Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula is known, amongst other things, for the bustling beach resort towns of Cancún, Tulum, and Playa del Carmen. Just off the coast is the magical paradise of Isla Holbox, the perfect place to escape the crowds.
Holbox is a car-free island measuring 27 miles long and one mile wide. It’s surrounded by whale sharks and sea turtles living in its shallow turquoise waters which wash up on powdery white beaches. Holbox Island’s main town is an artist’s heaven with colourful murals, beautiful sunsets, and a laid-back bohemian charm.
There are plenty of things to do in Holbox and it was one of my favourite places in Yucatán! I’ve put together this Holbox travel guide so you can experience the best of Holbox on your trip to Mexico.
Incredible Things To Do in Holbox
Sunrise Kayak Tour
Some of the best adventures in Holbox are in the water. We booked a kayak tour with Unex Holbox to sail past the magnificent mangroves lining the coast. The waters between the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico are so calm. If you’re lucky, you might even see flamingos paddling in the water.
Our tour was at sunrise which was the best decision – Holbox has some killer sunrises and sunsets! Tours last three hours which includes hotel pickup and all the gear. The cost per person is currently 979 pesos (approx. £35) which includes a bilingual guide.
Bioluminescence and Star Gazing Kayak Tour
Don’t miss seeing the bioluminescent plankton, especially if you’re visiting Holbox in the summer. These tiny organisms are essential fuel for marine life and they often omit light to communicate and confuse predators.
Again, we booked our kayak tour with Unex Holbox and it was amazing! Tours run at night as that’s the best time to see the natural twinkling in the water. It lasts for two hours and snorkel gear is included in the price. This tour currently costs around 1,139 pesos (approx. £44) and includes a guide. Note that the water might be a little rougher at night.
Walk to Punta Mosquito
Some of the best things to do in Holbox revolve around its dreamy beaches. If you’re not one for sunbathing, walking along the sandbanks to Punta Mosquito will be right up your street. Many people sail there, but it’s such a beautiful stroll.
Walking to the beach takes less than an hour so it’s an ideal sunrise activity. You might have to wade a little in the lapping waves. Don’t rent a bike as you won’t be able to ride the entire distance. This area is a restricted nature reserve keen on protecting the landscape for birds and sea turtles.
Eat Lobster Pizza from Roots Pizzeria
Pizza might not be the first dish that springs to mind when you think about Mexican cuisine, but Roots Pizza will change your mind. It’s a well-loved pizzeria in the heart of Holbox with a relaxed, open-air setting and creative pizza toppings. Their signature dish is the lobster pizza and it’s delicious!
Taste Marquesitas in Holbox’s Main Square
One of the best things to do in Isla Holbox is to try marquesitas from one of the vendors in Holbox Central Park. Marquesitas are a typical Yucatán dessert that resembles a French crêpe.
They’re usually filled with cajeta (caramel sauce made with goat’s milk), condensed milk, jam, and chocolate. Savoury versions sometimes have an Edam cheese filling and are named queso de bola. Marquesitas are an easy, tasty street food dessert. What’s not to love?!
Swim With Whale Sharks
If you’re visiting Holbox during whale shark season (read on to find out when!), you can actually swim with these beautiful sea creatures. They’re incredibly docile and not aggressive at all. Despite stretching 20 m in length, whale sharks are more likely to be scared of you!
It’s better to stay near their heads while swimming so you don’t spook the whale sharks. While you can swim close without fear, this can be distressing to them. Keep a respectful distance and if the whale shark “banks” (rolls over) then back away.
Plenty of whale shark swimming tours will take you closer to a pod. You can also just swim from any Isla Holbox beach and cross your fingers that you find one!
Relax on Playa Holbox
Playa Holbox is the island’s premier beach. It’s surrounded by trees on one side and unbelievably clear waters on the other. Yes, this is where you’ll find Letras Holbox, the iconic human-sized sign and popular photo spot.
There are lots of beach clubs, restaurants, bars, and coffee shops on the beach. You could stay all day! Book one of the many upmarket hotels that line Playa Holbox to wake up to panoramic views across the ocean.
Check out Playa Punta Cocos if you like quieter, more remote beaches.
Spot Holbox’s Best Street Art
One of the top things to do on Isla Holbox is to wander through the town and check out their street art. Holbox is a host of the International Public Art Festival (IPAF) which invites incredibly talented artists to decorate the streets with colourful, professional murals. Here are the locations of some beautiful pieces:
- Holbox Central Park/Main Square: Four pieces including an abstract fisherman
- Calle Tiburón Ballena near Et Voila: Famous piece of a young girl
- Avenue Pedro Joaquín Coldwell: Dozens of murals along this strip
Walk aimlessly around Holbox and see how many more you can spot!
Try a ‘Mango Flower’ from a Beach Vendor
Taking a beach break in paradise means enjoying simple pleasures. While you’re on Playa Holbox, make sure you buy a mango flower from one of the beach vendors. They’re literally a sliced mango on a stick, but it will be the prettiest mango you’ve ever eaten!
Visit the Animal Rescue Centre
Most dogs wandering around Holbox aren’t strays, but Refugio Holbox Animal Sanctuary takes in those who aren’t so lucky. It is an animal shelter that welcomes help from tourists. Visitors can walk the dogs, clean the kennels, bathe the dogs, or play with them in the courtyard. Don’t forget to donate too!
What To Do in Holbox When It Rains
Holbox’s wettest month is October, and even then it only receives around six days of rainfall. Storms are usually quick so if you are caught in the rain, wait out the bad weather in a Holbox café.
This tiny island is known for its coffee culture. Clandestino Coffee Shop roasts and brews its own beans so it’s a must-visit for any caffeine fiend. Zonnebloem Holbox Coffee and Capriccio Café are two other great options.
How To Get to Holbox
It’s super easy to travel to Isla Holbox, Mexico. This is why it’s such an ideal side trip!
All ferries to Holbox depart from the coastal port of Chiquilá. Holbox Express ferries depart once an hour from 6:30 AM – 9:30 PM. Single tickets cost 300 pesos (approx. £11.50). It’s a short journey time of only 25 minutes.
From Cancún
There are direct bus services from Cancún, the closest large city to Holbox, to Chiquilá. Its international airport is probably where you will arrive on your Mexico trip.
ADO bus is the local company that operates this bus route. You can book bus tickets online from Cancún which cost around 390 pesos (approx. £15) for a one-way journey.
This direct service takes two and a half hours to reach Chiquilá. Expect around four daily services with more running during peak season.
From Playa del Carmen
You can also book ADO bus tickets from Playa del Carmen to Chiquilá. While some direct buses take two hours, most services require you to change vehicles in Cancún.
This can often double the travel time as you may need to wait an hour or more. Plan in advance and snag seats on the few direct routes!
Best Time to Visit Holbox
Holbox’s dry season runs from November to April, with the most stable weather between December and March. Expect temperatures of around 20 – 32°C (68 – 89°F). You can also avoid swimming in seaweed which collects on Isla Holbox beaches from April – August.
However, if you want to see the whale sharks, the season to visit starts in June and ends in September. You’re much more likely to see them in July and August when they swim to Holbox to eat plankton and mate.
Speaking of plankton, July and August are also the best months to see the bioluminescence. Book your trip around a new moon to avoid excess light that would hinder your chances of spotting the watery glow.
Use This Holbox Travel Guide for a Magical Island Escape
Whether you enjoy spotting wildlife, soaking rays on idyllic beaches, or tasting new delicacies, there are plenty of things to do in Holbox. You’ll love visiting this quieter slice of tropical oasis in the Yucatán Peninsula just as much as we did! This Holbox travel guide gives you all the info you need for a stress-free trip.
