Holbox Day Trip from Cancún: Yalahau Cenote, Punta Mosquito & Isla de la Pasión
Difficulty
easy
Duration
13 hours
Fitness Level
Light fitness—comfortable sitting for transfers, short walks on sand and optional swims; suitable for most travelers
Overview
Escape Cancún for a long day of crystalline cenote water, shallow turquoise flats and bird-studded sandbars. This full‑day transfer and boat tour connects Yalahau cenote, Holbox village, Isla de la Pasión and Punta Mosquito for an easy, thoroughly coastal adventure.
Holbox Day Trip from Cancún: Yalahau Cenote, Punta Mosquito & Isla de la Pasión
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The day starts before sunrise in Cancún: the van eases onto the highway, headlights cutting through a humid blur as the city falls away and the long, flat inland of Quintana Roo opens. After a 2.5–3 hour road transfer — the driver navigates toward the fishing port at Chiquilá — the pace shifts. A short boat ride pushes off into water that dares you to plunge in: shallow flats turn from green to turquoise, then an island with bright, weathered buildings appears, its shoreline rimmed in powder-fine sand.
Adventure Photos
Adventure Tips
Confirm pickup time in advance
Pickup windows vary by hotel and meeting point; contact the supplier the day before to confirm your exact pickup time.
Bring cash for fees and tips
A dock fee (~USD 6 per person) and small local purchases on Holbox usually require cash; ATMs are limited on the island.
Use biodegradable sunscreen
Coral and marine ecosystems are sensitive — apply reef‑safe sunscreen before boarding to protect reefs and wildlife.
Pack a small dry bag
Keep phones, documents and a light jacket protected from spray during the boat crossings.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- frigatebirds
- pelicans
History
Holbox sits on land that formed from sediments and currents after the last ice age; it has long been a fishing village with Maya roots in the wider Yucatán landscape.
Conservation
The island’s ecosystems — mangroves, sandbanks and nearby reefs — are delicate; visitors are encouraged to use reef‑safe products, avoid stepping on seagrass beds, and pack out trash.
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Adventure Hotspots in Cancún
Frequently Asked Questions
Recommended Gear
Swimsuit & quick‑dry towel
You’ll want these for the cenote, wading at Punta Mosquito and any beach time on Holbox.
Biodegradable sunscreen & insect repellent
Protects skin and minimizes harm to marine life in warm, sunny conditions.
summer specific
Light waterproof jacket or windbreaker
A wind layer helps on the boat if the sea breeze picks up, especially in mornings or changeable weather.
spring specific
Small dry bag or waterproof phone case
Keeps electronics and documents dry during boat transfers and shallow wading.