Holbox to Cozumel: a 6-day island-hopping itinerary

Three very different islands in six days: sandy, car-free Holbox in the north; tiny Isla Mujeres off Cancún; and big, diving-focused Cozumel down the coast. It is moderate rather than easy because of the ferry-and-transfer logistics — none of these islands connect directly to each other, so every hop routes through a mainland port. This plan uses ferries, ADO buses and shared vans, no rental car. Book ferry and bus times the day before; schedules thin out in the evening.

Day 1 — Cancún to Holbox

The longest transit day; start early.

Morning

From Cancún, take an ADO bus or booked shuttle to Chiquilá, the Holbox ferry port (about 2.5–3 h; ADO around 250–350 MXN / 15–21 USD). Cars stay in Chiquilá lots — Holbox is sand-street and car-free anyway.

Afternoon

Ferry Chiquilá to Holbox (about 25 min; roughly 220 MXN / 13 USD each way, two operators run roughly every 30 min until evening). On arrival, golf-cart taxis ferry you and bags to your hotel (50–100 MXN).

Evening

Holbox runs on island time. Walk the sand main street, eat fresh ceviche or a lobster pizza (a local thing), 150–350 MXN per plate, and catch the sunset on the west beach.

Day 2 — Holbox slow day

Morning

Rent a bike (150–250 MXN/day) or walk the long shallow sandbars. Punta Mosquito and Punta Coco are the quiet ends; in summer, bioluminescence sometimes appears at night.

Afternoon

Optional boat tour through the mangroves and to Isla Pasión (around 600–1,000 MXN / 35–60 USD). Whale-shark tours run roughly mid-May to mid-September only — if you’re here in season, this is the day for it.

Evening

Sunset, seafood, early night. Holbox has no big nightlife and that’s the point.

Day 3 — Holbox back to Cancún, then Isla Mujeres

A connector day; expect to be moving.

Morning

Ferry back to Chiquilá and ADO/shuttle to Cancún (allow 3.5–4 h door to door). This is unavoidable — there is no island-to-island route.

Afternoon

From Cancún, taxi to Puerto Juárez and take the Ultramar ferry to Isla Mujeres (about 20 min; roughly 300 MXN / 18 USD round trip). Check into a small hotel near the town center. Rent a golf cart (900–1,200 MXN/day) for tomorrow.

Evening

Dinner in the Isla Mujeres town center and a stroll along Playa Norte at dusk.

Day 4 — Isla Mujeres full day

Morning

Golf-cart loop of the whole island: Playa Norte first (calm, white sand, best early before day-trippers arrive on the 10–11 am ferries), then south to Punta Sur.

Afternoon

Snorkel over the reef or visit the offshore MUSA underwater sculpture museum by boat/snorkel tour (around 600–900 MXN / 35–55 USD). Long seafood lunch.

Evening

Sunset at Punta Sur or the west side, then dinner in town.

Day 5 — Isla Mujeres to Cozumel

The trickiest hop: two ferries and a bus, so leave early.

Morning

Ferry Isla Mujeres back to Puerto Juárez, then transfer down the coast to Playa del Carmen (ADO/shuttle, about 1–1.25 h from Cancún). From Playa del Carmen, take the Cozumel ferry (about 45 min; roughly 400 MXN / 24 USD each way, departures roughly hourly). Plan the whole chain for the morning so you arrive by early afternoon.

Afternoon

Check in around San Miguel, Cozumel’s town. Rent a scooter or hire a taxi for tomorrow; the island is bigger than the others and a car-free day means short taxi hops.

Evening

Waterfront dinner in San Miguel; the malecón is pleasant at sunset.

Day 6 — Cozumel diving or reef, then out

Morning

Cozumel is one of the world’s top reef destinations. A two-tank dive runs roughly 80–130 USD; a guided snorkel trip 30–55 USD. Even non-divers should get in the water here — the reef is the whole reason to come.

Afternoon

If you’re flying out of Cancún the same evening, this is tight: Cozumel ferry to Playa del Carmen, then transfer to Cancún airport (allow 3–3.5 h total). Better to overnight once more or fly out of Cozumel’s small airport if your route allows.

Ferry-and-logistics notes

• No two of these islands connect directly; every hop passes through a mainland port.
• Holbox ferries (Chiquilá), Isla Mujeres ferries (Puerto Juárez/Ultramar), and Cozumel ferries (Playa del Carmen) are three separate routes — don’t mix up the ports.
• Last ferries are typically early evening; missing one can strand you on the mainland.
• Keep some pesos in cash for golf-cart taxis and small ferry-town vendors.