Isla Holbox is in Quintana Roo, better known worldwide as The Mexican Caribbean
Getting there
From Cancun (follow signs on the road), take the free highway 180 (called Merida Libre) or Avenida José López Portillo, direction to Merida; keep always on the right also when the road separates. At El Ideal, turn right to Kantunilkin, and then you will arrive to Chiquilá, where the road ends. There you have to take the ferry ($60 pesos each way) that will bring you on the other side of the Yalahau Lagoon, arriving to Holbox island in around 20-minute boat ride.
Schedules of the collective boat to Holbox Island
Eat
You must try the delicious LOBSTER PIZZA, nowadays an icon of the delicious Holbox gastronomy
Seafood, delicious in many places for all budgets
Italian food. Mixed with the delights of the sea and the local preHispanic cuisine
Sleep
Hotel Casa Barbara, 52 (984) 875 2300, Avenida Tiburón Ballena s/n, Isla de Holbox, Quintana Roo, Mexico, CP 77310, Hotel Casa Barbara is located at Quintana Roo, Mexico. It offers 22 amply furnished hotel accommodations, all of which have air-conditioned, scenic garden views, free Wi-Fi access, and shower with bathtub. Some of its amenities include a garden, and a swimming pool. While staying here, you can visit some interesting places like Isla Pajaros, Yalahao Lagoon, and Chiquila.
Deluxe
The Holbox Collection, , excelent opions for all budgets, all in the same place
Casa Sandra - hotel boutique on the island
Holbox Dream - a dream to stay in
Convenience
La Palapa - located near the magnificent beach of the island
Elements - the only vertical hotel, with a point-view on its top
Maya Inn Holbox - near to the pier harbor
More options
Villas Flamingos
Wayak, - rustic and downtown located
Mawimbi
Faro Viejo
Los Delfines
HOSTAL Y CABAÑAS IDA Y VUELTA CAMPING, +529848752358, Calle Plutarco Elias Calles s/n, From the peer the fifth Street right till the end, Unique, fresh and cozy, the campground is located at 80 m distance from the main beach and offers to backpackers the possibility to sleep on hammocks or beds in small wooden cabañas protected with mosquitoes nets as well as within tents on the soft sand of the garden. Familiar and cheap, it is the perfect spot for people who want to relax and socialize by having all basic comforts such as hot water, electricity and ventilators. Additional to communal kitchen, laundry, BBQ grill and toilets, the camping provides also a fully equipped house for rent ideal for families and small groups who desire a bit more of privacy.
Sightseeing
The island of Holbox is in fact very small, you don't see many cars around, so the best way to go anywhere is walking, bicycle or golf carts.
Things to do
Whale shark watching
You will leave early in the morning from your hotel with a taxi for an hour boat drive towards Cabo Catoche, where the Gulf of Mexico meets the Caribbean Sea. There you will have the opportunity to swim side to side with the largest fish on earth, the harmless whale shark, and most of the time see as well dolphins, turtles and manta rays. It is a lifetime experience that you cannot miss and is only available from June till September when the “Dominos” (nickname for whale sharks) unite themselves in the warm and rich waters of Holbox to eat plankton and prepare for the way back to South Africa. Only limited availability.
More details in
Bird watching
Flamingos, ducks, seagulls, herons, grey and white pelicans, frigates are just some of the more than 100 native and migratory species of birds who live on the soil of Holbox Island. Most of them nest here, in Isla Pajaros, located only 10 minutes by boat from the village. This small piece of land is protected from the federal law and has been equipped with two observation towers to avoid disturbing the endangered species and appreciate looking at them very close. In this tour the different beauties of the island are visited and experienced. Only limited availability.
More details in
Crocodile watching
Enjoy the experience of going out during the night and look at crocodiles while hunting in their natural environment. Depending on the season, it is also possible to approach them from really close while taking pictures. Traveler will have the chance to combine the adventure of a wildlife experience together with the mystery of mangroves. Only limited availability.
More details in
Turtle watching
Watching a turtle lay their eggs is an unprecedented experience, and Punta Mosquitoes in Holbox is one of the best places to see it. Thanks to the lonely and clean beaches, during the months of May, Jun, July and August, hundreds of female turtles return to give birth in the same beach where they were born. This tour is organized together with some local groups of conservation and protection and is supported by local guides and biologists. Only limited availability.
More details in
Holbox discovery
Holbox has many hidden bays, paradisiacal beaches and Caribbean places to discover. More than 30 km of its territory is still virgin and ideal for adventure lovers and photographers. Exploring Isla Holbox can be made in several ways and this tours is a complete miscellaneous of the different possibilities. Only limited availability.
More details in
Welcome to Holbox
Get In | Sightseeing | Do
More:
Isla Holbox is in Quintana Roo, better known worldwide as The Mexican Caribbean
Getting there
From Cancun (follow signs on the road), take the free highway 180 (called Merida Libre) or Avenida José López Portillo, direction to Merida; keep always on the right also when the road separates. At El Ideal, turn right to Kantunilkin, and then you will arrive to Chiquilá, where the road ends. There you have to take the ferry ($60 pesos each way) that will bring you on the other side of the Yalahau Lagoon, arriving to Holbox island in around 20-minute boat ride.
Schedules of the collective boat to Holbox Island
Eat
Sleep
Deluxe
The Holbox Collection, , excelent opions for all budgets, all in the same place
Casa Sandra - hotel boutique on the island
Holbox Dream - a dream to stay in
Convenience
La Palapa - located near the magnificent beach of the island
Elements - the only vertical hotel, with a point-view on its top
Maya Inn Holbox - near to the pier harbor
More options
Villas Flamingos
Wayak, - rustic and downtown located
Mawimbi
Faro Viejo
Los Delfines
HOSTAL Y CABAÑAS IDA Y VUELTA CAMPING , +529848752358, Calle Plutarco Elias Calles s/n, From the peer the fifth Street right till the end, Unique, fresh and cozy, the campground is located at 80 m distance from the main beach and offers to backpackers the possibility to sleep on hammocks or beds in small wooden cabañas protected with mosquitoes nets as well as within tents on the soft sand of the garden. Familiar and cheap, it is the perfect spot for people who want to relax and socialize by having all basic comforts such as hot water, electricity and ventilators. Additional to communal kitchen, laundry, BBQ grill and toilets, the camping provides also a fully equipped house for rent ideal for families and small groups who desire a bit more of privacy.
Sightseeing
The island of Holbox is in fact very small, you don't see many cars around, so the best way to go anywhere is walking, bicycle or golf carts.
Things to do
Whale shark watching
You will leave early in the morning from your hotel with a taxi for an hour boat drive towards Cabo Catoche, where the Gulf of Mexico meets the Caribbean Sea. There you will have the opportunity to swim side to side with the largest fish on earth, the harmless whale shark, and most of the time see as well dolphins, turtles and manta rays. It is a lifetime experience that you cannot miss and is only available from June till September when the “Dominos” (nickname for whale sharks) unite themselves in the warm and rich waters of Holbox to eat plankton and prepare for the way back to South Africa. Only limited availability. More details in
Bird watching
Flamingos, ducks, seagulls, herons, grey and white pelicans, frigates are just some of the more than 100 native and migratory species of birds who live on the soil of Holbox Island. Most of them nest here, in Isla Pajaros, located only 10 minutes by boat from the village. This small piece of land is protected from the federal law and has been equipped with two observation towers to avoid disturbing the endangered species and appreciate looking at them very close. In this tour the different beauties of the island are visited and experienced. Only limited availability. More details in
Crocodile watching
Enjoy the experience of going out during the night and look at crocodiles while hunting in their natural environment. Depending on the season, it is also possible to approach them from really close while taking pictures. Traveler will have the chance to combine the adventure of a wildlife experience together with the mystery of mangroves. Only limited availability. More details in
Turtle watching
Watching a turtle lay their eggs is an unprecedented experience, and Punta Mosquitoes in Holbox is one of the best places to see it. Thanks to the lonely and clean beaches, during the months of May, Jun, July and August, hundreds of female turtles return to give birth in the same beach where they were born. This tour is organized together with some local groups of conservation and protection and is supported by local guides and biologists. Only limited availability. More details in
Holbox discovery
Holbox has many hidden bays, paradisiacal beaches and Caribbean places to discover. More than 30 km of its territory is still virgin and ideal for adventure lovers and photographers. Exploring Isla Holbox can be made in several ways and this tours is a complete miscellaneous of the different possibilities. Only limited availability. More details in
The Holbox Collection Tel: +52 998 8403942 E-mail: info@atbcommerce.com Website: http://www.holboxcollection.com
Sascia c/o Hostel Ida y Vuelta Camping Calle Plutarco Elias Calles s/n Entre Robalo y Chacchi 77310 Isla Holbox Quintana Roo - Mexico
Tel: +52 984 875 2358 E-mail: idayvueltacamping@yahoo.com Website: http://www.camping-mexico.com
Davide c/o Mextreme Travel Av. Palomino Centro Entre Pizzeria Edelyn y Billar 77310 Isla Holbox Quintana Roo - Mexico
Tel: +52 984 875 2449 E-mail: mextreme-travel@hotmail.com Website: http://www.mextreme-travel.com
Contact & location
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Ryan Holliday, dcetina@gmail.com, Astridcomet, Claus Hansen, Marisa Rosales, Ida y Vuelta Camping and Dwayne Shreve
This travel guide also includes text from Wikipedia articles, all available at
View full credits