About Holbox
Holbox offers an island lifestyle unfound on the mainland cities and towns of the Mexican Caribbean. Situated north of Cancun, Isla Holbox is located in an area where the Caribbean Ocean meets the Gulf of Mexico. This prized placement provides guests with a number of activities that focus on the land, mangroves, water, and sky that surround and are a part of the island. Sunsets are a nightly community activity where the beach becomes full of sunset seekers waiting for a spectacular end to the day.
The adventure begins as you make your way to Isla Holbox, a trip that takes you through remote villages in the Yucatan Peninsula. Isla Holbox can only be accessed via a small ferry or private boats that deliver you to either your hotel directly or stop off at the main ferry pier. It is this adventure and remoteness that has maintained the laid back lifestyle of the island and provided a calming getaway.
Once on the Holbox island, visitors discover beachfront hotels, sandy roads, and no cars. Golf carts used to get around the island and are the only means of transportation. Restaurants are located around the main town square (zocalo), the hub of evening activities and events.
Isla Holbox is a sanctuary not only for people but birds, wildlife, and the famous whale shark, the largest fish in the ocean. During the summer months whale sharks migrate to the waters surrounding Isla Holbox from Honduras. They breed in the cooler plankton filled waters and eventually return to the south for the winter. Certified guides host tours where visitors can snorkel with the whale sharks from mid May to mid September in Isla Holbox. The no touch rule upheld by the guides has maintained the annual migration of these gigantic fish. It is not unheard of to see manta rays and dolphins on this tour as boats make their way to the whale shark area.
Close to Holbox Island is the Island of Contoy, a birders paradise in the winter months when birds migrate to from the north. Over 300 species of birds can be found on Contoy and within proximity to Holbox during the winter. Again, the area is protected. Certified guides conduct tours to Contoy and residents work to protect this area throughout the year.
Isla Holbox is small and remote. It provides a true paradise untouched by development, large tourist crowds, and international influences. Vacations are simple, sustainable tourism a large part of its activities, and community is prominent on this island. It is easy to fall in love with the lifestyle and community found just off the mainland in Quintana Roo.
The adventure begins as you make your way to Isla Holbox, a trip that takes you through remote villages in the Yucatan Peninsula. Isla Holbox can only be accessed via a small ferry or private boats that deliver you to either your hotel directly or stop off at the main ferry pier. It is this adventure and remoteness that has maintained the laid back lifestyle of the island and provided a calming getaway.
Once on the Holbox island, visitors discover beachfront hotels, sandy roads, and no cars. Golf carts used to get around the island and are the only means of transportation. Restaurants are located around the main town square (zocalo), the hub of evening activities and events.
Isla Holbox is a sanctuary not only for people but birds, wildlife, and the famous whale shark, the largest fish in the ocean. During the summer months whale sharks migrate to the waters surrounding Isla Holbox from Honduras. They breed in the cooler plankton filled waters and eventually return to the south for the winter. Certified guides host tours where visitors can snorkel with the whale sharks from mid May to mid September in Isla Holbox. The no touch rule upheld by the guides has maintained the annual migration of these gigantic fish. It is not unheard of to see manta rays and dolphins on this tour as boats make their way to the whale shark area.
Close to Holbox Island is the Island of Contoy, a birders paradise in the winter months when birds migrate to from the north. Over 300 species of birds can be found on Contoy and within proximity to Holbox during the winter. Again, the area is protected. Certified guides conduct tours to Contoy and residents work to protect this area throughout the year.
Isla Holbox is small and remote. It provides a true paradise untouched by development, large tourist crowds, and international influences. Vacations are simple, sustainable tourism a large part of its activities, and community is prominent on this island. It is easy to fall in love with the lifestyle and community found just off the mainland in Quintana Roo.
What People Say
Isla Holbox IslandJoão Bota
Isla Holbox was amaaaaaaazing! You arrive in boat in a small port. Waiting for you, there are ‘tons’ of golf taxi cars to have a chance for pick you up. There are no asphalt roads. But very tiny towns full of golf cars like cartoons. It’s just pretty.
We went to a hotel just on the beach, a little ‘far’ from center town (10 min walking)! Are you imagine this picture, houses on the white sand beach with crooked walls (not too much) with palm trees around, very picturesque! Was just like that, and was just perfect.
Holbox beach is perfect; you can walk and find a spot to stay mostly alone all day, empty beaches, empty paradises! The island is small so you can walk easier everywhere. If you don’t go in touristic season, you will see an empty island of tourists, mostly locals, empty bars and restaurants. But anyway there are always someone and if you are not alone is just perfect!
Wonderful place to do a romantic trip or a friend’s almost private island party.
There are a natural reserve where you can go and other small inhabited islands to make a boat trip. You will not get bored! But is an island, not forget it. Anyway, you will enjoy it!
We went to a hotel just on the beach, a little ‘far’ from center town (10 min walking)! Are you imagine this picture, houses on the white sand beach with crooked walls (not too much) with palm trees around, very picturesque! Was just like that, and was just perfect.
Holbox beach is perfect; you can walk and find a spot to stay mostly alone all day, empty beaches, empty paradises! The island is small so you can walk easier everywhere. If you don’t go in touristic season, you will see an empty island of tourists, mostly locals, empty bars and restaurants. But anyway there are always someone and if you are not alone is just perfect!
Wonderful place to do a romantic trip or a friend’s almost private island party.
There are a natural reserve where you can go and other small inhabited islands to make a boat trip. You will not get bored! But is an island, not forget it. Anyway, you will enjoy it!
Isla Holbox IslandMilena
I live in a big city with great traffic, great mass of people and a lot of noise. For me it was a dream to visit some calm place close to nature and to the sea where nobody is in a hurry, where you can just seat down and relax and nobody will disturb you. Isla Holbox is just what I needed. IT IS PARADISE for me!
You can rent a golf car there and travel around all Holbox island. It will take you 2-3 hours. The golf car rent costs 500 pesos for 4 hours. You can stay on Isla Holbox for one day or several days. There are enough nice and cute hotels and restaurants. THE SEA IS VERY BEAUTIFUL! On the sea coast you can see a lot of fishing boats. You can also admire flamingos and pelicans, dolphins and big turtles. You can even go on the boat to the sea and see whale sharks!
You can rent a golf car there and travel around all Holbox island. It will take you 2-3 hours. The golf car rent costs 500 pesos for 4 hours. You can stay on Isla Holbox for one day or several days. There are enough nice and cute hotels and restaurants. THE SEA IS VERY BEAUTIFUL! On the sea coast you can see a lot of fishing boats. You can also admire flamingos and pelicans, dolphins and big turtles. You can even go on the boat to the sea and see whale sharks!
Isla Holbox IslandNicole
I love Holbox island! I am on route for another year to see the whale sharks and can hardly wait! This is a must-see destination that will meet and exceed your expectations. It is paradise!
Isla Holbox IslandMatias
Holbox Island is heaven for whale shark adventure.
Isla Holbox IslandCurtisM
We had an amazing trip to Holbox Island. There are excellent selection of restaurants in Holbox. So peaceful and serene island. We will be back soon!
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