Aug 6, 2025
How to Plan the Perfect Trip to Isla Holbox, Mexico
Little more than a spray of pristine white sand and a cluster of colorful boutique hotels off the Caribbean Coast of Mexico, Isla Holbox feels about as far away from the cares of the world as you could get. In reality, this tiny island is practically a day trip from crowded Cancún, about three hours away by bus ride and ferry.
Two decades ago, there was barely a hotel to speak of on Isla Holbox (pronounced hol-bosh), and while there still isn't much compared to booming spots like nearby Tulum, word has spread about this unspoiled, car-free paradise. "Holbox has been protected from a lot of Tulum's rapid growth," says Claudia Garcia Siordia, Blue Diamond Resorts regional commercial director for Mexico. "There's a lot of exciting new growth here, even for luxury travelers, but none of the crowds or crazy traffic. It's still so peaceful."
While gargantuan whale sharks and cavernous cenotes will keep active travelers busy, the real appeal of the island comes from its laid-back vibe. Discover the best hotels, restaurants, and things to do with this travel guide to Isla Holbox.
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Nomade Holbox
Prepare to be wowed the second you set foot in Nomade Holbox. While all 30 rooms at this eco-friendly boutique hotel are hidden by lush tropical greenery, several of them are breathtaking tree houses that resemble bird nests high above the sand. Nomade Holbox has a laundry list of wellness experiences far beyond what anyone could do in just one stay, and many are complimentary for guests. The hotel is also home to La Popular, a seafood-focused grill offering toes-in-the-sand dining.
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Best Things to Do
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Swim with whale sharks.
From June to September, whale sharks filter floating plankton from the warm waters off Isla Holbox, making this one of the best destinations in the world to swim with these gentle giants. Holbox Whale Shark Tours offers eco-conscious excursions that depart from the center of town through the summer season. Given that Isla Holbox receives fewer visitors than nearby destinations like Isla Mujeres and Cozumel, which are also known for the experience, intrepid travelers are in for a much more ethical and up-close encounter.
The Most Underrated Islands in Mexico
See nearby islands on a boat tour.
Sail across Holbox's shallow, translucent waters to nearby uninhabited islands for swimming, snorkeling, and wildlife spotting. "Holbox is part of a natural reserve, known as the Yum Balam, which translates to 'lord or king jaguar,' and welcomes various bird species year-round," says Laura Samper, wellness coordinator at Nomade Holbox. In addition to the bird-watching paradise aptly named Isla Pájaros (Bird Island), the common Three Islands Tour also visits Cenote Yalahau, a deep, water-filled sinkhole that feels nothing less than magical.
Hit the beach.
It goes without saying that the unblemished beaches of Isla Holbox—considered some of the best beaches in Mexico—are reason enough to make the journey to the island. For a relaxed, off-grid beach day, rent a golf cart and head to Playa Punta Cocos, recommended by Rod Balbiani Santos, head chef at Holbox hot spot Santos Fuegos. He suggests paddleboarding to spot rays, turtles, and plenty of tropical fish. Looking for something a little more plush? Post up at Mojito Beach Club at Ser Casasandra for delicious Cuban-inspired cuisine and plenty of space to spread out.
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Experience bioluminescence.
The same plankton that draw whale sharks to Isla Holbox en masse have a special magic trick: Come nighttime, they glow. Some of the bays around Holbox are consistently bioluminescent, though the effect is most visible during the summer months and on clear nights with a new moon. Popular excursions guide visitors to a sandbar to swim in the glowing waters after nightfall.
Indulge in wellness experiences.
A small community of wellness-minded transplants has slowly but surely transformed Isla Holbox into a destination for self-care. Nomade Holbox perfects the wellness experience on this island with a curated selection of classes and treatments ranging from traditional Mayan healing ceremonies to sound baths and yoga classes for everyone from beginners to experts.
Areas to Visit
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Holbox
Isla Holbox is small enough to have just one small town sandwiched between the ferry terminal and the longest stretch of white sand on the island. "There are only a total of maybe 10 main streets in Holbox," says Garcia, "so there really isn't much to explore, and that's the beauty of it." Filled with street art and dotted with open-air restaurants, shops, boutique hotels, and even beachfront yoga studios, the town of Holbox has just enough to keep you busy.
Playa Punta Cocos
On the far western edge of Isla Holbox, "Punta Cocos is quiet and off the grid," says Samper. This is what many locals consider to be the island's best beach, far from the beach clubs that line the shores near the town center. Go for sunset and stick around until dusk to depart for a bioluminescence tour in a nearby bay.
Punta Mosquito
On the island's northernmost point, a boat ride away from Holbox, Punta Mosquito is known for its massive shallow sandbar just offshore. The sandbar is surrounded by azure water, making for a sort of castaway Caribbean island experience. Some organized boat excursions will drop participants off at the sandbar, though it's easy enough to wade through the calm waters to reach it. You'll spot starfish, stingrays, and even flamingos along the way.
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Isla Holbox is between December and April, when winter-weary visitors can expect sunny, cloudless skies and milder temperatures perfect for long days at the beach. Since this is the island's high season, prices peak during this period. The Atlantic hurricane season lasts from June through November and usually peaks between late August and October. Even when the island avoids tropical storms, the season is usually marked by passing storms and warmer, wetter weather.
Travelers dreaming of swimming with whale sharks should come between June and September to catch the regional migration and get the best possible chance of spotting these giants filtering plankton from the waves. "Summer is particularly special due to its flat, crystal-clear, and warm waters, which invite the magical glow of bioluminescence," says Samper, offering yet another reason to visit during the off-season.
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How to Get There
The journey to Isla Holbox typically starts in Cancún. Cancún International Airport (CUN) operates more than 500 flights a day from major airports all over the Americas. From the airport, it's a two-hour drive to the small town of Chiquilá, where ferries depart for the 30-minute journey to Holbox every half hour.
If you want to avoid the drive (and are prepared to pay more), a very tiny airstrip on Holbox receives small private planes from Cancún and Playa del Carmen. This flight takes about 30 minutes, and needless to say, the views over the crystal-clear Caribbean and the untouched jungles of the Yucatán Peninsula are spectacular.
How to Get Around
It's easy to walk from town to many of the tourist attractions on Isla Holbox. However, you may find it fun to use the island's other styles of transportation: bicycle and golf cart. There are several rental shops in town, with some of the larger hotels on the island even providing bicycles for guests or renting golf carts for rides out to Punta Cocos or Punta Mosquito. If you don't feel like driving a golf cart by yourself, they also come in the taxi variety.
Find more about this Article and his Author:
How to Plan the Perfect Trip to Isla Holbox, Mexico
By Author Carley Rojas Avila
Little more than a spray of pristine white sand and a cluster of colorful boutique hotels off the Caribbean Coast of Mexico, Isla Holbox feels about as far away from the cares of the world as you could get. In reality, this tiny island is practically a day trip from crowded Cancún, about three hours away by bus ride and ferry.
Two decades ago, there was barely a hotel to speak of on Isla Holbox (pronounced hol-bosh), and while there still isn't much compared to booming spots like nearby Tulum, word has spread about this unspoiled, car-free paradise. "Holbox has been protected from a lot of Tulum's rapid growth," says Claudia Garcia Siordia, Blue Diamond Resorts regional commercial director for Mexico. "There's a lot of exciting new growth here, even for luxury travelers, but none of the crowds or crazy traffic. It's still so peaceful."
While gargantuan whale sharks and cavernous cenotes will keep active travelers busy, the real appeal of the island comes from its laid-back vibe. Discover the best hotels, restaurants, and things to do with this travel guide to Isla Holbox.
Nomade Holbox
Prepare to be wowed the second you set foot in Nomade Holbox. While all 30 rooms at this eco-friendly boutique hotel are hidden by lush tropical greenery, several of them are breathtaking tree houses that resemble bird nests high above the sand. Nomade Holbox has a laundry list of wellness experiences far beyond what anyone could do in just one stay, and many are complimentary for guests. The hotel is also home to La Popular, a seafood-focused grill offering toes-in-the-sand dining.
Best Things to Do
Swim with whale sharks.
From June to September, whale sharks filter floating plankton from the warm waters off Isla Holbox, making this one of the best destinations in the world to swim with these gentle giants. Holbox Whale Shark Tours offers eco-conscious excursions that depart from the center of town through the summer season. Given that Isla Holbox receives fewer visitors than nearby destinations like Isla Mujeres and Cozumel, which are also known for the experience, intrepid travelers are in for a much more ethical and up-close encounter.
The Most Underrated Islands in Mexico
See nearby islands on a boat tour.
Sail across Holbox's shallow, translucent waters to nearby uninhabited islands for swimming, snorkeling, and wildlife spotting. "Holbox is part of a natural reserve, known as the Yum Balam, which translates to 'lord or king jaguar,' and welcomes various bird species year-round," says Laura Samper, wellness coordinator at Nomade Holbox. In addition to the bird-watching paradise aptly named Isla Pájaros (Bird Island), the common Three Islands Tour also visits Cenote Yalahau, a deep, water-filled sinkhole that feels nothing less than magical.
Hit the beach.
It goes without saying that the unblemished beaches of Isla Holbox—considered some of the best beaches in Mexico—are reason enough to make the journey to the island. For a relaxed, off-grid beach day, rent a golf cart and head to Playa Punta Cocos, recommended by Rod Balbiani Santos, head chef at Holbox hot spot Santos Fuegos. He suggests paddleboarding to spot rays, turtles, and plenty of tropical fish. Looking for something a little more plush? Post up at Mojito Beach Club at Ser Casasandra for delicious Cuban-inspired cuisine and plenty of space to spread out.
Experience bioluminescence.
The same plankton that draw whale sharks to Isla Holbox en masse have a special magic trick: Come nighttime, they glow. Some of the bays around Holbox are consistently bioluminescent, though the effect is most visible during the summer months and on clear nights with a new moon. Popular excursions guide visitors to a sandbar to swim in the glowing waters after nightfall.
Indulge in wellness experiences.
A small community of wellness-minded transplants has slowly but surely transformed Isla Holbox into a destination for self-care. Nomade Holbox perfects the wellness experience on this island with a curated selection of classes and treatments ranging from traditional Mayan healing ceremonies to sound baths and yoga classes for everyone from beginners to experts.
Areas to Visit
Holbox
Isla Holbox is small enough to have just one small town sandwiched between the ferry terminal and the longest stretch of white sand on the island. "There are only a total of maybe 10 main streets in Holbox," says Garcia, "so there really isn't much to explore, and that's the beauty of it." Filled with street art and dotted with open-air restaurants, shops, boutique hotels, and even beachfront yoga studios, the town of Holbox has just enough to keep you busy.
Playa Punta Cocos
On the far western edge of Isla Holbox, "Punta Cocos is quiet and off the grid," says Samper. This is what many locals consider to be the island's best beach, far from the beach clubs that line the shores near the town center. Go for sunset and stick around until dusk to depart for a bioluminescence tour in a nearby bay.
Punta Mosquito
On the island's northernmost point, a boat ride away from Holbox, Punta Mosquito is known for its massive shallow sandbar just offshore. The sandbar is surrounded by azure water, making for a sort of castaway Caribbean island experience. Some organized boat excursions will drop participants off at the sandbar, though it's easy enough to wade through the calm waters to reach it. You'll spot starfish, stingrays, and even flamingos along the way.
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Isla Holbox is between December and April, when winter-weary visitors can expect sunny, cloudless skies and milder temperatures perfect for long days at the beach. Since this is the island's high season, prices peak during this period. The Atlantic hurricane season lasts from June through November and usually peaks between late August and October. Even when the island avoids tropical storms, the season is usually marked by passing storms and warmer, wetter weather.
Travelers dreaming of swimming with whale sharks should come between June and September to catch the regional migration and get the best possible chance of spotting these giants filtering plankton from the waves. "Summer is particularly special due to its flat, crystal-clear, and warm waters, which invite the magical glow of bioluminescence," says Samper, offering yet another reason to visit during the off-season.
How to Get There
The journey to Isla Holbox typically starts in Cancún. Cancún International Airport (CUN) operates more than 500 flights a day from major airports all over the Americas. From the airport, it's a two-hour drive to the small town of Chiquilá, where ferries depart for the 30-minute journey to Holbox every half hour.
If you want to avoid the drive (and are prepared to pay more), a very tiny airstrip on Holbox receives small private planes from Cancún and Playa del Carmen. This flight takes about 30 minutes, and needless to say, the views over the crystal-clear Caribbean and the untouched jungles of the Yucatán Peninsula are spectacular.
How to Get Around
It's easy to walk from town to many of the tourist attractions on Isla Holbox. However, you may find it fun to use the island's other styles of transportation: bicycle and golf cart. There are several rental shops in town, with some of the larger hotels on the island even providing bicycles for guests or renting golf carts for rides out to Punta Cocos or Punta Mosquito. If you don't feel like driving a golf cart by yourself, they also come in the taxi variety.
Find more about this Article and his Author:
How to Plan the Perfect Trip to Isla Holbox, Mexico
By Author Carley Rojas Avila
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