Isla Holbox (pronounced OL’-bosh) is a 26-mile stretch of salt-white sand and see-through ocean — you’d be hard-pressed to find anywhere else like it in the Yucatán. Part of the Yum Balam Nature Reserve, Holbox is an ecological treasure; it’s a sanctuary for whale sharks in the summer and a year-round destination for bioluminescence, bird watching, and lagoon touring. While it takes a taxi, then a ferry to get there from the nearest airport (plan to walk, bike or golf-cart your way around the island), the scenery and these five first-rate stays are reasons enough to make the journey.
Hotel Punta Caliza
4 Stars | Website | Cancun International Airport
12 | Private plunge pools; pool access from each room; beach club; mezcal tasting | 1
Playa Holbox; Punta Mosquito
Punta Caliza’s most obvious draw is its stunning modern-Mexican architecture, with a communal pool connecting each suite on the 12-room property, so that guests can cool off – and socialize – directly from their back doors. But this family-run hotel is also singular in its hospitality, with a small staff always near to the open-air bar with recommendations, reservations, and personalized service to offer. Pro tip: Try the restaurant’s griddled shrimp tacos for happy hour or dinner.
Villas Flamingos
4 Stars | Website | Cancun International Airport
37 | Beach bar; beach-front pools; spa; in-room hot tubs or plunge pools | 2
Playa Holbox; Punta Mosquito
The farthest-flung of our favorite Holbox stays, Villas Flamingos feels worlds apart from the bustle of downtown Holbox. Its palapa-roofed suites with private jacuzzi tubs, hammocks, and outdoor showers add to the remote and romantic scene, as does a stretch of beach where you can walk along a white sandbar for miles. Reserve the master suite Palapa for the best views of beach and mangroves from two terraces.
Casa las Tortugas
4 Stars | Website | Cancun International Airport
24 | Beach-front; private balconies or terraces; spa; yoga; boutique shop | 3
Playa Holbox; Holbox town center
On the edge of Holbox’s quaint downtown, Las Tortugas manages to feel separate while still sitting just a stone’s throw from all the shops, nightlife, and restaurants. This intimate resort has its own nighttime draws, too, in a clubby outdoor restaurant, Luuma, and rooftop bar Ama, which is Japanese-inspired. Elsewhere on property, a wellness sanctuary and worldly boutique make Tortugas feel eclectic and uniquely chic-bohemian.
Ser Casasandra
4 Stars | Website | Cancun International Airport
18 | Beach-front; beach club; pool; holistic wellness center; fishing and snorkeling excursions | 2
Playa Holbox; Holbox town center
A space for spiritual retreats and artist residencies, Casasandra leans into its chill vibes and design-forward sensibilities. Guests can admire local art together with antiques from around the world, all curated by owner Sandra Pérez. Her room decor includes canopy beds and soothing, coastal color schemes. Through the hotel’s AHAL Holistic Center, you can explore sound healing, Mayan cleansing, Ayurvedic eating, and more alternative therapies.
Nomade
5 Stars | Website | Cancun International Airport
30 | Adults-only; ocean-front; live music; yoga and meditation | 1
Playa Punta Cocos; Holbox town center
The newest addition to the island’s top stays, Nomade brings its Tulum-based brand further afoot to Holbox’s Northwest coast. Here, natural wood, metal, and stone finishes create a look and feel that’s more handsome than other accommodations on the island. The hotel’s 20-foot-tall Treehouses, plus Oceanfront suites and Moon Temple tents are all child-free, and the vibe is enveloped in nature, from daily “sonic rituals” (see DJ and drum sets) to weekly “sensual chakra” yoga sessions.
