Holbox Day Trip: Yalahau Cenote, Isla Pasión & Punta Mosquito from Playa del Carmen

Holbox•moderate

Difficulty

moderate

Duration

11–12 hours

Fitness Level

Requires basic stamina for multiple short hikes, boat transfers and standing on sandy flats; suitable for most active travelers.

Overview

Escape the coast for a long day of shallow-water magic: swim in the crystal cenote of Yalahau, lounge on Isla Pasión’s white sandbanks and watch the mirror-like flats of Punta Mosquito. This full-day trip from Playa del Carmen combines gentle adventure with local color.

Holbox Day Trip: Yalahau Cenote, Isla Pasión & Punta Mosquito from Playa del Carmen

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bus-tour

Select participants and date

Date

Thu, Nov 6

Travelers

The day begins before dawn in Playa del Carmen: a shuttle pulls away from the hotel and the highway narrows to scrub and mangroves as the bus heads north. By mid-morning you’re at Chiquilá, a busy fishing hamlet where the ferry slips out over a ribbon of turquoise. The sea smells of salt and seaweed; gulls circle like punctuation above the boat as the coast of Holbox rises ahead — a low, verdant strip of land edged by white sand and impossibly shallow water.

Adventure Photos

Holbox Day Trip: Yalahau Cenote, Isla Pasión & Punta Mosquito from Playa del Carmen photo 1

Adventure Tips

Pack reef-safe sunscreen

Holbox’s seagrass beds and coral are sensitive—use reef-safe sunscreen to protect marine life and avoid oily residues on the water.

Bring a waterproof bag

Keep your phone, camera and extra clothes dry during boat transfers and shallow wading.

Carry small cash

Local vendors in Holbox accept cash for snacks, tips and small purchases—ATMs are limited on the island.

Prepare for a long day

This is an 11–12 hour excursion—bring snacks, refillable water bottle and a light layer for windy boat rides.

Local Insights

Wildlife

Flamingos
Whale sharks (seasonal)

History

Holbox developed as a fishing and trading point for local Mayan communities; the island’s economy remains tied to small-scale fishing and ecotourism.

Conservation

Mangroves and seagrass meadows are vital here—use reef-safe products, avoid trampling seagrass and follow guide instructions to reduce disturbance to wildlife.