Isla Holbox is not a destination you’ve likely heard a lot about. It’s a relatively small island off the northern coast of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula known for its laid-back vibes. Much of the Isla Holbox is a nature preserve, it has no paved roads (or cars), and it’s a far cry from busy and highly developed destinations like nearby Cancun.
However, there are still plenty of things to do in Isla Holbox, including active adventures like kitesurfing and kayaking, as well as more low-key activities like lounging on the beach all day and discovering the best food and drinks on the island.
I spent a week on Isla Holbox this past January, and, while it’s not the ideal destination for everyone, it was the perfect spot for a relaxing getaway for me.
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How to get to Isla Holbox
Isla Holbox sits roughly 6 miles off the coast of the town of Chiquilá on the northern side of the Yucatan Peninsula. And Chiquilá is a roughly 2-hour drive from Cancun on local roads.
To get to Isla Holbox, you need to fly into the Cancun airport, book transport to Chiquilá, and then take a passenger ferry over to Holbox. It’s not *too* difficult, but you do want to book your Chiquilá transfer in advance to avoid being scammed on the price at the airport.
How to book this transfer?
Depending on where you stay, your hotel might offer you a competitive rate on a transfer from Cancun that will include both the ride to Chiquilá and the ferry ride. Otherwise, there are a few options:
- Book a spot in a shared shuttle (most cost effective).
- Book a private direct transfer with a company like Welcome Pickups.
- If you have the extra time, book a private transfer with Daytrip, which allows you to add on sightseeing stops along the way (I’ve used this company in Europe!).
Two ferry services cross the Yalahau Lagoon separating Isla Holbox from the mainland (9 Hermanos, and Holbox Express). Tickets cost the same on both services ($300 MXN, or about $16 USD), and between the two of them ferries run every 30 minutes (each company runs a ferry once per hour) from roughly 6 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
The drive from Cancun takes up to 2 hours, and the ferry ride over to Holbox usually takes about 25-30 minutes. So you basically want to allow at least 3 hours for the transfer between Cancun and Isla Holbox.
Best things to do on Isla Holbox
Here’s a look at the top things to do in Isla Holbox, Mexico. You can easily do most of these on a short trip, or spread them out across an entire week like I did!
At minimum, I would recommend 3 nights on Isla Holbox to make the journey worth it, and to allow yourself time to hit up all the highlights without feeling rushed.
1. Walk the sandbar out towards Punta Mosquito
Isla Holbox is essentially one big sandbar in the shape of a boomerang, with Punta Mosquito sitting at its northern tip. You used to be able to walk all the way to the beautiful beaches at Punta Mosquito along a wide sandbar, though a recent change to how the area is protected now makes walking *all* the way to Punta Mosquito impossible.
However, it’s still a very popular activity to walk along the sandbar from the main town in Holbox out towards Punta Mosquito. The further away from the hotels you get, the whiter and softer the sand gets, and the water is always clear and shallow.
Bring a picnic lunch at low tide and have a beach picnic (just be sure to take ALL your waste back with you).
You can also visit Punta Mosquito on a boat tour from Holbox like this one, which includes a stop at Punta Mosquito, Isla de la Pasión, and Yalahau Cenote.
2. Go street art spotting
Looking for street art is another fun thing to do in Holbox. Although the town itself is small, the streets are filled with beautiful, colorful murals painted by local artists.
Start in the main square of Holbox where you can find several murals nearby, and spend some time wandering through the streets of town discovering more murals around every corner.
In addition to spotting street art, you can also keep an eye out for the Holbox letter signs. There are a couple large signs with colorful letters spelling out Holbox throughout the island.
One of the most photographed of these is right on the beach in town and is marked on Google Maps as “Letras Holbox.” There’s another right at the ferry port.
3. Have a beach club day
One of the best things to do in Isla Holbox is to simply spend the day chilling out at a beach club. Holbox is a laid-back, low-key island, and there are plenty of relaxing beach clubs to choose from.
Some of the best beach clubs to check out include Mantarraya Beach Club & Hammocks, La Playa De Ñaña, Carolinda Beach Club, and Punta Cocos Beach Club Holbox (popular for sunset). For the price of a meal or a couple of drinks, you can enjoy lounging on a beachfront chaise under an umbrella or swinging in a hammock over the water at one of these beach clubs.
You can also buy a day pass at the fanicer Villas Flamingos and use the beach loungers and pools all day.
4. Eat all the food
Isla Holbox is a delicious destination for foodies. Although it’s a small island, you won’t have any trouble finding great restaurants to try here.
Some of the best places to check out include Ceviches La Chingada (a local 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 something a bit fancier).
If you’re looking for something that’s not Mexican food, head over to Roots Pizzeria for amazing wood-fired pizzas (they even have a lobster pizza!) or Mr. Happy, which offers American diner fare and all-day breakfast.
For a fun food tour experience, try the Taco Tour Holbox which will show you the best taco spots on the island.
5. Have a tequila tasting
After you’ve eaten your way through the island, why not enjoy a tequila tasting? Tequila does not actually come from this part of Mexico, but there’s a great bar in Holbox called Tequila O’clock whose owner is from Jalisco, which is the birthplace of tequila.
You can book a tequila tasting at Tequila O’clock which includes a welcome cocktail and a sample of three different types of tequila: blanco, reposado, and añejo.
6. Watch the sunset from Punta Cocos
Punta Cocos is one of the best spots to watch the sunset in Isla Holbox. Located on the far western end of the island, it’s about a 30-minute walk from town. (You can also bike or take a golf cart taxi.)
There’s also a beach bar at Punta Cocos where you can grab a drink to enjoy while you admire the sunset (though you’ll definitely pay “tourist watching a sunset” prices).
Good to know: Punta Cocos is notorious for its mosquitos and sandflies around sunset, so be sure to pack your bug spray for this one!
7. Go out for late-night marquesitas
Marquesitas are a delicious dessert popular all throughout the Yucatan Peninsula. These crepe-like desserts are filled with things like dulce de leche, chocolate, jam, condensed milk, or even cheese.
This is the perfect late-night snack to grab while you’re in Isla Holbox. You can find marquesita carts throughout the town, recognizable by hungry tourists and locals alike waiting in line for one. There are always several each night around Parque Central de Holbox.
8. Take a kitesurfing lesson
Isla Holbox is an excellent destination for kitesurfing, and it’s especially beginner-friendly thanks to its shallow waters and winds coming from all directions.
There are several kitesurfing schools on the island that offer lessons. A good place to start is with a private beginner lesson to learn the basics of kitesurfing. You’ll be gliding and flying over the water on your kiteboard in no time – or at least be able to say you tried it!
9. Kayak into the mangroves
Another adventurous activity to try in Isla Holbox is kayaking into the mangroves. Most of Holbox island is actually covered in these shrub-like trees, and they are super important to the environment here.
This is a great way to experience the Yum Balam Nature Reserve that covers most of the island, and you’ll have a chance to see wildlife like flamingos, herons, spoonbills, and maybe even some crocodiles as you kayak through the mangroves.
Some good tour options:
- This is a good kayak tour that includes a guide who is knowledgeable about local birds and wildlife.
- If you don’t mind the early wake-up call, you can also take a sunrise kayak tour through the mangroves to enjoy this peaceful environment during the morning hours.
- Or for a totally different experience, try a night kayak tour where you’ll paddle under the starry night sky in search of bioluminescence, a phenomenon that causes the water to glow
10. Take the Three Islands Tour
One of the most popular tours to take from Holbox is the Three Islands Tour. This boat tour takes you to several destinations around Isla Holbox and the Yalahau Lagoon: Isla de la Pasión, Isla de los Pájaros, and Yalahau Cenote.
Isla de la Pasión (Passion Island) is a small islet near Isla Holbox that earned its name because it was said to be a clandestine meeting spot for lovers. There’s a pretty sandbar here, as well as a wooden observation tower you can climb.
Isla de los Pájaros (Bird Island) is another tiny island known for being home to many birds. You can’t actually go on this island, but you can climb a wooden observation tower to look for birds like pelicans, ospreys, and even flamingos.
Yalahau Cenote is a natural swimming hole on the mainland of the Yucatan Peninsula where you can go for a refreshing dip in the cool blue waters. It’s a popular local spot where you can swim, grab a drink, or once again climb an observation tower. (If you want to swim, note that you’ll need to pay to rent a mandatory life jacket.)
The entire tour takes about 3.5 hours, making this a great half-day activity from Isla Holbox.
I won’t lie: I did this tour and thought it was just okay. Depending on the sea conditions, you might spend more time on the boat in between the three stops than actually on land. And if the sea is rough, you might spend the entire boat ride getting soaked by waves! BUT, it’s still one of the most popular things to do, so I want you to know about it!
11. Snorkel (with whale sharks)
Another one of the coolest things to do in Isla Holbox is a whale shark snorkeling tour. These tours are only offered during whale shark “season,” which is generally May-September, with July and August usually being the best months to see them.
Whale sharks are the largest shark species in the world (and the third largest ocean creature in general), but don’t worry, they’re not aggressive at all. In fact, snorkelers and scuba divers can swim right alongside whale sharks – they mostly eat krill and aren’t interested in humans.
They’re considered to be gentle giants, and a snorkeling tour is a great way to get up close and personal with these magnificent creatures. You’ll take a boat from Isla Holbox to a snorkeling spot where you’re likely to see whale sharks, as well as other manta rays and sea turtles.
All snorkeling gear is provided on this tour, and you’ll also enjoy a light breakfast and fresh ceviche.
(And if you’re visiting outside of whale shark season, you might still like to book a swimming/snorkeling tour, though note that there are no coral reefs around Isla Holbox since it’s a sand bar and not a coral atoll.)
Where to stay on Isla Holbox
The accommodation options on Isla Holbox really do run the gamut. You can find everything from rustic guesthouses to luxury boutique beach hotels.. But nothing feels overly pretentious here – you can go everywhere in swimsuits and flip flops.
The hotels I’d recommend (more on the luxury boutique side) include:
These hotels all have amenities like air conditioning, swimming pools, spa services, etc., but also have more rustic features like sand-floored restaurants and thatched roofs/more traditional architecture. Some of them do have their own beaches and beach bars, too.
Isla Holbox may not have the Mayan ruins or late night party clubs like some other spots along the Yucatan Peninsula. But there’s still plenty to do here, and the island still maintains its laid-back atmosphere despite catering more to tourists.
If you’re looking for a good Mexico beach getaway that’s slightly more off the beaten path, Isla Holbox might be it!
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Is Isla Holbox a place you’d like to visit?
Amanda Williams is the award-winning blogger behind A Dangerous Business Travel Blog. She has traveled to more than 60 countries on 6 continents from her home base in Ohio, specializing in experiential and thoughtful travel through the US, Europe, and rest of the world. Amanda only shares tips based on her personal experiences and places she’s actually traveled!
