Isla Mujeres or Holbox Island: Which Is Better?

Experiencing island life is a must when you’re visiting the Yucatan. But vacations only last so long, and people in your group may have different interests. So it might get you wondering—is it better to visit Isla Mujeres or Holbox Island?

Here’s some good news: Isla Mujeres and Holbox Island offer distinct experiences.

So, knowing your travel style can help make the decision easier.

On the other hand, some people enjoy experiencing the differences between these two islands, making the choice even more difficult if time or money constraints force them to pick just one.

I spent two weeks in Isla Mujeres and a long weekend on Holbox Island in the spring of 2021. I’ll share my takeaways here so you can decide which island is the best option for you.

Accessible Note: If you’re a wheelchair user, make sure to take a peek at our posts on accessibility in Isla Mujeres and Holbox Island.

Note: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, we’ll receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Isla Mujeres or Holbox Island: An Overview

If you’re short on time, this section is for you. The chart below offers a glimpse of the differences between Holbox Island and Isla Mujeres so that you can quickly get a feel for each.

Feature	Isla Mujeres	Holbox
Easy to get to	Yes	No
Quiet atmosphere	Depends	Yes
International airport nearby	Yes	No
Best way to get around	Foot, golf cart, or car	Foot or golf cart
Budget	Expensive	Moderate
Lots of activities to do	Moderate	Moderate
Hotels	Mostly budget to 4-star	Budget to luxury

The Big Breakdown

Still with me? Great!

Let’s explore the points in the chart above in more detail.

1. Arriving in Paradise

Holbox and Isla Mujeres share the trait that arriving by ferry is the most popular choice.

In fact, when it comes to Isla Mujeres, going by water is the only option you have.

If you wander around Isla Mujeres long enough, you’ll encounter an abandoned airport with a vandalized tower. However, you can take your car on the ferry so that you can drive once you arrive on the island.

On the other hand, you can fly to Holbox Island. But it isn’t cheap since you’d have to rent a private jet.

However, if you fill the plane with the maximum number of people allowed on these puddle jumpers (usually 5 – 7 passengers), the cost isn’t so prohibitive—especially if you’re of the mindset that time is money.

Speaking of time, you’ll need a good dose of it if you won’t be shelling out money for a private plane to Holbox. It takes about 2 hours to drive from Cancun to the Chiquila ferry port.

From there, you’ll need to wait for the next departing ferry. Luckily, between the two ferry companies that run this route, there are usually departures from Chiquila to Holbox every 30 to 60 minutes. The ferry ride itself only takes about 20 minutes.

Needless to say, Holbox Island isn’t the type of place that you can visit in a day from Cancun (much less other popular destinations in the Yucatan, which require an even longer drive).

However, it’s easy to take a day trip to Isla Mujeres from Cancun.

There are four ferry ports in Cancun where you can catch a ferry to Isla Mujeres. Make sure to check the ferry timetable, as some ports have limited daily departures. Puerto Juarez is your best option if you want to have the greatest number of ferry departures.

The ferry from Cancun to Isla Mujeres takes about 20 minutes. Once you arrive, you’ll be in the heart of the tourist center, located near Playa Norte.

2. Feeling the Island Vibes

Isla Mujeres and Holbox Island have a different feel to them, almost all of which comes down to how accessible Isla Mujeres is from Cancun.

As a result, you can expect to encounter packed streets and beaches in Isla Mujeres during the day. It also has a decent beach party scene, overflowing from Cancun’s massive nightlife.

Furthermore, there are ferries that run from Isla Mujeres to Cancun late in the evening, making it easy for day-trippers to make the most of their time.

That said, if you spend the night in Isla Mujeres, you’ll wake up to a peaceful island that you’ll feel you have all to yourself. Although there are early morning ferries that run there from Cancun, the bulk of tourists don’t arrive in Isla Mujeres until 9:00 am – 10:00 am.

In contrast, Holbox Island’s idea of a “packed” beach is being a handful of beach towel lengths away from strangers.

It’s an excellent island for people looking to be in a quieter, more nature-oriented atmosphere. Speaking of nature, the beaches in Holbox undergo less maintenance, with the exception of hotels that might rake the beach directly in front of their property.

So, you can expect to encounter strings of seaweed, driftwood, and some small seashells.

On the other hand, Playa Norte in Isla Mujeres has the pristine, white sand beach that so many people picture when they think of the Caribbean. That’s because of the strict cleanup regimen that Isla Mujeres performs on its most popular tourist beaches.

As a final note, visiting Holbox Island doesn’t mean that you won’t find any nightlife. There are a handful of bars along the beach where people gather in the evening.

It just has a quieter vibe than anything you’ll find in Isla Mujeres or Cancun.

3. Booking Your International Flight

Regardless of whether you choose to visit Isla Mujeres or Holbox, you’ll want to book your flight to the Cancun airport.

From there, you can either take a private plane to Holbox Island or travel to either the Chiquila (for Holbox) or Cancun (for Isla Mujeres) ports by land to catch your ferry.

The bottom line is that you need to consider how much travel time you’re willing to dedicate to either of these islands, especially if you’re squeezing in Holbox or Isla Mujeres as part of a larger trip around Mexico.

Yep, that’s all I’ve got for this point.

4. Getting Around

Here’s a fun fact about Holbox: It requires a golf cart to get around if your legs can’t take you there.

That’s right—cars aren’t allowed on the island.

You’ll need a valid driver’s license and an alcohol-free stomach to explore Holbox by golf cart.

Golf carts are a thing on Isla Mujeres too. But you can also drive around the island.

If you decide to visit Isla Mujeres, I recommend renting a golf cart and spending the night. The following morning, drive to Punta Sur before sunrise. That way, you can witness the first piece of land in Mexico where the sun touches each morning.

Holbox Island is arguably an even better place to rent a golf cart since the island is much larger, at 26 miles long.

When you’re golf carting around Holbox, you’ll get to spot lots of wildlife. You might even see some flamingos hanging out in the lagoon if you’re lucky.

5. Juggling How Much You Want to Spend

I won’t beat around the bush—if you want a cheap beach destination, head to a place like Playa del Carmen; as is the case with so many islands, Isla Mujeres and Holbox are expensive.

However, of the two, I found Isla Mujeres to be more expensive than Holbox. I think this is due to the difference in downtowns between Holbox and Isla Mujeres.

For example, the downtown area in Isla Mujeres is where the heart of the tourist center is, as it sits just back from Playa Norte.

On the other hand, Holbox’s downtown has a more local vibe, and you can easily wander down side streets to find cheap, delicious food.

When it comes to Isla Mujeres, all hope isn’t lost, though. I was determined to eat cheaply during my time there and did a pretty good job of it, if I do say so myself.

So, if you decide to visit Isla and are working with a tight-ish budget, check out my guide on cheap Mexican restaurants in Isla Mujeres.

Both Isla Mujeres and Holbox offer hostels. Holbox seems to have more hostels and budget choices, though (assuming you stay in the downtown area—more on this soon).

6. Things To Do When You’re There

The number one attraction of both Holbox and Isla Mujeres is their beaches.

But one can only lie on a beach for so long (or, at least, I can only lie on a beach for so long).

So, what to do with the rest of your time? Below are some suggestions for things to do in Isla Mujeres:

• Watch the sunrise in Punta Sur
• Watch the sunset in Playa Norte
• Rent a kayak, boat, or golf cart
• Snorkel, dive, or take a glass bottom boat to see the underwater museum

And now, these are some activities to do in Holbox:

• Take a bioluminescence tour
• Swim with whale sharks
• Kayak through mangroves
• Explore the island by golf cart

If you want to learn about these activities and more on Holbox Island, I’ve put together a guide on what to do in Holbox to get you started—including what to do if it rains during your trip.

In addition to the items listed above for Isla Mujeres, you can also take a day trip to Cancun and explore the nearly endless array of things to do there.

That said, it’s far more common for people to take a day trip to Isla Mujeres from Cancun instead of vice versa.

7. Figuring Out Where To Stay

When it comes to accommodations on Isla Mujeres and Holbox, there are several items to consider.

For starters, Holbox tends to have more resorts and upscale hotels than Isla Mujeres. Much of that comes down to Isla Mujeres being a popular day trip from Cancun, where people have their pick of 5-star luxury hotels.

However, it also has to do with Holbox being a place where people typically spend a minimum of two nights, given the amount of time it takes to arrive there.

Another item to consider is location.

In Isla Mujeres, the majority of hotels, including the nicer ones, are clustered around Playa Norte. That means you’ll be in the heart of the tourist area and have access to Isla’s best beach at your fingertips.

It also makes for a louder and more people-packed experience.

On the other hand, the nicest hotels on Holbox Island tend to be a golf cart ride away from downtown. You’ll have access to a private beach and among the quietest beach atmospheres that you’ve likely ever experienced. However, you’ll need to hop in that golf cart to get into town.

FAQs About Isla Mujeres and Holbox

Below are answers to some popular questions people have when they’re weighing whether to visit Holbox or Isla Mujeres. If I don’t answer your question here, leave it in the comments and I’ll get back to you.

Can you get from Isla Mujeres to Holbox?

You can’t get directly from Isla Mujeres to Holbox island because there’s no direct ferry. Instead, you’ll have to take a ferry from Isla Mujeres to Cancun and drive from Cancun to the Chiquila port, where you’ll board a ferry to Holbox. The total trip time from Isla Mujeres to Holbox is approximately four hours.

How long of a boat ride is it from Isla Mujeres to Holbox Island?

There isn’t a direct boat from Isla Mujeres to Holbox Island. Instead, you’ll take a 20-minute ferry from Isla Mujeres to Cancun, drive to the Chiquila port, and then board another approximately 20-minute ferry from Chiquila to Holbox.

Is Isla Mujeres worth visiting?

Isla Mujeres is worth visiting if you want to experience one of the most pristine beaches that the Cancun area offers. The ferry ride from Cancun to Isla Mujeres is only 20 minutes, and you can explore Isla Mujeres by foot or golf cart. So, it’s an excellent half or full-day trip from Cancun.

Is Holbox better than Cancun?

Holbox is better than Cancun if you want a quiet atmosphere surrounded by coastal nature. Holbox has basic amenities, and the only way to get around the island is by foot or golf cart. If you’re seeking a bustling night scene, Cancun is the better choice.

So, What’ll It Be? Isla Mujeres or Holbox?

Isla Mujeres and Holbox both have wonderful—but mostly different—qualities.

I hope this post has helped shed light on which island might be the better fit for your interests and travel style.

If you’re not 100% set on visiting Holbox or Isla Mujeres, other articles I’ve put together, like Isla Mujeres vs. Cozumel and Cozumel vs. Holbox, can help.

Alternatively, my post on Cancun, Tulum, or Playa del Carmen highlights things you should consider if you’re thinking about beaching it on the mainland Yucatan.

If you still have questions about visiting Holbox or Isla Mujeres, leave a comment, and I’ll do my best to help.

Happy travels!