Day Trip to Holbox, Yalahau Cenote & Isla Pasion from Cancun
Difficulty
easy
Duration
14 hours
Fitness Level
Suitable for all fitness levels; requires the ability to stand and walk on sandy, uneven surfaces and climb in/out of small boats.
Overview
Escape Cancun for a 14-hour island sweep: swim a crystal cenote, lunch on Holbox’s shallow beaches, and drift through the sandbanks of Isla Pasión and Punta Mosquito. Practical tips and local context for planning a full-day boat adventure.
Day Trip to Holbox, Yalahau Cenote & Isla Pasion from Cancun
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The day begins before sunrise, when the van slides out of Cancun and the highway narrows into scrubby mangroves. By the time the ferry slips away from Chiquilá the world has rearranged itself: the air tastes of salt, and low, luminous flats of water stretch like a secret. You step onto the boat with a box lunch in hand, the motor humming beneath a wide sky, and the first island—Holbox—appears as a long bar of white sand and low, colorful houses.
Adventure Photos
Adventure Tips
Bring reef-safe sunscreen and a hat
The trip is exposed to sun for long stretches on the boat and sandbars—reef-safe sunscreen protects marine life and your skin.
Carry cash for local fees
A small preservation tax (~USD 6) and tips are usually paid in cash; ATMs are limited on Holbox.
Wear water-friendly footwear
Reef shoes or sturdy sandals make wading across sandbanks and getting in and out of boats much easier.
Expect an early start and a long day
This is a 14-hour trip with road and ferry transfers; bring snacks, a refillable water bottle and motion-sickness meds if needed.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- Roseate spoonbill
- Frigatebird
History
Holbox lies on a limestone shelf at the north of the Yucatán and was historically a small fishing and salt-gathering community integrated with Maya coastal economies.
Conservation
The islands sit inside the Yum Balam Biosphere; visitors are urged to use biodegradable sunscreen, minimize single-use plastics and respect protected sandbanks and bird nesting areas.
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Adventure Hotspots in Cancun
Frequently Asked Questions
Recommended Gear
Swimsuit & quick-dry towel
Useful for cenote swims, beach time and shallow water at Punta Mosquito.
Reusable water bottle (2L capacity)
Staying hydrated during a full-day, sun-exposed boat trip is critical.
summer specific
Reef-safe sunscreen and lip balm
Protects skin and marine ecosystems during hours on the water.
spring specific
Water/reef shoes
Protects feet on sandbars, rocky cenote edges and while boarding small boats.