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Isla Holbox is an island off the northern coast of Quintana Roo, better known worldwide as the Mexican Caribbean. It is lightly traveled and popular with Mexican tourists and others who appreciate a relatively undeveloped beach destination where nature is the main attraction.
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You've got a good chance to see flamingos and lots of other birds if you walk the beach west or east away from town.
On nights with new moon, when the sky is dark, you can see bioluminescence on the beach. Guided kayak tours are available for ~US$50-60 including pickup from the hotel and transportation. Other tours may be available from random operators off the street for much cheaper (M$400).
Very small island off the southwestern point of Holbox. Sandy beaches and very shallow water. Thousands of frigate birds, herons, pelicans, cormorants and other marine birds nest in the trees. Flamingos at certain times of year. At low tide you can walk/wade between Isla de la Pasion and Isla Holbox.
Tours depart daily from late May through September, with peak season in July and August. Most tours leave at 08:00, returning around 14:00. Requires a 1,5 - 2,5-hour bouncy boat ride, depending on the weather, but passes dolphins, flamingos, and maybe turtles and manta rays. Ceviche lunch included, and snorkeling at a well-used reef with potentially cloudy visibility. Small and cheap tour companies only allow visitors two times in the water with the sharks, no touching is allowed. Standard shared tour price is US$150-170 (Aug 2023), although cheaper deals may be found. Anyone charging less than the standard rate may not be a completely legitimate business and thus may not be following all regulations designed to protect the whale sharks.
Cool off in the fresh water cenote. There is a palapa (gazebo), bathroom (M$5 for use) and a stand selling beers, water and small snacks. It is M$25 per person to enter the cenote area.
Vegan Restaurant.
The Little Mermaid
Very local place, specialized in antojitos (panuchos, sopes, tacos, chalupes, all M$10 each).
Large portions of homemade Mexican food - mostly seafood (ceviche, lobster, shrimps, etc.) but huge tacos also.
With a rooftop terrace overlooking the central plaza, this friendly, lucha libre-themed place serves fresh seafood, Mexican classics and home brewed beer at very decent prices.
Pizza place in the main town square. It serves a variety of thin-crust pizzas including Holbox's famous lobster pizza, which is a must-have for any tourist visiting the island. It also has a rooftop which overlooks the main town square.
Boutique hotel.
Unique, fresh and cozy, the campground is 80 m from the main beach and offers to backpackers the possibility to sleep on hammocks or beds in small wooden cabañas protected with mosquito nets, as well as within tents on the soft sand of the garden. Includes all basic comforts such as hot water, electricity, and ventilators. Additional to communal kitchen, laundry, BBQ grill and toilets, the camping provides also a fully equipped house for families and small groups who desire a bit more privacy.
It offers island-themed rooms and suites, all of which have balcony/deck, Internet connection, and private toilet and bath. Massage service, restaurant and bar, and recreational activities (whale shark viewing, sunbathing, snorkeling, and windsurfing).
Nice palapa huts with fan and hammock, sand floors, shared bath (M$300), air-con rooms (M$400). Dorm beds (M$100). Shared kitchen. Free Wi-Fi. The owners are Italian, multilingual, and can help arrange tours and other activities.
Brand new hostel with dorm rooms, private rooms, kitchen, Wi-Fi, book exchange, cinema, bike rental, tours, laundry.
Hotel Mawimbi is a small, intimate, boutique hotel on the beach with only 11 rooms. It has been run by a husband and wife team since 1998. It has a very stunning tropical and rustic vibe that appeals to both adventurers and individuals looking for a laid-back vacation. Mawimbi's beachfront is gorgeous and provides a great view of the sunset. Mawimbi also has its own restaurant/bar located on the beachfront called Barquito which serves all kinds of food including seafood, steak and pasta.
Air conditioning (each room), shared kitchen, free Wi-Fi. Very close to the airport and about 3 min on foot by the sea. Owners can help arrange tours and other activities. Taxi fare from the main square is M$50 (pay attention: they could try to charge M$10-20 more).
By car
From Cancún (follow signs on the road), take Hwy 180 (called Merida Libre) or Avenida José López Portillo, direction to Merida. Keep to the right when the road separates.
By bus
There are three bus routes daily from Cancún to Chiquilá and back, on "Mayab" and "Oriente" buses run by ADO.
By charter plane
Air Taxi AeroSaab offers on-demand flights from Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Cozumel, Merida, Chichen Itza and other locations, to Holbox, starting at US$500 through an intermediary (Holbox Island).
The island of Holbox is very small and there are no paved roads, only sandy paths. There are very few cars on the island and most people get around by walking, bicycle, or golf cart.
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