Let me let you in on a little secret I can’t keep any longer from Life Lovers Magazine. Listen closely, whether you’re looking for a backpacker’s hostel haven, yoga retreat on the playa, fun in the sun with your family, luxury honeymoon romance or even a little mixture of all of these accommodation styles, Isla Holbox has all of these and more.
By Jennifer Dyer
From living in Tulum, Mexico, the last four years and experiencing the influx of tourists attending electronic music festivals, prices on the rise and seasonal rushes, if you are looking for a more laid-back, natural aesthetic, Holbox is the Island for you. Rustic yet chic, Holbox is a lot more quiet and low-key compared to the more popular towns of the Riviera Maya, like Playa del Carmen, Cancun or Tulum. Holbox is what I call “a sleeping Tulum,” having a lot of the beautiful characteristics Tulum once had before it was discovered. Holbox is my personal escape when I need to get away. It is a special bird-watcher’s paradise, with a profound amount of seabirds, like herons, pelicans, flamingos, and egrets, to name a few.
My own little lo-fi Mexican escape is sometimes referred to as the “Maldives of Mexico” because of Holbox’s pristine blue waters, endless pink flamingos, laid-back aesthetics and mañana mentality! That everything will get done when it gets done.
Isla Holbox is very convenient, safe and easy to get to. It is only a three-hour car ride from Tulum to the port of Chiquila, and then a quick 45-minute ferry ride over to the island from Chiquila. In addition, you could easily fly into Cancun International Airport and hire a private driver, or take the ADO Bus to Chiquila Port, which takes about two hours. From there, you buy a ticket at the ticket center for Holbox Express Ferry. They have a departure every hour, on the hour, starting at 6:30 a.m. and ending around 9:30 p.m. Adults are 220 peso (around 13 USD) per way and children 180 peso, or 11 USD, per way. You can buy tickets online in advance or at the box office at the port. This is your first step to getting to the beautiful island of Holbox!
The next step upon entering the island is knowing there are no cars! That’s right, only golf carts and ATVs, which really slows down the pace of the island. You can either rent a golf cart, ATV or simply taxi to the places you want to go on the island. This all depends on how much you want to rely upon your own means of transportation. Let me assure you, though, it’s a small island, and when I go, I just taxi if I need to get somewhere. Another easy option would be renting a bike, walking, or jogging.
Isla Holbox is a beautiful, enjoyable island all year long. The summer months of July and August are especially magical because of the incredible whale shark season and increased chance of seeing bioluminescence, while the winter months are absolutely lovely, bringing less rain and more sunny days.
Whale sharks, also known as the gentle giants of the sea, are the largest fish in the world. They have hundreds of tiny teeth, but they don’t use them to hunt. Whale sharks are filter feeders, meaning they have to swim forward to swallow their prey, which includes crab, krill, jellyfish, small fish and fish larvae. They can process more than 6,500 liters of water per hour through their gills, to filter out their food. Another interesting fact from WWF.org is “that less than 10% of whale sharks born survive to adulthood, but those that do may live to 150.” Lastly, they are very slow swimmers and migrate long distances. Early June to mid-September is their season here in the Riviera Maya, then they slowly make their way back to many places like Belize, Honduras, and South Africa.
When picking a tour company, it’s important to check that they are ethical and environmentally sustainable. We want to only work with companies that have these beautiful creatures’ best interests in mind, wanting to help conserve and protect the natural environment. The most accredited whale shark tour on Holbox is Holbox Whale Shark Tours. I had my first whale shark experience last August, and it was life-changing. To see these gentle giants in their natural environment in the open sea is simply remarkable and captivating.
Bioluminescence is another beautiful natural wonder of Isla Holbox. The only way you can see the bioluminescence is at night, and there are many tours that offer nighttime kayaking, boating and walking tours. But, in my opinion, if you rent an Airbnb close to Punta Cocos, you can explore at night and walk to the beach on your own time without having to worry about the logistics of a tour. The island is very safe, so that should put your mind at ease. Punta Cocos is on the west side of the island, for reference. Bioluminescence is a light production of phytoplankton. Interestingly, the reason it’s best to see this bioluminescence June through September is because of the higher availability of phytoplankton. One of the whale shark’s most readily available food sources is phytoplankton. From the National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) website: “Phytoplankton, also known as microalgae, are similar to terrestrial plants in that they contain chlorophyll and require sunlight in order to live and grow. Most phytoplankton are buoyant and float in the upper part of the ocean, where sunlight penetrates the water. Phytoplankton also require inorganic nutrients such as nitrates, phosphates, and sulfur which they convert into proteins, fats, and carbohydrates.” When you are on a guided tour or an individual tour, the sea will glow with bioluminescence when it is disturbed by motion. For example, a wave breaking on shore or you yourself splashing the water at nighttime. This is an activity fit for anyone and can turn your night into a once-in-a-lifetime experience!
Accommodations on Holbox
Hostels
If you are a nomad, backpacker, or go-with-the-flow kind of traveler on a budget, opt for a hostel. There are a couple cute ones on the Island, but I recommend checking out Tribu Hostel (@tribuhostel) on Instagram. I recently made marketing content for their restaurant and fell in love with the setup. It was like a tree house, with a cool, electric energy. Being right downtown, you have many amenities within a block. Tribu has many different fitness classes they offer and a pool to relax in. On the first level there are dorms, which they have separated into men only, women only, or coed. Then on the second and third level, they have their restaurant, Magma, (@magma.holbox) and Tribu Tiki Bar (@tribubar_), both beyond fabulous. Tribu is a great place to hang and meet new people from all over the world! A night stay is around 500 peso or 30 USD.
Airbnb
I personally love to travel Airbnb, and this is what my husband and I opt for when we are on a mini family trip with us and our two doggies, Zsa Zsa and Rico. We like the convenience of privacy, more space to relax, and the different options we can pick from. We love to cook fresh-caught seafood in the evening, so a kitchen is very important to us. We love having a fire pit for the evenings and a pool for the daytime. I would recommend staying on the west side of the island if you’re looking for more of a relaxed residential feel, which is a 25-minute walk from the hustle and bustle of downtown and a 30-minute walk from Punta Cocos. The best Airbnbs on Holbox can range from 80 USD to 500+ USD per night. The one my husband and I usually stay at is around 200 USD a night, to give you a reference point.
Hotels
There are some really beautiful hotels on the island if you are looking for that special place to relax, decompress in luxury, and simply enjoy being pampered. I would recommend, if you are celebrating something special, to stay at Nomade Holbox Hotel (@nomadeholbox). Their ocean suites are breathtaking; open up your windows at night and fall asleep to the crashing waves. The hotel is directly on the sandy beach, which is unique on the island of Holbox. Nomade has a weekly wellness schedule of Pilates, yoga flows like Ashtanga, breath work sessions, sound healing, and even aqua floating sessions. The cuisine at Nomade is exceptional; their produce and cooking supplies are collected from regenerative farms in the Yucatán and sustainably sourced from the sea. From the Nomade website: “Guests can taste farm fresh ingredients grown from Mestiza de Indias, like purple sweet potato and African okra at our restaurants, where food is honored as the ultimate resource from nature.”
Yoga retreats
The best company for yoga wellness retreats on the island of Holbox is through Yoga Holbox Studio (@yogaholbox). They offer sailing and yoga sessions, daily yoga classes, floating therapy sessions and full immersive yoga retreats. Their next retreat is February 28-March 3, 2024, being a beautiful experience with breath work, sound journey healing, Pilates, cacao circles, and of course, yoga, lead by locals on Holbox. Such an authentic way to dive deeper into your spirituality, submerged in a new culture on one of Mexico’s most breathtaking, serene islands.
Top 5 Restaurant Picks
Viva Zapata Restaurant (@vivazapata_holbox): the most delicious, authentic Mexican cuisine on the island! Homemade tortilla chips and chicken fajitas are to die for. Cool, snappy atmosphere, a perfect Mexican cantina only two blocks from the ocean.
Spirit Rooftop Restaurant (@spiritrestaurante): the most delicious fresh ceviche I have ever had! With a lovely rooftop pool and daybeds, it’s a great place to come for a relaxing day overlooking the ocean. The sunset here is one of Holbox’s well-kept secrets!
K’U’ Holbox Restaurant (@kuholbox): for more high-end dining, similar to what Nomade has to offer. Fabulous sharing plates and handcrafted cocktails. Located directly on the sea, immerse your senses in fine dining and unwind as you embrace the ocean’s beauty.
MR HAPPY ® breakfast and brunch (@mrhappyholbox): for your breakfast and brunch dining experience! Delicious pancakes and waffles, fresh fruit assortments, and juices. A cool retro style, yet boho chic, a perfect place to enjoy a morning cup of coffee and cuisine to charge up for your day’s adventures.
LUUMA Gathering Bar (@luumaholbox): another delicious restaurant with creative, inspiring handmade cocktails and crafted sharing plates. Lovely place for an evening out on the town, only one block from the beach. Modern boho-style bar and laid-back ambiance.
Holbox is such a chic little island I have fallen absolutely in love with. Its slow pace, natural charm, and timeless feel is captivating. A place to free your inner self and slow down from your reality. Holbox has everything to offer. From adventure to relaxation, it’s a place of pure, natural magic.
If you have any questions about the island or about Mexico in general, send me a DM on my main social media page on Instagram. I love hearing from my Life Lovers family and will surely return your message. The beauty of Holbox is dear to my heart, and being a local here in Tulum, I can help answer whatever questions you may have or connect you with whatever source you may need!
Love and light this New Year.
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January/February 2024 | Life Lovers Magazine.
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