By Jessie Festa. This guide to Holbox beaches contains affiliate links to trusted partners!
Looking for the best beaches in Holbox, Mexico?
Then you’re in the right place!
Situated at the northeastern tip of Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula, separating the Caribbean Sea from the Gulf of Mexico, is Isla Holbox (pronounced Hole-BOSH).
Also called Holbox Island, this car-free island is an amazing beach destination featuring beautiful stretches of white sand, azure waters, and sun-filled adventures.
On a recent trip to the island, I had the pleasure of exploring several Isla Holbox beaches, each of which has its own unique features and activities—from tranquil spots for sunbathing to areas filled with beach bars and live music.
To help you enjoy the best beaches in Isla Holbox, I’m sharing my favorites below, as well as recommendations for Holbox beach clubs, hotels, and experiences!
Note: In this guide, the names Holbox Island, Holbox, and Isla Holbox are used interchangeably. They all refer to the same destination in Mexico.
Short on time? My top recommendations for planning a beach trip to Holbox Island:
Best Holbox Beaches:
-Playa Holbox (the island’s main beach full of beach clubs & water sports)
-Playa Punta Cocos (serene with bioluminescent waters & stunning sunsets)
-Punta Mosquito (secluded wildlife-rich stretch of sand with a gorgeous sandbar)
Beachfront Hotels:
–Holbox Dream Beach Front Hotel
–Hotel Casa Las Tortugas
–Zomay Beachfront Hotel Holbox
Airport Transfer: Along with taking the ADO Bus (also bookable on BusBud), you can take a shared shuttle or a private shuttle
Tours: Viator and GetYourGuide
Recommended Excursions:
–Classic Three Island Tour
–Isla Holbox Mangrove Kayaking Tour
–Whale Shark & Snorkeling Adventure from Isla Holbox
Top Holbox Beach Clubs:
–Mandarina
–Capitán Capitán Beach Club
–La Playa de Ñaña
Getting Around: You can walk or bike to most of the main things to do on Holbox Island
Travel Insurance: SafetyWing
Staying Connected: Airalo eSIM
Where Is Holbox Island?
Holbox Island, located in the Yucatán Peninsula of Mexico in North America, is nestled within the Yum Balam Nature Reserve—a protected area home to diverse wildlife including flamingos and pelicans.
Facing the Gulf of Mexico, Holbox has a tropical climate moderated by sea breezes. Its location ensures warm temperatures year-round, with averages ranging from 25°C (77°F) to 30°C (86°F), ideal for enjoying Holbox’s best beaches.
Can You Swim In Holbox?
Yes, you can swim in Isla Holbox. Here you can enjoy warm turquoise waters, beautiful coastline and sandbars, and gentle waves making it perfect for swimming or simply relaxing on the beach.
Best Beaches In Holbox, Mexico
Now that you understand where Isla Holbox is and that its waters are perfect for swimming, let’s go over the best beaches on Holbox Island, Mexico.
1. Playa Holbox
If you’re looking for a lively experience, Playa Holbox is the best beach in Isla Holbox. It’s the island’s main beach thanks to its central location walkable to Holbox town center.
Stretched along the northern shore, this Holbox beach features white sand and calm turquoise waters perfect for swimming and sunbathing.
If you’re interested in water sports, you’ll find loads of options for this—especially kitesurfing, which Holbox is known for. Just note that kayaking is no longer allowed without a guide due to tourists behaving badly and getting lost in the past.
One thing I loved about this beach when visiting Isla Holbox was how lively it was, as the shore is lined with beach club after beach club. While some of these beach clubs are super trendy and expensive, others feel more like chill beach bars—and then some offer something in between those extremes.
Pro tip: Make sure you’re on Playa Holbox—or Playa Punta Cocos, the next beach on the list—at sunset, as you’ll have a stunning view of the fiery rainbow sky fading to black.
2. Playa Punta Cocos
If you’re looking for the best beaches on Isla Holbox for escaping the crowds or are looking for some peace on a solo beach trip, Playa Punta Cocos (Punta Coco Beach) is a great option.
Located on Isla Holbox’s northwest side, this beach offers a peaceful escape with its powdery white sand and more shade compared to other beaches.
It’s a bit remote, requiring a 45-minute walk or a 20-minute drive from Playa Holbox, but worth the effort for its tranquility and stunning sunsets.
You can also do a scenic 4-mile walk to Playa Punta Cocos from the town center. Click here for a trail map.
This beach is not only beautiful during the day but also offers a unique experience at night with its bioluminescent waters, caused by microorganisms in the water that emit light when disturbed, creating a magical glow.
To experience this, it’s best to visit during darker phases of the moon, as less moonlight allows the bioluminescence to be more visible.
Pro tip: To see the bioluminescence at night and learn more about the area and this natural phenomenon, you can book a Bioluminescent Kayaking & Swimming Tour or a Bioluminescent Kayaking or SUP Tour.
3. Holbox beaches between Playa Holbox & Playa Punta Cocos
If you’re looking to escape the crowds on Playa Holbox, consider walking or biking west toward Playa Punta Cocos.
The stretch of Holbox beach is quieter and less crowded, with calm waters and scenic views, ideal for swimming and relaxing.
4. Punta Mosquito
While I loved Playa Holbox for its lively atmosphere, I thought Punta Mosquito offered a serene experience thanks to its more remote location and its unique sandbar.
Punta Mosquito is accessible by a short boat ride—typically during a guided tour—or a walk during low tide when a path to its beautiful sandbar is revealed.
Apart from enjoying the serene beauty of the sandbar, activities include birdwatching—particularly flamingos—swimming in the clear waters, and simply relaxing in a beautiful natural environment.
Personally, I love long walks, so I enjoyed walking in a paradisical environment with my feet wading in the shallow clear waters.
Pro tip: My favorite Holbox Island tour, which also includes Punta Mosquito as well as other Isla Holbox beaches, is the Classic 3 Islands Tour—which also visits Yalahau Cenote. During my excursion, the group saw flamingos and dolphins jumping out of the water too!
5. Passion Island (Isla De La Pasión)
Located near Isla Holbox, Passion Island is accessible by boat—typically a guided tour.
Known for its serene atmosphere void of restaurants, hotels, and golf carts, the island is deserted and only features gorgeous stretches of sand and wildlife, mainly birds. During my trip, we even saw flamingos!
Along with the actual island itself, there is a gorgeous sandbar nearby that is perfect for wading in the warm waters.
When I visited, I was amazed that our small tour group had the island all to ourselves (though I was told by my guide that this isn’t always the case).
Pro tip: The Classic 3 Islands Tour mentioned above also visits Passion Island. I highly recommend this tour, especially if you want to visit a cenote and Isla Holbox’s best beaches!
6. Cabo Catoche
If you want to visit a stretch of Holbox Island beach only accessible by boat, make sure to add Cabo Catoche to your itinerary.
Situated on the northern tip of the Yucatán Peninsula, it’s where the Gulf of Mexico meets the Caribbean Sea.
This spot is known for its clear waters and rich marine life, making it a great spot for snorkeling vibrant coral reefs and traditional fishing—using lines without poles. Also, don’t be surprised if you see wildlife like dolphins, nurse sharks, and sea turtles!
Additionally, the area offers a unique opportunity to visit a historic church and witness the remains of a Spanish shipwreck.
Pro tip: On a Private Cabo Catoche Boat Tour, you’ll not only visit some of the best Isla Holbox beaches but will also fish for your own fresh catch which will be turned into a ceviche lunch!
Map Of Holbox Island Beaches
To help give you a lay of the land, here is a map showcasing the best beaches on Holbox Island. It has the beaches mentioned above pre-plotted so you can easily save it to your phone:
Click here for an interactive version of the above map.
Best Beachfront Hotels In Holbox
If you’re looking for an amazing beachfront hotel in Holbox, a few to check out include:
Holbox Dream Beach Front Hotel
This serene beachfront hotel features Caribbean-style rooms with modern comforts like air conditioning, free WiFi, and private balconies or terraces. Guests enjoy exclusive access to a private beach, an outdoor pool, and amenities such as beach towels and an on-site restaurant serving continental breakfast and Caribbean cuisine. It’s also centrally located so you can easily walk to the many restaurants in Holbox town.
Click here for full details & to book a room.
Hotel Casa Las Tortugas
This family-operated beachfront property features an outdoor pool, hot tub, multiple restaurants, a yoga center, and stylish hut-style rooms with bohemian vibes. My favorite aspects of this hotel were the sumptuous spa and their Playa Holbox beach club with great music, delicious food and drink, beautiful views, and friendly service. Plus, they offer kiteboarding and snorkeling!
Click here for full details & to book a room.
Zomay Beachfront Hotel Holbox
At this 4-star Holbox hotel, every room has a beach view as well as free WiFi, air conditioning, and a private bathroom. Guests can enjoy amenities such as a private beach area, garden, terrace, playground, and an on-site restaurant serving Caribbean cuisine with ocean views. The hotel provides a variety of breakfast options, free parking, and has a convenient location close to Playa Holbox and Punta Coco.
Click here for full details & to book a room.
Best Beach Clubs In Holbox
While exploring the best beaches in Holbox Island, you should also visit some of the many beach clubs the destination is known for. While there are endless Isla Holbox beach clubs to choose from, a few of my personal favorites include:
La Playa de Ñaña
Located on Playa Holbox, this popular Isla Holbox beach club is known for its upbeat music, lively atmosphere, and tasty food and drink.
When I visited, it was a 500 MXN minimum spend, though that was easy to reach because their menu has so much to choose from.
Along with an extensive seafood selection ranging from sushi to lobster burritos and beyond, they have a whole menu of alcoholic and non-alcoholic tiki drinks.
Recommendation: Order a “Ke Kai Ekele” (The Caribbean Sea) made with white rum, aged rum, brown sugar, basil, and smashed watermelon. Yum!
Mandarina
Located on the beach of the above-mentioned Hotel Casa Las Tortugas, Mandarina is an upscale beach club and restaurant with delicious food and drinks and friendly service.
Their menu is focused on Mexican and international fare made with local ingredients—including lots of seafood dishes. When I visited, I ordered white wine and their grilled vegetable platter and it was delicious.
Along with chairs and tables, you can also opt for couches and trendy seating options on the beach.
Capitán Capitán Beach Club
For a laid-back beach bar experience without the typical beach club scene, Capitán Capitán hits the mark with its excellent drinks, music, and relaxed party vibe.
Enjoying the beachfront live music or DJ sets, friendly service, and lounging at picnic tables with guacamole and tropical drinks makes for a perfect day.
Personally, I went at sunset and enjoyed a live acoustic music set on the beach enhanced by the beautiful colors of the setting sun.
There’s no charge for picnic table seating, but beach loungers have a 500 MXN minimum spend.
Don’t forget to greet Feliz, the adorable resident cat often found napping on the bar.
Best Beach Tours In Holbox
To help you really enjoy the best beaches in Isla Holbox, here are some top-rated tours—all of which include some type of beach or aquatic aspect:
- Classic Three Island Tour
Isla Holbox Mangrove Kayaking Tour
Whale Shark & Snorkeling Adventure from Isla Holbox
Private Cabo Catoche Snorkeling & Fishing Boat Tour
Bioluminescent Kayaking & Swimming Tour
Click here for a full list of Isla Holbox tours.
Isla Holbox Beaches FAQ
Now that we’ve gone over the best beaches in Holbox Island, let’s answer some frequently asked questions.
Q) Is it safe to swim in Holbox?
Yes, it is safe to swim in Holbox, thanks to its gentle waters and lack of strong currents.
Q) Is Isla Holbox safe?
According to Travel Safe-Abroad, Isla Holbox is safe and your risk of being the victim of a violent crime or scam is low—though do be aware of potential dangers with weather events like hurricanes, floods, and tornadoes. This is also why it’s one of the best places for solo travel in Mexico!
Q) Does Holbox have nice beaches?
Yes, Holbox has beautiful beaches known for their soft white sand and clear, shallow waters.
Q) Are beaches in Holbox public?
Yes, all beaches in Holbox are public, allowing everyone to enjoy their natural beauty.
Q) When is the dry season in Holbox?
The dry season in Holbox typically runs from November to April, offering sunny weather ideal for beach visits.
Q) When is the rainy season in Holbox?
The rainy season in Isla Holbox typically occurs from May to October, characterized by brief but heavy showers, often providing a refreshing break from the heat.
Q) Where can I swim in Holbox?
You can swim at any of Holbox’s beaches, with popular spots including Playa Holbox and Punta Cocos.
Q) Is the water in Holbox clear?
Yes, the water in Holbox is generally clear, especially in calm weather, making it great for swimming and snorkeling.
Q) Where is the bioluminescent beach in Holbox?
The bioluminescent beach in Holbox is near Playa Punta Cocos, best experienced on dark, moonless nights. Additionally, I saw bioluminescence when kayking from Hotel Villas Flamingos to a nearby sandbar on a tour.
Q) What are the best beach clubs in Holbox?
Carolinda Beach Club is consistently rated as the best beach club in Holbox Island. A few other top picks include Mandarina, Club de Playa, and La Playa de Ñaña.
Q) Does Isla Holbox get sargassum?
Isla Holbox does occasionally get sargassum, especially from April to August, but it varies each year.
Q) Does Holbox have a seaweed problem?
Holbox experiences some seaweed, though thanks to its location and efforts to manage and clean up sargassum it’s typically much less than other popular Yucatan destinations like Cancun and Tulum.
Best Beaches In Holbox: Final Thoughts
Isla Holbox offers a diverse range of beaches, each with its unique charm and beauty.
From the lively Playa Holbox to the serene Playa Punta Cocos and the secluded Cabo Catoche, there’s a beach for every type of traveler.
The island’s efforts to manage sargassum mean that its beaches remain inviting and enjoyable year-round. For instance, when I visited in February there was some seaweed, but it was easy to walk over to enjoy the water.
Whether you’re looking for adventure, relaxation, or simply a beautiful sunset, Holbox’s beaches provide the perfect backdrop.
With options for eco-friendly tours and beachfront accommodations, a trip to Holbox promises an unforgettable beach getaway.
