To Do in Isla Holbox, Mexico

I’ll admit that we didn't do very much in Isla Holbox while we were there in January. Partly because some of the activities we were interested in weren’t in season, and partly because we just wanted to relax on a warm beach. Here’s what we did do, and some recommendations we didn’t get to.

To Do

Cooking Class

This was definitely a highlight and also a fun way to switch up dinner plans. We booked a group class through La Puerta Rosa, which is on the second floor of a small building near the main square. We were there for about three hours, which included hands on cooking and time to sit and enjoy our meal.

We made tortillas from scratch, chicken in homemade mole, cochinita pibil, cheese quesadillas, chalupas, salsa, and flan for dessert. There were two other people in our class, who happened to be staying at our hotel! Our teacher was very organized as we had several dishes going at once, guiding us patiently and sharing tips and tricks along the way.

I’ve taken a cooking class in Thailand and Tulum, and love them as a unique way to learn more about local cuisine and culture.

Beach

As I mentioned, the beach was our main activity! Punta Caliza, the hotel we stayed at, isn’t on the beach, but they have a beach club a short walk from the hotel, with lounge chairs, hammocks, shade, and a bar with a food menu. Even if you’re not staying at their hotel you can enjoy the beach club if you hit a minimum from their menu, which, at the time, was equivalent to just 1.5 margaritas!

If your hotel doesn’t have a beach club and you’re planning to hang out on the main strip of the beach, I recommend setting up at one for the day, even if you have to reach a minimum or pay a fee. Beach clubs line the sand and the space between them and the water is very narrow, which doesn’t leave much room to be comfortable among other people walking up and down the beach. It’s also just really nice to be able to conveniently order food and drink and have access to a lounge chair.

Shopping

There are lots of shops and markets around town, ranging from inexpensive souvenirs to more pricey clothing. The one chilly day we had was perfect for exploring and buying gifts. One little shop that stuck out to me was a beautiful one off the main square, where I bought a candle and homemade soap.

Street Art

There’s a ton of street art around town to check out while you’re walking around!

Sunset

I’m obsessed with sunsets, and was happy any night we were able to catch it from the beach. We heard there are also a couple rooftop bars with good views, and Playa Punta Cocos is supposed to be a great place to watch the sunset from.

Other Recommendations

Things we didn’t get to because we were too relaxed on the beach or they weren’t in season…

• Mezcal or tequila tasting

• Stand up paddle boards

• Kayaking

• Boat tour

• Flamingos (out of season in January)

• Bioluminescence (also not at its peak in January)

• Rent bikes (we didn’t do this because of all the puddles; see this blog post for more on that.)