Isla Holbox has long been recognized as an alternative to Cancun, especially appealing to backpackers due to its artistic charm and pristine natural beauty. In recent times, a growing number of discerning tourists have also been drawn to this small slice of paradise in search of more refined experiences.
For travelers seeking authentic experiences beyond the confines of an all-inclusive resort in Cancun’s Hotel Zone, Isla Holbox offers an enticing alternative…. If you’re interested in extraordinary adventures such as swimming with whale sharks, exploring mangroves by kayak, and witnessing bioluminescence in a moonless bay, but prefer to indulge in a touch of luxury along the way, read on…
Take the Chiquila to Holbox Ferry
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To reach Isla Holbox, you must take the ferry from Chiquila to Holbox. Chiquila is easily reached from Cancun by bus, car, or taxi. Once there, it’s a short, 20-minute ferry ride across a sheltered bay to reach this tropical paradise. Boats depart all day from 6:00 to 21:30, practically every half hour. Ferry tickets are reasonable and will cost you less than the taxi upcharge to reach the Cancun Hotel Zone.
Stay in Boutique Hotels in Holbox
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Holbox has plenty of hostels and budget hotels, but this hand-curated selection is for the upscale traveler who believes paying a little extra for amenities, location and comfort is worth it. Even though these are the best hotels in Holbox, they’re still a bargain compared to similar properties up and down Riviera Maya. This Holbox guide is an extension of our ideas about finding the less touristy options in the Yucatan.
Eat at the Best Restaurants in Holbox
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Restaurants in Holbox are as diverse as the people who call this island home. You’ll find traditional Mexican dishes as well as classic European and Mediterranean fare with plenty of fresh and healthy options. If you can’t decide, you could always try a taco tasting and cocktail tour or eight stop food tour.
Relax on Holbox Beaches
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Isla Holbox is famous for its tranquil island vibe and beautiful beaches. Holbox has six beaches, each one with a little different vibe.
Playa Holbox: Holbox Beach is the island’s main beach located immediately adjacent to the town.
Playa Punta Cocos: This is the westernmost beach in Holbox, with the best sunsets on the island.
Playa Mosquito: Mosquito Beach is the first beach you’ll reach heading east out of town.
Punta Mosquito: This is a favorite spot for bird watchers to find a flamboyance of flamingos feeding in the estuaries.
Sinai Beach: Playa Sinai is much narrower than Playa Mosquito, but spear fishers love it for its productive reefs just offshore.
Cabo Catoche Beach: Cabo Catoche is a popular spot for boat tours for snorkeling and fishing on the Cuevones Reef.
Swim With the Holbox Whale Sharks
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Swimming with whale sharks should be on everybody’s eco-adventure bucket list, and Holbox is perhaps the best place in the world to do it because 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 the largest fish in the ocean!
Take a Boat Tour of Holbox Island
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Boat tours are a fun and easy way to enjoy the island’s breathtaking scenery. They depart from the Muelle de Holbox (adjacent to the ferry) but might include hotel pickup. We have Viator and TripAdvisor options for you to shop.
Kayak Through the Mangroves in Isla Holbox
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There are sunrise, sunset, and daytime tours available, which leave from the near side of Playa Mosquito. These paddling trips take you along the sandbars and into the miles of channels through the Holbox mangrove reserve. You’ll get closer to the mangrove-dwelling creatures like flamingos, osprey, and pelicans than you would on a motorboat and feel connected to nature, as only human-powered travel can provide and go where bigger boats can not travel. Kayaking in Holbox is a mellow trip suitable for paddlers of all levels.
Horseback Riding to the Punta Mosquito Flamingos
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Would you like to trot along the beach and explore the mangroves on horseback? Guided horse rides let you see the island from a new perspective and cover more ground than you would on foot. They include all equipment, riding instructions, and a knowledgeable guide to show you the island’s secrets.
Horseback riding is the best way to see the Punta Mosquito flamingos without a boat.
Experience Holbox Bioluminescent Tours
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The warm, calm Holbox waters give rise to one of nature’s most beautiful light shows – bioluminescent algae. Dinoflagellates are tiny marine algae that produce a bluish-green light when disturbed. They do this to expose the fish that feed on algae to predators. The bioluminescence peaks in spring and summer and is best observed on a moonless night, particularly after a good rain.
Learn to Fly at Kiteboarding School
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Warm tropical water and cool ocean breezes can make more than your spirits soar on Holbox. Kiteboarding schools offer everything from 3-hour courses to full IKO-certified courses. You’ll learn the basics on how to handle the kite and progress as quickly and safely as possible to sliding on the water and flying through the air.
Take a Mexican Cooking Class
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Food is one of the best ways to appreciate cultures, and everybody loves a good Mexican dish. But nothing connects you to your surroundings like learning to cook a traditional meal. La Puerta Rosa offers morning and evening classes to get you chopping, spicing, and cooking fresh and flavorful dishes that will make your mouth water and your heart yearn for Mexico.
Take a Mural Tour
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In 2014, the first International Festival of Art brought graffiti artists to Holbox. Their skills and vision brought even more color and flair to the island. Since then, they’ve returned yearly to continue bringing public art to this island paradise.
Visit Refugio Holbox Animal Sanctuary
Photo Credit: Refugio Holbox Animal Sanctuary.
Everything on Earth is connected, and living on an island the size of Holbox makes that truth abundantly clear. The Refugio Holbox Animal Sanctuary rescues, cares for, and re-homes animals from Holbox and the surrounding area.
If you love animals and have ever felt bad seeing stray dogs and kittens on travel, you’ll appreciate this organization. However, you can do more than sending well wishes. The sanctuary welcomes visitors to get involved in loving and caring for the animals they have and helping with ongoing projects. Many people consider walking a rescue dog on a beach one of the highlights of their trip and the sanctuary has dog walking hours in the mornings for 9:00 – 11:00 and in the evenings from 5:30 to 7:30.
Enjoy the Holbox Weather
Photo Credit: Las Nubes de Holbox.
Holbox weather is one of the island’s greatest charms. Reading through activities in Holbox, you’ll notice that whale watching is from May through September and bioluminescence peaks in the spring and summer. That puts a window around May before the rainy season starts where bioluminescence and whale watching overlap.
May is the hottest time of the year, so you’ll enjoy splurging on a luxury hotel with ice-cold air conditioning and a beautiful pool. Swimming in the cool waters of the cenotes will also feel refreshing during the heat of the day. Every season has its charm in Holbox, from the whale sharks in the summer to the picture-perfect winter weather.
Wrapping Up Things To Do in Holbox
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Some people are saying the best days of Holibox have passed. We disagree. The island is changing from a backpacker destination to a boutique travel center, perfect for discerning travelers. It’s still one of the less touristy options in Riviera Maya. You’re close to diving in Cancun and Chichen Itza but with an island vibe all its own.
On that subject, it’s possible to do some of the Holbox tours from Cancun and Playa Del Carmen, but why would you? You’ll miss out on what makes Holbox unique – sunrise paddles through the mangroves, sunsets at Punta Cocos, starlight twinkling over bioluminescent bays, and all the charming hotels and delicious food!