Day Trip to Isla Holbox: Holbox Island, Yalahau Cenote & Isla Pasion from Cancun
Difficulty
easy
Duration
13 hours (full day)
Fitness Level
Suitable for average fitness — involves short walks, boat transfers, and moderate time standing; not recommended for travelers with spinal or serious cardiovascular issues
Overview
Escape the busy Riviera Maya for a 13-hour island day that pairs a crystal cenote with Holbox’s shallow turquoise shores and bird-rich islets. Float in Yalahau, eat on the beach, and explore Isla Pájaros — a practical, full-day introduction to northern Quintana Roo.
Day Trip to Isla Holbox: Holbox Island, Yalahau Cenote & Isla Pasion from Cancun
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The morning starts before the sun fully wakes over the Caribbean — a bus slides away from a hotel strip in Cancun and the sea begins to claim the sky. By the time you reach Chiquilá, the boat waits like a low-lying promise: engine murmuring, beer and bottled water cooling in a crate, and guides handing out life jackets for a day that stitches together shallow lagoons, white-sand shoals, and one clear-water cenote.
Adventure Photos
Adventure Tips
Bring cash for the dock fee
A small municipal dock fee (~$6 USD) is not included — have small bills on hand at Chiquilá or on arrival to Holbox.
Use reef-safe sunscreen
The islands and cenotes are sensitive; biodegradable sunscreen protects coral and local ecosystems.
Wear water-friendly shoes
Sandbars and boat decks are slippery; quick-dry sandals or reef shoes make beach and boat moves safer.
Bring a reusable water bottle
The tour supplies water but carrying an extra reusable bottle keeps you hydrated throughout the long day.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- pelicans
- flamingos
History
Holbox lies on the northern rim of the Yucatán peninsula; the island’s shallow lagoons and sandbanks owe their shape to coral and shell deposits and to a fishing economy shaped by Maya and colonial trade routes.
Conservation
Bring reef-safe sunscreen and avoid single-use plastics; local groups and operators support beach cleanups and responsible boating to protect bird colonies and marine habitats.
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Adventure Hotspots in Cancun
Frequently Asked Questions
Recommended Gear
Swimsuit & quick-dry towel
For swimming in Yalahau and wading the shallow beaches of Holbox and Isla Pájaros.
summer specific
Reef-safe sunscreen
Protects skin and the marine environment; required on most responsible tours.
Reusable water bottle
Extra hydration for a long, hot day; refill on the boat or at restaurants.
Light rain jacket or wind layer
Weather can shift quickly, especially in the summer and fall; a packable layer keeps you comfortable on windy boat rides.
fall specific