Isla Holbox is just not a vacation spot you have seemingly heard so much about. It is a comparatively small island off the northern coast of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula recognized for its laid-back vibes. A lot of the Isla Holbox is a nature protect, it has no paved roads (or automobiles), and it is a far cry from busy and extremely developed locations like close by Cancun.
Nevertheless, there are nonetheless loads of issues to do in Isla Holbox, together with lively adventures like kitesurfing and kayaking, in addition to extra low-key actions like lounging on the seashore all day and discovering the perfect meals and drinks on the island.
I spent every week on Isla Holbox this previous January, and, whereas it is not the best vacation spot for everybody, it was the proper spot for a soothing getaway for me.
RELATED: Tips for Visiting Isla Holbox, Mexico: 18 Things to Know Before You Go
Find out how to get to Isla Holbox
Isla Holbox sits roughly 6 miles off the coast of the city of Chiquilá on the northern facet of the Yucatan Peninsula. And Chiquilá is a roughly 2-hour drive from Cancun on native roads.
To get to Isla Holbox, you want to fly into the Cancun airport, e book transport to Chiquilá, after which take a passenger ferry over to Holbox. It isn’t *too* tough, however you do need to e book your Chiquilá switch prematurely to keep away from being scammed on the value on the airport.
Find out how to e book this switch?
Relying on the place you keep, your lodge would possibly give you a aggressive fee on a switch from Cancun that may embody each the trip to Chiquilá and the ferry trip. In any other case, there are just a few choices:
- Book a spot in a shared shuttle (most value efficient).
- E book a personal direct switch with an organization like Welcome Pickups.
- When you have the additional time, e book a personal switch with Daytrip, which lets you add on sightseeing stops alongside the best way (I’ve used this firm in Europe!).
Two ferry companies cross the Yalahau Lagoon separating Isla Holbox from the mainland (9 Hermanos, and Holbox Specific). Tickets value the identical on each companies ($300 MXN, or about $16 USD), and between the 2 of them ferries run each Half-hour (every firm runs a ferry as soon as per hour) from roughly 6 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
The drive from Cancun takes as much as 2 hours, and the ferry trip over to Holbox normally takes about 25-Half-hour. So that you principally need to permit no less than 3 hours for the switch between Cancun and Isla Holbox.
Greatest issues to do on Isla Holbox
This is a take a look at the highest issues to do in Isla Holbox, Mexico. You’ll be able to simply do most of those on a brief journey, or unfold them out throughout a complete week like I did!
At minimal, I’d suggest 3 nights on Isla Holbox to make the journey price it, and to permit your self time to hit up all of the highlights with out feeling rushed.
1. Stroll the sandbar out in the direction of Punta Mosquito
Isla Holbox is actually one large sandbar within the form of a boomerang, with Punta Mosquito sitting at its northern tip. You used to have the ability to stroll all the best way to the attractive seashores at Punta Mosquito alongside a large sandbar, although a current change to how the world is protected now makes strolling *all* the best way to Punta Mosquito unattainable.
Nevertheless, it is nonetheless a very fashionable exercise to stroll alongside the sandbar from the principle city in Holbox out in the direction of Punta Mosquito. The additional away from the inns you get, the whiter and softer the sand will get, and the water is at all times clear and shallow.
Convey a picnic lunch at low tide and have a seashore picnic (simply you’ll want to take ALL your waste again with you).
You can too go to Punta Mosquito on a ship tour from Holbox like this one, which features a cease at Punta Mosquito, Isla de la Pasión, and Yalahau Cenote.
2. Go avenue artwork recognizing
Searching for avenue artwork is one other enjoyable factor to do in Holbox. Though the city itself is small, the streets are full of stunning, colourful murals painted by native artists.
Begin in the principle sq. of Holbox the place you’ll find a number of murals close by, and spend a while wandering by the streets of city discovering extra murals round each nook.
Along with recognizing avenue artwork, you may also preserve a watch out for the Holbox letter indicators. There are a pair massive indicators with colourful letters spelling out Holbox all through the island.
One of the vital photographed of those is correct on the seashore on the town and is marked on Google Maps as “Letras Holbox.” There’s one other proper on the ferry port.
3. Have a seashore membership day
Among the finest issues to do in Isla Holbox is to easily spend the day chilling out at a seashore membership. Holbox is a laid-back, low-key island, and there are many stress-free seashore golf equipment to select from.
A number of the greatest seashore golf equipment to take a look at embody Mantarraya Seashore Membership & Hammocks, La Playa De Ñaña, Carolinda Seashore Membership, and Punta Cocos Seashore Membership Holbox (well-liked for sundown). For the value of a meal or a few drinks, you may take pleasure in lounging on a beachfront chaise underneath an umbrella or swinging in a hammock over the water at considered one of these seashore golf equipment.
You can too purchase a day go on the fanicer Villas Flamingos and use the seashore loungers and swimming pools all day.
4. Eat all of the meals
Isla Holbox is a scrumptious vacation spot for foodies. Though it is a small island, you will not have any hassle discovering nice eating places to attempt right here.
A number of the greatest locations to take a look at embody Ceviches La Chingada (a neighborhood seafood restaurant), Pinshis Tacos or Barba Negra (for tacos), Las Panchas (get the ceviche!), Arte Sano (a vegan and vegetarian restaurant), or Restaurante Milpa (for one thing a bit fancier).
When you’re in search of one thing that is not Mexican meals, head over to Roots Pizzeria for superb wood-fired pizzas (they also have a lobster pizza!) or Mr. Completely happy, which presents American diner fare and all-day breakfast.
For a enjoyable meals tour expertise, attempt the Taco Tour Holbox which is able to present you the perfect taco spots on the island.
5. Have a tequila tasting
After you have eaten your method by the island, why not take pleasure in a tequila tasting? Tequila doesn’t truly come from this a part of Mexico, however there’s an awesome bar in Holbox known as Tequila O’clock whose proprietor is from Jalisco, which is the birthplace of tequila.
You’ll be able to e book a tequila tasting at Tequila O’clock which features a welcome cocktail and a pattern of three various kinds of tequila: blanco, reposado, and añejo.
6. Watch the sundown from Punta Cocos
Punta Cocos is among the greatest spots to look at the sundown in Isla Holbox. Positioned on the far western finish of the island, it is a few 30-minute stroll from city. (You can too bike or take a golf cart taxi.)
There’s additionally a seashore bar at Punta Cocos the place you may seize a drink to take pleasure in whilst you admire the sundown (although you will undoubtedly pay “vacationer watching a sundown” costs).
Good to know: Punta Cocos is infamous for its mosquitos and sandflies round sundown, so you’ll want to pack your bug spray for this one!
7. Exit for late-night marquesitas
Marquesitas are a scrumptious dessert well-liked all all through the Yucatan Peninsula. These crepe-like desserts are full of issues like dulce de leche, chocolate, jam, condensed milk, and even cheese.
That is the proper late-night snack to seize whilst you’re in Isla Holbox. You’ll find marquesita carts all through the city, recognizable by hungry vacationers and locals alike ready in line for one. There are at all times a number of every evening round Parque Central de Holbox.
8. Take a kitesurfing lesson
Isla Holbox is a superb vacation spot for kitesurfing, and it is particularly beginner-friendly due to its shallow waters and winds coming from all instructions.
There are a number of kitesurfing colleges on the island that supply classes. A great place to start out is with a private beginner lesson to study the fundamentals of kitesurfing. You will be gliding and flying over the water in your kiteboard very quickly – or no less than be capable to say you tried it!
9. Kayak into the mangroves
One other adventurous exercise to attempt in Isla Holbox is kayaking into the mangroves. Most of Holbox island is definitely lined in these shrub-like timber, and they’re tremendous essential to the atmosphere right here.
It is a nice method to expertise the Yum Balam Nature Reserve that covers many of the island, and you will have an opportunity to see wildlife like flamingos, herons, spoonbills, and perhaps even some crocodiles as you kayak by the mangroves.
Some good tour choices:
- This is a good kayak tour that features a information who’s educated about native birds and wildlife.
- When you do not thoughts the early wake-up name, you may also take a sunrise kayak tour by the mangroves to take pleasure in this peaceable atmosphere through the morning hours.
- Or for a very totally different expertise, attempt a night kayak tour the place you will paddle underneath the starry evening sky seeking bioluminescence, a phenomenon that causes the water to glow
10. Take the Three Islands Tour
One of the vital well-liked excursions to take from Holbox is the Three Islands Tour. This boat tour takes you to a number of locations round Isla Holbox and the Yalahau Lagoon: Isla de la Pasión, Isla de los Pájaros, and Yalahau Cenote.
Isla de la Pasión (Ardour Island) is a small islet close to Isla Holbox that earned its title as a result of it was mentioned to be a clandestine assembly spot for lovers. There is a fairly sandbar right here, in addition to a picket commentary tower you may climb.
Isla de los Pájaros (Chicken Island) is one other tiny island recognized for being residence to many birds. You’ll be able to’t truly go on this island, however you may climb a picket commentary tower to search for birds like pelicans, ospreys, and even flamingos.
Yalahau Cenote is a pure swimming gap on the mainland of the Yucatan Peninsula the place you may go for a refreshing dip within the cool blue waters. It is a well-liked native spot the place you may swim, seize a drink, or as soon as once more climb an commentary tower. (If you wish to swim, be aware that you’re going to must pay to hire a compulsory life jacket.)
Your entire tour takes about 3.5 hours, making this an awesome half-day exercise from Isla Holbox.
I will not lie: I did this tour and thought it was simply okay. Relying on the ocean situations, you would possibly spend extra time on the boat in between the three stops than truly on land. And if the ocean is tough, you would possibly spend the whole boat trip getting soaked by waves! BUT, it is nonetheless probably the most well-liked issues to do, so I need you to learn about it!
11. Snorkel (with whale sharks)
One other one of many coolest issues to do in Isla Holbox is a whale shark snorkeling tour. These excursions are solely provided throughout whale shark “season,” which is usually Could-September, with July and August normally being the perfect months to see them.
Whale sharks are the biggest shark species on the planet (and the third largest ocean creature basically), however don’t fret, they don’t seem to be aggressive in any respect. The truth is, snorkelers and scuba divers can swim proper alongside whale sharks – they largely eat krill and are not occupied with people.
They’re thought-about to be mild giants, and a snorkeling tour is a good way to rise up shut and private with these magnificent creatures. You will take a ship from Isla Holbox to a snorkeling spot the place you are prone to see whale sharks, in addition to different manta rays and sea turtles.
All snorkeling gear is supplied on this tour, and you will additionally take pleasure in a lightweight breakfast and recent ceviche.
(And in case you’re visiting outdoors of whale shark season, you would possibly nonetheless wish to e book a swimming/snorkeling tour, although be aware that there aren’t any coral reefs round Isla Holbox since it is a sand bar and never a coral atoll.)
The place to remain on Isla Holbox
The lodging choices on Isla Holbox actually do run the gamut. You’ll find every part from rustic guesthouses to luxurious boutique seashore inns.. However nothing feels overly pretentious right here – you may go all over the place in swimsuits and flip flops.
The inns I might suggest (extra on the posh boutique facet) embody:
These inns all have facilities like air con, swimming swimming pools, spa companies, and so forth., but additionally have extra rustic options like sand-floored eating places and thatched roofs/extra conventional structure. A few of them do have their very own seashores and seashore bars, too.
Isla Holbox might not have the Mayan ruins or late evening social gathering golf equipment like another spots alongside the Yucatan Peninsula. However there’s nonetheless a lot to do right here, and the island nonetheless maintains its laid-back environment regardless of catering extra to vacationers.
When you’re in search of an excellent Mexico seashore getaway that is barely extra off the overwhelmed path, Isla Holbox is likely to be it!
READ NEXT: 18 Essential Isla Holbox Travel Tips
Is Isla Holbox a spot you would like to go to?
Amanda Williams is the award-winning blogger behind A Harmful Enterprise Journey Weblog. She has traveled to greater than 60 nations on 6 continents from her residence base in Ohio, specializing in experiential and considerate journey by the US, Europe, and remainder of the world. Amanda solely shares ideas based mostly on her private experiences and locations she’s truly traveled!
