Holbox Island is a 26-mile stretch of unspoiled paradise in the Gulf of Mexico. While intrepid travelers know about this hidden gem (including how to pronounce its name: “ol-bosh”), Holbox has yet to become a beacon on the Yucatan tourist trail. But like many “undiscovered” places, this may soon change as word begins to spread about the island’s tranquil palm-lined beaches, azure waters and abundant wildlife.
About Holbox Island
This enchanting isle is part of the Yum Balam Flora and Fauna Protection Area and located roughly 40 miles from Cancun. A shallow, green lagoon separates this small island from the mainland. Every year, thousands of migrating flamingos find sanctuary in this lagoon estuary, which also attracts pelicans and other avian life.
Mass tourism has yet to take hold on Holbox, where fishing is still the main industry and residents are on a first name basis. Like other Caribbean islands, Holbox has gorgeous white sand beaches, brightly painted homes and a laid-back atmosphere. It has a handful of restaurants, bars and hotels but little in the way of infrastructure. In fact, there are very few cars on the island, adding to its rustic appeal.
Walking is the preferred method of transportation on Holbox given its diminutive size (only 4 miles across at its widest point). Golf carts and horses are also available to guests, as are kayak rentals for exploring the mangrove estuaries. To this day, more than half of the island remains untouched by developers, leaving miles of virgin forest, beach and wetland for residents, visitors and native wildlife.
Incredible wildlife watching
Many day trippers are drawn to the diverse range of animal life on Holbox Island. Four types of endangered marine turtles nest on the isle’s protected beaches. The dense jungles are home to pumas and a species of giant otter that are seldom seen elsewhere. There are 150+ bird species on the island, including herons, ibis, white egrets, roseate spoonbills, pelicans, sea swallows and bright pink flamingos. From May through September, giant whale sharks can be seen feeding on the plankton-rich waters that surround Holbox and adjacent islands. Flamingos are easily spotted by kayak, and local pangas (small boats) ferry visitors to the best areas for observing local fauna.
On the western side of the island, the waters are so clear you can see vibrant starfish, sea urchins and tropical fish, and the waves are calm enough for young swimmers.
How to get there from Cancun
If the idea of a mini-escape from tourist crowds sounds appealing, Isla Holbox is sure to please. Visitors come to unwind, get back to nature and revel in one of the Yucatan’s best kept secrets! Getting here is easy from your Cancun vacation rental.
Private charter flights depart daily from the Cancun airport; the scenic trip to Holbox is just 20 minutes!
The relatively new Yucatan motorway has shortened driving times to Holbox from Cancun, Playa del Carmen and other tourist destinations. For those who have rental cars, the approximate travel time from Cancun’s hotel zone is about 2.5 hours one-way.
Additional Resources on Holbox Island:
- The Telegraph, Great Escape: Holbox, the idyllic Mexican island http://www.telegraph.co.uk/luxury/travel/holbox-mexico-island-casasandra-hotel-review-cancun/
- HolboxIsland.com, Holbox Island http://www.holboxisland.com/destination/
- Lonely Planet, Isla Holbox https://www.lonelyplanet.com/mexico/yucatan-peninsula/isla-holbox
