Discover the 9 Best Holbox Hotels | wolfyy (2023)

FAQs

Discover the 9 Best Holbox Hotels | wolfyy? ›

Young backpackers will prefer to stay in downtown Holbox, where the restaurants and bars are concentrated. Couples and families will love the tranquility and pristine water on the western end. I personally think the best area to stay in Holbox is the eastern end where the sand bar and the best beach lie.

Young backpackers will prefer to stay in downtown Holbox, where the restaurants and bars are concentrated. Couples and families will love the tranquility and pristine water on the western end. I personally think the best area to stay in Holbox is the eastern end where the sand bar and the best beach lie.

I'd recommend staying in Holbox for between three and five nights. That will give you a nice amount of time to relax into island life, sample some delicious food, soak up the views and enjoy a few tourist attractions in Isla Holbox.

Sometimes they work, sometimes they don't, and sometimes they have a line of people waiting to use them and then they run out of money. We read online that a rule of thumb for how much money you need in Holbox is 1,000 Mexican pesos per day per person.

The best time to visit is between December and March when the weather is most settled. The hottest month of the year is May with an average daily maximum of 36 C and an average low of 23 C. The coolest month of the year is December with an average daily maximum of 28 C and an average low of 20 C.

Pickpocketing, mugging and drug crimes are all very low risk on Holbox. Typically, any crimes that occur are between locals and don't involve tourists, but be sure to always use general caution and avoid the beach at night.

Holbox is known for its mosquitoes, so don't forget to bring some repellent. It's also wise to stay indoors around sunset to avoid the most active period for these annoying, blood-sucking insects.

In Holbox, cash is the most common form of payment. Mexican Pesos and US Dollars are accepted everywhere, however it is recommended to carry smaller denominations of money as some local companies often go unchanged.

Is Holbox cash only? Most restaurants, bars and shops in Holbox are cash only, but the island is changing. More and more places are accepting cards, but it is still a predominantly cash island.

When and Where to Experience Bioluminescence in Holbox. Bioluminescence is best seen under dark night sky conditions with no moonlight. To get the very best bioluminescence experience and maximum visibility, plan your Holbox vacation in the days surrounding the new moon in the summer and fall seasons.

What is the sewage problem in Isla Holbox? ›

Previously: The fight to preserve Isla Holbox

“Right now, these are overflowing, and the liquid spilling out is urine. Of 81 cisterns, 21 are failing.” For a little more than three years, the deterioration of the sewage system has the island at risk of severe environmental contamination, hoteliers complain.

Flamingo season in Holbox, Mexico is April to October making this the best time to visit Holbox if you want to see flamingos yet locals claim you can spot them year round. Whether you want to spot flamingo's in Holbox, visiting Punta Mosquito is still a must for anyone visting this island.

No doubt Isla Holbox is one of the best paces to visit in Yucatan and not just because you can swim with whale sharks here. Over the last 3 years I have visited the island multiple times also in the off season. According to some travelers it is similar to visiting Isla Mujeres, but I totally disagree!

Cozumel offers far more activities than Holbox. Furthermore, it has more amenities to make for a more comfortable longer-term stay, especially if you enjoy luxury travel. In fact, many people choose to spend their entire vacation in Cozumel. On the other hand, most people only spend one or two nights in Holbox.

The tap water on Holbox Island is not drinking water and it is strongly discouraged to drink it. However, it is safe to use for personal hygiene or brushing teeth.

"It is thought that Holbox, which in Mayan translates as 'black hole,' was named after the dark lagoon water." Holbox Island is situated at an oceanic meeting point of sorts where the Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean converge.

Holbox is blessed with a long windy season which normally runs from November until the end of May. The Main season is made up of two overlapping but very different seasons, the winter season and the spring season.

The swimming season in this location lasts all year round. Average annual water temperature on the coast in Holbox is 82°F, by the seasons: in winter 79°F, in spring 80°F, in summer 84°F, in autumn 83°F. Minimum water temperature (77°F) in Holbox it happens in February, maximum (86°F) in August.

The signs do warn of crocodiles but you're unlikely to see these from Punta Mosquito Holbox. Generally, the Holbox crocodiles can be found much closer to the northwest tip of the island. But, you'll pretty much be guaranteed to see lots of small fish in the water.

Are there Jaguars in Holbox? ›

It is a set of beautiful panoramas with very special vegetation and animals. In its jungle there are five species of tropical wild felines: jaguar, puma, ocelot, margay (small tiger cat) and aguarundi or jungle cat; unfortunately, they are all in danger of extinction.

Whale sharks, the biggest fish in the world, come every year to visit Holbox. And you can swim with it!

Holbox is easy to navigate on foot, by bicycle or by golf cart – golf cart taxis are freely available and it's easy to rent a golf cart while on the island if you wish to explore by yourself.

Yes — For the vast majority of travelers, the Cancun Chiquila route is a safe and easy drive. You basically only have to take two roads from Cancun to Chiquila — Highway 180D, and then Highway 5.

Most businesses will take U.S. dollars, but it's better to convert your currency to pesos. You'll get better deals and it is the currency of Mexico. Many people get pesos from their bank at home before travel. We normally use ATMs when we arrive at the Cancun airport.

Like other developing regions of the world, Isla Holbox asks that you not flush toilet paper down the toilet. It takes a little getting used to if you are visiting from a more developed region, but it's doable and helps their septic system.

Most (but not all) hotels, bars, restaurants, and stores will accept credit cards. But watch out for added fees – some places will add 5% to your bill if you pay by credit card.

Getting Around Isla Holbox

The town of Holbox is very small and perfectly walkable, plus it's laid out in grid format so finding your way is easy. From the ferry port, it takes only 8 minutes to walk to the main square at the centre of town, and an extra two minutes to walk to the main hotels and hostels.

When Can I See Bioluminescence? Bioluminescence is a year-long phenomenon. In the summer months (June – September) and into Fall, we see a bioluminescence produced by a plankton called dinoflagellates.

For those who want to try and spot the bioluminescence while it sticks around, Scripps says the displays are best viewed from a dark beach at least two hours after sunset, though visibility is not guaranteed.

What time of year is best for Bioluminescent Bay? ›

While the bio bays have some bioluminescence year-round, the best time of the year to visit them is during the dry season, from December to mid-April. Heavy rainfall can cloud the water and make it harder to see the glow from the dinoflagellates.

However, in recent years, there has been a significant increase in the amount of seaweed washing up on beaches around the world. The increase in seaweed on Holbox Island is due to a variety of factors, including changes in ocean currents and temperature, pollution, and climate change.

All of them boast calm, shallow seas and powdery white sand backed by tropical greenery. There's also an abundance of birdlife, including pelicans and frigates, and you can often see fish swimming in the crystal-clear waters. And whatever kind of beach day you're looking for, there's a beach to suit every vibe!

All roads are sand. Isla Holbox is the quintessential “sleepy little fishing village” and remains unspoiled, due to it's inaccessibility from the mainland of the Yucatan Peninsula. The population of Isla Holbox is around 2,000 people, with many of the island's inhabitants fishing the waters for a livelihood.

The nightlife on the island is quite manageable compared to the big tourist centers in Cancún or Playa del Carmen. In many pubs there are often small live concerts or DJs who encourage their guests to stay longer.

For those looking for a snorkeling tour in Holbox exists Cabo Catoche which is the area with the best reefs for snorkeling. It is located 43 kilometers from Holbox at the point where the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico come together.

It's often referred to as Mexico's “best-kept secret”, but where is Holbox Island, and what exactly is there to do? With no cars, streets lined with sand, and a swathe of palm-fringed beaches, the 41-kilometre-long island is the perfect getaway from the tourist traps of the Yucatan Peninsula.

In addition to its unbelievably beautiful beach, Holbox has a little town that's cozy and welcoming. There are a couple of activities you can do here if you like, but in general, this island is the perfect place to slow down, read a book, and relax on the beach.

The Ferry to Holbox Information

Ferry to Holbox island is located in Chiquila, about 1 hour and 48 mintues from Cancun airport. The boat runs daily from 6:00 am to 9:30 pm every half an hour.

Can you walk around Isla Holbox? ›

Holbox is 26 miles long – it would take you a couple of days to walk the length of it and back. Most visitors see as much as they can, slowly and sedately by bike, but if you're in a hurry – or if if you don't feel up to the exercise – you can rent a souped-up golf buggy and drive along the designated dirt roads.

Playa Holbox – the Main Beach

What is this? It's also BEAUTIFUL: think white sand and clear, shallow water that's perfect for swimming. There are tons of amenities here: with a great mix of restaurants, bars, and beach clubs on the sand to suit all tastes and budgets.

It's a 10-minute ride along the main drag to the island's only town: Holbox. Bikes and golf carts are the main modes of transport—you'll find a number of rental shops on the island, and most hotels offer complimentary beach cruisers—but you can go almost anywhere on foot.

Yes — For the vast majority of travelers, the Cancun Chiquila route is a safe and easy drive.

Rent a Golf Cart

These small vehicles are quite suitable for the poor sandy roads, as long as you avoid large puddles and potholes, and do not drive in loose sand. Otherwise, you can get stuck or the engine dies because it gets wet.

In Holbox, cash is the most common form of payment. Mexican Pesos and US Dollars are accepted everywhere, however it is recommended to carry smaller denominations of money as some local companies often go unchanged. $ 100 dollar bills are not generally accepted in the area.

Isla Holbox is about 2 hours north of Cancun and Playa del Carmen, and it takes about 2.5-3 hours to get to Isla Holbox from Tulum. Since it's an island and there are no bridges, you'll also need to get a short, 20-minute ferry ride from the port town of Chiquila, Mexico.