7 Best Things to Do in Isla Holbox

Last Updated: January 3, 2024

If you’re planning on visiting Isla Holbox, continue reading to find out everything you need to know about the island; how to get there, the best things to do in Isla Holbox, and things to avoid.

Isla Holbox is located on the northern part of the Yucatan peninsula and it is the ultimate destination for those seeking to escape the busy towns of the likes of Tulum and Cancun. Isla Holbox is known for its laid-back boho vibe and wonderful beaches. These are only a few reasons why you should visit this beautiful island.

For it being a small island, Holbox has no shortage of amazing things to do and unique experiences to offer. So, when we’re asked “is Isla Holbox worth visiting?”, our answer is a jubilant “YES!”.

We spent 3 unforgettable days in Isla Holbox, basking in the sun, swimming in turquoise waters, and eating our way around the island. Below are our top 7 recommendations of the best things to do in Isla Holbox that you don’t want to miss out on.

Here are our favorite 7 best things to do in Isla Holbox!

BEST THINGS TO DO IN ISLA HOLBOX

1. EXPERIENCE SWIMMING WITH WHALE SHARKS

Imagine swimming in the open waters of the Gulf of Mexico with the company of beautiful whale sharks. Isla Holbox becomes home to hundreds of whale sharks each year from June to September. While this may not be the best time to visit the Yucatan peninsula due to the high temperatures, rain, and heavy humidity, it will be your only window of opportunity to swim with whale sharks in Isla Holbox.

As far as unique experiences go, we believe that nothing beats this. It is truly one of the best things to do in Isla Holbox.

Whale Sharks are huge animals and it is easy to feel a bit intimidated when you swim next to them but these wonderful gentle giants are completely harmless to humans as they feed exclusively on plankton and small fish. Be mindful and choose an eco-friendly tour that respects sustainable tourism. We recommend VIP Holbox Experience tour agency as one of the best and oldest on the island.

2. TRY KITESURFING

Isla Holbox is a fantastic place to try kitesurfing for the first time. The warm waters and the mild wind conditions make it one of the best places to try this cool activity. There are many places in Holbox that offer kitesurfing classes but Kukulkite is the best on the island. They have expert staff that can introduce you to the sport step-by-step and they speak English so communication won’t be a problem. If you’ve never tried kitesurfing before then we strongly recommend that you try it at least once during your visit to Isla Holbox as it is one of the best things to do on the island.

3. GO ON AN EXCITING BOAT TOUR

Islands are the ultimate destination if you want to go on a boat tour and Isla Holbox is no exception. Choose a boat tour that will take you around all three islands; Isla Pajaros, Isla Pasion and end your tour at Yalahau spring for a swim. The tour lasts a few hours so you’ll have a lot of time to fully enjoy swimming in crystal clear waters and exploring undiscovered parts of the island where you’ll find little to no crowds at all.

What’s best, the boat tours offer a unique opportunity to see flamingos and other bird species. This is truly a must-see when in Isla Holbox. Be sure to pack an environmentally friendly mosquito repellent as these guys are ruthless! A boat tour around the 3 islands is unmissable and without a doubt one of the best things to do in Isla Mujeres.

4. EXPLORE ISLA HOLBOX ON A GOLF CART OR A BICYCLE

The best way to get around in Isla Holbox is by a golf cart or a bicycle. If you’re on a budget, your best choice will be to rent a bicycle. The price is 250 pesos (roughly 12 dollars) for 24 hours and if you’re a large group you might want to bargain for a small discount. Golf carts are convenient and fun and they can be a great way to get around Holbox if you’re not up for the exercise. However, they’re not cheap. The price to rent a golf cart in Holbox for 24 hours varies from 85 to 100 dollars. I’m sure you’ll agree that that’s not the most economical way.

5. EAT TO YOUR HEART’S CONTENT

Holbox is a rustic island with a very relaxing overall vibe, however, this doesn’t mean that your choices for dining out are limited. Quite the contrary, we found the food scene in Holbox surprisingly very vibrant. Mexican, Mediterranean, or Asian, no matter what your taste buds crave, you’ll most likely find it in Holbox. From luxury to budget and from healthy to…not so healthy, Holbox’s food scene has it all. One thing is for sure, you won’t get hungry in Holbox.

TIP: The island is small and during the peak season it gets very crowded. Therefore, we highly recommend that you call in advance to book a table at the restaurant of your choice. This way you will avoid queuing or the disappointment of not finding a table.

HERE ARE A FEW MORE THINGS TO DO IN ISLA HOLBOX THAT ARE FREE

6. SWIM IN THE WARM TURQUOISE WATERS

While the Yucatan Peninsula has some of the most striking beaches I’ve ever seen, the ones in Isla Holbox were not as spectacular in comparison. Unless you go off the beaten path and visit those only accessible by boat. With that said, you’re still in a tropical paradise so spending time by the beach truly is one of the best things to do in Isla Holbox.

The best beaches on the island are Punta Coco located on the west and Punta Mosquito on the east. Each comes with its advantages.

PUNTA COCO

Punta Coco is the closest beach to Holbox downtown and you can reach it in a few minutes by bike, golf cart, or on foot. It is a beautiful sandy beach with clear water and palm trees offering natural shade from the scorching Mexican sun. You can swim in its shallow warm waters and bask in the sun for a few hours and when you get hungry, simply head back to town for a delicious lunch. Punta Coco also offers the unique opportunity to experience the extraordinary bioluminescence phenomenon. However, your best chance to see them is by night snorkeling or kayaking. This is one of the best tours to choose from if you want to experience this unique phenomenon.

PUNTA MOSQUITO

On the east of the island, you will find the idyllic beach of Punta Mosquito. A stunning mile-long beach with soft sand and inviting turquoise waters. If you’re lucky and the tide is low, you’ll be able to walk along the sand bar which is a pretty awesome experience in itself. This is where the famous Holbox hammocks used to be. Regrettably, the local officials decided to remove them so now you’ll find them mainly at the beach bars and a few restaurants located by the beach. When we’re asked what are the best things to do in Isla Holbox, we always recommend Punta Mosquito. Don’t miss out on a visit to this wonderful beach!

7. ADMIRE THE REMARKABLE MURALS

Sometimes the most beautiful things are free and the remarkable murals found all across Holbox are not to be missed. A few years ago, Mexico International Public Art Festival (IPAF) tried to source the best artists and summoned them to Holbox. The aim of the project was to introduce the Art Festival to the island and what better way to do that other than innovative and colorful murals? We loved walking around and stopping every so often to snap pictures of the murals and we’re sure you will enjoy it too. This is why we’ve included it in this article of the best (free) things to do in Isla Holbox.

USEFUL INFORMATION BEFORE YOU TRAVEL TO ISLA HOLBOX

WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT ISLA HOLBOX

This depends entirely on what type of holiday you’re after. There is really no bad time to visit Isla Holbox with the exception of September and October. This is the hurricane season so we’d suggest that you avoid these 2 months. The best time to visit Isla Holbox is between May and June. This is right after the peak season when the island is congested with tourists and right before the extremely high temperatures, rain, and humidity strike. Visiting between May and June comes with one more great advantage, you’ll have the unique opportunity to swim with whale sharks.

HOW TO GET TO ISLA HOLBOX

To reach Isla Holbox, you’ll have to drive to the town of Chiquila and from there take the ferry to Holbox. You can take a shuttle (colectivo) directly from Cancun airport to Chiquila. You can also take the ADO bus from Cancun airport or from any of the other popular cities; Tulum, Playa del Carmen, Cancun downtown, Valladolid. Rent a car or take a taxi, although we don’t really recommend taxis for long distances in Mexico as they can rip you off.

If you don’t want to stay overnight in Isla Holbox, we highly recommend this boat tour to Holbox from the mainland of the Yucatan peninsula. This is a full-day tour that will allow you to see the most beautiful and interesting parts of the island.

WHAT TO PACK FOR ISLA HOLBOX

There are a few things that must not be forgotten when you start packing your suitcase for an exotic destination. We’re here to help you create a checklist of the most essential things that you should not forget to pack.