Long known as an alternative to Cancun, Holbox Island particularly appeals to budget travelers with its artistic charm and pristine natural beauty. In recent times, this little paradise has attracted a growing number of discerning travelers in search of more upscale experiences.
For travelers looking for authentic experiences beyond the confines of an all-inclusive resort in Cancun's hotel zone, Holbox Island offers a tempting alternative…. If you're interested in off-the-beaten-track adventures like swimming with whale sharks, exploring mangrove forests by kayaking, and viewing bioluminescence in Moonless Bay, but prefer a touch of luxury along the way, read more…
Take the ferry from Chickwela to Holbox.
To get to Holbox Island, you need to take a ferry from Chiquila to Holbox. Chiquila is easily accessible from Cancun by bus, car, or taxi. Once there, take a 20-minute ferry ride across a protected bay to reach this tropical paradise. Boats depart throughout the day from 6:00 to 21:30, approximately every half hour. Ferry tickets are reasonable and will cost you less than a taxi to get to the Cancun hotel zone.
Boutique Hotel Accommodation in Holbox
There are plenty of hostels and budget hotels in Holbox, but this carefully curated selection is for the well-heeled traveler who thinks paying a little extra for amenities, location, and comfort is worth it. While these are the best hotels in Holbox, they’re still a bargain compared to similar hotels in the Riviera Maya. This Holbox guide is an extension of our thoughts on finding less touristy options in the Yucatan.
Eat at the best restaurants in Holbox
The restaurants in Holbox are as diverse as the people on the island. You’ll find traditional Mexican dishes as well as classic European and Mediterranean dishes with plenty of fresh, healthy options. If you can’t decide, you can always try a taco and cocktail tasting tour or an eight-stop food tour.
Relaxing on the beaches of Holbox
Holbox Island is known for its laid-back atmosphere and beautiful beaches. Holbox has six beaches, each with a slightly different vibe.
- Holbox Beach: Holbox Beach is the main beach of the island and is located right next to the town.
- Punta Cocos Beach: This is the most westerly beach in Holbox, which offers the best sunsets on the island.
- Mosquito Beach: Mosquito Beach is the first beach you'll come to when heading east out of town.
- Mosquito point: This is a favourite spot for bird watchers to see the cheerful flamingos feeding in the estuaries.
- Sinai Beach: Playa Sinai is much narrower than Playa Mosquito, but spearfishermen love it for its productive coral reefs right off its coast.
- Cabo Catucci Beach: Cabo Catuchi is a popular spot for boat trips for snorkeling and fishing in the Koifunes Reef.
Swimming with whale sharks Holbox
Swimming with whale sharks should be on everyone’s bucket list, and Holbox is probably the best place in the world to do it as it has the largest concentration of whale sharks on the planet. Summer is whale shark season, especially from May to September. This is your chance to swim with the biggest fish in the ocean!
Take a boat tour of Holbox Island
Boat tours are a fun and easy way to enjoy the island's stunning scenery. These tours depart from Muelle de Holbox (next to the ferry) but may include hotel pickup. We have shopping options from Viator and TripAdvisor.
Kayaking through the mangroves on Holbox Island
Sunrise, sunset and daytime tours are available, departing from the nearby side of Playa Mosquito. These kayaking trips take you along sandy beaches and into miles of canals through the Holbox Mangrove Reserve. You’ll get closer to mangrove-dwelling creatures like flamingos, sea eagles and pelicans than you would on a motorboat and feel a connection to nature that only human-powered travel can provide, going places larger boats can’t. Holbox kayaking is a peaceful experience suitable for paddlers of all levels.
Horseback riding to the flamingos in Punta Mosquito
Fancy a run along the beach and exploring the mangroves on horseback? Guided horseback riding tours allow you to see the island from a new perspective and cover more ground than you would on foot. These tours include all equipment, riding instructions and an expert guide to show you the island’s secrets.
Horseback riding is the best way to see the flamingos in Punta Mosquito without needing a boat.
Enjoy Holbox Bioluminescent Tours
The warm, calm waters of Holbox produce one of nature’s most beautiful light shows—bioluminescent algae. Diatoms are tiny marine algae that emit a bluish-green glow when disturbed. They do this to expose the algae-eating fish to predators. Bioluminescence peaks in spring and summer and is best observed on a moonless night, especially after heavy rains.
Learn to fly at kiteboarding school
Warm tropical waters and cool ocean breezes can really boost your excitement in Holbox. Kitesurfing schools offer everything from 3-hour courses to IKO-certified courses. You’ll learn the basics of how to handle a kite and progress as quickly and safely as possible to gliding across the water and soaring through the air.
Take a Mexican cooking course.
Food is one of the best ways to appreciate culture, and everyone loves a delicious Mexican dish. But nothing connects you to your surroundings like learning how to cook a traditional meal. La Puerta Rosa offers morning and evening classes to learn how to chop, season, and cook fresh, delicious dishes that will make your mouth water and your heart yearn for Mexico.
Take a mural tour
In 2014, the first International Art Festival brought graffiti artists to Holbox. Their skills and vision added even more color and style to the island. Since then, they have returned annually to continue bringing public art to this island paradise.
Visit Refugio Holbox Animal Sanctuary
Everything on Earth is connected, and living on an island the size of Holbox makes this fact abundantly clear. The Holbox Animal Sanctuary rescues, fosters, and rehomes animals from Holbox and the surrounding area.
If you love animals and feel bad when you see stray dogs and cats while traveling, you will appreciate this organization. However, you can do more than just send well wishes. The sanctuary welcomes visitors to share in the love and care of their animals and help with ongoing projects. Many people consider walking a rescue dog on the beach to be a highlight of their trip, and the sanctuary offers dog walking hours in the morning from 9:00 to 11:00 and in the evening from 5:30 to 7:30.
Enjoy the Holbox weather.
One of the biggest attractions of the island is Holbox's weather. When reading about activities in Holbox, you will notice that whale watching starts from May through September, with bioluminescence peaking in the spring and summer. This gives us an opportunity in May before the rainy season begins when bioluminescence and whale watching overlap.
May is the hottest time of the year, so you’ll enjoy a luxurious hotel with super-cool air conditioning and a beautiful pool. You’ll also feel refreshed by swimming in the cool waters of the caves during the heat of the day. Every season has its own charm in Holbox, from whale sharks in summer to the beautiful winter weather.
Wrapping up the things to do in Holbox
Some people say that Hollybox’s best days are behind it. We disagree. The island is transforming from a budget travel destination to a boutique travel hub, perfect for discerning travelers. The island is still one of the less touristy options on the Riviera Maya. You’re close to the diving in Cancun and Chichen Itza but with its own island vibe.
In this regard, it is possible to do some Holbox tours from Cancun and Playa del Carmen, but why do that? You will miss what makes Holbox unique – sunrise kayaking through the mangroves, sunsets at Punta Cocos, starlight sparkling over the sparkling bays, and all the charming hotels and delicious food!
Hi! We’re Jen and Ed Coleman, aka Coleman Concierge. In short, we’re a Gen X couple from Huntsville sharing our stories of amazing adventures through transformative, experiential, activity-based travel.
