Hammocks on barefoot island

Holbox Island is our favourite island destination in Mexico. It's small, idyllic and authentic. You'll find Holbox Island by driving 2½-hours north from Cancun or Playa del Carmen and you can't take your car on the ferry which gives Holbox is charm. Local islanders make a comfortable living fishing around the Island and they're not economically dependent on tourists, which gives the place a wonderfully laid-back atmosphere.

There are only a handful of hotels on Holbox Island and these are all low-rise resorts, standing along sweeping sandy beaches within walking distance of the village. It's a wonderful place to chill out and escape reality for a while. If you get tired of swinging on your hammock in the sun, you can take snorkelling trips with the dolphins, sea turtles and stingrays.

If you would prefer a quiet but more commercial beach resort take a look at our Tulum beach accommodation, 1½ hours south of Cancun. Alternatively, look at our advice on the more popular destination of Playa del Carmen.

Duration	4 days / 3 nights Departs daily	Accommodation	Double room in posada on the beach (room only). Comfort level 3 (see accommodation).
Price	£123 per person - self-drive £303 per person - bus trip based on 2 people sharing	Includes	Accommodation, island tour (snorkelling possible). For bus travellers: return private transfer from Cancun to Chiquila.
Transport	Rental car or bus	Excludes	Car hire, return ferry (approx. £5 per person) or private boat (approx £12 per person).

Day 1: Arrival on Holbox Island

At the end of your stay in Playa del Carmen (or Cancun) you can pick up your rental car and, after some brief instructions and directions you'll be ready to go. It's a four hour drive to Chiquila, a peaceful little fishing village and the gateway to Holbox Island. Instead of the toll road take the 'libre', a smaller country road which leads through several villages. Buy a ticket for the next ferry to Holbox Island at the jetty. There are 9 crossings daily and you can leave your car in the attended car park for approx £2.30 a day. It's a 30 minute ferry ride to Holbox Island where you will find golf-buggy taxis waiting to take you to your hotel.

You'll stay in one of the charming posadas on the sand. Your room/cottage is decorated in Mexican style and has a private bathroom, fan, mosquito net and a balcony or veranda with hammock. The posadas all have a pool.

Day 2 - 3 Holbox Island & boat trip

Holbox village has a main street with a couple of restaurants, bars and one or two internet cafes. Most of the 1500 inhabitants are fishermen. Holbox Island is the place to spend the day lying in your hammock with a good book, sunbathing on the beach or swimming in the warm turquoise waters. If you want to see more of Holbox Island then rent a golf buggy, it's the only mode of transport in the island and a fun way to get around. You could also book one of the organised eco-tours. Holbox Island is one of the best kite-surfing spots in the world. Unfortunately the Mexican government has closed some of the good beaches for eco-preservation purposes but luckily there are still plenty of places to get your kite-surfing kicks. Bring your own gear.

A must for every visitor to Holbox Island is an Islas boat trip across the Gulf of Mexico (included in the price of this tour). The trip will take you to several uninhabited islands around Holbox Island and on the way you're likely to spot dolphins or rays. your first stop is Isla Pajaros, where you'll walk across the island amidst large colonies of pelicans and frigates. The boat then takes you to Yalahao Lagoon where you can swim in a crystal clear freshwaters spring surrounded by tropical vegetation. Finally it's on to the pristine beaches of Isla Passion with its calm waters, palm trees and flamingos. On the way stay on the lookout for turtles and tropical fish. In whale shark season you can upgrade the tour to a Whale Watching trip, where you'll have the chance to snorkel with the whale sharks that hang out near Holbox Island. (surcharge roughly US$50, to be paid locally).

Holbox Island - Affordable local restaurant

On Holbox Island

There are no banks or cash machines. Restaurants generally don't accept credit card although hotels do (Visa or Mastercard) be it with a hefty commission so bring plenty of cash. There's no mobile phone reception on the island. You'll find a petrol station in Chiquila so if you're travelling by car you fill up here before you continue your drive. June, July and August are the best months to spot whale sharks, though sometimes they're around from May - September. Dolphins, turtles and manta rays can be found here all year round... which goes for sand flies and mosquitoes too, especially in August and September so bring good insect repellent. Most hotels have mosquito nets but if you want a guaranteed 100% hole-free net bring your own.

Holbox Island - posada Holbox Island - swimming pool

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