Forming part of the Yum Balam Nature Reserve, Holbox Island lies just off the northern tip of the Yucatan Peninsula. This car-free island is separated from mainland Mexico by the Yalahau Lagoon and is ringed by blissful beaches where pink flamingos feed. Whale sharks can be spotted migrating along the coast between June and September.
Things to do in Holbox
Spend your days on the white sands of Playa Holbox, which is renowned for its hammocks strung just above the shallow waters. Backing the beach are casual bars where you can grab drinks throughout the day, as well as restaurants serving the island’s famous lobster pizza. For a wider choice of seafood dishes, head to the ever-popular Raices Beach Club.
In the north of Holbox Island is Punta Mosquito, a large sandbank that remains completely untouched. A highlight of visiting this slice of paradise is witnessing the flocks of pink flamingos that feed in the shallow waters, alongside pelicans and a variety of other birdlife. At low tide, keep your eyes peeled for horseshoe crabs scuttling across the sand.
Punta Cocos on the western tip of Holbox Island is famed for its bioluminescence, which can be observed on dark nights when the moon isn’t too bright. By day, the beach is an idyllic place to swim and relax beneath a palm tree with a coconut juice in hand. Punta Cocos is also one of the best places on Holbox Island to watch the sunset over the Gulf of Mexico.
Getting around Holbox
Regular ferries connect to Holbox Island from Chiquila, which is around 3.5 hours by bus from Cancun and Cancun International Airport. Flights are also available from Cancun to Holbox Airport. Golf carts and bicycles are the most popular ways of getting around the island.