If you’re traveling through the Yucatan Peninsula and wondering how to get from Valladolid to Holbox, this post breaks it all down. We did this exact route from Valladolid to Holbox ourselves while backpacking around the region and planning things last minute, so it’s totally doable, even with little notice.
If you have a rental car, you can drive to Chiquilá and catch the ferry from there, but this post focuses on the easiest public transport options: direct buses and shared shuttles.
There are a few different ways to make the trip, but the easiest and most straightforward option is to go direct from Valladolid to Chiquilá (that’s the port town where the ferries to Holbox leave from). From there, you’ll hop on a ferry to the island.
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How to Get from Valladolid to Holbox by Bus or Shuttle
The most popular way to get from Valladolid to Holbox without a car is by taking a direct bus or shuttle to Chiquilá, then hopping on a ferry.
Step 1: Bus or Shuttle from Valladolid to Chiquilá
There are direct buses and shared shuttles that run this route daily. You can piece together more complex routes with transfers, but honestly, there’s no need to. Just plan around one of the direct options. The busses take around 2h and 40min.
🚌 ADO First-Class Bus
- Runs daily at 9:20am (see note below)
- Comfortable, air-conditioned, and reliable
- Cost: ~$12–15 USD
- You can book online or at the station
- Valladolid ADO bus station on Google Maps
🚌 ADO Conecta
- The direct bus runs on Monday, Friday, Saturday & Sunday at 7:30am
- Sometimes it also runs on Tuesdays and Thursdays
- Also bookable online or at the station
Note: Availability can vary—some midweek departures (like on Wednesdays) may not run depending on the season or demand. It’s best to check the ADO app or website a few days ahead of your travel date to confirm.
Booking Your Bus Tickets
You can either book your tickets in person, or you can book your Valladolid to Holbox bus tickets directly on the ADO website. Just a heads up, the ADO site is only available in Spanish. If you’re not comfortable navigating it, I’d recommend using BusBud instead. It’s in English, easy to use, and you can compare different routes and times. For this route, make sure you filter by direct only.
🚐 Shared Shuttle Option
If you’d rather not deal with the bus, shared shuttles are another easy way to travel from Valladolid to Holbox. They run between Valladolid and Chiquilá multiple times per day.
Holbox Shuttle – 4 Daily Departures
- Price: 350 MXN
- Book online: Holbox Shuttle Website, you can also contact them on WhatsApp
- More flexible with four daily time slots, costs just a little more than the bus
- Easy to book in advance
Step 2: Ferry from Chiquilá to Holbox
Once you arrive in Chiquilá, the ferry dock is just a short walk from the bus stop.
There are two ferry companies that service the route, Holbox Express and 9 Hermanos. They run on a staggered schedule with a departure every 30 minutes from 6:00am to 9:30pm.
- Travel time: ~25 minutes
- Price: 330 MXN (about $17 USD)
- Tickets: You can buy them at the dock, no need to reserve in advance
Both ferries are identical in price, and take the same amount of time, so it doesn’t matter which ferry to take, you can just hop on whichever is leaving next.
Important Tips Before You Go to Isla Holbox
- Time Zone Tip: Holbox (in Quintana Roo) and Valladolid (in Yucatán) are in different time zones—and this difference is now consistent all year. Holbox is always one hour ahead of Valladolid. Bus schedules show times in local time, so you don’t need to adjust anything manually, but it’s still helpful to know when planning your travel day.
- Bring Cash: ATMs on the island sometimes run out of cash or don’t work. Grab enough pesos in Valladolid before your travel day to cover your stay on the island. When we were on the island the two ATMs ran out of cash.
My Experience Taking This Route
We actually decided to visit Holbox the day before we left Valladolid. We were already in Valladolid and heard lots about Holbox and wanted to add it to our trip. We booked the ADO bus the night before, showed up in the morning, and it was super easy. Once we got to Chiquilá, we walked straight to the ferry dock and got our tickets there for the island.
Getting from Valladolid to Holbox is simple once you know your options. Whether you go by ADO bus, shared shuttle, or car, this route is great for exploring the Yucatán, and it’s easy to do on a budget, too.
🌴 My recommendations for Isla Holbox
Where to Eat on Isla Holbox
If you’re heading to the island, I put together a list of cheap eats on Holbox to help you make the most of your travel budget.
Where to Stay on Isla Holbox
If you’re still looking for a place to stay, here are some of the best budget friendly hotels on Holbox that are well-rated and offer excellent value. I’ve listed them in approximate order of price, starting with the most affordable (depending on the current discount).
- Isla Bonita Holbox -Great for families. Simple rooms with kitchenettes, a pool, and great location on the edge of town. Comfortable and practical for longer stays.
- Arte Sano Hotel (Adults Only) – Great location just outside the center, and one block from the beach. Perfect for couples, with a small pool, breakfast included, and nice interiors.
- Coconut by OOL – Cute cabanas centered around a pool, great location in the center of Holbox, close to the ferry and restaurants. Perfect for families.
- Hotel Casa HX (Adults Only) – This hotel is located outside of town, about a 25-minute walk from the main square. It’s best for people who plan to spend most of their time relaxing at the hotel or exploring the nearby beach. I wouldn’t recommend this location to everyone, on Holbox I personally prefer staying closer to town, but if you’re looking for a peaceful getaway and want to be away from it all, this is a great option. The hotel has a nice pool and breakfast is included.
- Villas Margaritas – Great value near the beach and just outside the main downtown area. It has a pool, and pretty interiors. Good balance of peaceful and central.
- Exe El Pueblito – Boutique style hotel with lush gardens, a pool, and beautiful design throughout. Located right in town. Includes breakfast. A great pick for couples looking for a romantic, mid-range stay.
- Casa Peregrino – Right in the center of town, this stylish boutique hotel is just a short walk to the beach, restaurants, and nightlife. Great for travelers who want to be in the heart of the action without giving up comfort or design.