for the ride.
- Arrive in Chiquilá by the water. The bus stop and shuttle drop-off are a short walk from the ferry pier.
- Buy your ferry ticket. Two ferry companies sell tickets from booths at the pier, and paying in pesos is quickest.
- Cross to Holbox. The ferry takes about 20 to 25 minutes. See our Chiquilá to Holbox ferry guide for times and prices.
What it costs for 1, 2 or 4 people
| Option | 1 person | 2 people | 4 people |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared shuttle | US$30 | US$60 | US$120 |
| ADO bus | US$32 to US$35 | US$64 to US$70 | US$128 to US$140 |
| Private transfer | From about US$265 | From about US$265 | From about US$265 |
| Ferry to Holbox, adult | 330 pesos | 660 pesos | 1,320 pesos |
Add the ferry to every option. For a group of four, the private transfer works out at about US$66 each before the ferry.
Which option should you choose?
- On a budget: the 14:30 shared shuttle.
- Want to be on Holbox by lunch: the morning ADO bus.
- Family or group with luggage: a private transfer to the pier.
- Road-tripping the Yucatán: a rental car, parked in Chiquilá.
Arriving in Chiquilá
Chiquilá is a small fishing village on the Yalahau lagoon, and almost everything happens around the pier.
The ADO stop on Avenida Delfines and the shuttle drop-off are a few minutes’ walk from the ferry booths.
Ferries to Holbox run about every 30 minutes from early morning until the last boat at 21:30. The adult fare is 330 pesos at the booth.
Chiquilá has only a few small shops and food stalls, so bring pesos from Tulum for the ferry, parking and the island.
Chiquilá: things to do and where to stay
Most visitors pass straight through Chiquilá on the way to Holbox, the car-free island across the lagoon with sandbars, flamingos and, in summer, whale sharks.
The lagoon itself is part of a protected reserve.
Boat trips from both sides visit the mangroves and Isla Pasión, and our Tulum to Holbox guide covers the whole journey to the island.
Which area to stay in
- Holbox town: where most travelers sleep, a short golf-cart ride from the island pier.
- Chiquilá, by the pier: simple hotels for a late arrival or an early ferry.
- Holbox beachfront: boutique hotels along the sand east and west of town.
Best places to stay in Chiquilá
- Hotel Pelicano Chiquila: on Avenida Delfines near the pier, with a small pool, Wi-Fi and parking.
- Mayan Villas Hotel Chiquila: a simple village hotel with breakfast included, fine for one night before the ferry.
- Villas Ixchel Chiquila: small villas with a pool and parking close to the ferry port, a quiet base before an early crossing.
Chiquilá has no luxury hotels.
For boutique beach hotels, cross to the island and see the hotel section in our Chiquilá to Holbox guide.
Practical tips for the trip
Watch the weather. The port can close in strong wind or storms, so check before you leave Tulum.
Pack light. Holbox streets are sand, so a backpack beats a rolling suitcase.
Protect your bookings on public Wi-Fi. Shuttle stops, cafés and island hotels share open networks, so turn on a VPN such as ExpressVPN before you pay online.
Book ahead in high season. From December to April and at Easter, the single daily shuttle and bus can sell out.
Heading back? See Holbox to Tulum for the return trip. Coming from Playa del Carmen instead? See Playa del Carmen to Chiquilá.
Tours from Holbox
From Holbox you can join whale shark swims in season, bioluminescence night tours and boat trips to Isla Pasión and the sandbars.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get from Tulum to Chiquilá?
Take the 14:30 shared shuttle for US$30, the morning ADO bus for US$32 to US$35, or a private transfer from about US$265 per vehicle.
How long does it take from Tulum to Chiquilá?
About 2.5 hours by shuttle, private transfer or car, and about 3 hours 20 minutes on the direct ADO bus.
Is there a direct bus from Tulum to Chiquilá?
Yes. ADO runs a direct morning bus from its Avenida Tulum terminal to Avenida Delfines in Chiquilá, near the ferry pier.
Where does the Tulum to Chiquilá shuttle leave from?
Holbox Shuttle Extreme leaves from Avenida Venus Oriente in Tulum at 14:30 and arrives at the port of Chiquilá at about 17:00.
Does the bus ticket include the ferry to Holbox?
No. The direct bus and shuttle stop at Chiquilá, and you buy the ferry separately for 330 pesos per adult.
How much is parking in Chiquilá?
Paid lots around the pier charge about 150 to 250 pesos for 24 hours.
What time is the last ferry from Chiquilá to Holbox?
The last ferry leaves Chiquilá at about 21:30, with boats about every 30 minutes before that.
Can I drive from Tulum to Chiquilá?
Yes. It is about 167 km inland via Cobá and takes around 2.5 hours. Leave the car in a Chiquilá lot, as Holbox is car-free.
Onward routes from Holbox
Prices last verified: November 2026. Sources: bus, shuttle and transfer fares from GuateGo’s and Bookaway’s live listings; ferry fares and parking from operator price lists and local travel guides.
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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.
