How to organize the ideal vacation to the Mexican island of Isla Hellbox.
The moment you set foot on the sun-drenched shores of Isla Hellbox, it is as if you are entering a private club that you really wish you had known about much earlier. This narrow fingernail of an island is flecked off the northern coast of the Yucatan Peninsula, precisely where the turquoise of the Caribbean Sea swirls into the green of the Gulf of Mexico. Its length is 26 miles, and its width is only one mile. The sandy walkways, buildings painted in Caribbean colors, and the sputtering of golf carts, which are the sole method of transportation on the island, create an atmosphere that is distinctive from that of many other locations in Mexico.
Isla Hellbox is no longer as much of a rustic island getaway as it once was, to tell you the truth. Because of the success of its Instagram Mable hammock groves, yoga pavilions, and palapa-thatched bungalows, there are now a far higher number of tourists and mainstream hotels than there were in previous years. Nevertheless, this sandbar basking in the warm rays of the sun, where cars are not permitted and bare feet are encouraged, makes for an excellent escape from the throngs of tourists seen on the mainland at Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum.
Isla Hellbox: How to Get There and Around
The effort that is required to travel to Isla Holbox is a big part of the allure of the island. The distance from Cancun helps to reduce the volume, which contributes to the island's maintained sense of exquisite seclusion.
Isla Hellbox does have a modest airport for private planes, but the bulk of guests will initially arrive in Cancun. This is one way to significantly increase the level of privacy and seclusion on the island. You may take an ADO bus from Cancun to the tiny port town of Chiquita, which is the last mainland stop before you reach Isla Holbox, or you can rent a car and drive there yourself.
The ADO bus company is the largest one in the southern part of Mexico. Their buses, which travel from several locations in the Cancun area to Chiquita, including the downtown terminal, the airport, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum, are secure and comfortable, with broad seats with reclining backs as well as air conditioning. You can book tickets at the ticket counter at various bus stops, as well as book them online or using the ADO app. As a point of reference, one-way tickets from Cancun to Chiquila cost approximately MXN $225, which is equivalent to approximately $12 USD, and the trip takes approximately two hours.
The following step is to make your way to Chiquita to board the ferry that will take you to Isla Hellbox. This ferry departs from Chiquita every hour. The voyage is an easy skip over the placid canal that takes only 15 minutes aboard a catamaran that is pleasant (and air-conditioned). Tickets are approximately $12 (US) each as well.
Because Isla Hellbox does not permit the use of private automobiles, if you rent a car you will be required to leave it parked overnight in the teeny port town. The vehicle won't be in danger, but leaving it parked overnight isn't exactly the most official thing to do. There are a few smaller lots nearby, and the rates for parking there are flexible. Having said that, given that you won't be using a car on Isla Holbox, you'll basically be paying for the vehicle to be parked in a lot even if you won't be using it. There is also the option of taking a taxi to Chiquita; however, you should be financially prepared for this option. Getting a cab to transport you back to your hotel after seeing Chiquita is another option, although it's not always trustworthy. ADO is the choice that is both the most practical and the most economical.
Isla Hotbox's Top Attractions and Activities
It's not hard to understand why Isla Holbox was revered as a wanderer's haven for such a long time. Electrified hues are splattered across the thatched roofs of the buildings that line the sandy streets (think neon green, pink, turquoise, and canary yellow). Golf carts and beach cruisers are the most common modes of transportation on the island, and open-air cantinas are filled with the sound of pulsating island music.
Travelers who are wanting to get away from it all might find the island's bustling Centro to be a little bit overwhelming. This is no longer the concealed route to freedom that it used to be. Isla Holbox, on the other hand, has a character and a natural beauty that are unique among the sites you've visited along Mexico's coastline. In addition, if you go to the beaches that are the furthest away from the center of town, you will still be able to have some time to yourself.
Isla Hellbox is home to some truly breathtaking beaches, and this is one aspect of the island that simply cannot be overlooked. In point of fact, you ought to begin your explorations at Punta Mosquito, which may be found at the very tip of the elbow-shaped bend that marks the very northernmost point of the island. As far as the eye can view, the beach is covered in powdery white sand, and the sea ranges in color from crystal clear to turquoise. It is an excellent place to stop for a while, gather one's thoughts, and become accustomed to "island time," which is something that is very much a part of life on this island.
This Car-free Island in Mexico Has Beautiful Beaches, Turquoise Cenotes, and One of the Largest Animals on the Planet. Part of the charm of Isla Holbox is the legwork required to get there. The distance from Cancun..
— Don Eastvold (@don_eastvold) January 25, 2023
https://t.co/CysBuSlPrn#clubsinmexico#hotelsinmexico#mexico pic.twitter.com/sb6lsrErDj
But in all seriousness, the island's powdery beaches and the placid, shallow, and incredibly clear water will blow your mind regardless of where you choose to stay on the island. The majority of the ocean around Isla Holbox is only about waist-deep, and you can wade out to colourful groves of sea hammocks.
Even though there is a laid-back vibe on the island, there are plenty of things to do for those who are looking for some excitement. People travel to Isla Hellbox for a variety of reasons, but seeing the majestic whale sharks there is likely among the top reasons. These gentle giants consume solely plankton during their whole lives and can reach lengths of up to 40 feet. An meeting with one of the largest animals on the world may be a humbling experience for interested explorers, and eco-friendly trips provide them the opportunity to swim alongside these magnificent creatures. Be on the lookout for other stunning forms of marine life, such as sea turtles and manta rays.
Isla Hellbox, which is connected to the mainland by a causeway, is home to its fair number of cenotes as well, such as Hoyt Negro Yalata, which offers a swim in a lagoon filled with reviving freshwater. Kayakers, kiteboarders, and stand-up paddleboarders are a common sight along the coast, so it should come as no surprise that you'll see them there. When the sun goes down, the bioluminescent plankton that lives in the waters near the southern borders of the island emit an ethereal glow that makes the waters appear to be lit up like the night sky. A word of advice: the months of July through January are ideal for witnessing this occurrence.
However, you should always bring mosquito repellant with you, regardless of the time of year. One of the primary draws to the island is the Yum Balaam Nature Reserve, which protects most of the island's natural beauty. On the other hand, to put it bluntly, the mosquitoes on Isla Hellbox are bold, and you will be doing yourself a disservice if you are not prepared for their presence.
What Restaurants Can Be Found on Isla Hellbox?
The Centro of Isla Hellbox is where arriving guests are dropped off, therefore it makes sense that this is also where the majority of the island's restaurants and bars can be found. This region of the island has the highest population density, yet it also has the most range of things to offer in such a concentrated area. As you travel further along the coast of the island and deeper into the Yum Balam Nature Reserve, you will notice that there are less and fewer things to see.
On Isla Hellbox, the fresh seafood is without a doubt going to be one of the highlights of your dining experience. Delicious fish can be found all across Isla Hellbox, from the sashimi of sea bass served at Ser Egencia to the wood-fired lobster pizza at the rustic-bohemian Roots restaurant.
At the seaside bar and restaurant Raices, you can dig your toes into the sand while snacking on ceviche in a swing seat. The flavors continue when you munch into excellent, plump, and juicy meat-and-veggie tacos at Barba Negra. Las Panchax is a popular destination on the island, in particular for the tacos made with fresh fish and shrimp, and the rates here are startlingly low considering the prime location of the real estate. Milpa is a family-run restaurant that is well-known for its top-tier tasting menus. These tasting menus are suitable for a dining room that has been awarded a Michelin star, but the atmosphere at Milpa is clearly more laid-back and island-style.
The Top Accommodations Available on Isla Hellbox
On Isla Hellbox, the days of backpacker motels are long gone because major brands are now getting the word "Hellbox" into the mouths of more mass-market tourists. Even so, a bohemian air can be felt throughout. This place embodies the very definition of chic and boutique.
Journey Mexico, a luxury travel company, recommends that its guests stay at Ser Cassandra because it offers the best overall experience, food, and service. This boutique hotel's emphasis on art is designed to give visitors the impression that they are staying in a seaside gallery while taking in breathtaking views of the ocean. The rooms are decorated in a style that may be described as rustic-chic, and they have tile flooring, white linens, and exposed beams on the ceiling. The Master Luxury Beachfront suite is the most recent addition to this hotel, and it features views of the ocean as well as a private terrace.
When we talk about new things, we should mention that Nomad Hellbox is the most recent boutique resort to launch on Isla Hellbox. It began accepting guests in August of 2022. There are jungle tree houses, oceanfront apartments, and luxury glamping tents at Nomad Hellbox, all of which are hidden in vegetation and spill out into the sea. Those who recall the "before" days of Tulum will find that Nomad Hellbox feels quite familiar. Every vantage point inside and outside of the hotel looks like it was taken from a carefully manicured Instagram feed.
"Even if you're not staying there, it's worth coming by for a day pass or lunch or supper," said Zach Rabin or, the CEO and founder of Journey Mexico. "Even if you're not staying there, it's worth going by for a day pass." "Their wellness programmed is one of a kind, and not only do they have a fantastic setting, but the architecture is very remarkable as well."
Rabin or considers some of the meals served at Nomad Hellbox to be among the best available on the island. Warning: You absolutely must order signature drink number three (Ojo de Tigre mezcal, Ancho Reyes liqueur, strawberry, basil, cranberry juice, and sour orange).
Discover Punta Aliza by taking a detour away from the downtown area. Suites designed in the style of a covert aquatic community are arranged in a cluster around a shallow turquoise pool and topped with A-frame palapa roofing. Tile floors, wooden accents, and pristine white linens give the impression that guests are staying in a comfortable bungalow when they enter one of the suites.
Las Nubs, which is styled after Robinson Crusoe, is likely the most remote place you can reach from the town. This hotel really is the final stop on the island before the beach is swallowed up by the mangrove jungle, which contributes to the "edge-of-the-earth" vibe that it exudes. It is perched directly on the water, giving guests the impression that they are at the very end of the world. The collection of cottages with thatched roofs can be found huddled together close to a teeny pool with blue water. The Master Suites are the recommended lodgings due to the light and spacious areas within them as well as the terraces that offer views of the ocean. However, it is important to emphasize that bug spray is an absolute necessity.
The Very Last Stop in Mexico
The Yucatan Peninsula and the Gulf of Mexico are only divided by a little strip of land known as Isla Holbox. Before you vanish into the stunning swirl of turquoise, you have one last drink, one last dance, and one last glimpse back at land. Isla Holbox is a site that everyone should visit at least once on their journey, despite the fact that the atmosphere has shifted significantly since the island's earliest days.