
easy
11–12 hours
Light stamina required for standing, short walks on soft sand and boarding ferries; suitable for most fitness levels.
Leave the Riviera Maya before sunrise for a full-day escape to Holbox: a ferry crossing, two-hour golf cart or bike exploration through sandy streets, lunch at a beachfront palapa and a walk across the ethereal sandbar at Punta Mosquitos. Expect shallow turquoise waters, colorful murals and practical tips to make the most of the day.
The day starts before dawn: headlamps dim on sleepy hotel lobbies, vans hum through the Yucatán night and the road unspools toward Chiquilá. By the time the first light slices the horizon, the ferry is cutting a clean wake toward Holbox, and the island’s low-slung houses and painted murals come into view like a welcome flag.

Pickups begin around 06:00—arrive on time to make the ferry and maximize your island hours.
Holbox’s reefs and marine life are sensitive—use reef-safe sunscreen to protect coral and wildlife.
Choose water shoes or sturdy sandals for sandbar walks and soft-sand streets.
Bring cash (USD or MXN) for the dock fee (~$6) and small purchases—card acceptance can be limited.
Holbox began as a small Maya and fishing community; its modern economy revolves around sustainable fishing and eco-tourism.
Holbox is part of a fragile coastal ecosystem—operators encourage reef-safe products, limited plastic use and careful interaction with wildlife.
Protects skin and the marine environment during prolonged sun exposure.
summer specific
Makes walking the sandbar and rocky spots comfortable and safe.
summer specific
Useful on the ferry or if weather turns; mornings can be breezy.
fall specific
Stays hydrated through long transfers and hot island hours.