Isla Holbox

Travel Guide
Isla Holbox showing tropical scenes and a marina
Enjoy lazy days on white-sand beaches, superb wildlife spotting and varied watersports at this blissful and untamed island on the Yucatan Peninsula.

Discover the true essence of a Caribbean island dreamland at Isla Holbox. Swing in a hammock while watching ocean ripples on the shore, look for over 150 bird species and dabble in thrilling watersports. Isla Holbox lies where the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico meet. It forms part of the Yum-Balam Biosphere Reserve. Pristine beaches cover 22 of its 26 miles (36 of 42 kilometers) of length.

The island’s tourist center is Holbox, a small town characterized by sandy streets and colorful Caribbean architecture. Select from its abundance of guesthouses, hotels, seafood restaurants and tour operators. Nothing is far away in Holbox. It’s easy to get around by foot or rented bike or golf cart. Visit the Main Square, home to the Holbox Church, a kid’s playground and a basketball court.

A short walk northwest of the town is Holbox Beach. Its warm, shallow water is perfect for swimmers of all ages and abilities. Try kayaking, kitesurfing, stand-up paddle boarding and windsurfing. Join fishing trips and boating adventures to spot whale sharks from May to September.

Be amazed by the variety of birds inhabiting the coastline and Yalahau Lagoon, which separates the island from the mainland. See egrets, herons, ibis, flamingos and pelicans, among others. Spot crocodiles, dolphins, rays and turtles. Punta Mosquito Beach, at the island’s northernmost tip, is a great location for viewing flamingos.

Step aboard a boat and visit the islets scattered around the island. Come face-to-face with endangered birds via the walkways through Bird Island’s cacti and mangroves. Escape real-world stresses at the palm-fringed bays of Passion Island. Bathe in the freshwater spring of Yalahua Cenote.

Reach Isla Holbox by catching a bus from Cancún to Chiquilá then take a 15-minute ferry ride. Come prepared for year-round hot temperatures, with heavy rains and a large presence of mosquitoes from June to October.

Where to stay in Isla Holbox

Default Image

Downtown Holbox

If you're spending some time in Downtown Holbox, Main Square and Holbox Church are top sights worth seeing.

Downtown Holbox
Villas HM Palapas del Mar
Villas HM Palapas del Mar
4 out of 5
Avenida Plutarco Elias S/N, Isla Holbox, QROO
The price is S$235 per night from 7 Nov to 8 Nov
S$235
includes taxes & fees
7 Nov - 8 Nov
Stay at this 4-star beach hotel in Isla Holbox. Enjoy free breakfast, 2 outdoor pools, and a beach locale. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (970 reviews)
"All staff were great. General manager could have been more forthcoming with some of the issues trying to meet taxi and ferry departure times with all of the local unforeseeable complications in this environment so be prepared to have all your taxi and ferry reservations made well ahead of time."

Reviewed on 1 Nov,2024

Villas HM Palapas del Mar
Holbox Dream Beach Front Hotel
Holbox Dream Beach Front Hotel
3 out of 5
Lisa Mz. 19 #7 y 10, Isla Holbox, Isla Holbox, QROO
The price is S$245 per night from 13 Nov to 14 Nov
S$245
includes taxes & fees
13 Nov - 14 Nov
Stay at this 3-star beach hotel in Isla Holbox. Enjoy free WiFi, a beach locale, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,004 reviews)
"Accesible to Downtown walking distante even the sidewalk were not the greatest . Hotel has a nice beach and pool and great buffet breakfast. Friendly staff and helpful."

Reviewed on 28 Oct,2024

Holbox Dream Beach Front Hotel
Villas HM Paraiso del Mar
Villas HM Paraiso del Mar
4 out of 5
Avenida Plutarco Elias S/N, Isla Holbox, QROO
The price is S$213 per night from 17 Nov to 18 Nov
S$213
includes taxes & fees
17 Nov - 18 Nov
Stay at this 4-star beach hotel in Isla Holbox. Enjoy free WiFi, a beach locale, and 2 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,001 reviews)
"Nice place"

Reviewed on 13 Aug,2024

Villas HM Paraiso del Mar
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Aparthotel Onda Maya - Adults Only
Aparthotel Onda Maya - Adults Only
4 out of 5
S/N C. Lisa Isla, Isla Holbox, QROO
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Isla Holbox. Enjoy free WiFi, a garden, and balconies or patios. Popular attractions Holbox Beach and Holbox Baseball Park ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (9 reviews)
"Sophia at the front desk was amazing!! Everyone was so friendly and the property was beautiful and peaceful."

Reviewed on 26 Jun,2024

Aparthotel Onda Maya - Adults Only
Ensueño Holbox and Beach Club
Ensueño Holbox and Beach Club
3.5 out of 5
Calle Cahuama con Calle Cherna s/n, Isla Holbox, QROO
Stay at this 3.5-star aparthotel in Isla Holbox. Enjoy free breakfast, free parking, and a rooftop terrace. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (191 reviews)
Nice place
"Nice clean place near the beach. Access to the beach club is great. Most of the staff is helpful."

Reviewed on 13 Feb,2024

Ensueño Holbox and Beach Club
Deluxe Apartments Holbox
Deluxe Apartments Holbox
3.5 out of 5
C/Erizo Esquina Pedro Joaquin Coldwell, Isla Holbox, QROO
Stay at this 3.5-star beach aparthotel in Isla Holbox. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Popular attractions Holbox Beach and Holbox Baseball ...
8/10 Very Good! (65 reviews)
"Good location, friendly staff very attentive and quick to respond at any need ( store our luggagr a couple of hours when leaving property) and in general a very overall nice stay but it’s the attention to details that need to be taken care: -music too loud since 8 am till 8 pm.( some of us come here ..."

Reviewed on 10 Sep,2024

Deluxe Apartments Holbox
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Isla Holbox

4.6
Top destination
5 - Excellent
9
" "5 - Excellent 64.28571428571429%
4 - Good
4
" "4 - Good 28.571428571428573%
3 - Okay
1
" "3 - Okay 7.142857142857143%
2 - Disappointing
0
" "2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Quite a vibrant area food and drink very reasonably priced with a good choice of restaurants

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller

Not much to do at this time of the year

4/5 - Good

Polly

Definitely go and get a Roots pizza and try all the seafood you can ( we loved Viva Zapata)! It’s not as cheap as the rest of Mexico (not including Cancun and Tulum etc) so keep that in mind!

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Hip location with a relaxed feel.