Holbox
The hidden treasure
of the Caribbean
Holbox
What does Holbox mean?
Its name in Mayan means “black hole”.
Where is it located?
Holbox is located 90 miles ( 2 hours drive ) northeast of Cancun, just 6 miles off the north coast of the Yucatan Peninsula, right where the Gulf of Mexico meets the Caribbean Sea..
What is its size?
The island is 1.2 miles wide and 25 miles long, with only 4 miles of populated area.
What can you expect?
Its inhabitants are carefree and friendly people who mostly live from fishing and tourism.
Home to flamingos, pelicans and famous for its bioluminescent waters and whale sharks this tropical island offers a wide range of activities, hotels and accomodation for tourists from across the globe.
Immerse yourself in the rich and colourful culture, meet the locals, explore the pristine white sand beaches and enjoy the calm crystal waters.
What are the most famous tourist attractions?
Regardless of how you choose to spend your vacation, Holbox’s uniqueness and authenticity will capture your heart and imagination.
A journey to remember forever.
LIFE IN HOLBOX
Isn’t life great when it’s lo-fi and low-rise?
That’s the attitude on friendly Isla Holbox (hol-bosh) with its sandy streets, colourful Caribbean buildings, and blissful sun-drunk dogs.
Lying within the Yum Balam reserve, Holbox is home to more than 150 species of bird, including roseate spoonbills, pelicans, herons, ibis and flamingos. Although tourism takes more and more space in the economy, Holbox remains a fishermen’s island. At the confluence of the Caribbean sea and the Gulf of Mexico, there is a lot of food for aquatic wildlife, hence the presence of whale sharks.
Most of the island is also surrounded by rich mangroves. From April to August, the fly fishing enthusiasts are spoiled during the great migration of tarpon. Some specimens can even reach up to 200 pounds. Do not miss your chance to have the fishing trip of your life.
The holboxenos like to party and host a range of cultural activities throughout the year. The Whale Shark Festival, Carnival, Holy Week, and Gastronomic Festival are definitely an occasion to entertain you. The gastronomic offers on Holbox are impressive for a small village of about 2,000 inhabitants.
Weather
Island Protocols
Holbox is part of Yum Balam, a protected natural area since 1994. Where is located, a series of coastal ecosystems that are a powerful weapon against climate change.
Holbox Whale Shark Tours is committed to the environment and community. We invite our peers, partners, clients and guests to be equally responsible so that future generations have the opportunity to enjoy our paradise.
For this reason, we would like to share with you some suggestions when visiting:It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Avoid buying, using or bringing disposable/foam portable fridges (coolers) to our island.
Carefully read the informative signs around the island and respect the bird nesting sites. Remember that we are in a protected natural reserve.
Use biodegradable sun creams and tanning lotions.
Refrain from using all kinds of disposable plastics such as straws, plastic bags, cups, etc.
Live a unique experience: enjoy Hotbox on a bicycle. Avoid the use of motorized vehicles, if you rent a golf cart, respect the indicated roads.
Frequently Asked Questions
Private transport is the safest and most comfortable Transportation to Holbox. We can pick you up in any place of the Yucatan peninsula and your preferred time.
Other options:
Planes direct to Holbox Aerodrome.
Shuttle: Shared shuttle, It is a trip that you can share with other travellers although comfort is not guaranteed the price is very economical.
ADO Bus – ado.com.mx
By car, if you travel by car, you can leave your vehicle in Chiquilá, where there are many parking lots , price per day $ 50 pesos for 12 hours or $100 for approximately 24 hours.
Once in Chiquilá, you take the ferry.
Recommended companies
9 Hermanos (https://www.facebook.com/9hermanosholbox)
Holbox Express (https://www.facebook.com/HolboxExpress/)
At the same price, they leave alternately every half hour.
Approximate prices of ferry Chiquila _Holbox
Tourists adults and children taller than 120cm $220 pesos
Minor Tourists (Up to 120cm high) $160 pesos
Tourist Senior INAPAM $120 pesos
Residents Quintana Roo (with valid credential) $180 pesos
Minor Residents Quintana Roo (with valid credential) $100 pesos
Local Adult (with municipal credential of Lázaro Cárdenas) $80 pesos
Local Minor $30 pesos
Daily trips:
Students, teachers and workers of Lázaro Cárdenas. $30 pesos
Infants: 0-2 years FREE
It’s approximately two hours by car from Cancun or Playa del Carmen.
From Merida, it’s about 4 hours.
While there are some tourist places that accept US dollars, it is always best to carry Mexican pesos. In Holbox, places that accept dollars usually offer a poor exchange rate. There are also currency exchange businesses, but here to the rate is not the best.