Skip Cancun and Visit this Affordable Caribbean Island Nearby Instead
Cancun sucks! There, I said it. It’s crowded, expensive, they have a seaweed problem — and I could go on, but I’ll stop here.
However, there’s a magical place you can visit which has the same Caribbean beaches, far less people, authentic Mexican beach town vibes, friendly locals, and will likely cost you much less than Cancun.
It’s called Isla Holbox, or Holbox Island. Before we continue, I need to let you know that it’s pronounced hole-bosh; not hole-box.
What that out of the way, here’s what you need to know about this hidden gem in the Mexican Caribbean that travelers in-the-know have fallen in love with 😍
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Where is Isla Holbox located?
It is located in the Yucatan Peninsula, within Quintana Roo state, which is the same state Cancun is in.
The easiest way to get to Holbox is by coming through Cancun International Airport.
🤔 How big is Holbox Island Mexico?
The entire island is 26-miles-long (42 km), but it’s largely uninhabited.
The inhabited area is only about five miles (8 km), and houses the island’s 2,000 full time residents.
How do you get to Isla Holbox?
As an island, you will need to take the Holbox Ferry from the small town of Chiquilá, Mexico, which is about 2-2.5 hours from Cancun.
The only other option is booking this flight to Holbox from Cancun on a private plane so that you arrive in style.
You can also rent a car in Cancun and drive Chiquilá, take the ADO bus from Cancun to Chiquilá, or book this private shuttle to Chiquilá.
Once you arrive, you’ll buy tickets for the Holbox Ferry at the dock, which cost about $15-20 USD each way. The ferries leave about every 30-45 minutes.
Need more info? I have a whole guide on the subject, Cancun to Holbox: Your Best Transport Options, that will help you.
What’s the best time to visit Holbox Island?
The Yucatan Peninsula, where Holbox is located, has a tropical climate.
This means it’s hot year-round, but the summers can also be rainy, really humid and buggy — so don’t forget this Bullfrog Anti-Bug Eco-Sunscreen.
Summer is also Atlantic Hurricane Season (it runs June 1-November 30), and located right on the Caribbean Sea, Holbox is susceptible to bad storms.
If you can, plan to visit in the dry season, from November to May, which is the best time to go to Holbox Island Mexico.
🐳 Whale shark season in Holbox
The one upside to visiting Holbox in summer is that you can take a tour to swim with the whale sharks in Holbox.
The Holbox whale shark season runs from about May 15 to September 17, when you can observe and snorkel alongside the largest fish in the sea.
The 10 Best Things to Do in Isla Holbox
1. Admire the Holbox Street Art & Murals
Looking for free things to do in Holbox Mexico? Spend some time just roaming around Downtown, admiring the street art and murals in Holbox Island.
Some of the most popular spots in this vibrant town include the mural of the young girl, Frida Kahlo mural and colorful Restaurante Colibri.
Besides these, there is street art all over town for you to discover. Though the murals may change, as street art does, Holbox Island street art is here to stay.
In 2014, the International Public Art Festival (IPAF) came to town, and ever since, local artists and visitors have kept the mural tradition alive.
2. Relax on the Best Holbox Beaches
There are three main beaches in Holbox — Playa Holbox, Playa Punta Cocos and Playa Punta Mosquito.
The inhabited parts of Holbox is only about five miles (8 km) from end to end, so it’s usually easy to see them all.
Below is a rundown on all the best beaches in Holbox Island Mexico.
🏝️ Playa Holbox (East side of the island)
Playa Holbox is the main beach on the island, where you’ll find the most restaurants and bars, and all the best resorts in Holbox Island.
It is also the most crowded beach, but definitely the place to see and be seen, and enjoy all the Holbox amenities and ocean hammocks.
🏝️ Playa Punta Cocos (west side of the island)
A much more laid back beach than Playa Holbox, head to Punta Cocos Beach for some relaxation.
There are locals renting beach chairs here, and you can get food service, as well we lay around in the famous Holbox water hammocks.
🏝️ Playa Punta mosquito
Punta Mosquito is a virgin beach that’s not super easy to access — but if you go, bring this eco-friendly mosquito spray because the beach’s name is no joke!
Most people actually skip the trek to the beach itself, and just walk along the giant sandbars located just in front of Punta Mosquito Beach.
3. Kayak Through the Holbox Mangroves
Join Axel, a Holbox local, on a kayak trip through the mangroves that surround this beautiful island.
He offers morning tours and evening tours, so if you want to sleep in, no worries!
There’s so much to see on these tours, including flamingos and other birds, manta rays and even crocodiles.
4. Eat Your Way Around on a Taco Tour
⭐️ Rated 5 Stars! Enjoy the best tacos in Holbox on this Taco Tour with Lorena, who has lived on the island for years.
No one knows their town like a local, and on this tour, Lorena will take you to eat the best tacos in Holbox Island Mexico.
You’ll visit four taco spots on the island, getting to know the town through food and drinks. Note: The tour includes four tacos and four drinks.
Also, don’t miss this guide to the best Holbox restaurants, so you know you’re eating at all the can’t miss places.
5. Snap a Photo at the Holbox Sign
You’ll find colorful signs spelling out the name of the town you’re in all over Mexico — from Mexico City to Cabo San Lucas and Tulum.
In Holbox, the sign (📍 located here) is purposefully missing the letter L, so it’s up to you to fill that in when you take the photo, using your body to make the L.
6. Lay in the Holbox Hammocks
🏖️ Hammocks in Punta Cocos
There are two places to use the hammocks in Isla Holbox, Playa Punta Cocos and Playa Holbox.
The hammocks at Punta Cocos are usually more relaxed and tranquil, because this beach is just more relaxed overall.
🏖️ Hammocks on Playa Holbox
Playa Holbox is the main beach in Holbox. There are about five hammocks in the water here, and also one of the signs with the Holbox letters.
As the main beach, you can expect larger crowds at Playa Holbox Beach than at Punta Cocos Beach.
7. Take the Three Islands Tour (Most Popular Holbox Tour)
If you can only take one Holbox Island tour, this Three Islands Tour is the best way to get to know this part of Mexico.
On the tour, you’ll visit Isla Pájaros (Birds Island), Isla Pasión (Passion Island), and Punta Mosquito, a long white sand beach famous for its giant sandbanks (or sandbars) in the sea.
🦩 Holbox Flamingos at Isla Pajaros
Did you know the Yucatan Peninsula is one of the best places for birdwatching in the world?!
The Holbox Bird Island is home to hundreds of species of birds, including flamingos.
From early-April to late-October, you may see thousands of flamingos near Bird Island in Isla Holbox Mexico.
8. See the Bioluminescence at Punta Coco
Right off the bat: I only recommend this during the New Moon, when we can’t see the moon in the sky, otherwise you likely won’t see the bioluminescence.
I have been a few times, and you either see nothing, or you see one of the coolest natural phenomenons ever.
If you’re visiting during the New Moon, make sure to take this Holbox Bioluminescence Kayaking Tour with a local guide.
You’ll explore the island by kayak under the stars above you, as you see the twinkling bioluminescent effect mirrored in the water below you.
9. Volunteer at the Holbox Animal Shelter
One of the coolest things to do in Holbox is volunteer at Refugio Holbox Animal Rescue, a local nonprofit organization working to save animals on Holbox.
They accept monetary donations, but you can also go help for a few hours by taking a dog out for a walk or a ride on your golf cart.
10. Rent a Bike or Golf Cart to Explore the Island
There are no cars allowed on Holbox Island, so the only ways to get around are walking, biking and by golf cart.
Renting a bike or renting a golf cart in Holbox offer a fun way to explore the island.
You will find several places to rent bikes and golf carts in Downtown Holbox Island.
Bike rentals are reasonably priced at about $15-20 USD per day. Golf carts are a bit pricey, averaging about $20-25 USD per hour, or $200-250 USD for the day.
They are a fun way to get around, and with a three hour rental, you can explore the whole island.
Need more info on visiting Holbox Island?
It’s a bit of a trek to get to, but Holbox Island is worth visiting for those who love venturing off the beaten path and want to see one of the best Mexico hidden gems.
Holbox is perfect if you want a quieter trip, surrounded by beautiful nature and gorgeous beaches. For more information on visiting, check out these articles: