Holbox: The Best Kept Secret of the Mexican Caribbean
• Posted June 12 • 2024.
Holbox is part of the natural reserve and protected area known as Yum Balam (Jaguar Lord) located in the north of the Mexican state of Quintana Roo. It's a small island whose name means Black Hole, a beautiful place characterized by its hammocks in the sea, its colorful murals, its white sand streets, and its clear and serene waters. A true Caribbean paradise in Mexico, a travel destination you should definitely visit at least once in your life.
How to Get to Holbox?
Getting to Holbox is not as easy as getting to Cancun, but believe me, it's well worth it. First off, there are no direct flights to Holbox, so you need to travel to Cancun first. Once in Cancun, you need to get to a small town called Chiquilá, where the ferry to Holbox Island departs. There are several options to reach Chiquilá: you can rent a car, take a taxi, or take an ADO bus, which costs about $16. We used the latter option, which is the most comfortable, but interestingly, to get to the bus, you need to take a van costing about $6 that will take you to the terminal. It’s important to note that the ADO bus is a luxury bus with all amenities, making the approximately 2-hour journey very enjoyable and safe.
Once in Chiquilá, you need to take the ferry that will take you directly to Holbox Island. There are a couple of companies providing this service, so boats leave the dock approximately every half hour. The journey lasts about 20 minutes and is a quick and comfortable ride, costing about $8. You can choose to stay on the lower deck of the ferry, which is covered, or go up to the top deck which is completely open, allowing you to better appreciate the panoramic views and the natural beauty of the area.
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Arriving in Holbox
Once you arrive on Holbox Island, you'll need to take one of the most unusual taxis you've ever seen. They are like golf carts, adapted for this service and painted yellow. They are available at the dock, ready to take arriving tourists to their hotels or Airbnb accommodations for less than a $2 dlls. As you might imagine, these are not exactly comfortable and can carry no more than 3 people, who will have a bumpy ride, both due to the sandy streets and the suspension of these carts, which are not really designed for this. However, the trip is short and you can enjoy the view quite a bit. Moreover, this is the only motorized option available; the other is to walk with your luggage, which, in the heat and sun, is not the best idea.
Is Holbox Safe?
Mexico has security and rule of law issues, which everyone knows. However, not all of the country is like that; there are places as safe as Canada, and Holbox in particular is one of the safest places in North America. Therefore, walking its streets at any hour is highly recommended. Another option is to rent a bike and explore the island on it. Whichever option you choose will allow you to marvel at the natural beauty of Holbox, as well as breathe not only the delicious sea breeze from the Caribbean Sea but also the atmosphere of tranquility that can be found in every corner of the place.
So, in Holbox, you can safely and tranquilly swim in its waters, stroll along its soft sandy shores, sunbathe, and enjoy the beauty of this place, which nature has endowed with gentle waves and truly astonishing natural beauty.
Being in Holbox
ne of the most curious things about Holbox is the abundance of seashells you can find on its beaches. There really are a lot, so you need to be careful when walking barefoot on the beach. You can literally scoop them up by the handful! But please don't take them away; they are a natural part of the place. Of course, swimming in its beautiful and tranquil waters is a must, feeling the warm waters and delighting in the stunning beauty surrounding this island is something that will create lasting memories. But the beach isn't just for daytime; each evening, many people gather both on the beach and at the pier to watch the beautiful sunset in Holbox and welcome the night.
I could write many paragraphs here, but it's better to summarize some of the activities that can be done in Holbox in the following list:
Activities to Do in Holbox
- Wildlife Watching: Holbox is a very famous place for observing the magnificent and gentle whale sharks. This can be done between May and September. Additionally, you can also delight in seeing flamingos, pelicans, and other birds in places like Punta Mosquito, where you can also spot manta rays, crabs, colorful fish, and other marine species. With some luck, you might even see crocodiles in the mangroves.
- Kayak and Paddleboard Tours: This is a must on some beaches with calm waters that allow it, and Holbox is no exception. This way, you can explore the coast and mangroves of Holbox by kayak or paddleboard. It's a great way to get to know the island from the water at your own pace.
- Snorkeling and Diving: With such beautiful waters and abundant marine life, it would be impossible for Holbox not to offer these activities. I personally recommend snorkeling to see the colorful fish, which I really like. And although Holbox does not have as many spots for these activities as Cancun, it is definitely something you should do and take advantage of its shallow and clear waters.
- Sport Fishing: Sport fishing is, of course, a popular activity in Holbox and ranges from mini-fishing to deep-sea fishing, meaning both amateurs and expert fishermen can enjoy a wonderful day of fishing surrounded by clear and serene waters. Typically, these tours include everything needed for the day, such as rods, food, drinks, etc.
- Bike Riding: This is one of the most popular activities on the island. Renting a bike to explore the island at your own pace and on your own, traveling its white sandy streets, the colors of the town, and the wonder of its murals. Given the sandy streets and small size of the island, renting a bike is a great option. Personally, it was my favorite option, the taxis are not comfortable and the distances are not that great, so I highly recommend renting a bike.
- Beaches: Holbox is a perfect place to relax or swim and enjoy the beach. It is such a tranquil place that it invites you not only to swim and walk along the shore but to find a quiet spot to sunbathe, read a book, or simply lie back and enjoy the view of the Caribbean Sea. You absolutely must do it.
- Visit the Murals: This island has a large number of murals on the walls of houses and businesses, painted by Mexican and foreign artists. You don't need to pay for a tour for this; in fact, I recommend that you do a self-guided tour at your own pace and enjoy the murals and the island of Holbox itself.
- Boat Tours: It is also possible to rent one of the many boat tours offered by local providers to explore the island from the sea and visit sites such as Isla Pájaros, Yalahau, and Isla Pasión. Isla Pájaros is another island whose purpose is to serve as a sanctuary for birds, making it perfect and ideal for birdwatching enthusiasts. It's important to mention that it is not possible for people to set foot on this island; it can only be appreciated visually. On the other hand, Yalahau is a freshwater spring (cenote) where legend has it that pirates used to come for fresh water, now being a place to swim and clear your mind, connecting with nature. Lastly, Isla Pasión has beautiful untouched beaches that are even quieter than Holbox, making it ideal for relaxing, sunbathing, and giving thanks for life’s blessings. The cost of these tours is less than $20 and they take around 3 hours to complete.
- Local Cuisine: It's impossible to miss the opportunity to try the local seafood dishes and other local delicacies. The food is simply delicious and very fresh. A tip I can give is that if a restaurant has a dish named after the place, order it, because it tends to be the signature dish, the one they are most proud of, and usually they are delicious. There are several dining options at excellent prices, for example, a breakfast of egg omelette with refried beans and a large orange juice costs less than $10. Incredible, right?
- Watching the Turtles in Holbox: Watching the turtles in Holbox has become a highly sought-after tourist activity, although it is always conducted with great care and caution to protect these beautiful marine specimens. From May to September, visitors have the opportunity to witness sea turtles, including the hawksbill and green species, coming to the beaches to nest. This happens, of course, under the guidance of local experts and in coordination with conservation programs, allowing tourists to learn firsthand about the delicate nesting process of the turtles.
Accommodation in Holbox
There are many accommodation options in Holbox, but it's important for you to know that none are large hotels with huge pools and facilities. No, here everything is small, the hotels are small, the Airbnbs are small, in general, everything is like this which helps maintain the charm of the island. We stayed at a hotel called Villa Tiburon, a very comfortable place right on the beach. As I mentioned, it's a small but comfortable and clean hotel, featuring a restaurant and a rooftop bar called Alma, which also has a small pool. The price per night is less than $100 and only includes the room. Here, it is also possible to rent a bicycle to explore and get to know the island. But I repeat, there are many different options at different prices.
In conclusion, visiting Holbox Island is not as straightforward as traveling to Cancun; it's an even longer journey, but definitely worth it. The almost pristine beauty of its beaches, the clarity and serenity of its waters, and the vast variety of marine life make this place a true hidden gem of the Mexican Caribbean. The colorful houses and murals make every walk through the town an everyday art experience in one of the safest places in all of North America. Its white sand streets invite you to explore them, whether on foot or by bicycle, and experience one of the best travel experiences in the world... visiting Holbox.
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