The Ultimate Guide to Isla Holbox
If you love living the slow island vibe, Isla Holbox is the perfect place for a paradise getaway. Just two hours away from Cancun, is this 26-mile island with a much quieter feel than the other popular islands in the Yucatan Peninsula.
In Ilsa Holbox, you will get the opportunity to relax yet the island still offers many activities if you want to get active.
Isla Holbox has a bohemian vibe like Tulum, but it’s much less touristy and much more authentic. I loved that time runs slow on this island and you can actually relax without the masses of people.
My favorite part about the island was all the art, the hammocks, and cruising around on a bike. I highly recommend fitting Holbox Island into your Cancun itinerary and spending about two nights there. Here is my guide to Ilsa Holbox.
The Ultimate Guide to Isla Holbox
Table of Contents
What to do
Enjoy the Sunsets on the Beach
Holbox is actually quite famous for its sunsets with many people stating they have experienced the most beautiful ones there. You can relax along the beach or on the pier to experience the magic in the sky.
The day I went there was a cloud that didn’t allow for a great sunset, yet it was still amazing! You can also have some snacks or a drink along the beach or walk to the pier to get a nice view.
Ride a Bicycle Along the Beach
One of my favorite things about the island is that it is car-free. Therefore, there are four main ways to get around. You can bike, rent a golf cart, walk, or pay taxi golf cart.
My friends and I chose to walk and ride a bike. Nothing better than feeling like a big child on a bike next to the beach. This is the thing to do in Holbox. Prices vary but most will be around $150 pesos ($7USD) for the day.
Holbox is about 41 km (26mi) long, so renting a bike or a golf car is convenient if you want to see more.
Walk the Town Center
The center is a perfect place to walk around during the day and night. This is where you will find the beautiful street art murals, places to eat, and active nightlife (although during this Covid pandemic it’s not at its full norm).
You can also shop for souvenirs, book tours, and sit at the plaza. It’s quite neat and a great place to go for a stroll.
Walk to the Sandbar at Punto Mosquitos
One cool thing about Punta Mosquito is that it has a long sandbar to walk on. Each side of the water was a different color with the light green near our walking spot and far out you could see the beautiful turquoise color the Riviera Maya is known for.
Photograph the Street Art
I love urban art and colorful murals, and Isla Holbox has many incredible ones. Back in 2014, Mexico held its first International Public Art Festival, and it so happened to be on the island.
Many muralists have their art displayed. The art gets restored from time to time to keep the paint looking fresh. There are also new ones that show up.
Lay on a hammock
One thing you’ll notice around Isla Holbox is the many hammocks to relax on. Pair it with a beachfront drink and it turns into the perfect time.
Once upon a time, the island was famous for the hammocks and swings that were in the water, but because of a town ordinance, they had to be removed. However, you can still find them along the beach.
Take a Picture with the Holbox Letter Signs
As mentioned above, Ilsa Holbox once had not only hammocks and swings in the water, but also the famous letter signs. They are not longer in the water, but there are still quite a few around that make for some pictures.
Eat Lobster Pizza at Roots
I will immediately admit, I do not like seafood besides fish. But with my friends, I gave it a try, took the lobster off because I’m lame, but my friends loved it.
It’s actually quite popular to go have Lobster pizza here and so we got ours at Roots. And if you aren’t a seafood lover, they have a delicious Alfredo Fettuccini.
What I liked best about this place were the incredible murals found inside and outside.
Then, one way to enjoy the evening is to eat a marquesita, a delicious dessert found all over Yucatan. It is like a thin wafer crepe that tastes like an ice-cream cone.
They fill it with a choice of toppings, but the most popular is Nutella combined with cheese. I prefer them with cajeta and cheese.
Swim with Biomunilescent Plankton
In the southern beaches of Holbox, an awesome phenomenon happens from July to January when there is no moonlight. These tiny little plankton light up the shore with their blue light and it looks pretty amazing.
I didn’t experience this in Holbox, but I did on the island of Koh Rong, Malaysia. It was one of the coolest experiences. It felt like I was swimming in a sea of stars.
But in Holbox, they are much more visible. Most tours run around one hour and go when it’s dark out. The price is about 300 pesos ($15 USD).
Three Island Boat Tours
Throughout the island, you will be offered boat tours to see some wildlife. Some encounters are with flamingos and you may even see dolphins.
But the tours also stop at a cenote where you can refresh and even pass by some mangroves too. This is why I recommend staying more than one night. So you can do more of the activities on the island.
Swim with Whale Sharks
If you visit Holbox anytime from May to August, you can go on whale encounters. The whale sharks are friendly and they arrive every season in the Yucatan Peninsula, with June to July being peak season.
Even though you can catch them in La Paz and Cabos in Baja California, Mexico, Holbox gets the most because of the food available in this region.
I got to snorkel with whale sharks in the Philippines and it is an incredible experience. So if you have the chance to see these gentle giants, do so!
How to Get there
I think the reason Holbox isn’t as visited as Cozumel and Isla Mujeres is that it’s a little further and just a tiny bit more complicated to get there. However, it’s worth the tiny bit more of a hassle. There are a few options to consider.
The first is to drive there. If you already have a car rental, it is an easy drive. The first thing you need to do is drive to the small town of Chiquila. It takes two hours to arrive and you will have one toll fee along the way (if I remember correctly it was 70 pesos).
Once at Chiquila, there are many parking lots specifically for visitors going to Holbox. They have security and the one we got even had showers. It was useful for when we got back from Holbox in our bathing suits.
Once you park your car, you will walk towards the pier and you’ll see the ticket booth for the ferries. The ferry cost for adults is $200 pesos (about 10 USD). They depart every 30 minutes to an hour and take approximately 30 minutes to arrive on the island.
Another option is to go by taxi for approximately $80 if you take it from the downtown center of Cancun. This is probably the most expensive way. But there are also tours you’ll be offered in Cancun for various prices.
Lastly, you can travel by ADO buses from Cancun to Chiquila. The buses are comfortable and a cheap way to get there. The prices range and there a certain of amount of departures. You have to look at the ADO site for the current information, but prices can be anywhere from $120 pesos to $300 pesos.
Once the ferry drops you off at Holbox, you can either walk with your luggage to the hotel if the distance isn’t far. Or, you can pay a taxi golf car to get you to your hotel for about 70-100 pesos ($4-5 USD).
Where to stay
Like any other place, Holbox has price ranges for all types of travelers. On the island, you can find hostels, budget hotels, to luxurious ones. We stayed at a budget-friendly one called Hotel Margaritas Apartments and Suites.
It is located about 5-minutes walking distance from the beachfront, which is very close. If you are looking for the most budget-friendly, you can stay in a hostel instead.
Things to be aware of before visiting
There are many mosquitos along the beach and they are quite vicious, so wear insect repellent. They especially lurk around the island during rainy seasons.
Talking about the rainy season, consider looking at the weather before heading out there. We went one day after the island had a rainstorm pass by, plus the 2020 hurricane season had recently brought lots of rains to the island.
Therefore, the island was a mud puddle mess in some areas when we visited. The beach wasn’t it’s normal blue because the hurricanes mixed up the waters a lot.
It was still beautiful, but it didn’t look its usual turquoise blue. The good part is that it’s low season and less busy on the island. Ultimately, the best time to visit will be from December to March when the weather is cooler and there is less rain.
What to Pack
Here are some travel items to pack for your trip to Mexico.
Travel Booking Resources
Book Your Flight:
To find cheap flights, check Skyscanner and Google Flights. These search engines check airlines to find you the best deals. The more flexibility you have, the better flight deals available.
Book Your Accommodation:
Booking.com is my favorite booking site for hotels but it also shows great deals on hostels and apartments. Plus, when you reach Genius Level, you get special discounts, included breakfasts, and upgrades on some hotel rooms. Hostelworld is specifically for budget travelers who enjoy hostels. This is the best place for finding great options.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance and Visa Applications:
Travel insurance will protect you against theft, injury, illness, and cancellations. Sometimes unexpected things happen during a trip and protections will keep you covered. Two great options are: Safety Wing and World Nomads. Also, iVisa can help you get a visa if you need one.
Book Tours:
Sometimes the best way to see a place is through tours. I recommend checking out Get Your Guide for some fun and unique adventures wherever you go.
Check out my other travel resources to help you book your trip!
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The Ultimate Guide to Isla Holbox
