Holbox - The Hidden Gem on Mexico’s Caribbean Coast
If you have followed me on Instagram since the summer, you might have heard me talk about Holbox. This place is without a doubt one of my favourite travel destinations of all time! This hippy beach town has sand and ocean comparable to the Maldives or the Bahamas, yet for 1/10th of the price. The carefree, fun loving vibe is exactly what I look for when searching for my perfect beach getaway. In my opinion, Holbox is Mexico’s best kept secret (maybe I shouldn’t be writing this blog post at all…), its turquoise clear waters and bohemian lifestyle will have you dreaming of it for years after you’ve visited. So, I am going to be telling you all the details about where it’s located, how to get there, best places to stay, fun activities and much more.
Crystal clear waters on Isla Holbox
Why is Holbox so special?
We have all heard of of the big tourist hotspots in Mexico like Cancun, and more recently Tulum and Playa Del Carmen, and yes - I have been to these places and thoroughly enjoyed my time there. But there is something magical about Holbox, it is more off the beaten track. You won’t find buses filled with tourists arriving to check into their 5* resorts. It has that ‘charm’ that perhaps Cancun once had before it was so commercialised. White sand beaches, crystal clear waters which are so still & shallow that people sit and drink cocktails in the ocean. Holbox also doesn’t have the seaweed problem that plagues the Caribbean coast each year in Cancun. Sellers walk down the beach with iced coffee, coconuts, fruit and cocktail carts - offering you exactly what you fancy at exactly the right moment. An abundance of beach front bars and casual restaurants overlooking the water, where people sit and watch the sunset each night. Colourful streets, friendly locals, chilled atmosphere and incredible wildlife, it really is an ultimate paradise.
Where is Holbox?
First things first - where is Isla Holbox? It’s a small island located on Mexico’s Caribbean coast in the state of Quintana Roo, located on the north coast of the Yucatán Peninsula. It is separated from Mexico’s mainland, and is mostly accessible by boat ride. There are no cars on the island, only mopeds and golf buggies are used to get around, along with non motorised methods of transportation like bicycle. The island also has a very tiny runway, though there are minimal flights running in and out of the area.
How can you get there?
You can take a bus from Cancun to a place called ‘Chiquila’, which takes around 2 hours. from there, you catch a 20 minute ferry over to the island. The bus company we used throughout our whole time in Mexico was ADO. They run services in multiple areas all over Mexico and you can book online via their website - though usually you don’t need to book in advance. Once you arrive in Chiquila, make your way to the small port, and there are 2 different boat companies that run services every 30 minutes, so you will never have to wait very long. The last boat across goes at 11pm. Once on the island, you can either walk to your accommodation, or take a ‘taxi’ which are the golf buggies.
How long should you spend in Holbox?
Holbox attracts both backpackers and holiday makers. As Mexico is such a versatile destination for most travellers, you will see people stay in Holbox for such a varied time frame. There is no right or wrong answer here, you could stay for 3 weeks or 5 days. I would recommend a minimum of 4 nights in Holbox, while it is a small island there is still a lot to do, and also - you will really want to enjoy the beauty of doing absolutely nothing here. We spent 6 nights in Holbox but we were so sad to leave and really wish we could’ve stayed longer. It is the perfect place to embody the beach bum lifestyle.
What is there to do in Holbox?
Besides laying on the beach sipping cocktails and swimming in the beautiful warm sea? Lots - actually! For such a small island, it has a lot to offer. Here’s some of the best things you can get up to:
Go on a Whale Shark tour! Holbox is one of the few places in the world you are able to swim with whale sharks. There are many tour companies across the island who offer the experience for a fair price. Typically around $100 for a 3 hour tour. The whale sharks can be found just off the coast between Mid-May to Mid-September
See the Bioluminescent Plankton: This experience is completely enchanting. If you book a tour you will be taken out to the water in the middle of the night - the best time tends to be when the moon has set but when the sun has not yet risen, or on the occasional moonless night (basically when the sky is as dark as possible!) - as soon as you step into the water you will be splashing around in the luminescent plankton, which lights up the ocean. The best way to describe it is small fairy lights that move in the water when you touch them. Your own personal natural light show!
Visit the Refugio Holbox Animal Sanctuary: This is an animal sanctuary that rescue’s and rehouses abandoned and mistreated animals, namely dogs, cats and racoons! If you visit the sanctuary, you can even take out one of the dogs for the day, and you’re likely to see lots of racoons roaming the streets in the nearby area!
Get a massage on the beach! We did this and paid around £17 per person for a full body Swedish massage right on the beach. It was absolutely lovely and I’d really recommend it, especially for the super affordable price.
Go Cenote swimming: If you have never heard of a cenote, they are essentially sinkholes filled with water, and you can find them all over the Yutacan Peninsula of Mexico. I have a few favourites out of the one’s I have visited, but I will save that for another blog post. In Holbox, the most well known cenote to visit is the Yalahau Cenote.
Go on a boat tour: There are lots of boat tours offering a variety of experiences around the island, speak to a local tour guide on the island to book. It is possible to see other wildlife like turtles and sting rays!
Go kayaking: The calm waters make Holbox the perfect place to enjoy a few hours of kayaking. You will no doubt catch sight of wildlife like tropical fish & birds on your adventure!
Take yourself on an art tour: there are lots of unique art works and murals painted on walls all over the island, take some time to stroll around and admire them.
Hit the beach! Without doubt the best way to enjoy this stunning island is to laze on the beach catching some rays and swimming in the ocean. Have a few rest days and simply soak up the island paradise.
Where should you stay?
Here a few options I would recommend and why:
Airbnb: We stayed in this Airbnb for 4 nights and loved it. Very clean, easy check in and 2 minute walk from the beach and restaurants. Also has air conditioning which great given the hot temperatures! We paid around £22 per night for a private room.
Tribu Hostel: We didn’t stay here but I have heard from several different people that this place was one of their favourite hostels they’ve ever stayed in. Super social, lots of activities and really great atmosphere.
Casa Las Tortugas: A beautiful option if you’re looking for a bit of luxury and something more upmarket.
Kin Camping: An interesting choice if you’re wanting to get the cheapest option possible, this accommodation is super basic, you pay around £11 per night for 2 people in a tent. It is a really cool experience to camp on a tropical island. Be mindful though it can get really hot inside the tents at night and you are more open to mosquitos and other critters! We stayed here for 2 nights then moved onto somewhere else. The people that run this place are super friendly.
Great places to eat and drink:
The Hot Corner: This place plays live music most nights and has such a fun atmosphere. They also have great little nibbles and snacks like guacamole.
Palapa de Victor: Really nice beach front taco restaurant. The best fish tostadas and guacamole!
Roots Pizza: Cool wood fired pizza restaurant where people get a little bit dressy on an evening. Also has live music sometimes!
Luuma: Some of the best food we had in Mexico! They serve Mexican style tapas and wow it is incredible. A little more pricey but worth it. Also the decor is beautiful.
Che Hostel (drinks): Great place for drinks and a party! Always have drinks deals on, fun music and games.
Painapol (breakfast): Amazing smoothie bowls, but prepare to queue - this place is always busy!
Taco Queto: Cheap tasty tacos, very typical local Mexican restaurant.
Additional information:
There is very little WiFi on the island - even in the most high end luxury hotels. This is an island wide issue (or I would argue - a perk!). Prepare to totally switch off and enjoy island life off the grid for the duration of your visit. At best you will be able to access your emails and WhatsApp messages, and maybe send a photo if you’re lucky.
ATM’s often are out of use, and there are not many of them on the island. While lots of places do accept card, please prepare and bring a decent amount of cash with you.
Remember to pack mosquito repellant - this is a tropical island after all!
Thank you so much for reading!
Once again - I hope you enjoyed this blog post. I am so pleased to be finally publishing an article about Holbox, it truly is a wonderful place and I cannot wait to go back someday. I hope you manage to visit this stunning tropical paradise!
