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 destination from crowded Cancún, a two-and-a-half-hour journey away.

Just two decades ago, there was barely a hotel to speak of in Isla Holbox (pronounced hol-BOSH), and while there still isn't much in comparison to booming spots like nearby Tulum, word is finally starting to get out 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 island vibe. "There is a certain energy here that is really attractive, that instantly draws you in, but to disconnect," says Rod Balbiani Santos, head chef at Holbox hotspot Santos Fuegos. "There's really nothing like it across the region of Quintana Roo and the Mexican Caribbean."

Isla Holbox

• Book a stay in a tree house at Nomade Holbox for breathtaking views over the sea and sand.

• As whale sharks migrate past Isla Holbox in the warmer months of summer, the island becomes an ideal destination for a swim with the largest fish in the sea.

• Every dish at Santos Fuegos is cooked over an open flame for larger-than-life flavors, marrying the rustic feel of Holbox with elevated, inspirational cuisine.

• Wade out to the pure white sandbars at Punta Mosquito for a castaway island experience surrounded by every vibrant shade of Caribbean blue.

• Rent a bicycle or a golf cart to explore untouched, undisturbed beaches like Punta Cocos, far from the center of Holbox.

Best Hotels & Resorts

Nomade Holbox

Prepare to be wowed the second you step foot inside Nomade Holbox. While every room at this eco-friendly, 30-key boutique hotel is hidden by lush tropical greenery, several breathtaking tree house rooms resembling bird nests soar high above the sands. Nomade Holbox has a laundry list of wellness experiences far beyond what anyone could do in just one stay, many of which are complimentary for guests. It’s also home to La Popular, a seafood-focused grill for toes-in-the-sand dining.

Mystique Holbox by Royalton, A Tribute Portfolio Resort

Mystique Holbox by Royalton is a 38-suite property that marries the laid-back feel of its destination with the amenities and comforts that travelers are used to. A spacious beachfront features cabanas and tents, plus plenty of beach chairs, all offering service and waterfront dining from the resort's Fresco Bar & Grill. Use your points to upgrade to a room with a balcony and ocean view or a swim-out suite; this Marriott-affiliated property is perfect for the rewards-conscious traveler.

Casa Las Tortugas

The bohemian-chic Casa Las Tortugas has been a Holbox institution for over 15 years, consistently one-upping itself as the island's most welcoming boutique hotel. Rooms exude understated luxury and feature local art and handmade fabrics and decor, and the property's impressive spa and wellness menu draws even those who aren't staying there. In addition to a seaside restaurant at its popular beach club, Casa Las Tortugas is home to LUUMA, one of Holbox's best spots for small bites and sunset cocktails.

Villas Flamingos

The 41 secluded bungalows and suites at Villas Flamingos tend to attract a romance-minded traveler, but with resort-like amenities including three pools, two restaurants, and a spa, it's a favorite boutique property that families will love, too. Inclusions like à la carte breakfast served seaside and the use of bicycles and paddleboards are welcome additions across the board.

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 ethical, 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 or Cozumel, which are also known for the experience, intrepid travelers are in for a much more up-close-and-personal encounter.

Related: 8 Most Underrated Islands in Mexico — From a Tropical Oasis With No Cars to an Idyllic Getaway That's Often Compared to Venice

Set sail.

Sail across Holbox's shallow, translucent waters to nearby uninhabited islands for swimming, snorkeling, and spotting wildlife. "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. From the bird-watching paradise aptly named Isla Pájaros, many continue on to 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 Punta Cocos, where Santos recommends 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, or try the beach club at Mystique Holbox by Royalton, with service from its oceanfront Fresco Bar & Grill.

Experience bioluminescence.

The same plankton that draw whale sharks to Isla Holbox en masse have a special magic trick: Come nighttime, they glow. The bioluminescence of some of the bays around Holbox glows consistently, 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.

Plan a wellness trip.

A small community of wellness-minded transplants has slowly but surely transformed Isla Holbox into a destination for self-care-focused getaways. Nomade Holbox perfects the wellness experience on the island with a curated selection of classes and treatments ranging from Maya-inspired healing ceremonies to sound baths and yoga classes for everyone from beginners to experts.

Best Restaurants

Santos Fuegos

You won't find any gas cooking at Santos Fuegos, just woodfired cuisine and the big, bold flavors that come with it. "Santos Fuegos is an honest, creative-driven, seasonally-driven kitchen," says Santos. "We're dedicated to matching elevated technique and skill with the rustic side of the woodfire cooking we use to reflect the nature of Holbox." Fresh, sustainably sourced ingredients and local inspiration are a priority, and with the chef's Uruguayan roots, you know the grilled meats have to be out of this world. Reservations recommended.

Barba Negra

It's all about the tacos at Barba Negra. Fresh blue corn tortillas and plenty of creative options for toppings make them the highlight of a menu that also features plenty of grilled seafood, decadent desserts, and locally brewed craft beer and cocktails. Vegetarian options, like the cauliflower tacos, are so good that even non-vegetarians will love them.

Milpa

Familiar local flavors and traditional cooking styles meet innovation at Milpa, a fine dining experience dedicated to "creative Mexican cuisine," according to its Instagram. Stepping into the open-air dining room surrounded by delicately woven, oversized flower petals feels like a warm embrace, with that same attention to the tiniest detail reflected in every dish. Reservations recommended.

Roots

A simple garden-style dining space welcomes guests to Roots, a woodfired pizza institution on the island. Garcia raves about the lobster pizza, saying it’s one of the best things to eat in Holbox, perfect when accompanied by live music and something off the restaurant's impressive menu of cocktails and spirits.

Ser Esencia

At Ser Casasandra's beachside culinary outpost, Ser Esencia, chefs pay tribute to local ingredients and Maya culinary traditions in a way that feels thoroughly modern. Despite Ser Esencia's elevated flavors and fine dining feel, its laid-back dining space exudes warmth. Tip: Order the lobster pasta or the Brazilian-inspired grilled picanha; they're the highlights of the menu.

Areas to Visit

Centro

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, Holbox has just enough to keep you busy.

Punta Cocos

On the far western edge of Isla Holbox, "Punta Cocos is quiet and off-the-grid," says Semper of what many locals consider to be the island's best beach, far from the beach clubs that line the shores near the town center. Come for sunset and stick around until dusk to depart for a bioluminescence tour in a nearby bay.

Punta Mosquito

Head about a mile and a half outside of town to reach Punta Mosquito, located on the island's northernmost point. Just offshore, a massive sandbar surrounded by azure shallows makes for a 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 sunny, cloudless skies and milder temperatures are perfect for long days at the beach for winter-weary visitors. As the high season of travel on the island, prices also 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 meet up with the regional migration and guarantee 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.

Related: The Best Times to Visit Mexico for Good Weather and Affordable Prices

How to Get There

The journey to Isla Holbox starts in Cancún. The Cancún International Airport (CUN) receives over 500 flights every day, directly accessible to almost every major international airport in 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 an hour. Tickets cost around $10 and can be purchased at the ferry terminal.

A very tiny airstrip on Holbox receives small private planes from nearby Cancún and Playa del Carmen if you're looking to save the drive. This flight takes approximately 35 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

With Isla Holbox's tiny size, it's easy to walk almost anywhere on the inhabited parts of the island in under half an hour. However, there's a decided fun to using the island's only two styles of transport: 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. 

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