Best things to do in Holbox (México): a travel guide with everything you need to know

With some of the most beautiful beaches we enjoyed in Peninsula de Yucatan, waters that glow at night thanks to their bioluminescence and the possibility of meeting the world’s largest fish in the wild, the whale shark, the small island of Holbox has plenty of reasons to understand why it attracts more and more tourists. It invites you to stroll along the fine sand, among waves and mangroves, and let sunsets turn into sunrises in one of its beach bars.

Unfortunately Holbox also has a less friendly face where it is evident that its infrastructure did not accompany the abrupt acceleration of its fame and tourism and the disastrous impact it had in recent years both in the island and in its local population. It is (also) in our hand to know how to limit our impact as travelers.

Therefore, in this guide we tell you not only things to do, when to go, where to stay and which restaurants to go (and not to go) in Holbox, but we also give you a brief introduction to this B-side of Holbox that we wish we had read before setting foot in it (and avoid being disappointed at times).

Basic facts for traveling to Holbox

Official Language: Spanish

Currency: MXN ($) Mexican Peso (1$ equals 20 MXN approx.). Check the updated exchange rate here

Population: 1841 (in 2020)

When to visit: there are two main seasons, the dry season (November to April) and the rainy season (May to October, with the probability of hurricanes between June and November), so it is recommended to go during the dry season. Also, take into account the famous sargassum that usually invades the beaches from April to August. The best season for bioluminescence and whale shark watching is in summer, from June to September and between the months of March and October you can admire the large population of flamingos that pass through the island. We detail more about when to visit Holbox in this section of the guide.

How long to stay: Minimum 1 day but the ideal time to visit Holbox is 3 days (and if you want to relax on the beaches, as many days as you want). In this section we share specific itineraries for Holbox to help you organize your trip.

How to get there: There are many direct international flights to Cancun (find the best flight on Skyscanner and Kiwi). Once in Cancun you will have to go to Chiquilá (the port from where the ferry leaves every half hour to Holbox) by bus or car(find here your rental car at the best price). If you prefer, you can simply hire a direct transfer from Cancun to Holbox. More details in this section of the guide.

Visa: With a US, Canadian, European or UK passport it is not necessary to obtain a visa. Upon arrival in Mexico, it will be enough to show your valid passport, and depending on your departure date, you will be given up to a maximum of 180 days. Although Mexico does not require a passport with at least 6 months validity, some airlines do, so it’s better to comply.

Where to stay: If you are looking for relaxation, ideally you should stay at one of the beachfront accommodations (our favorites are the ones towards the left, such as La Puerta Azul Beachfront or Nomade Holbox, but they are more expensive). The cheapest option is to stay in town, for example at the Golden Paradise Town or Isla Bonita. More details in the Where to Stay in Holbox section of the guide.

What to bring: A good travel insurance (in this link we give you a 5% discount on the one we always carry) and here is the list of what you must have in your backpack for this trip

How to get around: In Randomtrip we visited the island on foot since its main points are very close (maximum 1h walking from town) but if you prefer you can rent a bike, use the golf cart cabs or rent your own golf cart to move around the island with total freedom. More info on how to get around Holbox in this section of the guide.

How much it costs: From 800 pesos (40$)/day per person (approx.) depending on the type of accommodation, meals and how many tours you want to do. More budget information in this section of the guide.

Internet connection: If you are visiting for a few days, your phone supports eSIM and you don’t want to complicate things, we recommend Holafly eSIM (unlimited data, 5% discount with the code RANDOMTRIP) or Airalo eSIM (limited data, but cheaper, 15% discount with the code RANDOMTRIP15). Otherwise, the cheapest way is to get a local SIM (we recommend Telcel). More info here

Vaccines: there are some recommended vaccines if you travel to Mexico, you can check them here

Time zone: UTC -5.

Where is Holbox

Holbox is an island located in the south of Mexico, on the north coast of the Yucatan Peninsula, in the Gulf of Mexico (not in the Caribbean Sea), about 12 km from Chiquilá, the town from where the ferry leaves and takes about half an hour to reach the island.

Here is a more detailed map where you can see the location of Holbox and other points of interest in Quintana Roo (the state to which Holbox belongs) such as Cancun, Isla Mujeres, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Cozumel or Valladolid:

When to visit Holbox

To choose the best time to visit Holbox you have to take into account 3 main factors: weather, tourist demand and sargassum. In addition, if one of your goals when visiting the island is to observe the bioluminescence and whale shark sighting and to meet the flamingos, you also have to take into account what is the best time to do it. Here we detail when to visit Holbox based on them.

Weather in Holbox

The weather in Holbox is mainly divided into two seasons:

• Dry season (November to April): less chance of rain, milder temperatures (it is still hot). The winter months (December to March) usually have the best weather, although depending on the year this may vary, and during December and January it is common for “nortes” to arrive with somewhat cooler winds and sporadic rains that can sometimes even cause port closures for small boats, affecting tours.
• Rainy season (May to October): it rains more, it is warmer and there is a probability of hurricanes (the official hurricane season is from June to November).

The ideal time to visit Holbox is during the dry season, to have a better chance of good weather and less chance of hurricanes, from December to April.

Here is a summary table of the weather in Holbox to give you an idea of what you can expect:

Holbox weather chart, with temperatures and rainy days per month:

Month	Minimum temperature	Maximum temperature	Water temperature (average)	Probability of sargassum	Rainy days
January	22º	27º	24º	Low	4
February	22º	28º	24º	Low	4
March	23º	29º	25º	Medium	3
April	24º	31º	25º	High	3
May	25º	31º	26º	High	6
June	26º	32º	27º	High	11
July	26º	32º	28º	High	12
August	26º	32º	28º	Medium	13
September	26º	32º	28º	Medium	14
October	25º	30º	28º	Low	11
November	24º	29º	26º	Low	5
December	22º	28º	25º	Low	5
Month	Minimum temperature	Maximum temperature	Water temperature (average)	Probability of sargassum	Rainy days

Sargassum in Holbox

Another problem that affects several beaches in this area and islands of Mexico is Sargassum, although like everything else, it depends on the year. Sargazo usually invades the beaches of Holbox from April to August although it varies every year. Besides sargazo, in Holbox there is also another type of algae known as sea grass (thalassia) that usually come with the “nortes” (north winds) and can stay on the beaches during the dry season.

Sargassum is a floating macroalgae that moves with the currents. It has its important function in the ocean (for example, it produces oxygen through photosynthesis and is a habitat for different species). On the other hand, an excessive amount of sargassum can generate problems in the ocean itself (for example, if it sinks it can suffocate corals).

In theory it has always existed in the Gulf of Mexico, but since 2011 it began to increase its area, and from then on large quantities of sargassum began to arrive on the shores of the Caribbean beaches, disfiguring them and producing a nauseating odor.

The amount of sargassum that arrives and the months during which it appears varies from year to year, being very difficult to predict: normally the sargassum season goes from April to August, but for example in 2023 it started to appear already in February.

The Mexican government and businesses/hotels have several initiatives to try to mitigate the effects of sargassum, such as cleaning the beaches or even installing anti-sargassum nets/barriers in the sea, but they are not 100% effective so the ideal is to avoid the months with more risk of sargassum if your goal is to travel to the Mexican Caribbean to enjoy its beaches.

If you want to check the updated status of the different beaches of the Mexican Caribbean, there is the Facebook page Red de Monitoreo del Sargazo de Quintana Roo, which frequently updates the data (although not always), in Viajefest or in Sargassum Monitoring. We also recommend searching for Instagram stories by location to see “real time” images of the beaches you plan to visit.

Tourism demand in Holbox

The times of highest tourist demand (and therefore, when we will find more people, more lines, more expensive prices and more complications to go to the most famous restaurants or places) are:

• Summer (June to October): besides being school vacation time in many countries and increasing demand (and prices), it is the rainy season. However, summer is precisely the best time to do both bioluminescence observation and whale shark watching.
• Easter Week (March/April)
• Some national holidays (November, December)
• Christmas and New Year’s Eve

So we recommend you to avoid those dates if you want to enjoy Holbox more calmly and with better accommodation prices.

Bioluminescence, Whale shark and flamingos

• Bioluminescence observation: from June to September and, if possible, at new moon (greatest possible darkness). It is also possible in the rest of the months on new moon nights, but in theory it is less intense.
• Swimming with whale sharks: from May to October, but if you want to have a better chance, between June and September.
• Flamingos: between March and October

Important Holbox festivities

If you want to be in Holbox during the biggest holidays of the year, don’t miss out:

• Carnival (February/March)
• Patronal feast of San Telmo Gonzalez, Patron Saint of fishermen (April)
• Holbox Gastronomic Show (October)
• Christmas and New Year’s Eve (December)

Summary: Best months to visit Holbox

Based on the above, if you are looking to visit Holbox with less people, good weather and reasonable prices, the best months are November, December, January and February, and March. If your priority is to see whale sharks, bioluminescence or flamingos, then the right time is in summer, from June to September.

How to get to Holbox

There are many direct international flights to Cancun. To get the best price, we recommend that you use flight comparators such as Skyscanner and Kiwi and be flexible with dates to get the best possible price.

Once in Cancun you will have to go to Chiquilá, the port from where the ferries depart to Holbox, by bus or car(here you can find the best price to rent a car in Cancun or from anywhere in Mexico). The trip from Cancun to Chiquilá takes about 2h30 hours. If you go by car, in Chiquilá there are several parking lots on the main street and they cost 50 pesos for 12h and 100 pesos for 24h, with 24h security. The ADO from Cancun to Chiquilá takes a little more than 2h30.

If you don’t have a car and prefer something more comfortable, you can simply hire a shared shuttle from Cancun to Holbox. If you don’t want a shared shuttle, here is a direct private transfer from Cancun to Holbox

When you get to Chiquilá, you will see that there are two ferry companies to Holbox , one every half hour: 9 Hermanos and Holbox Express. The journey takes between 30 and 45 minutes, depending on the tides and wind.

Do I need a visa to travel to Mexico?

For people with USA, Canada, UK and European passports it is not necessary to obtain a visa. Upon arrival in Mexico, it will be enough to show your valid passport, and depending on your departure date, you will be given up to a maximum of 180 days.

Although Mexico does not require a passport with at least 6 months validity, some airlines do, so it’s better to comply.

Are there required vaccines to travel to Mexico?

There are some recommended vaccines if you travel to Mexico, you can check them here

How many days to visit Holbox

Minimum 1 day but if you can and want to dedicate 3 or more days to relax, you won’t regret it. If you only have one day, this tour from Cancun includes transfers, lunch, bike ride to the two most spectacular beaches of the island, Punta Mosquitos and Punta Cocos and buggy ride to know the center of the island. You can book the tour here.

And in this section we share specific itineraries of Holbox to help you organize your trip.

Things to see and do in Holbox

Below we include a map with the places to visit in Holbox as well as information about each one of them.

Map of Holbox

We leave you all the places we recommend in this guide on a Google Maps map that you can take with you on your smartphone to use during your trip:

Here we also leave you an official tourist map of Holbox (source), you can download it in larger size and resolution by clicking on the image (it is a PDF):

Brief introduction to the island: what we wish we had known before arriving in Holbox

Far from the big hotel chains, the hustle and bustle of cars and macro nightlife of the Riviera Maya, the small island of Holbox of unpaved streets, slow pace and quiet beaches in the Gulf of Mexico sounded like paradise. The beauty of its beaches is undeniable and throughout this guide we will tell you everything to see and enjoy on the island of Holbox that makes so many people decide to include it in their route through the Yucatan Peninsula. But there is a hidden side that we were not told about (and we would rather know about it to adjust our expectations) and that as travelers we have the responsibility to know about in order to be aware of our footprint and where and how we want to travel.

Precisely because Holbox is an island that has become very popular in recent years, as everything in this life, “if you pull the rope too much, eventually it breaks”. The island’s infrastructure did not keep up with the abrupt acceleration of tourism, which had and is having a disastrous impact on the island itself and its local population.

Unfortunately, far from being a “virgin” paradise where to live the barefoot life in balance with nature, the island is suffering the impact of unbridled tourism unaccompanied by protection measures as a protected natural area, which it supposedly is, since the island is part of the Yum Balam Flora and Fauna Protection Area.

As soon as you arrive in the small town of Holbox after the short boat ride from Chiquilá (half an hour), you will probably think that the town is under construction amidst the chaos of its unpaved and muddy roads, various puddles that impede the movement of people and the beeping of golf carts, “cabs” and bicycles, but no, it is a normal day in Holbox.

Also, spoiler alert: not all the puddles you see are from flooding from previous days when it rained but also from other substances due to their sewage problems (which don’t smell properly good).

And, of course, forget the idea of a quiet paradise where you can live barefoot, not only because of the puddles but also because of the noise pollution from golf carts, scooters and trucks at all hours of the day and the night.

Even if you don’t go during sargassum season (April to August although it varies every year), the truth is that Holbox was the only beach spot in the two months we spent in the entire Yucatan peninsula (in December and January) where we saw several piles of thalassia (known as seagrass which doesn’t smell properly either) on the shore. Apparently it is blown in by the “nortes” (north winds), and has an important function in the ecosystem, helping to retain the sand on the beach.

Regarding price inflation, something we expected since we were on a tourist island in the Yucatan Peninsula and more for visiting Holbox in high season (in the middle of Epiphany week, in January), the prices in Holbox are another level. To give you several examples: they even asked us for 100 dollars minimum consumption with a 20% mandatory tip (something illegal in Mexico) to enjoy some hammocks in a beach bar and in several places they charged us 280-320 pesos for 3 tacos, something that in almost any place in the rest of the country costs between 60 to 100 pesos.

Also in terms of accommodation, at Randomtrip we paid almost as much for accommodation in Holbox as in Cancun but we did not get what we paid for: a very simple room with private bathroom and with several flaws, in the center of the town of Holbox, where we could not rest well during our whole stay because of the amount of noise from trucks, cabs and motorcycles passing by. For this reason, we recommend specific areas and accommodations on the island where you can stay away from the noise in the section Where to stay in Holbox. We also noted the profileration of hotels where they charge more than $500/night to sleep in a special place a few meters from the beach, on a Mexican island and with these characteristics.

Yes, for now you can enjoy its beaches for free, but the island is on the verge of becoming the next Tulum, with privatized access to the beaches where paradise becomes a luxury available to a few privileged people, once again, bypassing the local population that is increasingly unable to enjoy THEIR beaches.

Gone are the days when the relaxed vibe that sells Holbox on social networks was lived in relative tranquility among tourists and locals. Today, Holbox is an island that not only invited us to take off our shoes to tour it, but also to take off our misleading advertising glasses of a paradise of postcard beaches and a relaxed soul that has seen better days.

Waiting for official protection measures to be implemented as a matter of urgency, as travelers it is up to us to choose where to travel and how in the most sustainable way possible, being aware of our footprint and the impact of our decisions.

About this we recommend that you watch the reel we published about it on our Instagram account. Do you already follow us on Instagram?

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by RandomTrip Travel Bloggers (@randomtrip_blog)

Based on all this, is it worth visiting Holbox? As always, the answer is subjective, since it depends on what you like, what your budget is and above all, your expectations. The beauty of its beaches and the friendliness of its people is a fact but in our case the days always entailed a great deal of disappointment due to all of the above. Depending on the time of year you visit the island, you may have better luck (better prices, less puddles, less tourists, etc…) but the future of Holbox is something we should be concerned about. We hope this introduction has helped you adjusting your expectations.

Here is a detailed list of everything Holbox has to see and do.

Holbox letters and Holbox Main Beach

The famous letters of Holbox (or, rather, of “Ho box” because the letter L is missing for you to represent it) are located here, at one of the accesses to Holbox beach (or Playa Grande) from the village.

You might get lucky (depending on the season you visit the island) but you will most likely find a small queue of people when you arrive, trying to take the most original photo of the missing “L” but, if you feel like it, with a little patience you will succeed.

Remember that a large influx of people can have a negative impact on the place, so as always, be responsible and, in this case, out of respect for the local people and the rest of the people visiting the place, do not make noise or “monopolize” the place with your photos.

Honestly, after spending a few hours on an island that seemed so overgrown and careless in some points, we no longer knew if the letter L was missing on purpose or if it was pure carelessness. Well, it seems that the L is indeed missing for you to put it, in the most original way possible.

The Holbox beach just behind the letters is a wide beach, dotted with several beach bars and hammocks, where you can relax (if the music in the bars is not too loud) and take a dip.

Of course, depending on the season you visit the island, you may have to dodge some sargassum on the shore (usually from April to August but varies each year) or thalassia (known as sea grass) that is dragged by the north winds.

Enjoying the street art of Holbox

Following an international art festival that invited artists from around the world to create their works in Holbox, since 2014 the island was transformed into a canvas of sea, palm trees and unpaved streets where many people came to be inspired.

Thus, street art became one of the attractions of the island with the colorful murals that flood the locals, houses and small buildings of the island.

Here are some of the points of the island where you should go with your eyes especially attentive to contemplate the explosion of color, although the ideal is that you let yourself get lost in the streets to find the different works:

• Holbox Central Park: take a look at the murals in the acoustic shell and the seating in the basketball shell.
• Whale Shark Street, the mural near Et Voilá
• Pedro Joaquin Codwell Avenue, a mural near the old Cafecito
• Esmedregal Street: there are several murals all along this street that leads from the port to the beach, so it is worth a leisurely stroll along it.

Walk to Punta Mosquito

Undoubtedly the jewel of the island is walking to Punta Mosquito along one of the most beautiful beaches of the Yucatan Peninsula.

From Holbox Beach (near the Holbox Letters) to the sandbank at Punta Mosquito it takes about 1:20h (and another 1:20 back), walking leisurely and making stops for photos.

It is important that you check the tides, to do this hike at low tide, because you have to walk a part inside the water, and if the tide rises too much you may have to swim, which is not so advisable. You can see how the tide will be on the days you visit the island on this website.

In addition, we recommend you to carry a waterproof bag for the walk (like this one) to store your belongings and prevent them from getting wet and, since there are no shadows or places to buy water, it is very important to carry water (in one of these reusable bottles), a hat and even a UV protection T-shirt.

The panoramic view formed by a large beach full of dunes and mangroves of Punta Mosquito is one of the main attractions of the island and when you see it you will understand why. We went in January so the flamingos that come here every summer to breed, had not yet arrived but we imagine how this picture will be splashed by its pink.

Although we did not see flamingos, we were able to see several species of birds such as pelicans, ospreys or cormorants and it is even possible to spot crocodiles from the shore, near the mangroves although in Randomtrip we did not see any. Don’t worry, the crocodiles are not where you walk, they are in a protected area that is marked as such so just don’t go near that area.

If you prefer, you can reach Punta Mosquitos by Kayak in this tour or by Paddle Surf in this other tour. In both tours, both in kayak and Paddle Surf, you can choose a 5 hour route through the mangroves of the Kuka River and Punta Mosquitos or a shorter kayak tour, of 3 hours, through the mangroves where you can see various birds and, of course, even crocodiles on the shore!

Walk to Punta Cocos Beach

Another plan we enjoyed doing in Holbox was to walk the 2.5 km from Holbox town to Playa Punta Cocos, the opposite end of Punta Mosquito.

It won’t take you more than half an hour and along the way you can stop for a dip (it was on this tour that we discovered the beach area we liked best for swimming, near the Awa Holbox Hotel Boutique), to drink a refreshing coconut water, to contemplate the biodiversity of the island (especially the closer we get to the mangroves of Punta Cocos) and its photogenic pier.

At the end, as in Punta Mosquitos, there is a fine sandy tongue dotted with mangroves where travelers seeking more tranquility find it among secluded spaces with the sea and birds as a soundtrack.

Bioluminescence at Punta Cocos

In addition, Punta Cocos is the best place on the island to contemplate the phenomenon of bioluminescence, since in Holbox there are a large number of species known as phytoplankton that light up when the water is agitated. Specifically here, you can arrive on your own or go on a tour.

If you visit the island in summer do not miss it. The best months to appreciate the bioluminescence in Holbox are June, July and August but, above all, try to do it on a new moon night, that is, with very little light to be able to observe it better.

You can book a tour of the luminescent plankton by kayak at this link.

Enjoying the sunset

Whether you buy a beer (or whatever you want to drink) and sit on the shore or from one of the many beach bars along the beach, watching the sun setting into the sea is a spectacle not to be missed in Holbox.

The place we liked the most to do it was on the terrace of the Zomay beach bar but when, on the second day, they imposed a minimum consumption we looked for another alternative and the other days we simply chose to enjoy it from the beach. A great plan!

Walking dogs and visiting the Animal Shelter

Beyond being conscious of our choices of where to stay, where to eat and how to interact with the local population to minimize our tourist footprint, another way you can leave a positive impact on the island is by lending a hand to the Refugio Animal Holbox (Holbox Animal Refuge), a space dedicated to rescuing, caring for and putting up for adoption animals from Holbox and the surrounding area.

In this center they receive animals in emergency conditions (from cases of abandonment, accident, illness and even cruelty), take them to the veterinarian for diagnosis and treatment, take care of them, give them a temporary home and when the animal is finally ready to go to its definitive family, they look for a home that wants to adopt it.

Among the animals they care for are not only dogs and cats but also raccoons and birds, for example. Puppies in recovery, for example, need cuddling and walking, so the center invites you to stop by and walk one of their puppies in need of attention.

Its work also includes environmental education activities for the population (of Holbox and nearby towns) and sterilization campaigns.

On their Facebook page they regularly post how you can help, from walks, care or, of course, a financial donation (go to this link to make your donation).

According to this recent post on their Facebook page, it is becoming increasingly difficult to sustain the rescue center as they have no government or private company support, prices in Holbox are skyrocketing every day (because of what we told you above) and there are more and more dogs and cats that need help so if you like animals and can lend a hand, come on over!

Do the classic 3 island tour: Isla de la Pasión, Isla de los Pájaros and Ojo de Agua Yalahau.

One of the most popular tours in Holbox is known as the Tour 3 islas (tour of the 3 islands) that takes you, by boat, to see the natural areas surrounding Holbox.

The tour lasts about 3 hours, there are departures at 10:00 am or 2:00 pm and costs between 400 and 600 pesos (between 20 and 30$), depending on the company and what they offer. The more expensive tours usually include the mandatory entrance fee of 100 pesos/person to the Yalahau Ecotourism Park, but confirm it when you buy your tour.

At Randomtrip we went with Blue Waves, we paid 550 pesos/person and we recommend it if you are on the island for more than 2 days. If you prefer, we think that the most economical way is to hire directly with the captains of the boats at the port, since in the end the tours that you hire are all together in different boats that leave the port and make the same route.

The tour includes three stops:

• The first stop is the Isla de los Pájaros (Bird Island) where more than 140 species of birds nest. It is a short stop, about 20 minutes where we only get off the boat briefly to the two viewpoints to contemplate the birds. In our case I don’t think we had ever seen so many pelicans and frigate birds together. If you want a chance to see flamingos, the best season is summer (April to November).

• The second stop is the Yalahau Ecotourism Park (on the Chiquilá side), where you will find the famous ojo de agua dulce (they call it a cenote but it is not exactly the same thing). Yalahau means, in Mayan, “black hole” and this mystical place that is said to have healing properties was quite important for Holbox since the population came here for its fresh water. You can enter the water eye, with a vest, of course, and the truth is that between the amount of people (kids and adults) splashing and screaming in the water eye, in our opinion, it was difficult to feel the mysticism… If you don’t feel like going in, don’t hesitate to go up to the viewpoint next to it and contemplate the breathtaking view. This stop is an hour long, so besides bathing in the water eye and going up to the viewpoint you will also have time to relax in a hammock or having a margarita (there is a restaurant and bar in the park). At this stop you must pay the entrance fee of 100 pesos/person so make sure you know whether or not it is included in your tour.

• The third and last stop is Isla de la Pasión, 10 minutes from Holbox, where the attraction is to walk along its sandbanks among mangroves. This island used to join Holbox and apparently its name comes from the fact that a couple who stopped there came back with a baby in their arms. At this last stop there is half an hour of free time on the tour before returning to Holbox.

You can book in advance your tour to the 3 islands in this link.

Cabo Catoche Tour

Another tour you can do from Holbox is to go to Cabo Catoche, the northernmost point of the Yucatan Peninsula. This tour is much less sought after than the previous one (at Randomtrip we didn’t have time to do it) but surely here you will find incredible and empty beaches where you can enjoy an excellent morning at the beach, both because of the remoteness of Cabo Catoche and the lower demand of the tour.

This tour lasts about 5 hours, departs at 8:00 am (return to Holbox at 1:00 pm) and costs between 1100 pesos and 1500 pesos/person. The tour includes snorkeling for about an hour (where you can see hawksbill turtles, catsharks, moray eels and even manta rays), visit to the fishermen’s camp at Cabo Catoche lighthouse with lunch (usually ceviche), free time on the beach and stop at Punta Mosquito on the way back to Holbox.

Book your tour to Cabo Catoche in this link.

Swimming with Whale Sharks

Did you know that you can swim with the biggest fish in the world in Holbox? Yes, one of the most sought after tours in Holbox in summer is swimming with whale sharks. If you want to have the chance to see one of these gentle giants that can reach up to 12 meters, the largest fish in the world, you can do it here only in the summer months(you can book your tour here). Some years the first sightings occur in May but if you want to be sure, try to visit the island between June and September.

At Randomtrip we did not do this activity in Holbox since we visited the island at the end of the year (although we had the opportunity to swim with the whale shark on the other coast, in Baja California Sur, in February) but we ask that if you visit the island in spring and summer you do it responsibly, with an agency that promotes sustainable tourism and not animal abuse. Unfortunately, we read a lot of bad experiences with whale shark tours in Holbox, so be very well informed about the values and rules of the company you choose, and let them know first of all that you are looking to do the activity in a responsible way.

The tour usually starts from 2000 pesos (100$) per person, and since the sighting area is usually far away, beyond Cabo Catoche, it lasts about 7 hours.

Book your snorkeling tour with the whale shark in Holbox in this link

Be wary if the agency does not respect the official measures and prohibitions in the whale shark watching and/or swimming activity in Holbox, among which:

• When contracting the activity, the tourist should not be guaranteed to observe or swim with the whale shark.
• In the activity there must be a maximum of 10 tourists per boat (not exceeding 12 meters) and a maximum of 120 boats at the same time in the authorized area. There will be two shifts to leave the dock: 7:00h and 9:00h and must be out of the authorized area at 14:00h maximum.
• If there are less than 5 whale sharks in the water and more than 5 boats, the activity is restricted to whale shark watching only and swimming is not allowed .
• In case there are conditions for the dive, the entrance to the water will only be done by a guide with up to two tourists maximum (who will take turns) keeping a minimum distance of five meters from the whale shark. The number of “water entries” per group of tourists will be a maximum of two. Each boat has a maximum period of 30 minutes.
• It is mandatory that, upon entering the water, both the guide and the tourists wear a life jacket, snorkel equipment, fins and mask.
• Under no circumstances may physical contact be made with whale sharks and wildlife specimens. Harassing, touching, riding or harming the whale shark in any way is prohibited.
• Do not use sunscreen that is not biodegradable. In addition, you should apply sunscreen at least half an hour before the activity.
• The consumption of alcohol, drugs or any psychotropic substance during the entire activity is prohibited.
• Do not obstruct the course of the whale shark with boats or swimmers.
• Do not use “propulsion” motors or small paddle boats (kayaks, lifeboats, etc.) to swim near whale sharks.
• Do not use flash or any artificial lighting in the water or recorders, megaphones or any device that produces noise or sounds.
• Do not throw or dispose of any type of waste.
• Do not feed the shark or any of the marine species during the activity.
• Use of drones prohibited except with special permission granted by the authorities.

Please, if you see non-compliance with any of these measures, report it immediately.

You can book your whale shark watching and snorkeling tour at this link.

Official source of these measures and restrictions: Management Plan for Non-Extractive Use through Observation and Swimming in the Whale Shark Concentration Zone, located between Isla Mujeres, Puerto Juárez, Chiquilá and Holbox Island, in front of the municipalities of Lázaro Cárdenas, Benito Juárez and Isla Mujeres of the State of Quintana Roo of Semarnat (Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources).

Get inspired with the stories of our visit to Holbox

You can see the featured Instagram stories about our visit to Holbox here.

Where to stay in Holbox

The truth is that being such a small island, any accommodation you choose in Holbox will be, more or less, close to everything. However, after getting to know the island and its beaches, at Randomtrip we have a preference for an area where to stay and this is the one we recommend.

Where to stay in Holbox: the best area of the island

The following hotels are located in front of the beach that we liked the most to spend the day and the one that seems to us the most pleasant area to stay both for the beach where it is located and for being farther away from the noise of the town. In addition, these hotels have hammocks on the beach for free use by guests, something you will appreciate since unfortunately in Holbox all hammocks are paid (and not cheap at all) and this way you would have this service included in the price of accommodation. Of course, staying in these accommodations implies having a certain budget so if you are looking for something more economical, keep reading in the next paragraph.

• La Puerta Azul Beachfront (from 134$/night): small hotel with comfortable rooms on the beachfront. The hotel has a bar where you can watch the sunset.

• Hotel Boutique Casa Muuch Holbox (from 141$/night): on the beachfront, a few steps from the beach, in the best area to stay, in our opinion. In addition to being a few steps from the sea, the hotel has a swimming pool.

• HAU Holbox, Oceanfront Boutique Hotel (from 145$/night): 4-star hotel with beachfront swimming pool

• Nomade Holbox (from 190$): one of the best accommodations on the island, when you walk along the beach of this 5-star hotel (which also has a pool and restaurant) and pass by one of its beds and see people reading or having a cocktail on one of the best beaches on the island, you’ll wish you were staying there. Here we saw people peacefully reading their books in the hotel’s hammocks reserved for guests.

• Awa Holbox Hotel Boutique (from 197$/night): in this 5-star hotel with 3 restaurants and 2 swimming pools, some of the rooms have balconies and ocean views. This hotel is located in the area with the best beaches in our opinion.

• DK Luxury Ocean Front (from 230$/night): in this beautiful hotel where all the rooms have a balcony, you can watch the sun go into the sea every afternoon from the swimming pool.

• Ser Casasandra Boutique Hotel (from 438$/night): one of the most luxurious options on the island, we decided to include this hotel even though it is located in another area of the beach (closer to Punta Mosquitos) because it seemed perfect to surprise someone. We got to see the inside of the hotel and loved it. Also, the staff at the beach bar was charming and treated us very well.

Where to stay in Holbox: the best value for money options

If you are on a budget and are looking for something more economical, in the “village”, where most of the accommodations and restaurants are concentrated, you will find cheaper accommodations and several gastronomic options close at hand. Precisely because they are more central options and not on the beachfront, it is where you are more likely to hear noise that can be very annoying at night (especially by off-road golf carts, trucks and motorcycles) and that is why it is important that you read well the recent reviews of the hotel / house you book. Here are the best value for money options where reviews reflect comfort and relaxation:

• Golden Paradise Town (from 37$/night): a couple of blocks from the heart of downtown Holbox, this accommodation offers comfortable rooms close to restaurants and beaches but away from the noise.

• Isla Bonita (from 49$/night): rooms in a small cozy hotel with pool, this is one of the best value for money options in Holbox. Close to the center but far enough away to get a good night’s rest.

• EncantaLuna (from 52$/night): nice rooms in a small lodging 10 minutes walk from the center and very quiet.
• Aurora (from 56$/night): spacious and comfortable rooms with balcony and minifridge in very well located accommodation, 3 minutes walk from the beach and close to restaurants.
• Hotel Casa Hx (from 95$/night): this 4-star hotel, although it is not located on the beachfront and it is much closer to Playa Punta Cocos than the others, we had to include it because we think it is an incredible value for money. In addition to the incredible rooms and suites, it has 2 swimming pools, garden and a fantastic restaurant.

• Casa Sofia (from 102$/night): comfortable rooms with balcony in the center of the island, be careful, the rooms on the top floor have a sea view.

• Amaite (from 123$/night): very close to the famous letters of Holbox, in this hotel all rooms have ocean views and mosquito nets. It is located in front of the beach and has a restaurant and beach bar.
• Beachfront Hotel La Palapa (from 173$/night): a less economical option but located in front of the sea and within walking distance of the village with its restaurants and bars, combining the best of both worlds.

If none of these accommodations convince you, take a look at all these in this link and choose the one you like best, remember that everything on the island is relatively close so the one you choose will be a success.

Remember also that the prices we mention are approximate and change according to the type of room and the season and may go up or down at any time.

Where to eat in Holbox

Here we include a list with the gastronomic options we liked the most in Holbox, the ones we wanted to try but didn’t get and one we would avoid…

• Tacos de Barbacoa: if you eat meat, this street taco stand is located right in the center of Holbox, in the plaza, and at an unbeatable price (especially for the prices practiced on the island): 3 tacos for 75 pesos. More specifically, 25 pesos for a single taco and 35 pesos for a quesabirria. These delicious and inexpensive tacos are one of the best options for local dining in Holbox with super friendly and efficient service.

• Marquesitas Holbox: try the famous marquesitas, a specialty of the Yucatan peninsula. Marquesitas are something like the encounter between a waffle and a crepe (crepa as they say in Mexico), a very light dough filled with whatever you like. There are savory ones (with cheese and ham for example) and sweet ones (with strawberries and nutella, one of the most popular).
• Casa de Asadores: known as one of the best restaurants on the island, we did not get to try it but its specialty is grilled meats and fish.
• Arte sano: vegan and vegetarian restaurant with varied and delicious options. We tried tacos and quesadillas of “picadillo”, “chorizo”, “carne asada”. We paid 500 pesos for an order of tacos, another of quesadillas and a 1 liter jug of watermelon juice.

• Painapol: another vegetarian restaurant, one of the most famous on the island. Everything looked good but unfortunately we could not go because we could not get a place as it was always packed
• Roots: from the nights we spent in Holbox this place always had a queue and, besides, the reviews were excellent so one day we decided to go there at 19:00h to try our luck, since after that time the queue starts to form, and we got a table. Apparently, the specialty is the lobster pizza (about 700 pesos) but in our case we tried two other pizzas (the Yucatecan and the Oaxacan) and they were delicious but not to die for (or perhaps the endless lines created more expectations on us). We left satisfied but without understanding why it is such a famous place. The place is nice, the service is excellent, there is a good atmosphere and a trampoline for kids. We paid 735 pesos for two pizzas and two beers.

• Edelyn: speaking of lobster pizzas, Edelyn’s are mythical. We did not get to try them but those who know them say they are one of the best to taste one of the gastronomic specialties of the island.
• Basico Holbox: a restaurant that caught our attention because of the decoration and the ambience but we did not get to try the menu although it looked good (although expensive). Mostly if you are looking for a place with a special ambience.
• Zomay: we went to enjoy the sunset on the terrace of Zomay twice and the truth is that it is one of the best beach bars from where to say goodbye to the sun on the island, with an unobstructed view. The service is excellent, the guys who work there are charming. The only “but”: the prices. In addition, on our second visit they had imposed a minimum consumption of 400 pesos to enjoy the terrace, which did not happen the first time, so we do not know if it has become common practice. The place also has accommodation, the Zomay Beachfront Holbox (from 137$/night) where you can stay if you want to stay in one of the coolest spots on the island. We paid 515 pesos for 4 beers and a guacamole.

• D’Mary: We had breakfast here for a couple of days and liked it. The fruit with yogurt comes with a generous dose and the baguettes were delicious. Also, the prices were not as inflated as in general on the island (we paid 260 pesos for 2 coffees, yogurt with fruit and granola and a French omelet with cheese).

• Clandestino Coffee Roasters: excellent espresso and breakfasts although at higher prices. We paid 500 pesos for an avocado toast, a bowl of fruit with granola and two espressos. Impeccable service and a large terrace for breakfast.

• The Hot Corner: one of the best known places to go for a drink at night. It also serves food.
• Café del Mar: the truth is that we had a bad experience here. We sat down because of the location, as we wanted to eat on the beach. It took them about 20 minutes to come to take our order and once we ordered the two grilled fish dishes (one with garlic sauce and the other with mango sauce) we waited more than 1 hour for the food to arrive. When the food finally arrived, already hungry, we saw that it was a very small amount of food for what it cost. Almost 300 pesos per plate that looked more like a children’s menu. In total we paid 720 pesos for two beers and two fish dishes, and more than an hour of waiting. However, “at least” they let you use the hammocks with your drinks without paying anything extra, something for which their neighbors on the shore charge up to 400 pesos (22€) regardless of whether you had eaten at their restaurant.

• Las Panchas: we did not try it, but it was recommended for fish and seafood.
• Big Fish: we did not try it, but it was recommended to us for fish and seafood.
• Empanadas La Conquista: very tasty and cheap empanadas (20 pesos – 1$ – each empanada), we ordered 4 to take away for the trip to our next stop (Valladolid).
• Alma Bar: rooftop that was recommended to us to enjoy the sunset, but in the end we didn’t get to go.

Holbox Itineraries

Things to do in Holbox in 1 day

The truth is that we do not recommend day tours to Holbox Island from other points of the Yucatan Peninsula such as Cancun or Playa del Carmen because it seems to us that for the amount of time it takes to get to and from the island, you will spend so little time really enjoying the island that you will see it in a hurry (remember that from Cancun, for example, to Chiquilá is about 3 hours plus half an hour by ferry from Chiquilá to Holbox). However, if you don’t have more days, have no other option and want to see the island even for a few hours, take a look at this tour in which you are picked up from different points of the Riviera Maya (such as Playa del Carmen or Tulum) and taken to see the main points and beaches of Holbox:

• West coast beach (45 minutes relaxing on the beach)
• Passion Island (a boat ride and a climb to the island’s lookout point)
• Punta Mosquito, Holbox’s jewel
• Holbox beach and town

Book your day trip to Holbox in this link.

If you are going on your own to Holbox and you only have 1 full day, this is the itinerary we suggest:

• As soon as you arrive, if the tide is low, walk to Punta Mosquito and enjoy the beach, in our opinion the best in Holbox. You can even take a snack with you, or go back just to eat in town.
• In the afternoon, depending on how much walking you feel like doing, you can go to the other side (Punta Cocos) on foot or enjoy the town’s beach or walk through its streets and appreciate the street art.

Things to do in Holbox in 2 days

With 2 days in Holbox you will have enough time to get to know its different attractions and relax a little bit enjoying its waters. Here is our suggested 2-day itinerary (you can change the order or reorganize the plans according to the weather):

• Day 1: Punta Mosquito in the morning, see street art and relax on the beach in the afternoon, enjoy the sunset.
• Day 2: Tour 3 islands in the morning, go to Punta Cocos and relax on the beach in the afternoon.

Depending on the time of the year you visit Holbox, you can also add the tour (or go on your own) to see the bioluminescence, or change some of the plans to go swimming with the Whale Shark or to Cabo Catoche.

Things to do Holbox in 3 days

3 days seems to us the ideal amount of days to see all that Holbox has to offer. This is our suggested itinerary, although if you are looking for relaxing holidays you can add more days:

• Day 1: Punta Mosquito in the morning, see street art and relax on the beach in the afternoon, enjoy the sunset.
• Day 2: Tour 3 islands in the morning, go to Punta Cocos and relax on the beach in the afternoon, see the bioluminescence.
• Day 3: Tour to Cabo Catoche or Whale Shark Swim Tour.

Transportation: How to get around Holbox

The best way to get around Holbox and get to know it on your own is walking since the main points of the island are within walking distance (an hour walk to the farthest point) but if you prefer you can rent a bike, use the golf cart cabs or rent your own golf cart to move around freely, although we warn you that prices are very inflated.

It is also important to know that it is forbidden to enter the beach with these vehicles, and that with the rains the island is full of huge puddles and you have to avoid them or choose other streets.

These were the prices during our visit in 2024:

• Bike rental:
  • 1h: 50 pesos
  • 2h: 80 pesos
  • 3h: 100 pesos
  • 4h: 120 pesos
  • 9am to 6pm: 200 pesos
  • 24h: 300 pesos
• Golf cart rental:
  • 1h: 350 pesos
  • 2h: 600 pesos
  • 3h: 800 pesos
  • 4h: 1000 pesos
  • from 9am to 6pm: 1800 pesos
• Cabs: we did not use but we were told that prices start from 100 pesos one way. They can also be ordered with the Eiby app.

How to have internet in Holbox

To always have internet on your smartphone, the easiest and most convenient way (if your phone supports eSIM) is to buy an eSIM from Holafly, which has unlimited data (you get a 5% discount with the code RANDOMTRIP), or to buy an eSIM from Airalo, cheaper but with limited data (15% discount with the code RANDOMTRIP15)

The other option, cheaper but more cumbersome, is to buy a local SIM, which we recommend is from Telcel (the main telecom company in Mexico, with more coverage).

Safety: Is it safe to travel to Holbox?

Holbox is a very touristic and totally safe island. Honestly, the assaults we experienced on the island are totally legalized, that is, we felt robbed and swindled in the price of accommodation and in the price of meals that did not correspond to what we paid (compared to other areas of the Yucatan Peninsula and Mexico) but the truth is that the island is safe from any kind of theft.

In any case, we always have our Iati travel insurance (which also covers our belongings) as in all our trips and gives us more peace of mind. If you contract your travel insurance in this Randomtrip link, you will get it with a 5% discount.

Money in Holbox: cards to save commissions and tipping

To pay and withdraw money in Mexico while minimizing fees, we recommend the 2 cards we use in our case:

• Revolut: with the standard version up to 1000$ without commission on card payments (remember to always pay in local currency – Mexican pesos). Up to 400$ of withdrawals at ATMs without commission, from then on commission of 1%.
• N26: with the free version you can pay with your card without commissions in an unlimited way. For ATM withdrawals, you pay 1.7% commission, which you can eliminate by paying for the monthly plans You (the one we use) or Metal. If you use the code N26Summer24 with this link, you get 3 months completely free.

It is important to keep in mind that although your card does not charge a fee for ATM withdrawals, ATMs in Mexico do charge a fee for their use. The ones that charge the least are Banamex (31 pesos, 1.7$), Banco Santander (34 pesos, 1.8$) or Banco Azteca (34 pesos, 1.8$), so when withdrawing money try to withdraw as much as possible to save money.

Another important issue when withdrawing money at an ATM in Mexico: many times the ATM will ask you if you want the transaction to be done in local currency (Mexican pesos) or in your own currency (in our case, it was euros): always choose the local currency option, otherwise, it will apply an unfavorable exchange rate and you will be overpaying (as a hidden commission).

The above also applies to card payments (although the option almost never appears, on several occasions also when paying with a card in establishments we were shown an amount in euros instead of pesos). In our case it almost always happened to us with the orange CLIP terminals. If this happens to you, ask the person to charge you in Mexican pesos.

A bad practice in Mexico is that in any business where you want to pay with a card, they have the habit of asking you for your card and do the whole process themselves, passing you the terminal only to enter the PIN (in Mexico they call it “firma” or NIP). This means that sometimes, depending on the type of terminal, you do not see the amount and/or you are charged in the original currency of your card instead of in Mexican pesos – making you lose money because an unfavorable conversion is applied. Always ask nicely to be allowed to see the process to make sure you are charged the correct amount and in local currency.

Finally, some establishments charge an extra commission for payment by card (the times it happened to us, it was 5%), they always tell you before and if you do not see it when confirming the amount. In those cases, it is better to pay with cash.

Tipping: The tipping culture is very well established in Mexico, and although it is not and cannot be obligatory by law, it is in practice, since it is frowned upon not to leave a tip. It is recommended to leave a minimum of 10% (usually you will be asked at the time of payment, and if you pay by credit card, the terminal usually gives you the option of adding 10, 15 or 20% as a tip).

How much does a trip to Holbox cost?

Making a budget is complex as it depends greatly on your type of trip: how many plans you want to include in your trip, if you are going to go to restaurants or cook to save money, the type of accommodation you are going to use… In any case, so you can get an idea, we leave below the average prices and what we consider as average price per day (we reiterate that these are ORIENTATIVE prices and may vary at any time):

• Flights/transportation from Mexico: From 400 pesos per person round trip boat from Chiquilá. From 1800 pesos (about 99$) a round trip flight from CDMX to Cancun. Use flight comparators like Skyscanner and Kiwi to find the best price.
• Transportation: nothing, you can go everywhere on foot.
• Accommodation: from 600 pesos/night (about 30$) for a room with private bathroom or small apartment with kitchen. Find accommodation of all types and prices on Booking, with up to 15% discount.
• Restaurants: a multitude of options between 200 and 600 pesos per person (between 10 and 30$), for all tastes, although you can eat cheaper in street stalls (for about 70-100 pesos, 3-5$).
• Tours: the 3 islands tour costs from 400/500 pesos (20-25$) per person, the whale shark tour from 2000 pesos (100$), Cabo Catoche from 1100 (55$)…

In total, a weekend trip (2 nights) to Holbox can cost you between 800 and 1000 pesos per person per day (between 40 and 50$ per person), with the cheapest accommodation options, eating out in cheap restaurants and doing one of the tours, starting from Cancun (to that you would have to add the trip to Cancun).

Useful apps to get around Holbox

• Google Maps(Android / iOS): is the one we use to save/classify all the places we want to go/we have been and as GPS both to orient ourselves on foot and if we rent a car. It also includes public transport information if there is any. You can see other people’s opinions of the places, photos, restaurant menus, telephone numbers to contact them, etc. You can also open our map with all the places included in this guide.
• Maps.me(Android / iOS): application similar to Google Maps but works offline (although Google Maps can also work offline, it works better) and in many cases has information that Google Maps does not have.
• Eiby: cab ordering app
• Windy(Android / iOS / Web): essential app for our trips. It allows you to see forecasts of rain, clouds, wind, etc. to help you plan your days based on the weather (as there are places that lose a lot depending on the weather). Obviously the forecasts are not 100% reliable.
• Tide Forecast: on this website you can check how the tide will be and at what time of the day to organize, for example, your visit to Punta Mosquito, which should be at low tide.

Recommendations for traveling to Holbox as a responsible tourist

• Be responsible when visiting a place: a large influx of people to a certain site can have a negative impact so respect the rules, do not climb the tree/monument you are visiting, do not paint on its walls, avoid touching and, out of respect for the rest of the people visiting the place, do not make noise or “monopolize” the place with your photos.
• Take care of natural and archaeological monuments and respect existing rules.
• Avoid the use of plastic and do not throw garbage away
• Don’t be an accomplice to animal abuse: Any other attraction where animals are in captivity and/or used for human entertainment.
• Respect other people: don’t play your music loud, pick up your trash; don’t throw cigarette butts, etc. Leave the place better than you found it.
• Always travel with travel insurance: medical expenses, theft or problems with your plane on a trip can cost you a lot of money, so the ideal thing is to take out travel insurance. At Randomtrip we always use IATI and we recommend it. If you purchase your insurance through this link you have a 5% discount.

Checklist: what to pack in your backpack/suitcase for Holbox

Here is a list of must-haves you can’t forget to take with you on your trip to Holbox:

• International plug adapter such as these as they use type A plugs (those with two flat parallel pins).
• A  reusable water bottle like one of these to carry water with you all the time and void single-use plastic.
• Water Shoes as these ideal to carry always with you to avoid hurting your feet when entering the water or not touching the ground.
• Snorkel kit (mask and snorkel) like this, a must to bring on this trip and contemplate the seabed. Besides being more hygienic because you do not share your snorkel with anyone, in several places they do not rent the equipment and, even if they do rent, with a couple of times you already amortize the price of your own kit.
• Water proof dry bag like this one, very useful to keep your photographic equipment, cell phone and wallet safe from getting wet on the boat (whales sometimes blow near the boat or even hit the water with their fin or tail near the boat, and water can reach the boat).
• UV protection T-shirt like this because in some parts of the Mexican Caribbean it is forbidden or not recommended to use sunscreen / sunblock because its composition damages the marine ecosystem.
• Quick-drying towel such as one of these, which, in addition, does not take up much space in the backpack/suitcase.
• A hat or a cap (like this one) and sunglasses to protect yourself from the sun
• A good camera to register your adventures. At Randomtrip we carry a Sony ZV-E10 and a Gopro Hero12 Black (for underwater pictures)
• A Power bank: taking so many pictures will drain your batteries, so it’s always a good idea to carry a good powerbank. At Randomtrip we travel with these 2 (Anker 20000 mAh and  Anker 10000 mAh), which allow us to charge both our phones and our cameras.
• Sun screen: the sun is strong in Baja California Sur so it is a must to take care of your skin. Always look for a Coral Friendly Sunscreen, i.e. one that protects your skin without harming marine ecosystems by avoiding ingredients such as oxybenzone and octinoxate, which are harmful to corals. Nor that it has been tested on animals.
• Mosquito repellent: like this one, it should have at least 15% deet
• First aid kit: In our first-aid kit there is always a medicine against seasickness (such as biodramine for seasickness on boats), antibiotics, anti-diarrhea medication (and a probiotic to recover more quickly), antihistamines, painkillers and antipyretics and, of course, travel insurance. If you hire your travel insurance with IATI using this link you will get a 5% discount

---

Want to explore Holbox on your own? Have you found our guide useful to know what to do and what not to do on the island? If you have any questions, let us know in the comments!