Holbox Island from Cozumel

[ChaosReid]

Planning another trip to Cozumel, but got intrigued by the possibility of finally seeing Whale Sharks by going to Holbox. Looks complicated. One option is to fly, but not sure how high such a flight might go, whether it would require no fly concessions.

So: can anyone advise on how worth it the trip might be, Whale Shark-wise, and any recommendations on how best to get to Holbox from Cozumel without flying.

There had been an operation that would pick people up in Playa and do the whole day as a package. Any info on something like that would be great! Thanks, all. :blinking:

 

[Mike]

Before you commit to Holbox, you should at least google 'whale sharks isla mujeres'

 

[scubamarketing]

If your main goal is whale sharks, just find one of the whale shark tours (can be arranged through most dive shops in Playa and I’d assume Coz as well) that picks up and drops off in Playa, then make sure you’re on the right ferry to catch your ride.

 

[wetb4igetinthewater]

Isn't Isla Mujeres a better starting point for seeing whale sharks?

 

[robint]

you should post on the MEXICO Forum. Lots of info for you there as well as tons of people who have done it.

 

[messenone]

+1 on seeing whale sharks at Isla Mujeres. We did it July 2011.No flights involved.

 

[DandyDon]

If you just want to do one day of the Dominoes, just book a day trip thru Isla Mujeres as others have suggested.

If you want to visit Holbox for a few days, it's a lovely little island village that I'd enjoy visiting again. We did 3 nights, 2 days of swimming with the Whale sharks, and I only wish we'd had more time for some of the other tours there.

Driving is not hard. Another couple we knew on Cozumel took the bus and did okay, but we rented from Easyway with their great rates and insurance package, drove to Chiquilá where you can take a ferry to the island - but we hired private boats. Google Maps will give incorrect directions. If you seach Playa del Carmern to Chiquilá, it's send you to someplace in Cancun. If you search Chiquilá Yucatan, then it will show the correct position for the ferry port across from Holbox, however - it will send you down the freeway from Cancun towards Valladolid and tell you to take a exit that does not exist! We tried, you can't, and we had to go onto Valladolid, then circle back on the free roads. We eventually got there, after the last ferry had already left, so we had to pay more to the local boat to take us; you can negotiate better prices while the ferry is still running. The local boats are faster and more comfortable, but ask around until you find one with life vests - and wear them on the crossing, just in case.

Back to driving: You can go from PDC, to Cancun and thru the city, then take free roads with speed bumps and pot holes west, then north - and if you want to return the car to Cancun and fly out of there, that can be done. I can give more info.

The best drive route is from PDC south to Tulum, then west to Coba, then north to Chiquilá. I can give more advise on that if you plan to do that.

 

[tendi]

We used these directions a couple years ago and they worked. We found the triangles in the tree, the rope across the road, etc... It was an adventure. They are from the Cancun airport so you'll need to modify.

EXIT the Airport & GO SOUTH or Right toward Playa Del Carmen Tulum etc on Hwy 307. Very Shortly you’ll see a Highway sign on your right that says MEIDA CUOTA Follow this exit.Go approx 8 miles & start looking on your right for a series of Reflective Emergency Triangles hanging from the trees after MilePost 294. There you will see a few small buildings on the right where they are selling food & snacks MR CARNITAS. You’ll also see a gravel road to the right & there will be a guy there. BEEP the Horn FOR 10 Pesos he will drop the rope across the road & you then follow this winding gravel road for 5 MINUTES. It dead ends on FREE HWY 180. GO LEFT..You have just BY-PASSED ALL of Cancun Its Madness, Traffic, Policemen looking for Bribes (Mordida) etc etcYou/ll will see a Large Green Overhead sign “MERIDA” Cuota….Thats the Toll Road DO NOT TAKE TOLL ROAD! At this point stay to your right or “straight’ on the “LIBRE” Hwy 180. If you go on the Tollroad up & over the bridge the NEXT EXIT is 60 MILES! The rroad now becomes a 2 lane road. Continue west through the first town Leona Vicario……….then about 10km more to the next town. When you come to the First “TOPES” (Speed Bump) (Right after the 262 Km sign on side of road) in this town (Valladolid Nuevo) you will see a small Palapa Stand on your right. TURN RIGHT!!!!! It’s a new Blacktop shortcut!Follow this New Blacktop (Asphalt) as it winds through the jungle. by taking this route you save almost 45 minutes of driving time. The First little town is “ESPERANZA” Where the towns main economic activity is the Production of Carbon “Charcoal”…Continue west through the awesome jungle. The next & last town is San Pedro. Just after San Pedro the road dead-ends. TURN RIGHT…. This is now the main road to Kantunilkin & Chiquila. Kantunilkin is a good sized town along this road you’ll see Highway signs that say “HOLBOX” Just keep going. Next will be San Angel, then Solferino, and Finally Chiquila. Take the road all the way to the end. Go Right around the fountain & then left in front of the PEMEX Station. Go left along the Malecon in front of the harbor. Look left For a Hand painted Wooden sign “PANCHO’S PARKING” A Pink 2 Story House its 50 pesos @ day & worth the protection rather than leaving your car “Exposed” on the pier. Park you car & then head out to the Pier for the Ferry Service to Holbox.