When we arrived to Isla Holbox, we didnβt have any expectations. Supposedly to be a beautiful paradise.
Iβm happy to say we found Isla Holbox, little known Mexican paradise to be just what we needed. The island is north of Yucatan Peninsula, separated from the mainland by a lagoon full of pelicans and flamingos.
Since itβs not as easy to reach as its more famous neighbours Tulum or Playa del Carmen, it remained a quiet place still unspoiled by mass tourism. No hotel chains or malls.
Isla Holbox, little known Mexican paradise
We missed our connecting bus to Chiquila so we shared taxi with one lady heading our direction. Ride from the highway junctions just south of Chiquila took an hour. Not bad if the taxi wasnβt too small for our long legs, had no AC and sun was shining very strongly.
Waiting for our ferry, a little stand with βCoco Frioβ sign (Cold coconut) was calling out to me. Michal found a cold beer in a nearby shop and our exhausting day got brighter. Cherry on top was taking the ferry during sunset.
After enjoyable ride we found ourselves on the Holbox Island. With no directions to our booked accommodation, we figured that asking locals during the walk was our best bet. Although the island is 42 km long, only a small western part is inhabited.
We walked the same direction as everybody else – to the beach. After 10 minutes we found ourselves on the main square, there it was. Our lovely little hotel with flamingos by the entrance.
Eating on Isla Holbox
If youβve ever been to Yucatan Peninsula, you know they put chilli on everything. Literally. Even on a fresh coconut. After few days we were ready to eat something else.
Isla Holbox has one square where most restaurants are located, although the best ones we found are in alleys when walking towards the beach.
Craving the food we are used to, the smell from pizzeria across our hotel seemed to persuade us. Little advice – donβt eat on the main square on Isla Holbox. Pizza was tasty but very small and overpriced.
Thanks to the next door establishment with nutella crepes, our bellies were finally full and happy. Nice girl was welcoming us with a huge smile every time we came back. Meaning every evening.
For all other food we visited a little market near the south corner of the main square. They offerΒ orange juice, fruits & vegetables, smoothies and awesome huevos americanos (spicy scrambled eggs with veggies) for breakfast.
Life on Isla Holbox
Since the population on island rarely reach 2000 people, it is an ideal place to unwind and relax.
As with all backpacking trips lasting only few weeks, you try to make the most of it. We were getting a little bit tired of having a full schedule for the day. But here, laid back vibes of the island made us slow down and enjoy the moment.
Morning run on the beach and having a fresh squeezed orange juice (2$ of 1 liter) from the market is my idea of starting a perfect day.
Beach was almost empty and water calm. The only thing we heard during the run were birds and occasional splash of our feet.
Chairs are for beach-front hotel guests only and the sand on the beach is too hard to lie on, so we occupied two hammocks on our private little island.
Everything you need is no more than 5 minutes walking distance. Roads are made of sand and there are no cars on the island!
That means walking barefoot all day long. In case you need a ride around the island, little golf carts aka taxis or bicycles for rent are always nearby.
Activities on Isla Holbox
There is only so much time one can spend lying on the beach and reading a book. For us, the best way to relax is staying active and having fun.
Stand up paddle boarding falls into that and we ended up renting boards for an hour. Sea was waveless which makes it perfect for paddle boarding. But we havenβt gone far. No mood for workout.
Instead, we were running back and forth on the board or trying to keep our balance while standing on one foot. We might ended up in the water way more then itβs usual for stand up paddle boarding.
Our days were ending with evening walks on the beach and watching sunsets.
Maybe one day, when we return, weβll try kiteboarding which is a very popular activity on the island. During summer months, swimming with whale sharks calls for an adventurous spirit. We are in!
Or if we visit Cabo San Lucas, we might see some whale sharks and sea lions there.
But for now, having a few pina coladas in the beach bar swinging in the hammock was our good bye.
We were glad for our visit to Isla Holbox. Experience a place so calm and peaceful is something we are very grateful for.
Would you like to visit Isla Holbox? Let me know in the comments if you found another paradise worth visiting.
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It looks like a real paradise – Did you see the pelicans and flamingos? I’d like to try paddleboarding somewhere like this too
We’ve seen pelicans, no flamingos this time. You can also try paddle boarding on any lake, the smoother the water the better..at least for a beginner.
Indeed, looks like a tiny paradise! π
In general, I prefer a bit different places, but wouldn’t mind to spend there a few days π
I agree, few days is enough π
I’d always wanted to visit Holbox to see the Whale Sharks but it looks like a calm, colorful place to vacation whether they’re in season or not. Love Mexico.
I would love to see whale sharks as well but the season is during summer and there is just so much other things during that time..
Sounds like typical island life. Laid-back and moving at island pace, which is normally slow. Love the naturalness of Holbox, no paved roads and no cars. But, unfortunately all it takes is one mega hotel to change all that.
I hope locals will stay strong and keep fighting against the hotel chains..so far so good.
I hope so as well, but you know economics always win in the end.
Yes it does indeed look like paradise! Any place with that much beauty and epic sunsets is a must visit!
Too many beautiful places in the world π
What an incredible little place. I love experiences that are not tourist hot spots. I am hoping to get to Mexico either in 2016 or 2017. I will certainly have to add this place to must list of must sees. Thanks for sharing π
Definitely do, it’s very different experience from the rest of the Yucatan.
Everything I thought I knew about Mexico before I started reading travel blogs was totally wrong! What an amazing spot – I’ll certainly be dreaming about it during the long Canadian winter!
Me too! So far it’s pretty warm in Alberta.
You definitely got off the beaten path in Mexico! That’s always a great way to relax instead of having a busy schedule all the time. The town looks laidback and tranquil. Nothing to do but watch the sunset. It’s pretty.
And we were so glad we did. Quite hard to go off the beaten path now.
What an adorable town! I’m embarrassed to say I’ve never heard of Isla Holbox before, but it looks perfect!
Most of the people haven’t heard of it as well. That’s why the island is still so quite and calm π
What an adorable and charming little town–Isla Holbox really does look like a hidden paradise! I would love to relax in those hammocks for an afternoon π I had never heard of Isla Holbox, but I’m definitely going to make a note of it for sometime in the future!
We were lucky to find those hammocks still unoccupied at 11am.
How cool that you can walk barefoot all day π This looks like a very chilled and relax place to disconnect completely. not sure about the chili in the coconut though, i prefer a bit of run in it instead!
Few days of walking barefoot was awesome for our feet! Ah chilli, I don’t mind on food but on coconut..thank you, but no π
These sunsets are just stunning! what else did you do in Mexico? I’m leaving in 10 days, and all my preparation for now consists of reading blogs:):)
A lot of swimming in cenotes. Each one is different – one for snorkeling, one for cliff diving. You’ll have a great time!
That is gorgeous! I love the hammocks on the sea!
That was our favourite place π
Chili on everything? The Yucatan Peninsula sounds like exactly my kind of culinary destination! I’ve been dying to visit Mexico more and more lately – will definitely remember to check out this little paradise when I make it!
Yes, please do. I’ve read that Isla Holbox is recommended destination for 2016 by New York Times and few other publications. Go visit before it gets too full.
In the process of booking now! Husband crazy about paddle boarding and when I tell him he can rent one on Holbox, confirms our decision to visit! Were there day rentals and a couple places to choose from to rent? Thank-you!
That’s awesome Lisa. When we went, there was only one place that rented paddle boards – Holbox kiteboarding located at Casa Las Tortugas (I think 20$/hour-less for longer). The sea was calm and therefore perfect for stand up paddle boarding. Enjoy your trip and have fun!
This post brings back so memories. I loved Isla Holbox and had such an amazing time there! Amazing post.
Thank you Eli. Isla Holbox is beautiful, lets hope it stays unspoiled.