Holbox is a tropical paradise that has no shortage of fine stretches of beach, bright street art and trendy hotspots. Here’s my traveller’s guide to the idyllic island of Holbox, featuring what to do, where to stay, my favourite restaurants, as well as the best day trips on the island.
Only 20-minutes north of Yucatan Peninsula’s coastline lies Isla Holbox, Mexico’s pristine tropical island, and easily one of the most paradisiac islands we’ve ever set foot on.
After our touch down in Cancun, we had one clear mission – to make our way to Holbox as quickly as possible. And once we eventually arrived, our body and mind felt at ease spontaneously.
Holbox provides relaxed island vibes in the finest possible way, mainly since it’s largely untouched by upscale tourism.
However, it isn’t just the tranquil atmosphere, pearl white stretches of beach, and the serenity of the Caribbean sea that defines the charm of the island.
No, Holbox’s real charm is that it’s recognized as one of the few places on earth where you can actually swim with whale sharks.
It is, in fact, the tropical island you always dreamed of, and for that reason an excellent stop throughout your road trip through Yucatan, Mexico.
Here’s our Holbox guide, packed with everything you need to fully enjoy the island.
WHERE TO STAY ON ISLA HOLBOX
Isla Holbox has no shortage of good accommodations, but unfortunately, they are mostly expensive. During our recent stay, we went on a mission to find the best possible accommodations which also happen to be budget-friendly.
We’d advise making sure you book your accommodation well in advance, especially if you plan to stay on the island for a couple of nights.
To make choosing easier, I’ve listed several of my favourites below, some of which are marked – these are the ones where I stayed myself.
+ Alcobas Del Mar | Alcobas Del Mar is everything you expect a boutique hotel to be. The interior is made of concrete and wood, which is absolutely charming if you ask us. The overall atmosphere is extraordinarily calm and all rooms are spacious, air-conditioned and equipped with a comfortable bed and free toiletries. Ooh, and they have a serene indoor pool.
Maria Carlota | The elegantly designed rooms at Maria Carlota are spacious and extremely comfortable. Each room has a large bed, a private bathroom and free toiletries. However, the hotels greatest asset is its location, almost directly at Holbox’s spirited main square.
Spirit Holbox | Spirit Holbox secured a private stretch of Holbox’s secluded beach and offers enchanting decorated ocean-view suites. The hotel comes with a cosy terrace, a rooftop pool and a garden of calm. If your specifically looking for a beachfront hotel, look no further.
Hotel El Pueblito | A beloved hotel that has a great rustic interior and a large appealing swimming pool. The rooms are clean, spacious and most importantly, comfortable. The hotel houses a great atmosphere and has several common areas that are pleasing and inviting. It is also surprisingly close to the beach and Holbox’s main town.
If the above accommodations do not resonate with your travel preferences,
search accommodations in Tulum on booking.com.
9 INCREDIBLE THINGS TO DO ON ISLA HOLBOX, MEXICO
1 | EXPLORE THE ISLAND BY BIKE
Biking along the tropical shoreline of Holbox’s secluded beach was something we couldn’t resist, we’re dutchies for a reason, which basically implies that biking is in our DNA.
Isla Holbox is a car-free island that, regardless of the fact that everything is within walking distance, is perfect for two-wheeled adventures.
At only a 10-minute bike away from the sleepy town, you’ll discover fine stretches of beach, with nobody there to enjoy it, but you.
A bicycle comes in extremely handy if you plan to, visit the marvellous sandbar at Punta Mosquito, admire Holbox’s superb street art or just want to use it around the town and beach.
For us, the joy and freedom that comes with renting a bike, add up to Mexico’s tranquil island life and the vibe that accompanies it.
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Cost | Bike rental, 150 MXN, ($8) for 24 hours
2 | EXPLORE PUNTA MOSQUITO
When we imagined what Mexico would be like, a tropical paradise with idyllic beaches and absurdly clear water repeatedly came to mind.
Punta Mosquito was exactly that.
The splendour that characterizes Punta Mosquito is acquired by a pristine, secluded sandbar that stretches out along the idyllic shoreline of Isla Holbox.
The shallow turquoise water awaits under the bright Carribean sun, inviting you to take a peaceful walk on the widely stretched sandbar.
If you’re fortunate, you might even spot flamingos around Punta Mosquito.
For safety purposes, we’d highly recommend visiting Punta Mosquito during ebb-tide, meaning you should go well before noon. Once the water level rises you may not be able to walk on the sandbar. We’d also suggest being extra careful regarding your electronic equipment.
Ooh, and don’t forget to bring enough bug repellent, it is named ‘Punta Mosquito’ after all, and that’s for a good reason.
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Where | Punta Mosquito Holbox
3 | HAVE LUNCH AT PAINAPOL
Painapol is a trendy vegan-friendly café that combines a laidback vibe with healthy and delicious food, which if you ask us is perfect for breakfast and lunch.
We pulled up here for a late afternoon lunch and treated ourselves to a true health feast, consisting of a large nourishing smoothie bowl, freshly made avocado toast, and two delicious smoothie jars.
Besides the aforementioned options, they serve plenty of other great healthy dishes, including a wide variety of vegan options, all for a reasonable price.
The café houses an artistic interior with swings, comfortable corners and a large colourful mural, making it a cosy place to hang out while enjoying a great cup of coffee or fresh-pressed juice.
Painapol has a good reputation on the island, and we truly believe that you should visit at least once.
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Where | Painapol Holbox
Opening hours | Tuesday to Friday 08:00 – 17:00, Monday closed
4 | MARVEL AT HOLBOX’S PHENOMENAL STREET ART SCENE
It makes great sense that Holbox makes you think only of paradisiac stretches of beach and the calming sound of waves that break on the shore, but there is more to the island.
The charm of the island is not only caused by the tropical palms that pop up on about every corner, but foremostly by the bright coloured murals that illuminate the cosy little island town.
Isla Holbox is in fact, well-known for its booming street art culture, which we find undeniably charming.
Throughout the entire town, you’ll find artistically designed murals, making it a joy to explore the island again and again. Every time we wandered along the streets, we ran into a piece of street art that we didn’t see before.
Speaking of which, some of Holbox’s best street art is found on the beach.
5 | SWIM WITH WHALE SHARKS
Isla Holbox is acknowledged as one of the few places on earth where you can actually get up close and personal with whale sharks.
So if you had a long time desire to swim with whale sharks in a responsible and ethical manner, Holbox might be the perfect destination for your next adventure.
Despite their somewhat frightening name, these majestic creatures are known to be completely harmless to people. Fortunate for us, their diet consists only of plankton, krill and other aquatic microorganisms.
It is said that swimming around whale sharks is one of the most thrilling and exceptional experience ever. However, please keep in mind that the well-being of these creatures is far more important than your personal bucket-list experience.
If you’re considering joining a whale shark tour, we’d sincerely recommend putting significant importance on finding a tour operator that is specialised in ethical tourism practices and nature conservation.
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Where | VIP Holbox is well educated and places great value on the ethical side. More details here
Cost | Whale Shark Tours cost around 2,200 – 2,800 MXN, ($120 – 150) per person.
When | Whale Shark Season in Isla Holbox runs from late May till early September.
6 | UNWIND ON HOLBOX’S BEACH
Very often, the best things in life are quite straightforward and if we had the drawback of using only one word to describe Holbox, it would definitely be: easygoing.
As soon as we had set foot on Holbox, the tranquil atmosphere that prevails on the island, made sure that life slowed down a pace or two.
The island houses a bunch of laidback beach clubs, of which we’d guarantee, you’ll stay longer than initially planned.
Which is exactly what we did.
We spent numerous hours with our feet dimpled in the sand, occasionally reading a book or taking a dip in the clear water – we were even caught napping away the afternoon.
And why not, it is a tropical holiday after all.
BEST BEACH CLUBS ON HOLBOX
La Playa de Nana | La Playa De Ñaña
Raices Beach Club | Raices Beach Club and Marina
Mandarina Beach Club | Restaurante & Beach Club Mandarina
7 | JOIN A 3 ISLAND TOUR
Imagine a short and relaxing private boat tour that takes you along the appealing nature that surrounds Holbox, that’s what the 3 Island Tour Holbox is all about.
The 3-hour tour is a calming experience and brings you, as the name might suggest, to 3 distinct islands, which are all extremely charming in their own way.
The 3 islands include:
Yalahau Cenote | The Yalahau Cenote is a crystal clear freshwater cenote, inviting you to jump in straight away. The cenote is fueled by groundwater, making it distinctly colder than the sea.
Isla Pajaros | A small deserted island that owes its name ‘Bird Island’ to the 35 bird species that house here throughout the year. It’s quite the spectacle to see so many different species of birds in their natural habitat.
Isla de la Pasion | Once you set foot on Isla de la Pasion, there’s a good chance you’ll see flamingos and Pelicans. It’s an unspoilt paradise, one you’ll obviously admire, especially if you’re a birdwatcher.
Punta Mosquito | In some cases you’ll head to Punta Mosquito instead of Isla Pajaros, depending on the number of flamingos at the time of the tour.
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Where | VIP Holbox
Cost | 560 MXN, ($30) per person
Duration | Around 3 hours
8 | HAVE DINNER AT LUUMA HOLBOX
Even though Holbox is home to a broad selection of restaurants, I Believe its Luuma that stands out above the rest.
Luuma is a trendy restaurant that provides a tranquil ambience in a secluded outdoor garden, which is accomplished by a fine sand floor, illuminating lanterns, and an abundance of verdant palms.
But it isn’t just the admirable atmosphere that makes Luuma so sensational.
No, it is their eclectic menu of delicate bite-sized tapas and appetizing signature cocktails that get the job done.
Besides their amazing tapas, they serve unique worldly dishes based on fresh Mexican sourced ingredients – plus a handful of vegetarian and vegan options.
Eating here has a relaxing, yet sophisticated feel to it, and in our opinion, there is no other restaurant like this on the island.
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Where | Luuma Isla Holbox
Opening hours | Daily 17:00 – 23:00
9 | WATCH THE SUNSET
Sunsets on Isla Holbox are absolutely glorious, and not an afternoon on the island should pass by without admiring them.
Punta Coco and Playa Holbox’s pier are clearly the places where you want to be when the sun slowly drops below the horizon.
Alongside the aforementioned spots, any spot on the islands north shore, will be great to see the last rays of sunshine illuminate the sky.
Probably the best tip we can give, so sit back, relax and take in nature’s daily show.
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Where | Punta Coca and the pier at Playa Holbox
WHERE TO EAT IN ISLA HOLBOX
Holbox has no shortage of excellent cafés and restaurants, by any means.
Some of my favourite restaurants on Holbox include:
NÁAY SALAD BAR
Naay is a cosy cafe that serves ‘feel-good’ food, among which you’ll find salad bowls, fruit bowls and other vegan alternatives. Their biggest asset is a salad bar where you could create your own salad bowl by selecting from a list of vegetables, proteins and toppings, including falafel and tofu.
Where | Naay Holbox
Opening hours | Monday to Saturday 13:30 – 21:00, Sunday closed
ROOTS PIZZA’S
If you’re craving for pizza while on Holbox, head over to Roots. The pizzeria is often considered as the best on the island, and that’s for a good reason. Roots is well-known for its famous lobster pizza, and also offers the opportunity to be creative by putting together your own pizza.
Where | Roots Pizza’s
Opening hours | Daily 12:00 – 23:30
ROSA MEXICANO
A charming outdoor restaurant at the heart of Holbox’s spirited main square. Serves a wide variety of authentic Mexican dishes with a modern touch and is the perfect spot for a few late-night cocktails.
Where | Rosa Mexicano
Opening hours | Daily 08:30 – 22:30
RESTAURANTE & BEACH CLUB MANDARINA
What’s a tropical holiday without dining directly at the beach while watching the sunset. Mandarina is a seaside restaurant that combines Mediterranean, South American and Caribbean flavours to create excellent and unique dishes. The sea view and use of local and homemade ingredients ensure that it’s one of the top restaurants on Holbox.
Where | Restaurante & Beach Club Mandarina
Opening hours | Daily 07:00 – 11:00, 12:00 – 17:00, 18:00 – 22:00
ISLA HOLBOX | TRAVEL ESSENTIALS AND TIPS
WEATHER IN HOLBOX | BEST TIME TO VISIT HOLBOX
Even though the tropics are quite unpredictable when it comes to the weather, there is a travel period that is referred to as the high season.
The best time to visit Holbox is during the dry season that runs from December till May, with May being the hottest month.
The tropical climate that prevails on the island, provides high temperates throughout the year, but expect more rainfall during the rain and hurricane season that runs from May till October.
Like at most tropical destinations, the rainfall usually comes in heavy showers that go by reasonably quickly.
We ourselves visited Holbox in October and had good weather throughout our entire stay. One huge downside of visiting during this period is the number of mosquitoes you’ll encounter. But maybe that’s year-round though, we don’t know.
HOW TO GET TO ISLA HOLBOX
Isla Holbox is a tropical island north of Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula and therefore best reached by boat. However, you’ll first need to journey to a small coastal town named Chiquilá, before you can take the ferry to the island.
Bus to Chiquilà | Chiquilá is easily reached by making use of the comfortable and punctual ADO buses. For up to date information, departure times and online reservations, visit the ADO website.
Ferry to Isla Holbox | The ferry from Chiquilà to Holbox is operated by 9 Hermanos and Holbox Express, running every 30 minutes, starting at 05:00 until 20:40.
Cost | A one-way ticket is 150 MXN, ($8) per person
Below you see two of the most common itineraries, both work vice versa.
FROM CANCUN TO ISLA HOLBOX
Itinerary | Cancun – Chiquilà – Isla Holbox
Cost | Bus 286 MXN, ($15.40) per person | Ferry 150 MXN, ($8) per person
Travel time | Bus 2.20 hours | Ferry 20 minutes
Bus departure time | Cancun to Chiquilà – 08:15, 10:30 and 14:15 | Chiquilà to Cancun – 11:15, 12:40, 13:45 and 18:15
FROM VALLADOLID TO ISLA HOLBOX
Itinerary | Valladolid – Chiquilà – Isla Holbox
Cost | Bus 214 MXN, ($11.50) per person | Ferry 150 MXN, ($8) per person
Travel time | Bus 2.25 hours | Ferry 20 minutes
Bus departure time | Only once a day | Valladolid to Chiquilà – 09:50 | Chiquilà to Valladolid – 16:45
STAY SAFE IN MEXICO | TRAVEL INSURANCE
While Mexico is perfectly safe for travellers, I always strive to sort out my travel insurance before arriving in a foreign country, and I highly advise anyone else to do the same.
Where we prefer that everything goes smoothly during our travels, something unfortunate can happen at any moment, whether it’s an injury or an accident on the road. When that happens, it is better to be safe than sorry.
Heymondo | Whether you’re going on a 3-week backpacking trip, or planning a long stay somewhere abroad, Heymondo has excellent insurance options either way – plus full covid-19 coverage and a handy app with 24-hour medical assistance. Readers of WTSW receive 5% off any insurance policy, more information here.
World Nomads | If you’re an adventure seeker, backpacker, or planning your once-in-a-lifetime world trip, make sure you check out World Nomads, they designed the perfect travel insurance to help you travel safer and smarter. Do note that they’re not covering covid-19 related claims.
KEEP ON READING WITH THESE IN-DEPTH MEXICO GUIDES
After spending nearly a month in Mexico, I created plenty of in-depth guides that might interest you too.
11 Wonderful things to do in Tulum
11 Awesome things to do in Valladolid
7 Incredible things to do in Bacalar
11 Incredible things to do in Mérida
A traveller’s guide to Chichen Itza
A complete guide to Uxmal (Coming soon)
PLAN YOUR MEXICO ITINERARY WITH THESE ESSENTIAL GUIDES
