The Mexican Caribbean is every American’s go-to spot when they think of a sunny vacation abroad, and looking at the teal tonality of the warm waters, the miles upon miles of white sands, and the fascinating native culture, can you really blame them?
The one big caveat?
The resort strip between Cancun and Tulum can feel a bit too crowded for some, especially in peak travel months like summer and winter, when millions of travelers descend upon the Hotel Zone for their all-inclusive getaways.
However, if it’s some quality beach time you’re craving, the ever-busier Mayan Riviera is far from being your only option:
Welcome To Peaceful Holbox
An idyllic island lying just off the Yucatanese coast, approximately 26 miles and only 0.9 miles wide, Holbox offers limited crowds, truly undisturbed nature, and some of that peace and quiet visitors can’t find in jam-packed Cancun.
With a population of just over 1,000 residents, and a limited number of hotels and guesthouses allowed to operate on the island, itself a nature reserve protected by the state of Yucatan, Holbox is worlds away from the otherwise-chaotic Mayan Coast:
There’s none of the crazy traffic––in fact, there’s no traffic at all as it is a car-free island––the sleepy village life makes sure partygoers are kept at a safe distance, and as room availability is lower, it feels less crowded year-round.
In fact, Holbox is your best bet for a stress-free trip to the Mexican Caribbean this season, as occupation levels are beneath 50%, and many of the beaches lapping the short coastline are undisturbed, with only a small number of beachfront hotels and (mostly casual) bars.
Thanks to the lower occupancy, prices are far more attractive in Holbox this time of year than they are in other much more sought-after Caribbean hotspots like Playa Del Carmen or Tulum.
How Much Does A Boutique Hotel In Holbox Cost?
Staying overnight at the charming AWA Holbox Hotel Boutique, a short half-mile walk from the main settlement on the island, and straddling a peaceful stretch of coast, is only going to cost you $208 this season when normally rates start from a whopping $520.
Similarly, it costs $215 to book a bungalow-style stay at the youth-friendly Nomade Holbox this summer, with its rustic architecture, incredible ocean views, and privileged location only 200 meters away from the iconic Playa Holbox and a 10-minute walk from Punta Coco.
Believe it or not, despite its greater sense of exclusivity and unspoiled nature, Holbox is one of the most budget-friendly alternatives in the Mexican Caribbean right now: there are double rooms listed for as cheap as $31 a night at La Aldea Holbox Camping.
If you don’t care for round-the-clock catering, and you’re simply looking for a place to spend the night, the four-star Macondo Holbox Hotel is the perfect pick, with double standard rooms starting from $62 (down from $89), and only 150 meters from the main tourist zone.
How To Get To Isla Holbox
Now for some bad news… getting to Isla Holbox isn’t as simple as catching a flight. While Isla Holbox does have an airport, you can only use it if you are coming in on a private plane.
For most of us, the easiest way to get to Holbox is to fly into Cancun, take ground transport to Chiquila, and then take a ferry to Holbox.
To save even more, you can take the popular ADO bus from Cancun. Buses leave for Chiqulia about every four hours and cost between $9 and $30. Check out the schedule and buy tickets here.
One of the most popular ferry services is the Holbox Express, which runs once an hour from 6:30 am to 8:30 pm. Rates are about $16 for adults and $11 for children, and tickets can be booked here.
While all of this may sound like a hassle, that can be an advantage!
This is part of why Holbox is less crowded. The journey may be longer than a Cancun all inclusive, but the destination is worth the effort!
A Very Safe Island For Tourists
Safety remains a major concern for travelers heading to Mexico, and rightly so: reports of police misconduct and gang activity are widespread in certain parts of the country, and the Yucatan Peninsula is no exception.
That’s not to say Mexico is dangerous, but certain precautions must be taken nonetheless, such as maintaining a high level of situational awareness in crowded areas, particularly outside resorts, and keeping valuables in a safe back at the hotel.
Lucky for Holbox-bound tourists, crime levels on the island are extremely low and even negligible compared to its Caribbean counterparts: gun violence is close to non-existent, and pickpocketing rates are not as high as you’d expect.
According to the U.S. State Department, the state of Quintana Roo, which administers Holbox and other larger islands off the Caribbean mainland, like Isla Mujeres and Cozumel, is a Level 2 destination: this means Americans should exercise greater caution but not refrain from visiting.
Lower Levels Of Sargassum
Last but certainly not least for beach bums making their way here, Holbox remains largely clear of sargassum for most of the season: yes, you’re unlikely to find huge deposits of the smelly brown algae on its fine white sands compared to the Cancun coast.
That is because sargassum tends to bypass the island as it makes its way to the Yucatan Peninsula’s shoreline.
As it is located further north than Cancun and Tulum, which directly face the Caribbean, the incidence is lower.
That doesn’t mean Holbox is sargassum-free: there is definitely some accumulating along the shoreline, particularly in summer when the algae tend to proliferate at a faster rate thanks to the humidity and higher water temperature, but it’s usually under acceptable levels.
Additionally, as Holbox has a smaller coastal length, cleaning efforts are not as big an ordeal as they would be on the Mayan Riviera.
Even if landfall has occurred in the evening before, you’re likely to wake up to a spotless beach the next morning.
Learn more about Holbox––and start planning your trip––here.
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