Holbox and Isla Mujeres offer a change of scenery in the otherwise packed and animated Mexican Caribbean coast. These islands are perfect contrast providing simple, slower living, with a side of small-time fun and thrill. Holbox and Isla Mujeres are almost the same in more ways than one. The question should be which of the two should you visit first?
Holbox
Yet another ideal entry north of the Yucatan Peninsula, Holbox is an underrated favorite. Gleaming with long stretches of beaches and sand bars, you can expect to find a slice of heaven on the quiet island. If you like pristine conditions and remarkable raw beauty, Isla Holbox is the place to be.
Situated right inside a vast conservatory, marvel at the incredible untouched natural features. A rich variety of wildlife is also protected on the island. Isla Holbox serves more like a contrast in the peninsula’s tourist-saturated coasts. You can find a relaxing atmosphere urging you to sit back, relax, lounge, dip, and wonder upon its nature and wildlife.
What Makes Holbox Unique?
Whale Shark Season
Holbox, despite its underrated name, is a congregating spot of migrating Whale Sharks. Mexico’s Pacific coasts aren’t the only places where you can see these gentle giants. Visit Isla Holbox around June through mid-September, the peak of Whale shark presence. You can marvel at its magnificent waters with these equally magnificent creatures.
You can book tours around the island to encounter these gentle giants. However, you can’t swim with Whale Sharks by scuba diving, so you should opt for a snorkeling tour. Make sure to keep in mind tour regulations regarding swimming with whale sharks, such as no flash photography.
Don’t be too intimidated by the “shark”, these magnificent creatures are harmless, to both humans and fish. Whale Sharks are filter feeders and only consume plankton ever-present in the waters around Holbox. Just make sure you don’t get too close to them when they’re feeding.
Car-Free Island
Due to Holbox’s tiny size, wheeled transport isn’t really a necessity anymore. The island is only about 22 sq mi (56 sq km), which means you can easily go around the island fast.
But the car-free scene isn’t just about its size, the island actually placed a limit on cars coming into the island. This policy was placed to protect the island’s pristine nature and ecology. Only work trucks are present and allowed on the island.
The absence of cars isn’t a problem for visitors, however. You can avail of or rent bicycles or golf carts readily available around Holbox. But even then, the island is small enough for you to walk around. You can easily explore every corner of the island, and marvel at its raw, immaculate beauty.
Glowing Waters
As if the island’s pristine natural beauty isn’t enough of an allure, it also has glowing beaches at night. Also called bioluminescence, this phenomenon is best created by animals. Certain beaches across Holbox glow a mesmerizing blue color, which entices visitors from all over.
The bioluminescence phenomenon in Holbox is caused by the bodies of phytoplankton in the waters. This gives the island an edge over the rest of the Caribbean and Mexico.
Photons can travel through the channels in phytoplankton’s bodies. Which then flow through their bodies as a result of the ripples in the water. This generates electrical pulses that stimulate chemical processes. These processes cause luciferase, a protein that produces blue light, to be activated.
Plan your Holbox holiday in the days surrounding the new moon throughout the summer and fall seasons. These times are offer the best bioluminescence experience and excellent visibility.
The perfect time for bioluminescence varies from night to night, depending on the moon’s path. So make sure to take a guided tour that will help you arrive there on time.
Keep in mind that bioluminescence tours are usually not possible on days near a full moon because the conditions can be too bright. Summer is the ideal season for visibility. Although bioluminescence can sometimes be seen as early as March and as late as mid-December.
Imagine swimming around the gleaming glow of these beaches, it’s like swimming with the stars. Holbox is underrated and is considered one of Mexico’s best-kept secrets. You can expect to experience this spectacle almost exclusively, as there will only be a few people with you.
Laze Your Days Aways
Holbox is small, unassuming, laid-back, and chill. You can expect to be doing as little as possible here. Despite its sheer beauty and rawness, the best thing to be in Holbox is lazy. You only have the beach, the sights, and the rare natural spectacle, no parties, no fancy hotels, just a good-natured downtime.
Here you can enjoy every day without the pressure of doing too much. Be a slacker. Take a stroll around the town center. Admire the vividly colored structures. Consume delectable fare such as the well-known lobster pizza. Enjoy a refreshing tropical cocktail. Relax in a hammock beside the water.
This island should be cherished for its leisurely pace. Make sure to take a look at the incredible street art. Monuments, murals, and creative masterpieces adorn many of the alleys and roads here. Many merchants also sell handcrafted artisan items, allowing you to take a piece of the island’s art home with you.
Three Island Tours
The renowned Three Islands boat trip off the coast of Isla Holbox is a fantastic way to get up close and personal with the island’s natural beauty. This excursion allows you to see wildlife in their natural habitat on Isla Holbox. The island and its lagoon are known for their richness of wildlife, particularly birds.
Isla Pajaros
Also called “Bird Island”, Isla Pajaros is recommended to be your first stop in the Three Islands Tour. It’s a small islet in the Yalahau Lagoon that serves as a haven for a wide variety of species.
Spot pelicans, frigatebirds, white ibis, ducks, herons, storks, and flamingos during specific seasons. Because it is a protected area, walking is not permitted; instead, visitors must view them from a viewing point.
Cenote Yalahau
Sitting south of the lagoon, you can visit the Yalahau Cenote as your second stop. It is a watery hole surrounded by mangroves and rich flora. You can marvel at this scene from the top of the viewpoint.
But the cenotes isn’t only for sightseeing, you can also swim in its pleasant and clear waters. Its waters are said to have healing abilities, which is why it is locally referred to as the “spring of eternal youth.”
Isla Pasion
The last stop in the Three Islands Tour is Isla Pasion. It’s a little island perfect for unwinding and enjoying the sun and sea in complete harmony with nature. On the island, you can roam around, go hand fishing, and look for wildlife.
Yum Balam
Translated as “Lord Jaguar”, the island of Holbox sits within the Yum Balam Nature Reserve. Yum Balam is a 154,052-acre natural area (62,343 ha) that includes both shore and offshore land. It’s in the state of Quintana Roo’s northern region, at the tip of the Yucatan Peninsula. Lázaro Cárdenas, Mainland Holbox, Holbox Island, and Yalahau are all part of the reserve.
It is a flora- and fauna-protected area decreed and established by the federal government in 1994, initiated by the Mayan people. A wide range of land animals can be found in the area.
The reserve houses and protects jaguars, manatees, Caribbean spiny lobsters, sea turtles, and many more. Everglade palms and mangroves are also found here.
Yum Balam’s waters are rich and prolific fishing grounds, accounting for more than half of the state’s total catch. Apart from fishing, thanks to its waters, you can spot Whale Sharks regularly here. Yum Balam is the home and sanctuary for the world’s largest population of whale sharks from May to September.
Whale Shark Discovery Tours were first regulated in 2003 by residents of Holbox and Chiquila. Holbox was declared a Whale Shark Sanctuary and Whale Shark Nature Reserve in 2009.
The conditions and landscape of the entire Yum Balam Nature Reserve is the biggest factor to Holbox’s rich ecology. Much of the island’s thriving life and beauty is owed to the protection given to it by the government. This has resulted in a relatively untouched natural scene worthy of appreciation.
Isla Mujeres
Just off Cancun, Isla Mujeres is the perfect escape from the animated tourist draws of mainland Yucatan. Offering an exact contrast to Cancun, the small island is perfect for a day trip. Isla Mujeres may be simpler, quieter, and small but it packs quite the roster.
In Isla Mujeres, you can have the world’s most beautiful beach, golf cart transports, and a rich underwater scene. Expect to be awe at how such a small island can have such thrills and quirks. Yet, despite the saturation of tourism, the island has successfully remained quaint and authentic.
What Makes Isla Mujeres Unique?
Magic Town Realness
One of Mexico’s unique twists on its cultural landscape is its designation of charming towns. These small quaint towns are referred to as “Pueblos Magico” or magic towns. These towns have certain “magical” qualities to them. Whatever they may be, it made them extra special worthy of recognition and, of course, exploration.
Thanks to its myriad of interesting attributes, Isla Mujeres is designated as a magic town. With a brilliant blend of draws you can easily marvel upon and vibe with, expect your experience to be magical.
Ideal for day trips and quick adventures, even just a few hours of staying on the island you can already surmise how much value the island holds. Perhaps the best telltale of Isla Mujeres’ magical quality is the Mayan undertones that you can still feel today.
Even after the end of the once-great Mayan empire, many of its cultural remnants can still be observed today. Isla Mujeres’ local traditions and attitudes give away their Mayan origins. Much of it has contributed to the island’s fabled magical component.
Upon setting foot on the island, you’ll immediately recognize how relaxed it is. Isla Mujeres is dominated by golf carts, bicycles, and people taking their time, slow and chilled. The island’s more relaxed vibe is best represented by their mode of transport. Imagine having golf carts instead of automobiles as the main mode of transport.
Another magical quality the island has is its overt natural beauty. It is more evident in how it packs a lot of beautiful beaches in a small stretch of coast. The island is only 2,000 feet wide and less than 5 miles long (609 m by 8 km).
On top of its natural draws, Isla Mujeres offers a whole slew of other charms suitable for different types of travelers. From marine and wildlife scenes to its rich historical and cultural features, you can find something to look forward to in Isla Mujeres.
Beaches
You can already expect that because of its island setting, Isla Mujeres is dotted with postcard-perfect beaches. While that remains true, the island is also home to one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. To be dubbed as such is the best testament you can get to how the island’s beaches fare.
With a plethora of beaches on its roster, expect to find a beach that suits your liking. Here are some of the most popular spots:
Playa Norte
Playa Norte isn’t just the most popular beach on the island, it is also the most beautiful. The beach is one of the 10 most beautiful beaches in the world, putting Isla Mujeres on the map. Bright white sand beach stretch and striking clear blue waters define Playa Norte.
The beach provides the perfect conditions for a great beach day, such as shallow waters, smooth sand beach floor, and calm waves. You also have a variety of restaurants, bars, and beach clubs lined across its expanse.
Expect to experience the best swimming in Playa Norte with sheer beauty and a chill and laid-back vibe. Think refreshing drinks and lounging under the sun after a dip in the water.
Playa Centro
Considered to be standing second to Playa Norte, Playa Centro is one of the most popular beaches on the island. Gentle waves brushing white-sand shores edged by lovely palm trees color the Playa Centro scene.
Playa Centro is located at the heart of Isla Mujeres. You can enjoy a quick dip here after exploring much of the town. Apart from swimming, grab refreshing drinks along the many shacks and shops lining the beach. Ice cream is a go-to purchase here as well.
And if you’re one for gastronomy, savor the local Mexican flavors at one of the many restaurants across the beach. Serving the best the island has to offer, Playa Centro technically has it all.
Playa Garrafon
Playa Garrafon is the southwestern coast’s entry in Isla Mujeres’ list of beautiful beaches. You can find the beach right inside the Garrafon Natural Reef Park. The beach boasts a classic pristine white sand beach stretch. Cabanas also speckled the beach, along with amenities perfect for a leisurely lounge under the sun.
Starting from the Playa, you also have direct access to the famous Garrafon Natural Reef Park. The famous spot packs thrills and entertainment for everyone.
You can find zip line adventures, dolphin encounters, and a plethora of other features in the park. The jagged shores of Punta Sur, the southern tip of the island, will also take your breath away. The Garrafon Natural Reserve Park is the perfect testament to the island’s beauty.
Small Island Quirks
With only a total land area of about 4.22 sq km, or 1.62 sq mi, Isla Mujeres is undeniably small. You can easily surmise how quick and easy you can get around the island in less than a day. For adventurous travelers, braving the entire stretch of Isla Mujeres should be an itinerary entry in itself.
Thanks to its small size, you can cover much ground in such a short amount of time. You can head to the main town after docking, then head to Punta Sur, and then Playa Norte all in a matter of a few hours. But Isla Mujeres, despite its size likes to take things differently.
What makes Isla Mujeres especially different is that despite its accessibility, things can take a slow pace here. The island’s general vibe is more about slow living, simple, and relaxed. For all intents and purposes, that very may well be one of its magical qualities.
With its small size and slower pace of life, the locals have made an interesting approach to transportation across the island.
Rent a Bicycle
Bicycles are the simplest and cheapest way to get around the island and are readily available for tourists. You can rent on the many rental shops across town in Rueda Medina. To avoid mishaps with renting, make sure to check your bicycle’s condition before using it.
You can also rent from the many hotels on the island which can be pretty convenient if you’re staying for more than a day. Expect to be paying around 10 to 20 USD a day as a rental fee.
Golf Carts
One fun and quirky thing about Isla Mujeres is how golf carts dominate the island’s roads instead of the usual four-wheel drive automobiles. Whether with a respect to the local way of life, or just the fun of it, many tourists even opt to rent golf carts to take around the island.
You can rent these fun buggies in town, particularly in Rueda Medina. You don’t have to worry about being overpriced, rental fees are regulated by the government. No matter where you’re looking to rent in town, all the prices are the same. It’s best to prioritize quality instead.
Buggies can drive faster and can give you a sense of excitement and novelty when traveling around the island. Locals even said that with an average to higher speeds, you can quickly go around the island in just 30 minutes. With that speed, you can easily see the entire island if you’re only visiting for the day.
Taxis
Other than golf carts, you can also find taxis ever-present on the island’s roads. When it comes to public transport, taxis are your only choice. If you’re staying for more than a day and not planning on renting a buggy or bicycle, your hotel can easily contact a taxi for you.
However, you have to make sure you discussed prices before getting into them.
Meet the Turtles
Turtle lovers and turtle life advocates will surely find something to rave about in Isla Mujeres. While other islands have dolphins and whale sharks to advocate for, Isla Mujeres has turtles. You can find three turtle species housed here: the Hawksbill, the Green Turtle, and the Loggerhead.
You can check them out from August to October being released by the children of the island, and if you’re one of the lucky few, tourists can also participate. The island’s turtle sanctuary hosts many of these marine creatures to rest, breed, and hatch. This helps them thrive and multiply.
Apart from the turtles, you can also find a variety of marine animals in the aquarium as well. You can check out tropical fish, manta rays, and various crustaceans there.
Protection and conservation of marine animals are also one of the island’s many missions. Tourists can help the cause by purchasing souvenirs, snacks, and other merchandise. You can buy from the many simple shops partnered with NGOs taking care of these creatures around the island. Proceeds will most definitely help the turtles.
Garrafon Natural Reef Park
Situated in Punta Sur, the southernmost tip of the island, Garrafon Natural Reserve Park has to be the most famous spot on the island. Garrafon is best known for its pristine conditions, the thrill it provides, and the beauty it holds.
The park offers snorkeling and kayaking experiences, making it not just for sights, but for activities and exploration as well. The park even has a zip line, tours, a sauna, and a pool, making it perfect for family day trips.
Sitting right at Punta Sur, you can easily access it from Garrafon. The area features a lighthouse, a Mayan temple, and a breathtaking view of the Caribbean and Cancun.
Is Holbox or Isla Mujeres Better?
While providing a better opportunity to laze your days away, Holbox is best for those looking to have a bit of a wildlife thrill. Holbox is pristine and untouched, thanks to its conservation effort. On the island, you’ll not only have beaches and sand bars, but you also have lush mangroves and a wealth of wildlife.
Isla Mujeres on the other hand is more attributed to a true laid-back island living. But what makes it different than Holbox is its beach scene and underwater thrills. Perfect for visitors who wants a side of adventure and experience, on an otherwise laid-back island.
Isla Mujeres and Holbox are perfectly united for laid-back travelers and vacationers. Both these islands offer authentic island living in the Mexican Caribbean, complete with a quieter and slower pace of life.
FAQ
Isla Holbox or Isla Mujeres for Whale Sharks
Both Isla Holbox and Isla Mujeres are ideal places for whale shark encounters. These destinations offer the best visibility and water conditions for whale shark encounters. The only difference is that the Isla Mujeres scene is more marketed than Holbox.
The whale shark congregations on Isla Holbox are found within the Yam Balam nature reserve. They are more concerned about protecting marine life rather than marketing them for profit. One of Holbox’s selling points is how secluded the island is, so whale shark tours are can feel exclusive.
How Far Is Isla Holbox From Isla Mujeres?
Located at the far northern tip of the Yucatan Peninsula, Holbox is approximately 45.9 mi or 74 km from Isla Mujeres, directly.
How Do I Get From Isla Mujeres to Holbox?
The best way to get from Isla Mujeres to Holbox is by ferry and bus route. You can take a ferry from Isla Mujeres back to Cancun. Upon arriving in Cancun, take a bus to Chiquila and board a ferry to Holbox from there.
Is There a Ferry From Isla Mujeres to Holbox?
There are no direct ferry routes from Isla Mujeres to Holbox. You have to board a ferry back to the mainland, take a bus heading north and board another ferry to get to Holbox.
How Long Is the Boat Ride From Isla Mujeres to Holbox?
Since there are no boat rides that will take you directly from Isla Mujeres to Holbox, you have to head back to the mainland. Given the transfers and boarding from buses and ferries, a typical travel time can take around five hours.
