In this post we want to make a comprehensive summary about what to see and do in HolboxIn addition to giving you recommendations and tips to enjoy this incredible paradise to the fullest, we have been fortunate to live on the trip to Mexico in 45 days and that has become for us one of the essential places to visit in Mexico.
Having spent several days on the island and finding that it is not too interesting to make a daily summary of our stay, since at many times of the day we only relax, we have thought that it is best to choose to make a summary of the days of our stay, explaining the things to do in Holbox that we liked the most and that we believe, are more interesting.
How to go to Holbox
Going to Holbox is much easier than it may seem initially, although you cannot access the island by car, since motor vehicles are not allowed.
To get to Holbox it is necessary to get to Chiquilá, from where you must take a ferry that will leave you on the incredible island of Holbox in 30 minutes.
The total time spent in sections on the route are: Tulum-Playa del Carmen (1h) - Playa del Carmen-Chiquilá (1: 15h) - Chiquilá-Holbox (30-minute ferry)
Extended information in the post How to go to Holbox from Tulum
Best time to travel to Holbox
We could say without fear of being wrong that any time is good to go to Holbox, although depending on the things you want to do, it is more convenient to plan the trip in one month or another.
We made the trip to Mexico for free in the month of January and we found days with average temperatures of 20-25 degrees, although in the mornings and nights, the weather cooled down lowering temperatures to 13 degrees.
The weather, although unpredictable, respected us a lot, taking the 6 days we were intervals of sun and clouds, including a couple of days of rain.
Holbox
Keep in mind that two of the most demanded activities in Holbox, the whale shark swim tour and the bioluminescence tour, can only be done at one time of the year, which includes the months of June, July and August .
Although the latter will probably offer it to you at any time, from what they told us, not worth it, since the experience is only complete in those months, since the rest of the year you can hardly see anything.
** Update 2019: Although at the time we traveled to Holbox we understood that all the companies that made the tour to swim with the whale shark promoted responsible tourism, today, so we have been able to read, unfortunately this This is not the case, and only some do it in an ethical and responsible manner.
With this in mind, we believe that if you want to do this tour yes or yes, it is worth thinking about it and choosing a company with which you make sure, not contributing to the animal's stress or discomfort.
Keep in mind that it is impossible to control the habits of a wild animal, so it is not known how many will end up approaching. This is what causes all boats to concentrate, stressing the animal and even in some cases, hurting it.
What to see and do in Holbox
Although many will think that Holbox is synonymous with rest and tranquility, we have to say that in addition to that there are many activities that you can do and that in addition, these are not at odds with the first, which is probably the maximum of your stay in this paradise island.
After our experience on the island, we leave you what are for us the best things to see and do in Holbox.
What to see and do in Holbox
Cocos Point
Punta Cocos is one of the most visited places on the island and also one of the most beautiful. It is only 2.5 kilometers from the town and is easily reachable on foot, although if you want you can also rent a golf cart or a bike and get there like that or even by taxi (which is also a golf cart, but with a driver).
Taxi in Holbox
You can get to Punta Cocos from the town of Holbox in two ways, inside or by crossing the beach that reaches there. After our experience we recommend you to go one way and the other way, to have both perspectives.
For this it is convenient to take into account the tides, since the walk through the coastal area is much easier to do it at low tide, at which time in addition to being much more suitable, it will also give you the opportunity to access the swings or hammocks that there are on the shore and that have become so fashionable in recent times.
Walk to Punta Cocos
Road to Punta Cocos
The walk to Punta Cocos is an experience in itself, so we advise you to take it easy and enjoy it, since along those kilometers you can find in addition to many wildlife, places full of charm and even an area of the Beach where the turtles nest according to the season.
We must also bear in mind that being such a special place, we must take care of nature as if we were ourselves, respecting it and following the warnings and recommendations not to mistreat it.
Turtle nesting area in Punta Cocos
Birds in Punta Cocos
Once you have reached the final area of Punta Cocos, you will first find a jetty, incredibly photogenic and one of the most visited points to enjoy the sunset on the island.
Cocos Point
After this pier you will be in our favorite area of Punta Cocos, where there are hammocks and unique views of the area. Although the beach is not very wide, there is enough space to put a towel, in addition to some palapas from a place where you can have a drink.
Punta Cocos a place to see and do in Holbox
Cocos Point
Cocos Point. What to see and do in Holbox
After this area where in addition to resting, surely you do not stop shooting the camera, you can continue a few more meters until you reach a kind of sand tongue, in which there is practically never anyone, which although it does not have such good views It can be a perfect and quiet place to have a picnic. Of course, keep in mind that in this area of Holbox there are no services, so you must bring everything and above all, take with you what does not belong to nature.
Cocos Point
As we mentioned before it is very interesting to make one of the routes also through the interior of the island, since in addition to being in some way more comfortable when walking on land, it will allow you to have another perspective, in this case, Holbox.
Roads to reach Punta Cocos
Road to Punta Cocos
Starfish in Punta Cocos
If your walk coincides with low tide and you do it through the beach area, it is very likely that you are, especially in the turtle nesting area, with starfish practically on the same shore. Despite being very striking, please do not touch or take them out of the water.
Starfish in Punta Cocos
As we always say, there is nothing better than enjoying nature and only leaving our memories in it.
Mosquito Tip
Another of the things to see and do in Holbox that you can't miss is going to Punta Mosquitos. Although somewhat further away than Punta Cocos from the town of Holbox, it is also easily reachable on foot, although many people rent a golf cart or a bike to get there.
In case of valuing this option, it must be taken into account that the last section of the road must be done on foot and in case you do it on the beach, if there is high tide, you must get into the water up to the knee.
Way of Punta Mosquitos
Way of Punta Mosquitos
As we did, we recommend you to make the round trip around the beach area, since depending on how the tide is, you will have the possibility to go along the path through a sand tongue, with incredible views of the coast and to the area of Punta Mosquitos.
Way of Punta Mosquitos. What to see and do in Holbox
Way of Punta Mosquitos
Since there is no shade if you make the path along the beach, we recommend you bring water and protection, since if the sun is high, it is better to take precautions.
Mosquito Tip
More practical information to prepare your trip to Mexico
- The best tips for traveling to Mexico
- 10 essential places to visit in Mexico
- The 10 best excursions in Riviera Maya
- The 10 essential places to see in Riviera Maya
- The 5 best tours and excursions in Cancun
As you can see the distances between points of interest and things to see and do in Holbox is not too much and they are easily reachable on foot. In case you do not want to do it this way, it is always possible to rent a golf cart for hours or days or a bicycle, although you have to take into account that there are places, such as Punta Mosquitos, which cannot be accessed, so that you must do a stretch on foot.
Route through the murals of Holbox
Another of the things to see and do in Holbox It is the route through the murals. This tour of the streets of Holbox will allow you, in addition to knowing the more than 50 murals that are in the town, take a walk through the less touristy areas of the town, which will give you a daily view of Holbox, which in Many times we get lost by focusing on the most tourist areas.
What to see and do in Holbox
What to see and do in Holbox
What to see and do in Holbox
Although you can see most of them or a large part in the main streets of Holbox, in the hotels you have at your disposal maps that include the location of the murals. We recommend you spend a morning touring them, since as we mentioned before, it is a unique opportunity to enjoy that other side of the island.
"The girl of the Stars". Route of the murals in Holbox
Route of the murals in Holbox
Sunset in Holbox
Sunsets in Holbox are one of the most special moments of the day. We recommend three locations to enjoy them to the fullest: Punta Cocos, next to the pier, the Holbox Dream Beachfront beach club Holbox Dream Beachfront by Xperience Hotels, which was our accommodation in Holbox for a week and the breakwater area that there is a little further up the beach club.
Sunset in Holbox
Sunset in Holbox
Whale Shark Tour
Although we were not lucky enough to enjoy it, the Whale Shark Tour is one of the most demanded in Holbox. With this tour you can swim next to the whale shark, considered the largest fish on the planet, in some cases exceeding 15 meters long and 13 tons.
Keep in mind that this activity is only carried out during the months of June, July and August.
** Update 2019: Although at the time we traveled to Holbox we understood that all the companies that made the tour to swim with the whale shark promoted responsible tourism, today, so we have been able to read, unfortunately this This is not the case, and only some do it in an ethical and responsible manner.
With this in mind, we believe that if you want to do this tour yes or yes, it is worth thinking about it and choosing a company with which you make sure, not contributing to the animal's stress or discomfort.
Keep in mind that it is impossible to control the habits of a wild animal, so it is not known how many will end up approaching. This is what causes all boats to concentrate, stressing the animal and even in some cases, hurting it.
Holbox
Bioluminescence
The bioluminescence tour is another of the most demanded tours and one of the things to see and do in Holbox that you cannot miss if you are in the ideal season on the island. This phenomenon, in which the waters of the seashore are incredibly illuminated by when some microornanisms collide with the waves, takes place on the beaches of the south of the island and is only visible when it is night and there is no light or full moon .
As we are told this phenomenon can be observed between the months of June to January, although it can only be seen reliably between the months of June and August.
Tips for traveling to Holbox
We leave you a series of tips to travel to Holbox, hoping they help you make your trip much easier.
- You probably read that there are no ATMs in Holbox and that in many places you cannot pay by card. Keep in mind that this is a half true, since it is not widespread.
Today there are several ATMs on the island and in many restaurants you can pay by card. The only problem is that the electricity usually goes out and the cashiers stop working, so it is highly recommended that you carry cash if you do not want to return to Chiquilá, the closest place where there is a bank and ATM.
Holbox
- Something interesting to keep in mind is that if you come from the Playa del Carmen area, take out money according to which banks will have a somewhat higher commission, as well as a much worse currency exchange than in other areas of the country.
To avoid paying commissions and always having the current change, we recommend using the N26 card to pay and the Bnext and Revolut cards to get money at the ATMs. They are the ones we use, They are free and will save you a lot.
You can find more information in this article about the best cards to travel without commissions.
- In Holbox, motor vehicles are not allowed, so if you arrive to Chiquilá by car you will have to leave it at this point before taking the ferry to Holbox.
- In Chiquilá you will find many parking lots with an approximate cost of about 50 pesos per day.
Parking in Chiquilá
- The cost of the ferry to go from Chiquilá to Holbox Island is 140 pesos per person / journey and the time is 30 minutes. Ferries leave every 30 minutes and there are two companies that make the journey in scaled schedules.
- If you want to go or leave Holbox at times other than those that have ferries, there are many schedules from early in the morning to late in the afternoon, you can catch a fishing boat with the same cost. Of course, we warn you that if the sea is a bit choppy the movement will not be the same as the ferry and also do not have any type of insurance, something that is worth taking into account.
Chiquilá Port
- When you arrive at Holbox, to go to your hotel, if this is away from the jetty, you can take a golf cart that takes you and your luggage for 50 pesos to the place where you stay
- As we mentioned before, in Holbox motor vehicles are not allowed, so to get around you can rent a bike or a golf cart for hours or days.
Probably the places farthest from the town you visit are Punta Cocos and Punta Mosquitos and although these may seem very far away, they are easily reachable on foot, as well as being a highly recommended walk.
Cocos Point
Mosquito Tip
Restaurants and cafeterias recommended in Holbox
After a week in Holbox, we leave you a selection of what are for us the best restaurants in Holbox.
- The chapulin
One of the most recommended restaurants on Holbox Island. With a somewhat special concept, in which only 28 tables are served each night, and the service ends, whatever time it is when they have been served, this restaurant is one of the most recommended options on the island.
In addition to this curious system, El Chapulín does not have a menu as such, but the chef every night is approaching the different tables, offers a four-course menu, from which you can choose to choose, in addition to several recommended drinks.
The price of two main courses, 2 drinks, dessert and coffees is approximately 1000 pesos. To take into account that they do not accept credit card.
Location: Main Street, 123
Our rating: 5 stars
- Pizzeria Edelyn
This pizzeria located in the central square of Holbox is the best known for a very special reason: it is the place where the famous lobster pizza was invented.
After our experience we have to say that the pizza is good, although the dough does not fit our taste, since it is like "bread"and we just didn't find the point. To keep in mind that with a large pizza they can eat two perfectly and more if you add an entree.
The price of lobster pizza is 400 pesos the medium and 500 pesos the large and can be paid by credit card.
The customer service at Pizzería Edelyn is somewhat dry and in a month and a peak of travel it is the only place that refuses to give us a ticket of what we have consumed.
Location: Town Square
Our rating: 2 stars
- Black Beard
This taqueria, opened a few months ago is undoubtedly one of our favorite places in Holbox for lunch or dinner.
Throughout our stay on the island we have gone several times, in which we have enjoyed some delicious seafood and fish tacos, which we dare to say, are the best we have tried on this trip to Mexico in 45 days .
The price of tacos is 35-45 pesos depending on the option you choose and the average price of a dinner / meal with 6 varieties of tacos and two drinks is about 350 pesos.
To bear in mind that in Black Beard they have neither desserts nor coffees.
Location: Av. Damero S N
Our rating: 5 stars
Tacos in Black Beard
- Las Panchas
Las Panchas is another of the most recommended restaurants on the island of Holbox to eat seafood and fish.
The medium ceviche is priced at 180 pesos and the lobster about 400 pesos per 400 grams, although it depends on the day.
We ordered a mixed ceviche, lobster tacos (250 pesos) plus beer and melon water for 510 pesos
The lobster tacos are good, but the lobster has put too breaded, which does not put it on the menu, to fill and in the end the flavor is lost a lot.
To keep in mind that you cannot pay by card.
Location: Morelos Street with Pedro Joaquin Codwell Avenue
Our rating: 4 stars
The Panchas
- Milpa
Located very close to the main square of Holbox, this small restaurant is the most recommended on the island. They have a fairly large menu and for two people they recommend an entree and two main ones.
We ask for shrimp, shrimp and octopus, plus chocolate dessert, glass of wine, juice and coffees for 1100 pesos. Although with a price somewhat higher than the rest of restaurants, Milpa is a benchmark, in addition to having an exquisite treatment and food.
To take into account that you can pay by credit card.
Location: Palomino Street S / N
Our rating: 5 stars
Milpa restaurant in Holbox
Milpa restaurant in Holbox
- Casa Nostra
Considered the best Italian restaurant on the island, we went at 1:30 noon, when everywhere they announce that the opening hours are at 1, even in the reception area, since it is inside a hotel.
When we arrive at the door they tell us, practically without looking at us that it is not open and that if we want to eat we have to wait at least until 2:30 at noon. Logically after the deal we did not return.
Location: Av. Pedro Joaquin Coldwell | Pedro Joaquin Coldwell Avenue
Our rating: 0 stars
- Long live Zapata
Another of the most recommended restaurants on the island of Holbox. We ordered garlic and butter shrimp and lobster medallions, more beer, water and coffees for 840 pesos. The lobster very good and at a tight price.
To take into account that in Viva Zapata you can pay by credit card.
Location: Calle Damero 67 Solar 14 | 1/2 Block From Main Square
Our rating: 5 stars
Long live Zapata
- The Argentine Hornito
If you want to change some food, in El Hornito Argentino, you can eat very good pizzas for 170 pesos on average.
To take into account that you can pay by credit card.
Location: 10 Tiburon Ballena Street | Main socket
Our rating: 4 stars
The Argentine Hornito
- Capriccio
If you are looking for a good place on the island to have a good coffee and a cheesecake of oreo de vice, this is your place. In addition Capriccio has an exquisite customer service, a tight price and free Wi-Fi, much better than many hotels in the area.
Location: Whale shark street | Little town square
Our rating: 5 stars
Capriccio
- Mexican Rose
Another of the best restaurants in Holbox and for us an essential on the island. In addition, Rosa Mexicano has a personalized and exquisite attention and a unique quality. We ordered guacamole, octopus and melted cheese, plus cheesecake ice cream (awesome) and two coffees for 700 pesos.
Location: Tiburon Ballena Street s / n Plaza in Pueblito Local 1
Our rating: 5 stars
Mexican Rose
Tours to Holbox
Although we made this trip for free, another option is to book this Holbox Island Tour from Riviera Maya or this Holbox Island Tour from Cancun.
Holbox Island
Day 44: How to go from Holbox to Cancun - Barcelona
