Holbox paradise: 15 things to do in Holbox Island, Mexico
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Come along with me to discover the best things to do in Holbox Island, Mexico – the quintessential tropical island with turquoise water and fine white sand where you wander around barefoot and drink coconuts under palm trees!
We have visited Holbox multiple times and I hope to return there again. Thanks to its location far away from other tourist hotspots around the Yucatan Peninsula, Holbox still counts as a hidden gem to truly soak in that authentic island life in Mexico.
In this post, you will find the best things to do in Holbox with descriptions, photos, and locations on the map. I hope you enjoy your time on this idyllic tropical island as much as we did. Happy travels!
Read more » 15 most beautiful Instagram spots in Holbox Island, Mexico
1. Explore the hustle-bustle of Holbox Central Park!

Holbox Central Park is the heart of everything that happens on the island. Although it is quite small, there are plenty of activities happening all around it.
First of all, check out the colorful stage located inside the park. The park also features a playground for kids, a sports field mostly used by bigger kids to play ball or by vendors to sell their stuff, and a smaller area with benches for everyone to relax.
One side street of the park is reserved for golf cart taxis always waiting for the next client so this is the place to go if you need one. However, in the evening two side streets around the park are filled with food stalls.
Holbox Central Park is the best place to get street food in Holbox! But don’t come before 6 to 7 PM!


If there is one iconic building in Holbox then it is definitely the so-called Flamingo House located on one of the corners of the Holbox Central Park – right next to the stage!
The Flamingo House all covered with bright colorful paintings was probably the most colorful house in Holbox that we saw! Makes for an ideal place for beautiful Holbox photos!
Location: Holbox Central Park
2. Take a photo at the colorful Holbox sign!

Probably the most popular of all the Instagram spots in Holbox is the iconic Holbox sign with colorful Holbox letters at the beach. Getting that iconic photo at the Holbox sign is a must-do thing for every traveler visiting this beautiful island.
The sign is located right by the main beach in the town centre and is facing the ocean. As you can see, it is missing the letter L and you are meant to go in and fill out the blank space! I am sure you will do it better than me, haha!
Location: Holbox Letters
3. Enjoy the gorgeous Playa Holbox!


The Island of Holbox is famous for its turquoise and tranquil shallow waters and palm tree-lined tropical white sand beaches. So enjoying the beautiful beaches is one of the top things to do in Holbox for all visitors!
One thing I love about Holbox the most is the accessibility of the beach. If you know such places as Cancun, Tulum, or Playa del Carmen, you know that accessing the beach is not always easy as it is often blocked by hotels, beach bars, and clubs.


However, in Holbox, you won’t have any problems finding a beautiful spot on the beach. Miles and miles of white sand beach is all available to you! You can either find a free spot on your own or pay for a sunbed at one of the beach clubs.
One of my favorite beach clubs in Holbox was Restaurante La Playa De Ñaña restaurant and beach club. It is one of the highest-rated beach clubs on the island. For the day pass, you get a sunbed, friendly service, and some of the best food in Holbox!
Location: Playa Holbox
4. Go to Holbox’s charming coffee shops for breakfast!


As a coffee lover, I very much appreciated the coffee scene in Holbox. The best breakfast coffee shops in Holbox are Another Clandestino, Complemento Coffee Shop, and Mr. Happy. Read more about the best places to eat in Holbox here.
Sipping a creamy latte in a cozy atmosphere was all I needed to start the day on the right note. You can also order freshly baked bread, pastry, avocado toasts, waffles with toppings, and more.
Location: Another Clandestino – Complemento Coffee Shop – Mr. Happy
5. Go on a sandbank morning walk to Punta Mosquito!


You know how people usually go for a morning walk along the beach or in parks? Holbox is a bit different as a morning walk along a sandbank to Punta Mosquito is one of THE ultimate things to do in Holbox. Trust me!
Holbox proudly boasts a turquoise shallow water and just a few meters offshore there is a sandbank perfectly suitable for a pleasant morning stroll with gentle waves washing your feet.
Holbox sandbank is the perfect place to be as the sun rises, with locals and tourists partaking in the walk. The sandbank follows the shoreline, sometimes above the water and sometimes just submerged so your feet will get pleasantly wet.
We strolled about a mile in one direction before turning back. Meanwhile, others continued their journey even further. Punta Mosquito is pretty far away and we never meant to get there but our short walk was beautiful nevertheless.
Location: Punta Mosquito
6. Swing on the Holbox beach swings and hammocks!

Swinging on the swings at the beach on a tropical island sounds like such a dream! Luckily for you, Holbox is the quintessential paradise island and we found many beachside swings in Holbox!
We stumbled upon the swings simply by walking along the beach and finding them next to beach clubs or cafes along the way. One thing to know about them is that the beach clubs usually take them down during the off-season or bad weather.


One of my favorite swings was the ‘Dream Holbox’ swings at Carolinda Beach Club. There were actually two pairs of swings right next to each other – one of them had this ‘Dream Holbox’ name but the other swing had the name of the beach club.
Other favorites were the beachside swings at Capitán Capitán Beach Club with their wooden frame, the name ‘Holbox’ on top, and the strings to seashells on both sides. And there are many more Holbox beach swings to choose from!
Location: Carolinda Beach Club – Capitán Capitán Beach Club – Carioca’s Beach Club
7. Walk Calle Caritos – the street of Holbox street art!


Holbox is the capital of street art and walking around the town and checking out all the beautiful murals was one of my favorite things to do in Holbox – you’ll find it basically everywhere!
However, there is one particular street in Holbox that stood out to me the most. Calle Caritos is the king of all streets when it comes to street art so take some time to check out this street!


I recommend starting at the beginning of the street at the beach and then just walking down the street and checking out all the impressive and colorful murals adorning the walls of houses.
When we last visited Holbox, the small island had had an art festival prior to our visit and was freshly decorated with bright colorful paintings. Calle Caritos was one of the main spots where the artists worked.


My favorite street art paintings were the fisherman (first photo) and the flower girl (last photo) but honestly, there were so many great works. I just can’t physically publish all of them here, haha!
Holbox is known for its love for street art. The island has been hosting art festivals for more than a decade so checking out street art is one of the top things to do in Holbox Island. Definitely worth it!
Location: Calle Caritos
8. Drink coconut on the beach!


Holbox has coconuts and Holbox has tropical beaches with fine white sands and turquoise shallow water – the perfect combo for an unforgettable holiday!
I come from a country where we have absolutely nothing tropical so it was a simple dream of mine to drink a fresh coconut on a tropical beach. Guess what? Holbox was the place where I finally managed to do that! Yay!
There are fruit and coconut sellers with their stalls almost all the time on the beach near Holbox letters. Just walk around and you’ll catch them!
Location: Playa Holbox
9. Experience bioluminescence in Holbox!


Experiencing the bioluminescence in Holbox is an absolute must-do. Can you imagine the mesmerizing sight of the waves and the water glowing in blue, green, and other colors? Like being touched by Fairy Godmother’s magical wand!
We also did a bioluminescence tour and it was amazing! Initially, I was skeptical about the whole phenomenon, but it turned out to be very real – water is full of tiny creatures that glow! The water doesn’t glow on its own – you need to move it!
Tours start after sunset (when it’s dark!), with a guide explaining the science behind this natural wonder. You need to reserve a spot in advance by booking a bioluminescence tour online, through your hotel, or local agencies (in the streets near the beach).
The best time to witness this spectacle is during the new moon when the skies are darkest, making the bioluminescence even more striking. Trust me, it’s an unforgettable experience that you won’t want to miss.
Book here » Bioluminescence Experience – Bioluminescence Tour in Kayak
10. Try the famous Holbox lobster pizza!

If there is one dish that has to be on your Holbox bucket list, it is the famous lobster pizza! Holbox Island is famous for its lobster dishes made from freshly caught lobsters right at the shores of the island.
Lobster season in Holbox is from 1 July up until 29 February so there is a high chance of getting that signature dish in Holbox! We also tried one lobster pizza and it was worth it!
Two of my favorite pizza restaurants in Holbox are Roots Pizzas a La Leña and Quartieri Holbox but choose whichever you like best. Beware that lobster pizza will be much more expensive than other pizzas (around 40 USD).
Location: Roots Pizzas a La Leña Isla Holbox – Quartieri Holbox
11. Do a snorkeling adventure to swim with whale sharks!

Mexico is one of the world’s top snorkeling destinations and Holbox takes it to the next level. If you happen to visit Holbox sometime between mid-May and mid-September consider joining a snorkeling adventure to swim with whale sharks!
Swimming and snorkeling with whale sharks in Holbox is an exhilarating adventure. Imagine gliding alongside these gentle giants! Whale sharks are the largest fish in the sea and are harmless to humans (they are feeding mainly on plankton).
It’s essential to book through a reputable tour operator to ensure responsible and safe interactions. The massive size and grace of these animals make this experience truly unforgettable. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!
Book here » Whale Shark and Snorkeling Adventure
12. Watch the sunset at Playa Punta Cocos!

Holbox is one of only a few places in the Quintana Roo state where you can watch the sunset in the sea. Other famous destinations like Cancun, Isla Mujeres, Tulum, Playa del Carmen, and others face the sea to the East.
So one of the best things to do in Holbox is to watch the sunset in the Caribbean Sea.
Most of the time throughout the year you can see the sunset from any part of the beachside on the tiny island but we went to the Westernmost point in Holbox – Playa Punta Cocos.


Playa Punta Cocos is a remote beach and the best way to get there is by golf cart or a bike (if the island is dry). We actually walked to Playa Punta Cocos and then took a taxi back to town. And the sunset was pretty magical!
The place is quite popular so there were a couple of taxis just waiting for people who needed a ride back to the town. The road can be challenging with road-wide potholes full of water because of rain so a golf cart taxi is the best means of transport there.
Location: Playa Punta Cocos
13. Try street food at the Holbox Central Park!


Not always the best food is served at the best and fanciest restaurants. Very often you can get the most unforgettable foods somewhere in the streets. And trying street food dishes was one of my favorite things to do in Holbox!
All the best street food in Holbox can be found at Holbox Central Park. At night, after 6 PM many food stalls gather around the perimeter of the park and offer freshly made food right in front of your eyes. We went there many times during our stay!


One of the must-try foods in Holbox is the famous marquesita – a thin rolled waffle with fillings like fruit, nutella, caramel, dulce de leche, or even grated cheese if you like (we didn’t!). Our go-to order is marquesita with Nutella and banana!
Another must-try food is quesabirria! We found them in one corner of the park and immediately wanted to try. They are beef with melted cheese folded into a tortilla a little bit bigger than a taco and fried on both sides. Delish!


Another must-stop is at Los Tacos De Barbacoa – a famous taco stand known for their crispy barbeque tacos with melted cheese. You can choose between soft tacos and crispy tacos. We went with crispy and they were so good!
Street food is not only very cheap compared to prices you pay at restaurants but it is also incredibly tasty and made fresh in front of your eyes. Besides, it comes in smaller portions so you can try out many dishes at once!
Tip! Remember that the street food stands in Holbox Central Park are only open in the evenings! Go there after 6 PM to be sure!
Location: Holbox Central Park
14. Shop at Holbox Street Market!


There is a wonderful street market in Holbox squished between two main streets in the heart of the town that is definitely worth checking out. Especially, if you are looking for a meaningful keepsake from this island!
I loved checking out all the colorful goodness they had to offer!
You can find summer hats, handcrafted bags, hand-painted mugs and bowls, embroidered dresses, beaded bracelets, handcrafted earrings and pendants, ponchos, scarves, dreamcatchers as well as traditional souvenirs like magnets.
Location: Holbox Street Market
15. Try the best ice cream in Holbox at Helartesano!


Eating creamy ice cream on a tropical island – a dream! But, honestly, it gets so hot and humid in Holbox that ice cream was a constant thought on my mind. If you ever find yourself in this situation then go to Helartesano ice cream shop!
Helartesano is not only the best and highest-rated ice cream in Holbox but it also has a central location just a few yards from the beach and one block from the Holbox Central Park. And they have a lot of different flavors! Thank me later!
Location: Helartesano
Happy exploring!
Holbox is a hidden paradise in the Gulf of Mexico. This laid-back tropical island with its white sand, shallow turquoise waters, and lush palm trees is THE place to go to escape the hustle and bustle of the famous tourist hotspots in the Yucatan Peninsula.
We have visited Holbox multiple times and I hope to visit again soon! Besides our stay in Holbox, we also spent a couple of months traveling around the Yucatán Peninsula and exploring everything this beautiful area had to offer.
From white-sand beaches to dark underground cenotes, and ancient pyramids – there’s just so much to see! I hope you enjoy your time there as much as we did and I hope you get some travel inspiration from this blog post for your travels! Happy travels!
PIN FOR LATER!

