Looking for fun things to do in Isla Holbox with kids? In this blog post, you will learn some of the top things to do on the island, especially for families who love to be outdoors in nature.
Isla Holbox is the smallest island in Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, and it is gorgeous! It is almost 40 miles away from Cancun airport and can be easily accessed for all of the main tourist destinations in the area. Read this post to learn how to get to Isla Holbox!
Holbox is full of cute hotels, there are no cars or roads, and it has endless white beaches, flamingos, romantic sunsets, and rainbow-colored cocktails. Holbox was once known as Mexico’s best-kept secret because of its endless charm and beauty. Although these days as more and more people are traveling there, that secret isn’t so closely guarded.
Did you get insurance yet?
If you are planning a trip right now for you and your family, then you NEED to think seriously about insurance. If 2020 taught us anything, it’s that you need to be prepared for anything! I’m pretty sure we have all had travel plans messed up because of COVID and not all insurers covered this. So you need to find an insurer that covers travel disruption due to COVID-19, World Nomads, Safety Wing, or Travel Insurance Master are the ones to go for.
World Nomads is great for incidents that happen prior to your trip, so if you get sick or are unable to travel due to travel restrictions some of their policies will cover that as cancellation cover.
Safety Wing goes the extra mile and covers quarantine outside your home for up to 10 days, they also have a really handy map on their website showing requirements and restrictions for each country.
I also use Travel Insurance Master for some short vacation type trips as they are cheaper than World Nomads a lot of the time.
If you are doing shorter trips or a longer backpacking trip then WorldNomads or Travel Insurance Master are the best option. If you are a digital nomad or planning travel of at least 6 months then go for SafetyWing.
Is Holbox Safe For Families?
With its turquoise waters and white sandy beaches, Isla Holbox is a great destination for families looking for a quick getaway from Cancun or basically anywhere else in the Yucatan Peninsula.
Isla Holbox is also completely car-free, which makes it super easy and safe to get around the island.
If you are looking for a reliable company to book shuttles around Mexico, I recommend my friends from GuateGo. They are an incredible tourism transportation company that operates in Mexico, Guatemala, Colombia, and Belize. Their prices are a bit higher than other companies but they are 100% reliable.
What To Do In Holbox
There are so many things to do in Isla Holbox for vacation, the number one being, getting offline and chilling on the beach. But failing that, this list of Holbox activities will help get you started and make the most of your time on the island.
PS. If you don’t want your family vacation to get offline for a whole day, we tested out this WIFI hotspot for you, and believe it or not, it actually worked on Holbox!
1. Explore The Island On a Bike
Given that Holbox is 100% car-free, you will find no shortage of bike rental shops on the island. Most will rent you a bike by the hour, half a day or even a full day. We highly recommend renting a bike in Holbox for at least one day. It is the best way to explore and experience the relaxed chilled-out vibes on the island. We’ve ridden a bike to both Punta Coco and Mosquito beach in Holbox. Mosquito beach can be a little tricky and there comes a point where you will need to leave the bike and walk the rest, so be sure you have a lock and chain with you.
Not really into cycling? Then you can also rent a golf cart in Holbox to get you and your gang around!
2. Go On a Boat Trip
Thousands of travelers go to Isla Holbox every year to swim with the whale sharks. This only happens during a few months over the summer though from May till September. But don’t be disappointed if you won’t be in Isla Holbox during whale shark season as there are lots of other water adventures you can have.
Book your Holbox Vacation Whale Shark tour here. One of our favorite boat trips is the 3 Islands tour where they take you to 3 different islands and a cenote. If you’re lucky you will also get to see the flamingos. We did manage to see them, but they were quite far away.
There are also lots of snorkeling and fishing tours, kitesurfing, and SUP adventures to have. You can either book on a tour, or rent the gear and go by yourselves.
3. Go Kayaking Through the Mangroves
If you are looking for more things to do in Holbox vacation that involve water, how about a kayaking adventure? One of the best ways to spend your day on the island is kayaking through mangroves forests. You can spot lots of different species of birds there and even some crocodiles too if you get lucky. The area is famous for its flamingo populations. The tour takes around two hours and you get to enjoy the lush green sceneries. You can book this tour by clicking here.
4. Experience a Stunning Sunset
The sunsets in Holbox are to die for. The sky is pink like cotton candy one day and the next day it turns into fire and in the shades of red and orange. Punta Cocos and the pier are the best places to observe beautiful and colorful sunsets. Make sure your camera is ready and fully charged as you won’t want to miss capturing this. If you have space it’s also worth packing a travel tripod if you can. Oh and if you really want to go all out, then pack a drone too!
Before you start planning your family vacation in Playa del Carmen
Turismo Channel, a tour operator we work closely with in Playa del Carmen, is run by local people that we know and trust ourselves. We also refer them to our own families and friends so if you are just here for a recommendation of whom to book your Playa del Carmen excursions with, then we recommend Vanessa from Turismo Channel for small group or private excursions (contact by WhatsApp here). Please quote the code locationfree10off for a discount on group trips and locationfreeprivate for a discount on private trips. You can also enter these codes in the online booking forms if you prefer to book online.
Fun Things to Do in Holbox With Kids
Is Isla Holbox Kid Friendly? See our list of the best things to do in Holbox with kids below!
1. Walk Around Playa Holbox Beach
Palm trees, white sand, turquoise waters… Do we really need to say more?
2. Explore The Island by Golf Cart
Golf carting around the island is not only one of the best things to do in Holbox with kids but is also a great way to experience the super chill vibes of a car-free island.
3. Street Art Spotting
Surprisingly enough, Holbox is often referred to as “graffiti island” as it is home to a famous piece of street art: Himalaya Maya, painted by Jano Jace. In addition to this gorgeous piece of art, you will also find a number of beautifully painted murals all over the island, and can even take part in an art mural tour if you are into that kind of stuff.
4. Watch The Magical Bioluminescent
So you have options here. We’ve actually seen the bioluminescent several times while in Holbox and it’s super cool! Personally, we have never taken a tour, but we also were with a local guide who knew where to go. So it really is up to you. You can take your chances and head out once it becomes dark or you can book on a tour. Either way, this really is a must-do activity in Holbox.
If you choose to take a tour, then do this kayak tour. The guide will take you to the best spot where you can see this incredible blue light phenomenon. Make sure that the moon isn’t so bright though. We went once on a full moon and it was really difficult to see anything until very late. Click here to book on a Bioluminicence tour.
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Where To Stay In Isla Holbox With Kids
From beachfront resorts to lovely boutique hotels, you will have plenty of options to choose from when staying in Isla Holbox with kids. See our top picks below for some family-friendly accommodations around the island!
With children of all ages
18+
If you are planning to extend your family adventure, check at this Best Things to Do in Playa del Carmen with Kids.
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