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Mexican Caribbean
Isla Holbox

Isla Holbox

Admire - Dream - Enjoy

Isla Holbox

Sandy streets, turquoise sea and an unhurried pace

Isla Holbox is a narrow island about 26 miles (42 km) long and 1.2 miles (2 km) wide. Its sandy streets, colorful façades and turquoise waters give it a laid-back island feel.

Part of the Yum Balam Flora and Fauna Protection Area, Holbox is an important habitat for flamingos, seabirds and whale sharks. It's also a great place to slow down and enjoy nature.

Right now
81°F (27°C)Clear
Best for
Relaxation, wildlife and sunsets
Whale shark season
May to September

Getting here

Airport

Concourse of a terminal at Cancun International Airport, with shops and passengers

Airport

Cancun International Airport

Cancun International Airport is about a 2.5-hour drive from Chiquilá, where ferries depart for the island. The bus journey takes approximately 3 hours.

  • Private transfers: Private transfers are available from the airport to Chiquilá, where you can catch the ferry to Holbox.
  • Bus: Daily buses connect Cancun's main bus terminal with Chiquilá.
  • Car rental: Paid, guarded parking lots are available in Chiquilá, since you can't take a car onto the island.

Ferry

Wooden pier over the sea, with boats moored alongside and a palapa at the end

Ferry

Chiquilá Terminal

The ferry crossing from Chiquilá takes about 20 minutes, with departures throughout the day.

  • Luggage: Porters and golf-cart taxis are available to help transport luggage from the pier to your hotel. Holbox has no conventional car taxis.
  • Last sailing: Check the ferry schedule before traveling, as the last departures from Chiquilá are usually between 9 and 9:30 p.m.

On the island

Family in a golf cart on a sandy street in Holbox, by the beach

On the island

On foot, by bike or by cart

Holbox has sandy, unpaved streets and next to no cars; visitors' vehicles stay in Chiquilá.

  • Golf cart: Golf carts are the island's main form of local transportation and are available as taxis or rentals.
  • On foot or by bike: The town center is easy to explore on foot, and the island's flat terrain makes cycling a convenient option.

The beaches

Playa Holbox, Punta Cocos and Punta Mosquito

White-sand beaches and shallow turquoise waters make it easy to wade out into the sea. Playa Holbox stretches along the town's waterfront. Punta Cocos, just over 1.5 miles (2.5 km) from the center, is a popular spot for watching the sunset. Farther north, Punta Mosquito is known for its shallow sandbanks and flamingos.

Palapa and hammocks on the beach in Holbox

Nature

Whale sharks, flamingos and bioluminescence

From May to September, guided boat trips go out to swim with whale sharks off the island. Flamingos can often be spotted from April to October, and the Three Islands Tour visits Isla Pájaros, Yalahau Spring and Isla Pasión. On dark, moonless nights, bioluminescence can make the water glow.

Group of flamingos in shallow water off Holbox

The island

Sand streets and murals

Holbox has no paved streets or traffic lights, and you can't bring a car onto the island: you get around on foot, by bike or by golf cart. Colorful wooden façades and murals give the streets the feel of an open-air art gallery.

Cyclist in front of a whale shark mural in Holbox

Island flavor

Lobster, conch and the day's catch

With its fishing heritage, Holbox is known for lobster, octopus, grouper and locally caught fish, cooked with Yucatecan influences, including pibil, achiote and habanero, and the traditions of those who settled here from elsewhere. Lobster pizza, created here, is the island's best-known dish; during the lobster fishing closed season, from March to June, it may be off the menu.

Lobster pizza served at a restaurant in Holbox

More about Isla Holbox

Aerial view of an island in the Mexican Caribbean

September 30, 2024

Discover the Magic of Mexico’s Caribbean Islands

A quick guide to Mexico’s Caribbean Islands: Cozumel for divers, Isla Mujeres for slow days, Holbox for nature and Contoy for birds.

Read the article
Beach in Holbox

September 29, 2024

10 Things to Do in Holbox

Discover the top 10 things to do in Holbox: white-sand beaches, whale sharks, bioluminescence, flamingos, lobster pizza and unforgettable sunsets.

Read the article
A meal shared at a table in Holbox

September 29, 2024

Gastronomy in Holbox: Flavors You Can't Miss on the Island

Gastronomy in Holbox: lobster pizza, ceviche, street tacos, beach-bar cocktails and coconut pie. Where to eat on the island, from the square to the sand.

Read the article

Isla Holbox

81°F (27°C)Clear
78%11 mph (18 km/h)
Climate month by month
  • Tue83°F81°F

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