Village centre
First-timers, budgetAround the square, close to the beach and pier.
Island guide
Things to do in Holbox
A car-free island off the tip of the Yucatán: sand streets and golf carts, shallow turquoise water, flamingos, whale sharks in summer, glowing plankton at night and sunsets over the sandbars.
12
Hostels in the city
8.9
Average, from 8,088 reviews
0
Cars
2–3
Days
No cars, no rush
Holbox is a long, thin island off the north coast of Quintana Roo, where the Caribbean meets the Gulf of Mexico. It is part of the Yum Balam reserve, and reached by ferry from the village of Chiquilá, about two and a half to three hours from Cancún.
There are no cars: people get around on foot, by bike or by golf cart on sand streets lined with murals, hostels and small restaurants. The water is shallow and calm, and you can wade out to sandbars at Punta Mosquito and Punta Cocos.
From roughly June to September, boats go out to swim with whale sharks, the biggest fish in the sea. Give Holbox two or three days, and more if you want to slow down.
Where to base yourself
Stay in the village near the square and the beach; the hotels further east along the beach are quieter.
East beach
Quiet, beachHotels along the beach east of the village.
Punta Cocos side
SunsetsThe west end, towards the sunset point.
Orange labels are neighbourhoods, dots are the 5 top-rated hostels. Map data from OpenStreetMap contributors.
Things to do
Things to do on Holbox
Wade out to the Punta Mosquito sandbar, where flamingos sometimes feed, and watch the sunset from Punta Cocos. Swim and laze on the beach in front of the village.
In the season, roughly June to September, take a boat to swim with whale sharks. A three-islands tour visits Isla Pasión, Isla de los Pájaros and the Yalahau cenote.
On dark nights, especially in summer, look for bioluminescent plankton in the shallows. Kitesurfing is good in the windy months.
Free things
And what it costs nothing to do
The beaches and sandbars are free, and so are the sunsets at Punta Cocos. Walking the sand streets to see the murals costs nothing.
Swimming in the shallow water in front of the village is free.
Boat tours, bikes and golf carts charge.
Food and drink
Eating and drinking
Holbox is known for lobster pizza and fresh ceviche. Tacos and quesadillas cost €2 to €4 around the square, and food stalls set up there at night.
Everything comes in by boat, so prices are higher than on the mainland.
A 10 to 15 per cent tip is usual in sit-down restaurants; check the bill first, as some add a service charge (propina).
Nightlife
Going out
Holbox has beach bars, hostel bars and a few spots with music near the square, busiest in the high season.
Sunset drinks at Punta Cocos are the main event.
A beer costs €2 to €4.
Getting around
Getting around
ADO buses and shuttles go from Cancún to Chiquilá in about two and a half to three hours, and ferries cross to Holbox in about 25 minutes. Small planes fly from Cancún.
On the island, walk or rent a bike. Golf-cart taxis meet the ferry.
Cars stay at secure car parks in Chiquilá.
Costs
What Holbox costs
Hostel beds start at around €15 to €30 a night. Tacos cost €2 to €4.
A whale shark tour costs about €100 to €150, a three-islands tour about €25 to €40, and bike rental about €8 to €12 a day.
Bring enough cash in pesos: there are few ATMs and they can run out, and not everywhere takes cards.
Safety
Safety and scams
Holbox is safe and relaxed. Use reef-safe sunscreen and keep your distance from wildlife; with whale sharks, follow the guide's rules and do not touch them.
Mosquitoes are fierce at dusk, so bring repellent. The sand streets flood after heavy rain.
Do not drink the tap water; use bottled or filtered water, which most hostels provide. In an emergency, call 911.
What's on
What is on while you are there
Whale sharks and holidays.
Roughly June to September
Whale shark season
Off Holbox
Swim with whale sharks.
Summer, on dark nights
Bioluminescence
The shallows
Glowing plankton.
December to April
High season
Holbox
Sunny and busy.
Hostels
Where to stay
The highest-rated hostels in Holbox, live from Hostelworld. Prices and availability are live on each property page.
Semilla Guesthouse – Small & Cozy Hostel
Dorms from €20 a night
See dates and book
Barco Verde Hostel
Dorms from €14 a night
See dates and book
Mapache Hostel
Dorms from €15 a night
See dates and book
Tribu Hostel
Dorms from €13 a night
See dates and book
CHE Holbox Hostel & Bar
Dorms from €8 a night
See dates and book
When to go
November to April is dry and sunny, though cold fronts (nortes) can bring wind and cloudy water in winter. June to September is whale shark season, hot and humid, with the best bioluminescence. Hurricane season runs from June to November.
Jan
Dry, nortes
Feb
Dry
Mar
Spring break
Apr
Easter
May
Hot
Jun
Whale sharks arrive
Jul
Whale sharks
Aug
Whale sharks
Sep
Peak hurricane risk
Oct
Rain
Nov
Drying
Dec
Holidays
Bar height is temperature. Colour is how busy it gets:
quiet
busy
peak
Average highs, rounded. Hot all year.
What your trip will cost
Per night, for one person, based on Holbox prices.
Treat these as a guide. Tours cost extra.
—
- Beds—
- Food and drink—
- Getting around—
- Doing things—
Holbox questions
The ones we get asked most.
How do I get to Holbox?
By bus or shuttle from Cancún to Chiquilá, then a 25-minute ferry.
When can I swim with whale sharks?
Roughly June to September.
Are there cars on Holbox?
No; walk, bike or take a golf cart.
Are there ATMs on Holbox?
A few, and they can run out; bring cash.
Is Holbox safe?
Yes, it is safe and relaxed.
How many days do I need?
Two to three.
When is the best time to visit?
November to April, or June to September for whale sharks.
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