Best things to do in Holbox – a piece of paradise in Mexico

Last Updated on April 3, 2024

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In search of a Mexican destination, that’s not the typical touristy and crowded spot, I came across Isla Holbox. A tiny, rustic island without big resorts, cars or even paved roads sounded very appealing from the beginning. It actually sounded a bit like Caye Caulker in Belize, that I love. After spending a week on the island, I can say, that Holbox was an amazing find and the Mexico I dreamed about. If you are looking for a place to relax and do nothing, this island is perfect for that. However, there are just enough things to do in Holbox to keep you busy, especially if you enjoy nature.

About Holbox, Mexico

The island is as casual as they come. There’s absolutely no need for fancy attire, flip flops, T- shirts and shorts will do. No one cares if you buy a beer from a local store and walk up and down the street enjoying it.

There’s no denying that the island’s popularity is on the rise and I’m not sure Holbox is the hidden gem it used to be just a few years ago. Still, if you compare it with other islands in Mexico like Cozumel or Isla Mujeres, it is less crowded. That little extra time and effort it takes to get to Holbox, seems to be keeping the crowds away.

Where is Isla Holbox

So where exactly is it? Isla Holbox is located in the north end of Yucatán Peninsula. It’s part of Yum Balam Nature Reserve, separated from mainland by Yalahau lagoon. Before becoming the new destination in Mexico, Isla Holbox was a sleepy fishing village. The 26 mile long and 1 mile wide island has only 2,000 full time residents, and remains mostly undeveloped. If you love rustic, somewhat sleepy and undeveloped destinations, you will love Isla Holbox.

Best things to do in Holbox, Mexico

Get a picture with Holbox sign

First things first, you need a snap a photo with the Holbox letters. Those colorful signs can be found all over Mexico and make for a fun photo op. To find the Holbox letters head towards the beach and the main pier, you can’t miss them.

Rent a bike

Even though Holbox is a very walkable island, renting a bike is another great way to get around. The lack of paved roads and real traffic make the island perfect for that activity. After biking through the colorful streets, you can head out of town towards either Punta Cocos or Punta Mosquito. It was definitely one of my favorite things to do in Holbox.

There are plenty of bike rentals in town, and some hotels provide bikes as well. The average price is about 30 – 40 MXN per hour or 200 – 250 MXN per day.

Visit Holbox Animal Shelter

Once I found out, there is an animal shelter on the island, visiting it quickly made it onto my Holbox itinerary. This wonderful place takes in stray and injured animals, mostly from inland Mexico, and provides them with care and shelter. What they do for them is absolutely amazing and I can’t encourage you enough to visit, so you can see for yourself. You can either stop by to play with the dogs or take one of them for a walk on the beach. While it’s clear, they’re happy and well taken care of, they’ll sure enjoy some extra love and attention. To say, that it will be one of the most feel good things to do in Holbox, would be an understatement.

Refugio Holbox operates with no financial support from the State and is able to continue their wonderful work largely thanks to donations. If you would like to contribute, you can do so right on their official website. They are also in constant need of various supplies, so if you have some extra room in your suitcase, why not fill it with something from this list. Whatever you are able to bring, will be welcomed with open arms.

Refugio Animal Holbox is open every day 10 am – 6m. You can find it on Calle Tintorera, right next the the airport.

Visit Punta Cocos

Punta Cocos, on the western side of the island, is one of the best spots to see the spectacular sunset, that Holbox is known for. You can easily get there, either by bike or a golf cart taxi. Grab a snack, some cold beers and enjoy the sunset.

However, don’t limit yourself to visiting Punta Cocos during sunset, because it’s just as spectacular during the day. There’s a lagoon all the way to the left, that is sheltered and calm even on a windy day on the island. On the right day, during the low tide, you can even cross over to the other side.

Walking to Punta Cocos from town might take a little while, but it’s totally doable. However, my personal tip would be to take a golf cart taxi there, and save your energy for a walk back along the beach. The walk is truly spectacular and the beach definitely lives up to its reputation as the most beautiful on the island. You’re very likely to be the only one there.

Golf cart taxi from town takes about 10 minutes and costs around 120 MXN.

Relax in one of the Hammocks

One of the most symbolic images of the island are the colorful over the water hammocks. Originally, there were only a couple of spots where you could find them, but they became so popular, more and more sets started appearing. Visiting the hammocks to relax or get that classic shot, was one of the must things to do in Holbox. Well, that is no longer the case. Literally, just days after I returned from the island, all the hammocks disappeared.

CONANP ( National Commission of Natural Protected Areas ) decided, that it’s in the island’s best interest to remove all the hammocks. They determined, that the unnatural objects in water, as well as constant flow of people around them, was impacting nature in a negative way. A lot of these spots are turtle nesting areas, and clusters of people were too disturbing. While it’s sad to see the hammocks go, as they were such a fun addition, it’s nice to see the island’s efforts to protect what’s most important.

Check out the street art

Holbox has some of the most impressive street art I’ve ever seen. Colorful murals can be seen pretty much everywhere you look and they really add the character and color to the island. It all started in 2014, when artists from all over the world were invited to create street art. The goal was to raise awareness of Holbox locals. The idea took off and new street art is constantly being added.

Spend a day at the beach

No visit to a beautiful island is complete without spending some time on the beach. In Holbox, they’re not very crowded and water is calm, clear and perfect for swimming. So grab a cold drink and enjoy the beach for a while. Don’t be surprised if one of the island dogs decides to join you.

Hang out at the main square

Holbox is a very low key place, but the town square definitely comes alive at night. If you are into trying street food, make sure to head to the square after dark. Lots of vendors set up their carts selling marquesitas and tacos. You can also try a Zumba class, that takes place Monday – Friday at 7 pm.

Take the 3 Islands Tour

One of the most popular things to do in Holbox is to explore the nearby islands by boat. The most popular boat tour to take is 3 Islas Tour. As the name suggests, the tour has three stops: Isla Pájaros, Yalahau Cenote and Isla Pasión and lasts about three hours.

The 3 Islands Tour is one of the top things to do in Holbox and the excursion is offered by basically all tour operators. You can just walk towards the main square and sign up. Or if you like to plan ahead, you can book it right here.

Isla Pájaros

The first stop of the tour is Isla Pájaros, a tiny island, about a 30 minute boat ride away. This beautiful and peaceful place is home to over 155 species of birds. The bird sighting will depend on the time of year you visit. Some stay there year round, others visit during certain months. The ones everyone wants to see are the flamingos, and even though we got lucky to see a couple, the chances of spotting them are higher between April and October.

Since Isla Pájaros is a protected area, walking on the island is not allowed, but there’s a terrace and tower, from which you can get a good look at the birds, especially those nesting in the trees.

Yalahau Cenote

Next stop of 3 Islas Tour is Yalahau, a small cenote. If you’ve ever visited any other cenotes on the mainland in the Yucatan Peninsula, this one will not impress you, but it’s a nice stop to take a dip in the refreshing water.

There is an extra 100 MXN per person fee to enter, which is not included in the tour price.

Isla Pasión

The third and my favorite stop of the tour was Isla Pasión ( Passion Island ). This tiny islet has the most pristine beach and beautiful, shallow water. Even though February is not the ideal time to see Flamingos in Holbox, we spotted a flock of them in the distance.

You can book your 3 Islands Tour in Holbox here.

Experience Bioluminescence 

Another unique experience to have in Holbox is witnessing Bioluminescence, one of nature’s most amazing phenomenons. On a perfect night, the water surface is covered in bright blue lights. It’s caused by tiny microorganisms, that emit light whenever the water around them is disturbed.

Keep in mind though, that this is moon dependent. For the optimal experience it needs to be dark, so nights with no moonlight ( so called New Moon ), are perfect for observing this phenomenon. If you are lucky to be there during the perfect conditions, it’s a magical sight to see. Sadly, it’s very hard to photograph it, and you need just the right camera gear to capture it.

You can try to head to the beach on a very dark night by yourself in hopes of experiencing the bioluminescence, but I recommend booking a tour. They know the right spots and just the right time that particular day, so you are guaranteed an amazing experience. You can book the Bioluminescence Night Kayak Tour here.

Bird watching

Isla Holbox is every bird watcher’s paradise. Over 155 bird species choose the island to nest. Bird sightings depend on the season, but among the ones you’ll be able to spot are frigate birds, white ibis, cormorants, reddish egrets, spoonbills, pelicans, herons, and of course flamingos.

Visiting the already mentioned Isla Pájaros, is one of the must things to do in Holbox, if you’re looking for some great bird watching. However, you can spot lots of them just by walking up and down the beach. The stretch of the beach from Playa Holbox towards Punta Cocos, has some amazing bird sightings.

Swim with the Whale Sharks

If you happen to visit the island between July and September, one of the must things to do in Holbox is swimming with whale sharks. Around that time, the giant creatures arrive in the Yucatán area to feed on plankton. Mexico is actually one of the very few places in the world, where you can do this. Definitely one, where the tours are highly regulated, ensuring a responsible and ethical experience.

Whale shark season is the high season for the island, one of the reasons being, the opportunity for this amazing experience. Because of its popularity, make sure to pre-book your Whale Shark Snorkeling Tour, especially if you are on the island for a limited time. Also, since whale shark season is also the rainy season in the Yucatan Peninsula, book your tour on the front end of your trip. This way, if it gets canceled due to weather, you’ll be able to reschedule to a different day.

I was in Holbox outside of the whale shark season, so I missed my chance, but was able to do it later in Isla Mujeres. If you’d like to find out more about the experience and what to expect, check out Swimming with Whale Sharks in Isla Mujeres, Mexico. Since boats from either island go to the same area, both the experience and regulations are very similar. The main difference is the length of the boat ride.

Watch the sunset

Sunsets on Mexican islands are spectacular and are one of the main attractions. Holbox is no exception. You can just go and hang out at the beach, at the main Pier or stop at one of the beach bars to enjoy it.

Isla Holbox – things to know before you go

Money – the currency used is Mexican Pesos and you want to have plenty of it before you arrive to the island. A lot of places are cash only and the few, that do accept credit cards charge an extra 5% for doing so.

ATM / Bank – there are 2 ATMs on the island, in case you run out of money. While my advice is to arrive on the island with plenty of cash, there are options to get more of it, although I wouldn’t rely on it a 100%. The first ATM is located in the main square, above the Police station. Even though the machine seemed to be in service, it didn’t dispense any money for us the few times we tried. There’s another ATM located in the CI Banco on Calle Tiburón Ballena ( the street leading from the square towards the ferry ). This one seemed more reliable, as it worked fine both times we used it. If both options fail, there are also plenty of ATMs that dispense US dollars, which you can then take to an Exchange store.

WiFi – Even though hotels and some restaurants offer WiFi, it is not the strongest. Good enough for sending messages, but not much else.

Water is not safe to drink – instead on relying on plastic bottles, consider bringing your own reusable water bottle. Your hotel will most likely have a water dispenser for guests’ use. If you forget, you can also buy one in Holbox. Agua Chaac, an environmental organization, sells water bottles, you can then refill for free at any of their dispensers around the island. Some of the spots are Refugio Animal Holbox, El Sushi Holbox and Hotel Arena. The reusable Agua Chaac bottles also make great souvenirs.

Mosquitoes – while there were barely any mosquitoes when we were there in February, they are more present and can be quite relentless during other months. Make sure to pack a mosquito repellent.

Seaweed – one thing that sometimes does spoil, the otherwise picture perfect island, is the seaweed, that gets washed up on shore on some days. It’s a problem, that affects a lot of Mexican beaches, including those in Holbox. However, don’t let that discourage you from visiting. During our 8 day stay, it happened once on Playa Holbox, while other parts of the island ( i.e. Playa Punta Cocos ) remained unaffected.

Streets get flooded– there are no paved roads in Holbox, it’s all dirt and after a big rain, streets often get flooded!

Safety – one of the main concerns of people traveling to Mexico is safety. The country does have a reputation of being a dangerous place, something that I personally feel is not fair and very exaggerated. Not to say, there aren’t unsafe places in Mexico ( there are surely unsafe parts of a city/ country where you live ), but Holbox is definitely not one of them. The island felt extremely safe to me the entire time I spent there. Even though I traveled with my husband, I did spend some time alone, both during the day and night, and felt 100% safe.

Learn some Spanish – while I can’t go as far as to say, that nobody speaks English on the island, you will definitely need more Spanish than you think. Isla Holbox is more of a local experience, so don’t expect everyone to speak English.

How to get to Holbox, Mexico

Holbox is not the easiest and quickest Mexican island to get to, but the multistep journey is certainly worth it.

Fly to Cancún

Cancún is the closest airport and where you will be flying into. If you are coming from the US East Coast, there are plenty of direct flights.

Get to Chiquilá

Once you land in Cancun, your next step is to get to a small village Chiquilá, where the ferry to Holbox leaves from. Chiquilá is about a 2-hour drive from Cancún. If you are wondering how to get to Holbox from Cancun airport, here are all the different ways, from the cheapest to the most convenient.

• Bus – the cheapest option is taking ADO bus from the Cancún bus station to the ferry port in Chiquilá. The bus runs several times a day (8.15 am, 9:55 am, 11 am, 12 pm, 1 pm and 3.15 pm and 5 pm) and the journey takes anywhere from 2-2hr 20 minutes. One-way ticket costs between 250-350 MXN depending on the day and time of day. The buses leave from the main station in downtown Cancún, and to get there, you first need to take a bus from the airport. It’s about a 30-minute ride and buses leave the airport every half hour. If you want to pre-book your Cancún to Chiquilá bus ticket, you can do so on the official ADO website. Some foreign bank cards don’t work on the ADO site, so if that’s the case, you can head over to Busbud.com instead.

• By car – if you are visiting Holbox as part of the Yucatan road trip and are arriving in Chiquilá by car, you will have to leave your car on the mainland, as Holbox is a car free island. There are a couple of parking lots located near the ferry, where you can safely leave your car for about 100 MXN per 24 hours.

• Private transfer – the most convenient way of getting from Cancun Airport to Chiquila is booking a private transfer. The driver will be waiting for you at the airport, and you can be on your way in no time. The vans are really comfortable and air conditioned. If you are traveling with a family or a group of friends, this is the best option. Be sure to book your private transfer in advance.

There are also shared transfers you can book, but they are often packed, which can make for a really uncomfortable 2-hour ride. If you can’t or don’t want to splurge for a private transfer, take the ADO bus instead!!

Take a ferry from Chiquilá to Isla Holbox

Once in Chiquilá, you are just a 20-minute ferry away from the island. There are 2 ferry companies to choose from: 9 Hermanos and Holbox Express. One leaves every hour on the hour, the other on the half hour. So basically, there’s one leaving every 30 minutes from 5 am until 8.30 pm. They are pretty much identical, and the cost is the same 220 MXN one way (Cash only!). You can book your tickets online, but that’s not necessary.

Once you arrive in Holbox, there will be plenty of golf cart taxis waiting at the ferry Terminal. If your hotel is right in town, you might be able to get there on foot, as it’s just a short, 5 minute walk away. Otherwise, hop in one of the golf cart taxis to take you to your hotel. The price will depend on how far away from town you go, but it’s not much. It cost 50 MXC to get to hotel Xaloc Resort, which was about a 5 minute ride from the ferry.

How to get around Holbox

• Walk – Holbox is a small island and perfect for walking. If you stay near the town, you’ll be able to walk to most places.
• Bike – a great way to get around the island is by bike. You can rent one from one of the many shops for 30 – 40 MXN per hour, or 200 – 240 MXN a day.
• Golf cart taxis – if you get tired of walking or need a lift a bit further away, just look for a yellow golf cart taxi. They’re lined up in the main square or you can just flag one down as they’re zooming by.
• Golf cart – you could rent one to get around, but unlike renting a golf cart in Isla Mujeres, I don’t think it’s necessary. They are pretty expensive (12 hours- 1,500 MXN / 24 hours 2,000 MXN) and unless you wanted to have one for a day to go around the island, it doesn’t make any sense. You can just use of the many golf cart taxis, that are everywhere.

Where to stay in Holbox, Mexico

The choice of hotels on the island is huge, from budget places to more boutique hotels and adults only accommodations. Your first big decision will be, whether to stay in town or on the beach.

Hotels in Holbox in town

• Hotel Para Ti – this beautiful, adults only hotel is located in town, but just a short walk away from the beach.

• Tierra del Mar Hotel – this intimate, adults only hotel with just 6 rooms is perfect for a relaxing stay. A couple of blocks from the beach, and a short walk to all the restaurants.

Hotels in Holbox on the beach

One thing to keep in mind while booking a hotel on the beach, is that there is a beach road separating some of the hotel fronts from the actual beach. While the road does have some “traffic” ( golf carts and people walking ), it was a non issue during the day. However, the steady flow of golf carts zooming by might get a bit noisy at night. Especially, if your hotel and room are on the corner of the beach road and a side street. If you want to avoid that, pick a hotel that is directly on the beach. The beach road ends at Hotel Villa Tiburon, so any hotel past that will be much quieter.

• Xaloc Resort – low key hotel with a direct access to the beach. The property is made up by specious cabanas, each with a terrace and a hammock. There is an adult only section with its own pool and a swim up bar, which is the best part of the hotel.

• Casa de las Tortugas – this small, family run hotel is one of the favorites on the island. It’s right on the beach and just a short walk away from town. After suffering a devasting fire at the end of 2022, Casa de las Tortugas was rebuilt, is brand new and more beautiful than ever. Definitely one of the best places to stay in Holbox.

• Casa Sandra – this beautiful, 18 room boutique hotel is perfect for those who want to be on the beach and close to town at the same time.

• Villa Flamingos – this boutique hotel has 14 rooms, all with ocean view. It’s a perfect place, if you are looking for a quiet and relaxing stay, as it’s a bit removed from town and all the action. You will need to either rent a golf cart or rely on golf cart taxis to get to town, as it’s a bit of a long walk to the main square.

Where to eat in Isla Holbox, Mexico

Indulging in authentic, Mexican food was one of my favorite things to do in Holbox. From street food to great local places, the island has no shortage of choices and not enough time to try them all. You will definitely find yourself conflicted between returning to a place you loved and trying a new one. Here are some of my favorite places to eat in Holbox.

Las Panchas – right between the beach and the town center, Las Panchas is a great place for cheap and authentic Mexican food. One of the places we ate at more than once. Try their ceviche, it was amazing!

Las Empa – a small, cute shop selling some of the best empanadas. If you don’t make it to their main, in town location, you might run into a guy walking up and down the beach selling them as well. So keep an eye out for the Las Empa guy!

Taco Queto – the amount of tacos I consumed during my week in Holbox was ridiculous, and Taco Queto was my absolute favorite. This casual place is open for dinner only ( at 6 pm ) and gets packed every single night. They don’t serve alcohol, but you are more than welcome to bring your own drinks.

Roots – one thing that always makes it on the list of must things to do in Holbox, is trying the lobster pizza at Roots. This outdoor restaurant serves wood fire pizzas and Pizza de Langosta is their specialty. At 600 MXC is definitely the priciest meal on the otherwise affordable island. We opted out and tried a different one, so I’m in no position to say if it’s worth it. However, the one we did have, was really good.

You can try Lobster pizza for less at a few other places like Edelyn in the main square. This is the restaurant that supposedly was the first one to serve it ( 350 MXN / medium or 500 MXN / large ).

Viva Zapata – great place for drinks and food.

Holbox Food Market – if you want to take a break from the traditional Mexican food, Holbox Food Market has a few other choices. Yes, there’s Barba Negra for tacos, but also stalls serving wings, hamburgers and Italian food.

The Hot Corner – Holbox doesn’t have a crazy night live scene, it’s more of a casual bar hopping kind of place. The Hot Corner is a popular and fun place, with live music a few nights a week.

Things to pack for Isla Holbox, Mexico

Mosquito repellent – we visited the island in February and while it was almost a non issue for us, I do hear mosquitoes are a bigger problem later in the season. Make sure to put a mosquito repellent on your packing list. We also brought these wipes, and the one time we had to use it, they worked great.

Reef safe sunscreen – yes, there are plenty of stores that sell sunscreen, but since you are on an island, prices are higher than on the mainland.

Flashlight – Holbox is still very much a rustic island, so if your hotel is a bit removed from the main square or you decide to take a walk down the beach at night, you might need a flashlight.

Waterproof Dry Bag – anytime a trip involves water and boats, recommend bringing a dry bag and it’s no different this time. This Earth Pak waterproof bag is my go to to keep my camera dry.

Reusable water bottle – plastic is a huge problem around the world, but becomes a much bigger issue on a tiny island like Holbox. Tap water is not safe to drink in Mexico, so to avoid buying countless plastic bottles, bring your own reusable water bottle. Your hotel will most likely have a purified water dispenser.

Lonely Planet Spanish Phrase book – if you speak no Spanish, you might want to bring along a little helper. Isla Holbox is a local experience and while some people speak English, most don’t.

Travel Insurance – don’t forget to protect yourself and your trip with the right travel insurance. No one anticipates things going wrong during vacation, but unfortunately, sometimes they do. World Nomads is a great choice to find a coverage, that is right just for you.

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READ MORE:

• The Ultimate Guide to Isla Mujeres, Mexico
• Renting a golf cart in Isla Mujeres, Mexico
• 27 Fun Things to do in Cozumel, Mexico
• The Absolute Best Things to do in Bacalar, Mexico

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