Are you looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of Cancun? Look no further for travelers' paradise with relaxation and adventure. Hop a ferry to Holbox Island for a car-free vacation with sandy streets and local flair. Keep reading for some of the best activities in Isla Holbox that make it an unforgettable destination and one of my favorite spots in the Yucatan Peninsula.
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Relax at a Beach Club
You can choose to sit at an upscale beach club like La Playa de Nana or El Velero Beach Club. Most beach clubs will have either a chair fee (200-500 pesos per person) or a minimum spend of about the same amount. Be sure to check on both before you sit down so you aren’t surprised with the bill. If you are looking for beach clubs on a cheaper budget, check out Capitan Capitan or Carolinda Beach Club. Both usually have no chair fee, but just a request to consume on the premises. The drinks are a little more expensive (to make up for no chair fee) but the food is comparatively cheap. Carolinda closes early, so you will likely miss the sunset.
Snorkeling with Whale Sharks
I gotta say this is not quite the ecotour they claim, but it was pretty spectacular. The season typically starts June 1, but they spotted whale sharks early this year, so we were able to go out in late May. There were only 6 boats out for the day, with up to 10 passengers on each vessel. In order to claim “eco-tourism,” they only have 2 guests and the boat’s guide in the water at time. Each guest is only allowed to jump in two times during the course of the tour. The boat captains take turns lining up in the whale shark’s path, so even at the maximum, we only saw 6 people in the water at one time (one group swimming back to their boat and the other group just jumping in). Even though the whale sharks look slow, they are really moving, so you usually get a nice long look as they pass you and then can’t keep up to continue watching them. However, it was truly amazing to see such large creatures up close. I have heard that trips from Cancun can have 100+ boats in the area, so it was nice to travel from Holbox and in low season. I’m not sure I could recommend or justify 100 boats swarming after 1-3 whale sharks just out for brunch. I was able to get my trip for slightly cheaper directly on the island than this tour, but it was earlier than the season usually begins, and I think they were providing discounts to fill the boats. During the high season (July and August), I believe the tours fill quite quickly due to the limited space.
Explore the Island by Bike
Rent a bike for 150 pesos for 12 hours and explore the city. I rented my bike from my hostel, but you can also use Bikes Holbox, a rental company with several locations around the town & kitesurfing classes. You can bike to Punta Ciricote, Punta Cocos, up to the end of the north roads at HolboXtreme and around the town. Biking is a great way to explore the navigable areas of Holbox Island.
Grab a Pastry
Enjoy a local pastry at Panadería Mexicana Rosaura. They offer freshly baked cinnamon rolls, muffins, croissants and French breads, along with freshly brewed coffees. Cash only, but a cheaper option for a light breakfast or snack.
Wade or Swim to Rio Kuku and Punta Mosquito
I would suggest taking your bike up to the end of the road at HolboXtreme and then walking the rest of the way. The tides allow you to wade through the water here onto the sandbar where you can then walk all the way to the bird reserve at Rio Kuku (about 1 mile). Here you can find flamingos, pelicans and other birds. You can take a boat tour that includes other stops like this one or continue on foot (back to the mainland coast) where you can follow the water around to Punta Mosquito (another mile or so). I would recommend lots of sunblock, insect repellent and water/snacks. I stopped at Rio Kuku and tanned by the water’s edge as birds flew around. It’s a nice morning activity. High tide is generally mid-day, so be sure to get an early start if want to avoid walking with all your stuff overhead. 😊
Sunsets on the Beach
Every day of my time in Holbox brought another magical sunset. You can watch from Playa Punta Cocos or anywhere along Playa Holbox during certain times of year. Grab a drink at a shop and take a towel to sit and enjoy the wonderful colors as they dance on the water.
Search for Bioluminescent Plankton
South of town, near Punta Cocos is a small lagoon that goes into the ocean filled with bioluminescent plankton. If you follow the road/trail out to Punta Ciricote, you will pass a large open space (kind of like a sand parking lot) with water access. There is a little pier about 0.5 km before you reach the end of Punta Ciricote and you can stop at the edge of the lagoon for the perfect spot to catch the “show.” You can sign up for a tour here, but I would save your cash because this experience doesn’t provide much more than a golf ride from town and a few anecdotes about the stars. Come to the spot early to watch the sunset and perhaps catch some flamingos eating dinner.
Isla Holbox is a destination that blends natural beauty, adventure and as the locals say, "tranquilo." Whether you're swimming with whale sharks, exploring unspoiled beaches or just enjoying the slow island vibes, Holbox is a great escape, especially from the hustle of Cancan. Check out the other beaches that are better than Cancun & Tulum at this post.
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Looks beautiful & relaxing!