So you’ve got 2 days to spend in Holbox and wondering what to do in Holbox? You came to the right place. I lived in Holbox for about 3 months in total. You can definitely spend more time here and relax, but 2 days are enough to get to know the island.
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What is Holbox
Holbox is a gorgeous little island just off the Yucatan peninsula. It’s not quite off the beaten track anymore, like a lot of older blogs might tell you, but it doesn’t receive the same crowds as Isla Mujeres and Cozumel either. Isla Holbox has the nicest beaches we visited on the Yucatan peninsula and should definitely make it to your itinerary for 2-3 days to relax, spot awesome animals and eat great seafood.
Isla Holbox has something for everyone. Whether you prefer a hippie-style or all-inclusive resorts, you’ll find something to your liking here.
Best time to visit Holbox
Any time outside of the core rain season is a good time. The core rain season is roughly September to November, which is when there is also a change of hurricanes passing by. As the activities in Holbox are basically all outside, this is not the best season to visit. Plus, the streets get flooded easily as they consist of very compressed sand. This makes getting around very difficult. From December the weather gets better already and days are always warm in this part of Mexico.
In summer the waters get warmer attracting lots of animals. So if you want to spot marine animals like dolphins, rays, and whale sharks, summer offers the highest chances of seeing them.
How to get to Holbox Island
1. By bus/colectivo and ferry
In order to get to Holbox, you need to take a ferry from Chiquila. The ferry costs 220 pesos one way and takes about 25 min. Between 2 companies they leave every half an hour and you can find an up to date schedule here. There are small boats going as well for 200-220 pesos each which are quicker. We never took them though as the ferry is more comfortable and will get you and your stuff over dry.
You can reach Chiquila by bus (link ADO) or colectivo from Cancun or Playa del Carmen. From Tulum, take the colectivo to Playa first. Ask the drivers for the colectivos to Holbox, which are one block away. It’s best to make a reservation for the colectivos, to make sure they have space for you. You can send them a Whatsapp (in Spanish) at +529842346606.
2. By plane
There are small planes going from Cancun airport to Isla Holbox as well. There are no regular, commerical flights however, so you’d need to pay for the whole plane, as it was a taxi. A small plane for up to 5 people costs 500 USD. This service is more for hotel owners who need to get to Cancun quickly or people staying at the big and expensive resort.
Where to stay in Holbox
You’ll find all kinds of accommodation at Holbox. Hostel Che is a popular option. This party hostel is located close to the ferry (about 5 minutes walking) and about 5 min walking to the center and 10 to the beach.
If you’re looking for less party but still social, Tribu is your place. They offer plenty of activities and their bar is open to the public. So even if you decide not to stay here, you can check out the bar and live music.
Done with dorm rooms, but like the vibe of a hostel? Check out Golden paradise hostel. They no longer operate as a hostel, as in they don’t have dorms anymore, but they do offer a shared kitchen and common areas to socialize.
Want to go a little more island style, Kin Camping offers tents with fans (trust me, you’ll need them) and a common area with shared kitchen. Naturally the camping attracts more hippie-style travelers and you’ll find plenty of the Argentinians selling their handicrafts on the beach living here.
Other than these options, there are also plenty of Airbnb’s and hotels ranging from simple to expensive resorts.
Holbox itinerary - Day 1
Take an early bus or colectivo to Chiquila. The ferry goes every half an hour (between 2 companies), so no need to worry about their schedule. Head to your hotel/hostel/camping and drop your stuff.
Grab lunch at Las Panchas for awesome and cheap (for Holbox standards) seafood. In the afternoon head to Punta Coco. This part is great to watch the sunset and once it gets dark, the bay behind Punta Coco is the best place to see the plankton. It needs to be really dark to see the plankton well (which is why you won’t see it as well from town), so if the moon is big, try to go before it comes up/after it has gone down.
Once you’re tired of playing with plankton, head back to town for a pizza at Roots and Hot Corner for music and dancing. This is where the party is and everyone will be dancing on the street. So grab a couple of beers on the way, or buy them from the store in front.
Holbox itinerary - Day 2
If the hangover from yesterday allows, get up around 8 am today and step by the animal shelter. They’ve got plenty of dogs who are looking for a buddy to take them for a walk. Go for a little stroll before breakfast. The most famous breakfast place is Painapol, but go before you’re actually hungry as there usually is a line. Manglu serve giant portions of waffles if that’s your thing and various other places serve breakfasts and smoothies.
With a full stomach head to the other side of the island, direction punto Mosquito. This part of the island is at its prettiest when the tide is low. This is when the famous sandbanks appear.
Walking from the center, you can go via the beach and cross over to the sandbank in front of Villas Flamingos. You can also follow the road Damero or Kuka from the center, pass Hotel Las Nubes and continue on the path in front of you. From here you can cross to the sandbank as well. Enjoy your morning here, go for a walk on the sandbank and head back to town for a late lunch.
If you’re looking for a budget meal: Get a burger on Calle Damero. Head towards the market from the main square and you’ll find a small little place with a sign outside. You can also grab another pizza at Pizza Alex (no frills, on the way to town from Punto Mosquito) or Edelyn at the mains square. El Hornito Argento is a great option as well for Milanesa/pizza/pasta and funky craft beers.
Take the ferry from 17.30 to be on time for the last colectivo to Playa/Cancun at 18.30, making the most out of your second day here.
Other things to do in Holbox
Fell in love with Holbox and want to stay another couple of days? There are several tour agencies offering several activities:
- 3 island tour – Visiting Isla pájaros, isla passion and a cenote on the mainland. They might take you to Punto Mosquito as well, so if you don’t feel like walking here, consider taking this tour and explore a little more
- Kayaking in the mangroves – Rent a kayak from HolboXtreme at the beach next to las Nubes or contract a tour them or another agency in town.
- Punta Catoche – This tour is worth it in summer, when plenty of animals visit the island. You can see mantas, dolphins, turtles
- Fishing – If you’ve got your own equipment, you can fish from the piers in town. You can also take a tour further into the water.
- Whalesharks – In summer, roughly between May and September, Whalesharks pass the island. Tours are rather expensive (2600 – 3000+ pesos) and they don’t give you any guarantees. So if you go and don’t see any, they won’t take you out again nor give you a (partial) refund. Also, later in the season, the sharks are closer to Isla Mujeres, so you’d be better off taking a tour from there. In September it takes about 3h to reach the sharks from Holbox. There are also a lot of boats gathering around the same shark, making it very busy and you might get to see only one or two before heading back to Holbox. So having snorkeled with Whalesharks in Australia already, I decided it wasn’t worth it for me to do it here. I have such great memories from my experience in Australia, I felt like I’d probably be very disappointed with the tour here.
This was How to spend 2 awesome Days in Holbox – The perfect itinerary
For more awesome things to do in Mexico, check out my guides to do in the area, check out my guide to the Yucatan Peninsula. Or, if you’re venturing out further into the country, my guide to central Mexico.