Our ultimate list: 10 best things to do in Holbox

Even though Holbox is a small island, it offers many options for things to do. If you plan your time right, you will be able to visit the best attractions and still have plenty of time to enjoy the laid-back vibe of the village. To help you with this task, we have prepared a list of the 10 best things to do in Holbox with an extra tip of a suggested place to visit in the same region.

You may also like: Traveling to Holbox, Mexico: Where to Stay, Eat and More

1. Enjoy the beaches

Being an island, it goes without saying that the ocean is the biggest attraction in town. My suggestion for all the beach bums is to head to the more distant beaches that are more secluded and, therefore, emptier: Punta Mosquito and Punta Coco. Punta Mosquito is on the far east and Punta Coco, is on the west. You can reach either one by bike, golf cart or even walking (but I would advise one of the other 2 options as it may be quite a walk).

Punta Mosquito has iconic hammocks by the water, but you may also find some bungalows and hammocks to chill close to Punta Coco. The second is definitely more secluded (see picture below), so if you want more infrastructure, a bar, etc, head to Punta Mosquito instead.

2. Rent a bike to explore Holbox

Since cars are not allowed in Isla Holbox, there are basically three alternatives for going around: by foot, by bike, or by golf cart (more on that below!). Renting a bike was our absolute favorite thing to do and we highly recommend doing so. Around the main square, you will easily find several rental places – we paid 150 MXN for a day/bike.

The best thing about cycling in Holbox is that you are allowed to go through the beach sand! The sand is so flat and compact that it is simply the best combination for exploring.

Pro tip: wake up early and head towards the west until you reach Punta Coco. Usually in the morning, the tide is low (still, worth double-checking online!) leaving a large section of sand for you to cycle all the way down. Going early is the best way to get this paradise all to yourself since the tours only start later on.

3. Rent a golf cart in Holbox and drive it yourself!

To make sure you taste a bit of both worlds, we recommend renting a bike one day and a golf cart on the next. It is a bit more expensive than renting a bike but provides a whole lot of fun. Again, you will find plenty of rental places around the center – make sure you ask around for the best price and reputable company. We ended up paying 400 MXN for 2h (around sunset which was the best).

Pro tip: Whenever you start going further away from the center, make sure to have a map with you. Internet on the island is not great and there are almost no signs around. Once the sun sets, you will have only the cart/bike light to guide you.

When it rains – which is often since this is such a tropical destination – the streets get easily flooded. Even for golf carts, it sometimes gets tricky and even more attention is required. I do not recommend driving in this condition if you don’t have experience.

4. Catch a sunset by the beach

Sunsets in Holbox are simply amazing, with the sky being so clear. The two best places we recommend for watching the sunset are the pier downtown (it gets crowded so arrive a bit early to get yourself a good spot by the edge) or down at hammocks in Punta Mosquito.

5. Go on a boat tour to dive on the Yalahau Lagoon

If you want to explore a bit more the surroundings of Holbox, the best thing to do is hop on a boat tour. The most typical itinerary has 3 stops: Passion Island, Bird Island (Isla de los Pajaros), and the Yalahau Lagoon. It takes half a day and I strongly recommend negotiating the price with the companies around the center. If you are in a big group, you may be able to negotiate even better rates and have a boat to yourselves.

During this tour, you will be able to swim on the Yalahau Lagoon, which is not a cenote but an incredibly refreshing lagoon. On the other two stops, you will see various species of birds typical of this region and maybe even flamingos, if you are lucky (most of the time you will be).

Personally, I would leave this tour for last, as your bonus card – if you have enough time on the island to do it, then yes. Otherwise, I would focus on exploring the island by yourself since the best part of Holbox is enjoying the calm and beauty of the place.

If you decide for the boat tour, you can also book it through Get Your Guide!

6. Watch the ocean glow with bioluminescence

Holbox is incredibly famous for the bioluminescence phenomenon that you can see during the night. I highly recommend taking the tour to check it out as it is truly an amazing experience and something really special to see. We got a taxi down at the center and paid 250 MXN per person for a 2h tour. To make it cheaper, you can go independently by renting a cart and following all the other taxis since they all head in the same direction anyway. However, it is very easy to get lost in the Holbox alleys at night and I don’t recommend it.

There are a few conditions that need to align so you can clearly see this phenomenon. First, it needs to be really dark. Even the full moon may jeopardize the visualization as it shines too bright in the sky. Second, the planktons emit light only with movement, so you need to walk on the water or move your hands around the surface to be able to see it. Lastly, the best season to experience it is during the summer, between May and June. However, the tours are available all year round. We went in December and were able to see, even if not as strong as some pictures show.

Where do you see the bioluminescence in Holbox?

Since you need a really dark place to be able to see the bioluminescence effect, your best bet is to go outside of the center. The best place to see the glowing bioluminescence is at Punta Coco, on the absolute extreme of the island. This is where all the tours go and where the higher concentration of plankton can be seen with the naked eye.

However, during some months of the year, the effect is so strong that you can even see it while paddling or simply with the waves.

7. Swim with whale sharks

Holbox offers the possibility of swimming with whale sharks – only possible in a few locations around the globe. But this is only possible during a couple of months of the year (which, unfortunately, was not the time we were around). As part of their migration, between June and September, it is common to see whale sharks swimming by this part of the Mexican Coastline.

Since these are free animals, there is no guarantee you will be able to see any during the tour. It is all a matter of luck, maybe you will not see any, maybe there will be 20 of them around the boat, you never know. When you get lucky and spot the whale sharks, the guides allow people into the water to swim with them. However, don’t go thinking it will be one of those “Chelsea Kauai moments”. It does not look very glorious.

Everyone is required to wear lifejackets (which technically means you will be floating with whale sharks, not swimming) and everyone gets a limited time on the water not to scare them away. If you are not all geared up and ready to make the most of this moment, it may be stressful and some people have had a very negative experience with this tour. However, it is still a very magical experience and I would definitely be excited to go if I am ever in Holbox during the summer.

Pro tip: This tour is also offered from Cancun or Isla Mujeres, but for some reason, people say that the boat ride is way bouncier from these places. I have several friends who complained a lot and came back extremely seasick from this tour. Since Holbox is closer to the open waters where the whale sharks swim by, you get a more pleasant experience going from here.

Is it dangerous to swim with whale sharks in Mexico?

Short answer: no. Whale sharks may be large, but they are harmless to humans since they are essentially “vegetarians”. They feed on planktons, so you can rest assured they are in no way interested in making a lunch out of you. But yes, swimming next to an animal the size of a bus passing by you must be a little intimidating, after all, they are the largest fish in the ocean.

8. Walk along sandbanks to the Yulum Balam Protection Area

The Yulum Balam Protection Area is considered one of the best areas for birdwatching around Holbox, where you can see several species freely flying by and also spot some flamingos. Since it is a protected area, the only way of reaching it is by foot (you can pass by it by boat too) and you should have in mind at all times to be conscious about your impact on this space.

The Protection Area is located towards the east and it requires quite a long walk to reach it. If you choose to go for it, we recommend starting as early as possible to get most of the way during the low tide. As the afternoon approaches and the tide rises, it gets harder to walk and also navigate yourself. We ended up not making it till the end and decided to turn around since the tide was getting too high and making the walk rather unpleasant.

Pro tip: This hike will take you hours and there is no infrastructure along the way. Don’t forget to take water and snacks with you – sunscreen and repellent may also come in handy. Check our guide below on what to bring when traveling to Holbox.

9. Go kitesurfing or paddling

Holbox is a kite paradise, with so shallow waters and strong winds coming in during the afternoon. Since the beaches are quite shallow, you are required to walk for some time towards the ocean until you reach the best area for kites, but it is a very famous spot for practicing such sport.

On the other hand, you can also opt for renting a SUP board or joining a paddling tour. The beach in Holbox is so calm, it has the perfect conditions for paddling and catching a glimpse of the island from a different perspective. Going paddling is definitely among the best things to do in Holbox if you are into water spots.

10. Sip margaritas on a hammock

Last but not least, we strongly recommend taking a day or even just an afternoon to chill and enjoy Holbox. Find yourself a hammock by the water, order a margarita, a cold beer, or even a juice and just lay back and enjoy. As I said, the best thing about Holbox is the calm and peaceful energy and you should definitely save some time to take it all in.

Around sunset, you can walk around the coastline close to the center and you will find several bars with live music and people dancing outside. If you like a bit more silent place, head west where there are a couple of options of bars and hammock places to rest.

11. BONUS TIP – Spot flamingos on Mexico’s pink lagoon called Las Coloradas

Located outside of Holbox, Las Coloradas is an attraction that is often combined with a trip to Holbox Island. Located in Rio Lagartos, Las Coloradas is a wide and extensive pink lagoon where it is quite easy to spot flamingos. You will need to book a tour or drive there with your rental car, but it is a very unique scenario that attracts many visitors and photographers.

In some areas, the shore is so narrow that you can clearly see the clear ocean on the right and the pink lagoon water on the left while standing in the middle on a thin stretch of sand.

PS: since this is a preserved area, it is not allowed to swim on the lagoon, you can only appreciate the view from outside. If you have a drone, don’t forget to bring it!

You can always check for more activities on Get Your Guide!

With all of our suggestions of things to do in Holbox, you already have enough suggestions to keep yourself busy for at least 3 days! For more help when planning your trip to Holbox, check our full guide about the island with info about where to stay, how to get there, and much more!