Christmas in paradise – that was my objective! And it was a great success. This island is the perfect place to chill out, admire colourful sunsets and eat good food.

How to get to Holbox?

• Several ADO (and second-class) buses arrive here from Cancun, Merida, Playa del Carmen and Valladolid.
• A ferry leaves every half an hour (2 companies run every hour) from 6am to 10pm- Price: MXN 220 (cards rarely accepted). No advanced booking.

What to do in Holbox?

• Have a coco at Punta Coco’s: Punta Coco’s is a lovely wild beach about 5 minutes from the centre by golf cart taxi, 8 by bicycle and 30 by foot. I recommend you to walk on the Northern coast: there’s nearly no one on the beach for a while and the views are superb!

• Walk 5 kms on a sandbank to reach Punta Mosquito – At low tide, you can walk on a long sandbank to reach Punta Mosquito (or rather close to the Punta as it’s now a protected area). But well, when we went, the tide was definitely not low, but it was still quite fun walking with water up to our ankles … or to our thighs while seeing hi to… manta rays! Once you’ve arrived, you simply feel like you’re in a fashion magazine, with the most beautiful and very shallow water where you can strike the perfect Insta pose.

• Enjoy a sea excursion:
  • I had booked a snorkeling, chilling and fishing trip to Cabo Catoche with Holbox Guide. Unfortunately, they sent us an email (at midnight) to cancel the trip (and refund us) as the sea was too rough to snorkel.
  • Paddle at night to experience bioluminescence – be careful: if it’s a full moon you won’t see anything!
  • The classic tour of the island includes a stop in a freshwater pool, some birdwatching and a tour of Isla de la Pasión. My tour in the Sian Ka’an reserve was so great I decided not to go for one, and I was apparently right to do so, as some fellow travellers told me it was not that spectacular.
• Admire the sunset from the main dock: just sit down and say wow!

Where to eat in Holbox?

• Get a coffee and cake from Another Clandestino
• Go for an ice cream at Gelateria Holbox
• Put your nicest dress to dine at Holbox Bâsico
• Have pre-drinks at The Hot Corner and then go move your booty on great electro music at Salma

Where to sleep in Holbox?

I stayed in a triple room at HotelitoVillas Holbox from 24 to 26 December and paid US$192 for 2 nights. Not bad for this time of the year for a big room, a large bathroom, strong Wi-Fi and warm water!

Tribu hostel has also got a great reputation. Prices for individual rooms were a bit too crazy for me at Xmas time but let me know if you go!

Useful tips in Holbox:

• Bring cash, at the ATMs issue US dollars with a bad additional fee or simply tend… not to work.
• Sand roads get completely flooded and muddy when it rains. If your have a flexible schedule, consider rebooking.
• You can fly directly from Cancun to Holbox in 35 minutes in a private air flight. Holbox has its own small runway!

My last night in the Yucatan peninsula was in Cancún to be sure not to miss my flight. But I can’t tell you much about the famous resort. Just a few recommendations:

• Sleep at Nomads hotel if you want to benefit from the nearby bus station
• Eat cheap but delicious tacos and quesadillas at Taqueria Coapenitos
• Tempted by a massage after walking 130 kms in 2 weeks? Treat yourself at Takani beauty.

All recommendations are mine, no ads. Prices from December 2021.
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