Chiquilá parking: where to park for the Holbox ferry (2026)

The short answer

You can’t take your car to Isla Holbox — vehicles aren’t allowed on the ferry and the island itself is car-free. If you’re driving from Cancún, Playa del Carmen, or Tulum, you leave the car in Chiquilá (the mainland port town, ~2.5 hours from Cancún Airport) and ferry across.

There are four main parking lots within a 5-minute walk of the ferry terminals. The two closest and best-secured charge 150–200 MXN per 24 hours (~9–12 USD). For a 4–7 day Holbox stay, budget 600–1,400 MXN total for parking.

Honest alternative: skip the car entirely. ADO buses, shared vans, and private transfers run Cancún Airport → Chiquilá for 300–1,500 MXN depending on service tier. Our Cancún-to-Holbox transport guide breaks down every option.

The 3 parking lots in Chiquilá

As of 2026 there are three named lots serving ferry passengers. All three are family-run operations with similar amenities and identical pricing:

What you actually pay

At the flat 100 MXN/24h rate, trip math is simple:

• Weekend (2 nights): 200 MXN (~$12 USD)
• Standard trip (4 nights): 400 MXN (~$24 USD)
• Full week (7 nights): 700 MXN (~$42 USD)
• Extended stay (14 nights): 1,400 MXN (~$82 USD)

Payment is cash only in Mexican pesos on exit. No deposit required on arrival. Keep the paper ticket — the attendant records your in-time on it and uses it to tally the days owed when you return.

Security — what to look for

• Gated entrance with 24/7 attendant — non- negotiable for overnight stays
• Visible CCTV cameras — Lots A and B both have them; C and D are more variable
• Attendant takes a photo of your license plate on intake — standard practice, don’t leave if they skip it
• Receipt or signed ticket you keep in your pocket for the return pickup

Alternative: skip driving entirely

For most travellers the parking math isn’t worth it. A rental car from Cancún Airport is 500–900 MXN/day plus 150–200 MXN parking in Chiquilá plus 1,200–2,000 MXN in gas for the round trip. A week easily hits 7,000–12,000 MXN.

For the same route, a private transfer runs 1,500–2,500 MXN each way for 1–4 people (same car cost regardless of group size), and an ADO bus is 300–400 MXN per person each way.

Rent on the island only if you specifically want flexibility for day trips (Río Lagartos pink lakes, Ek Balam ruins, Valladolid). For most Holbox trips, don’t bother — the whole island is 42 km long and you cover it on foot, bike, or golf cart.

From the parking lot to the ferry

After you park, walk 2–5 minutes to the ferry ticket windows (two operators, side by side). Buy your ticket at the window — both operators run the same 25-minute crossing every 30 minutes from 05:00 to 21:30. Current one-way fare: 300 MXN adult. Check the live schedule and operator-specific details on our Chiquilá ferry schedule page.

Luggage: both operators let you bring 2 standard suitcases free; big surfboards or dive gear get a 50–100 MXN surcharge. Load your bags onto the ferry’s deck rack — crew helps.

Picking up your car on return

When you return to Chiquilá (ferry arrives at the same port):

1. Walk back to your lot (keep that paper ticket on you)
2. Pay the attendant the balance owed (if you didn’t pre-pay)
3. They record the exit time and open the gate
4. Drive out

If you pre-paid for a long stay and are leaving a day early, don’t expect a refund. If you’re staying longer than planned, the attendant will just charge you the extra days on exit.