Things to know before you visit Isla Holbox
Isla Holbox is a hidden gem in the Yucatán Peninsula. Although it is a little off the beaten path, this island is worthy of the journey. Isla Holbox is a wonderful Mexican destination to enjoy remote island vibes and wonderful culture. Before you book your tropical vacation to this beautiful island, here are some things to know before you visit Isla Holbox.
Internet Can Be Spotty
Although, Isla Holbox is a beautiful remote island that offers limited distractions due to it’s remoteness, that means it may not always offer reliable internet. This makes unplugging from devices really easy, so you can enjoy your time on the island. Before arriving to the island, make sure to download an offline map of Isla Holbox so you can easily make your way around. As a travel blogger, I didn’t have reliable internet to upload large items (like images or video) but enough to send emails and do some blogging.
Unreliable ATMs
As a precaution, I tend to travel with enough cash just in case I encounter ATM issues. When I arrived to Isla Holbox, I didn’t have to worry about pulling out money at ATMs. Most businesses on the island take card, but there are still plenty of local businesses that prefer cash. Due to the unreliable Internet, even if a business accepts cards, they may not have internet to process transactions. For this reason, it’s always a good idea to have enough cash on hand.
No Cars Allowed on the Island
Unlike your traditional luxury resort travel, Isla Holbox offers an adventurous edge for travel. For one,the majority of vehicles on the road are off-road golf cart, ATVs and motorcycles. Cars are not allowed on the island.
Dirt Roads
One thing I observed from traveling to Isla Holbox was that the island has more of a backpacking scene. You’re better off with a backpack than with a roller bag as most of the roads are uneven dirt roads. If you’re taking a golf cart taxi from the ferry to your accommodation then a rolling suitcase is fine. Bring comfortable shoes (crocs or sandals) because they will get dirty.
Flooding During Big Storms
When I arrived to the island, the weather was perfect! I dropped off my stuff and ran straight to the beach to enjoy the sunshine. About an hour in we noticed big clouds and people started to pack up. So we did the same. On our way back it started to pour heavily. We took refuge at momono and ate sushi while we waited out the storm. However while we sat there, a lot of the streets became flooded and we had to find an alternate route back to our airbnb. The majority of the flooding stayed on the roads for a couple days and slowly evaporated with the heat. I say all this so when you arrive, you’re prepared if you get caught in a storm.
Mosquitos are No Joke
If there’s one piece of advice I can offer you for visiting Isla Holbox, it would be this: invest in bug repellent. You will want to invest in bug repellent to be comfortable during your time on Isla Holbox. I prefer to use non-toxic mosquito repellant called Murphy’s Naturals. There are spray repellent and repellent wipe options. The wipes are really convenient for travel and don’t have to worry about fluid oz restrictions with TSA.
Ferries Times a Little Unreliable
Like many things in Mexico, businesses tend to operate on a laissez-faire standard when it comes to time. For example, during my travel in Mexico, I noticed ferries left earlier than advertised and they did not wait for passengers. For this reason, I’d recommend that you arrive to the ferry a little earlier. The ferry does go out every 30 minutes, but if you have a connecting bus ride at the ADO station, you want to arrive on time since the ADO buses are punctual and leave on time.
Summary Things to Know Before You Visit Isla Holbox, Mexico
In summary, even though Isla Holbox is a little off the beaten path, it is well worth a visit. Isla Holbox is a wonderful Mexican destination to enjoy remote island vibes and wonderful culture. Before you book your tropical vacation to this beautiful island, here are some things to know before you visit Isla Holbox.
If you’re looking for how to travel in the Yucatán peninsula, check out these blog posts:
- How to get to Isla Holbox
- Things to do in Isla Holbox
- How to Celebrate New Year’s Even in Isla Holbox
- Best Cenotes to Visit Near Valladolid
- How to Celebrate Christmas in Valladolid, Mexico
- Things to do in Valladolid, Mexico
- Best Day Trips from Valladolid Mexico
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Evie
Female solo traveler, blogger and personal finance nerd helping women plan their solo travel adventures!
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