Isla Holbox Travel Guide – What To Do In Holbox & Where To Stay

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In recent years Isla Holbox in Mexico has become more and more popular. You have probably heard of Holbox as THE alternative to Tulum on the Yucatán Peninsula.

For good reason! Holbox is a little island about 2 hours from Cancun off the coast of Quintana Roo. The white sand beaches with their flat shores and clear ocean are straight out of paradise.

To us, our vacation in Holbox was the absolute dream. Seeing pink flamingos, driving around in golf cars, wading through miles of flatwater, and watching the most amazing sunsets were just some of the highlights of our trip to Holbox Island.

We want to share this experience with you and put together a Holbox Travel Guide with what to do in Holbox and where to stay on Holbox island as well as how to get there.

Let’s take it away!

Best Things To Do In Holbox, Mexico

Travel Guide To Isla Holbox, Mexico

How To get To Isla Holbox

There are a few ways how to get to Holbox.

By Car

From Cancun to Holbox, it’s about a two-hour drive by car to the port of Chiquilá from where you will take the ferry to Holbox Island.

You can park your rental car at the official parking lot or at one of the privately operated parking spaces that belong to the locals from Chiquilá. We did the latter and had no problems at all. To be safe, make sure to take all valuables in the car with you.

ADO Bus

Another option to get to Holbox from Cancun is to take the ADO bus. It takes longer than doing the drive yourself, but it is fairly cheap and convenient.

We have taken the ADO bus several times around the Yucatan Peninsula and Quintana Roo and we always had a good experience.

Shuttle To The Holbox Ferry

The third option to get to the Holbox Ferry in Chiquilá is by taking a shuttle. Please note, you still have to buy a ferry ticket at the port.

Private Shuttle Cancun Airport To Holbox Ferry

You can book a private shuttle from Cancun that picks you up directly at the airport and comfortably brings you to the ferry in Chiquila from where you will depart to Holbox.

The private shuttle is a Mercedes and can hold up to three passengers. If you max out the passenger number a private shuttle is as affordable as a shared ride.

Shared Shuttle Cancun Airport To Holbox Ferry

If you are less than three people and looking for a cheaper option, there are also shared shuttle services from Cancun to Holbox and vice versa.

The shared rides depart at Cancun airport at set times during the day. See below for transfer services and times:

Whichever way you choose to get to Chiquilá, once you are at the port you will need to buy a ticket to take the ferry to Holbox and make the final leg of the journey. It’s pretty straightforward, don’t worry!

Getting Around In Holbox

Yellow Holbox Golf Car Taxis

When you arrive in Holbox you will be greeted by a special kind of taxis – yellow golf cars!

Since there are no cars on the island the golf cars are the means of transportation. The yellow golf car taxis will bring you to your hotel or Airbnb. It’s super fun, you can also rent one yourself.

Renting A Bike On Holbox Island

Another option to get around the island is via bike. Check around downtown for bike rental places or with your hotel. They may offer paid or even free bike rentals.

What To Do In Holbox?

Enjoy The Pristine White Sand Beaches

No words are needed! Holbox has one of the best white sand beaches in Mexico. The shores are super flat and you can walk into the ocean as far as the eye can see. It’s amazing!

Explore The Holbox Murals

Take A Photo At The Famous Holbox Hammocks

The hammocks off of the beach have become Holbox’s signature and quite the Instagram spot on the island.

You will easily find them at the beach. Due to the hammock’s popularity, other hotels now have some cool hamacas set up too, which you will encounter when going for a stroll along the beach.

Isla Párajos – Bird Refugee Island

Isla Parajos is a bird refugee about 30 minutes away from Holbox only reachable by boat. You can get there via a tour and discover many different kinds of birds, like pelicans and flamingos and many more.

Isla Pajaros is a protected wildlife area, please be mindful of that.

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Take A Dip At Cenote Yalahau

Taking a dip in the cool Yalahau Cenote is a welcome refreshment from the summer heat. You can get to Cenote Yalahau by the means of a tour.

Check out this three islands tour that visits Cenote Yalahau and other islands around Holbox.

Explore Isla Pasión

Isla Pasión is a remote and tiny little island 15 minutes away from Holbox. There are no golf cars or anything on this island. You can walk around the island along the absolutely beautiful white sand beach.

This little piece of heaven is the ultimate paradise island.

The Best Tours From Holbox

Dreamy Holbox Sunsets From The Beach

Never miss a sunset. Unlike in Tulum, in Holbox, the sun sets on the side of the island where all the hotels are located. So go to the beach, have a Piña Colada and watch the sun set over the Gulf of Mexico.

Boho Beach Outfits & Beach Vacation Packing List

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Stargazing At Night

Since Holbox is an island off of the side of the Yucatan Peninsula which is sparsely populated there is very little light pollution. This makes the island a great place for stargazing.

Where To Stay In Holbox?

Palapas Del Sol Beach Hotel

For our stay in Holbox, we were looking for a hotel by the beach that also has a pool and wouldn’t be insanely expensive.

On our search for affordable beach hotels in Holbox, we came across Palapas del Sol, a small and super pretty Mexican-style hotel.

We did book Palapas del Sol and really enjoyed our stay. We especially loved the balcony in front of our rooms and the private palapas with sun chairs and hammocks right at the beach. Can’t beat that!

Check out room options at Palapas del Sol here.

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More Amazing Beach Hotels In Holbox

Here are more top-rated beach hotels in Holbox for the perfect vacation in paradise. From affordable hotels by the beach to luxury hotels in Holbox.

Booking.com

Travel Insurance For Your Mexico Vacation

Isla Holbox Travel Guide

What To Do In Holbox Island, Mexico

We hope you found our Isla Holbox Travel Guide helpful and learned about where to stay and what to do in Holbox, Mexico.

Have fun exploring Isla Holbox!

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