Holbox Island, a lost paradise | FAQs for a trip to Holbox

Near Mérida, north of the Yucatán peninsula and in the waters of the Gulf of Mexico, lies Holbox: a magical island hidden at the edges of time…

A small island a little over 40 kilometres long, separated from mainland Mexico by the Yalahau lagoon.

Sitting where the Atlantic Ocean, the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea meet, the waters of Holbox are home to diverse flora and fauna.

Holbox and other beautiful sunsets on Yucatecan beaches.

For 5 months a year, in summer, they’re a migration spot for whale sharks.

In Holbox, the coral sand provides nesting areas for turtles.

Dolphins and manta rays are often seen coming a few metres into the clear sea.

A paradise near Mérida

An idyllic place to live by the beach, and it’s near Mérida, just 240 kilometres away.

It’s one of Yucatán’s best beaches and part of the Yum Balam Biosphere.

More than 500 species live together in its ecosystem — from flamingos to large pelicans and small birds. They all inhabit this part of the Yum Balam Biosphere.

Pink flamingo on Yucatán’s beaches.

In the 17th and 18th centuries, it served as a strategic refuge for pirates.

Today it’s a destination that keeps its virgin, untouched beauty…

If you’re going to live in Mérida or visit Yucatán, don’t overlook it for at least two days.

Maybe, once you get to know it, you’ll be tempted to live by the beach. It’s said that its charm and relaxed life, far from mass tourism and the city, seduce more than a few people.

Reasons to visit the lost beach

If you’re looking to relax and appreciate the natural world, this peaceful island is for you.

There are no cars or paved roads. Holbox is a place to take your time and enjoy its surroundings and the beach.

It’s also an ideal destination for walks along the sand while you wait for the sunset.

An island to remember.

If you like street art, you can admire striking multicoloured works that adorn every house.

Holbox is synonymous with exquisite flavours.

You can see this in the main square, where there are delicious street-food stalls with dishes typical of Yucatán’s beaches, famous for their fish and seafood.

5 things to do in Holbox:

1. Swim and dive

Many tour operators offer diving and snorkelling trips. From May to September, you can swim with whale sharks.

2. Visit the nearby islands

By boat you can reach three smaller islands. 30 minutes away are the Yalahau Cenote, Isla Pájaros or Isla Passion, a tropical paradise completely isolated from civilisation and noise.

3. Go to Cabo Catoche

It’s 45 minutes along the Holbox coast. That’s where the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean meet. There’s a small reef where you can see fish and coral. In that area you can dive with dolphins, turtles and manta rays.

“And he realised that no one is ever alone at sea.” — Ernest Hemingway

4. Rent a bike or golf cart

These are the best way to get around the island and see Punta Coco or Punta Mosquito, with its large sandbank and lonely beaches.

5. Do water sports

In its waters you can do paddleboarding, kayaking, windsurfing and kitesurfing.

15 FAQs for a trip to Holbox

What to do in Holbox at night?

Watch the sunset: you can get a great view from the Punta Cocos pier.
Get to know the restaurants in Holbox, Quintana Roo: at Raíces, everyone knows you’ll find the best lobster pizza in Holbox.

How much does it cost to eat in Holbox?

Budget around 250 pesos, at least, per meal per person.

Bear in mind that although it’s a still little-exploited island, locals live on tourism, so you’ll find prices to match your activities, tastes and budget.

Which is the best hotel in Holbox?

Hotels in Holbox, Quintana Roo, have every comfort. Saying which is the best hotel in Holbox depends on tastes and budgets:

If you want hotels in Holbox near the beach, Holbox Casa Punta Coco is one of the hotels in Holbox with the most famous beach.
Cheap hotels on Holbox Island: El Pueblito.
Which hotel do you recommend in Holbox? Tierra Mía Boutique Hotel. It’s pleasant and affordable.

How do you get to Holbox Island?

By bus from Mérida:

Getting to Holbox by bus from Mérida is easy, since there’s an ADO bus station in Chiquilá.

You just have to go to the bus terminal in central Mérida, or one of the city’s terminals, and buy a ticket to Chiquilá.

The trip from Mérida to Chiquilá takes almost four and a half hours.

Do you reach the island by ferry?

The ferry from Chiquilá to Holbox runs every day. The trip from Mérida to Holbox is estimated at between 4 and 5 hours.

As for schedules: the ferry from Chiquilá to Holbox leaves every 30 minutes. Departures from Chiquilá to Holbox run from 6 a.m. until just after 9:00 p.m.

What time does the last ferry to Holbox leave? At 9:40 p.m.
How much does the ferry to Holbox cost? The ferry to Holbox costs 200 pesos.
Where to leave the car in Chiquilá? Parking in Chiquilá costs around 50 pesos per 24 hours.
How much does it cost to go to Holbox? Budget between 1,000 and 2,000 pesos per person.

How to get there by plane?

You can arrive on a private flight from Cancún, Mérida, Tulum and Playa del Carmen.

If getting there on your own feels like too much of a journey, there’s always the option of booking a tour to Holbox from Mérida. Just remember what time the last ferry to Holbox leaves.

How to get from Cancún to Holbox by car? Head towards Chiquilá.

The distance between Cancún and Holbox by car is 139 kilometres.

Really, that’s the distance from Cancún to Chiquilá. Then you have to board the ferry to Holbox Island.

The trip from Cancún to Holbox takes almost three and a half hours.

How to get from Cancún to Holbox by bus?

How long from Cancún to Holbox by bus: two and a half hours.
The cost of transport from Cancún to Holbox is 270 pesos.

Now that you know Holbox’s best secrets and you’re going to live in Mérida, what are you waiting for to visit this paradise?

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