For those deciding between the best Mexican Caribbean island to visit off of the Yucatan Peninsula, both Isla Holbox and Isla Mujeres (Island of Women) are great options.
Both of these small islands are becoming increasingly popular with tourists seeking a laid-back beach vacation away from the crowds of Cancun.
However, while they may seem similar at first glance, there are significant differences between the two that can make a big difference in your travel experience.
Key Differences Between Isla Mujeres And Holbox Island:
- Isla Mujeres has many popular beaches, lots of great restaurants, high end beach clubs, and shopping.
- Island of Women is a popular day trip destination off the coast of Cancun but also acts as a main destination for a lot of Mexico travelers.
- Isla Holbox is known for a laid back vibe where cars are replaced with golf carts as the sole mode of transportation.
- Holbox is a lesser known island offers less in the way of amenities but far more in the way of quiet beaches and romantic sunsets.
- Holbox is the bigger island stretching 26 miles/46 km long and 0.9 miles/1.5km wide.
- Isla Mujeres is a much smaller island stretching 4 miles/7 km long and less than half a mile wide.
Detailed Comparison of Holbox and Isla Mujeres
If you’re trying to choose between Isla Mujeres or Holbox and wondering which is the better destination for your next trip, I’ve broken down exactly what you can expect from these two Mexican islands near Cancun.
Spoiler alert: Our favorite is Isla Holbox because it was more relaxing and quiet.
1. Getting to Isla Mujeres and Isla Holbox
Both of these beautiful islands are located off the coast of the Quintana Roo province of Mexico. Of the two islands, Isla Mujeres is definitely easier to get to.
Additionally, Isla Mujeres offers close proximity to Isla Blanca and Isla Contoy which are some of the most amazing islands in the Mexican Caribbean.
There are lots of day trips you can organize to visit these islands from many popular Mexican cities such as Playa del Carmen and Tulum.
Isla Mujeres is located roughly 6 miles/10 km off the coast of Cancun making it easier to access from Cancun International Airport.
Meanwhile, we’ve had a super easy experience when we visited Isla Mujeres from Playa Del Carmen.
It was about a 45 minute drive to Cancun and parking was easy at the Puerto Juarez ferry terminal (Ultramar).
We had bought our ferry tickets online (about $18USD per adult) but you can also buy them at the terminal.
There is also plenty of food and beverage places at the terminal making it easy if you are traveling with kids.
The boat ride from Cancun is a quick 15 minute trip that you can take with either UltraMar or Jetway ferry companies.
Boats leave every half hour to hour for the island making traveling easy.
Holbox is located on the far north end of the Yucatan Peninsula.
Getting to Holbox requires a longer land transfer.
From Cancun Airport, you will drive around 87 miles/139 km to the town of Chiquilá (taking about 2 hours) where you will find the Chiquila ferry port to take you to the island.
The Holbox Express is the ferry you will take departing every hour between 6:30 am and 9:30 pm daily. The ferry costs $220 MXN each way and the crossing is about half an hour.
One thing to note is that you can take your car to Isla Mujeres and drive it there but there are no cars allowed on Isla Holbox.
We didn’t take our car to Isla Mujeres and rented a golf cart there. It was a good idea because it added to the fun experience!
2. Accommodations on Mujeres and Holbox islands
Both islands are home to a wide range of hotels to fit any budget.
Whether you’re looking for 5 star luxury, budget accommodations, or something in between, you will have no problem finding it on either of these stunning islands.
Where to stay on Holbox Island:
- On Holbox island, I recommend booking the Villas Caracol for luxury travelers looking for a beachfront hotel close to the town center.
- For those on a tight budget looking for a simple clean hotel with an affordable price tag, the Casa Chujuk by Spirit Group is a great hotel with a central location.
- If you’re looking for a middle ground, Hotel Casa Takywara has a central beachfront location with a mid-range price point.
Where to stay on Isla Mujeres:
- If you’re looking for accommodation on Isla Mujeres, it doesn’t get much better than Mia Reef Isla Mujeres All Inclusive. Located just off Playa Norte, this prestigious resort is completely surrounded by crystal clear turquoise waters making it one of the best locations on the island.
- If you don’t need that level of luxury but still want a nice beachfront hotel with a central location, the Ixchel Beach Hotel is a great option.
- If price is at the forefront of your consideration, Casa Barco Boutique Hotel offers clean rooms and a rooftop pool in a good location.
We stayed near the Punta Sur end of Isla Mujeres and found it to be more relaxing and away from the crowds.
There was no beach there but the hotel had access to a restaurant and pool with a pier that allowed for some water activities.
We absolutely loved staying at the Hotel Casa Azul Maya. Our daughter took delight in the water slide and pools as well as being able to snorkel right off the pier.
3. Which Island Suits Better For Different Travelers
Isla Mujeres is a better option for families looking for a great island vacation.
The island requires a shorter transit from popular tourist hubs like Cancun or Playa Del Carmen which is ideal for kids. Its proximity to the city allows it to be a good day trip option.
Isla Mujeres also offers a lot of things to do to entertain families.
Isla Mujeres has three very large grocery stores and more established shopping areas which makes it easy to grab anything you may have forgotten.
The amenities are far less on Isla Holbox.
If you are traveling as a couple, Isla Holbox may be a better option. There are no cars on this island, so riding a golf cart will be your primary mode of transportation.
You will trade the crowds for quiet pristine beaches and stunning romantic sunsets.
If you are traveling on a backpacker’s budget, Isla Holbox is a better destination offering more ways to keep to a budget.
4. Beaches Of Holbox Island & Isla Mujeres
Both Isla Mujeres and Isla Holbox are nestled in tropical Caribbean waters allowing for ideal swimming on gorgeous beaches.
Isla Mujeres’ most popular beach is called Playa Norte which sits on the northern tip of the island and is popular for the fact that, unlike other beaches in the area, is free of seaweed!
While it was once famed for its snorkeling, the number of boats that anchor in the area has made this a better place for taking a refreshing dip and marveling at the beautiful water than seeing fish.
This is a great place to rent a jet ski and take to the water, or laze on a beach chair on the white sandy beach.
Isla Mujeres is the superior island for snorkeling and scuba diving as just off the coast you will find the famous MUSA Underwater Museum.
Whale shark tours are offered between June and September.
Playa Lancheros is another popular beach, lesser known than Playa Norte, making it a great place to relax on the beach and maybe do a bit of snorkeling.
If snorkeling is your goal, I recommend Hermosa Caleta beach. This beach is quieter, especially to boat traffic, and has plenty of shade and comfortable beach chairs.
Garrafon Natural Reef Park is another great place to snorkel.
We found the snorkeling on Isla Mujeres to be some of the best we have experienced.
Even though we didn’t go on any snorkeling tour in the middle of the sea we still saw plenty of fish and the water was absolutely clear and gorgeous!
Being able to snorkel easily from our hotel’s pier was very convenient since it was hassle-free and full of fun for our little one!
Isla Holbox’s most popular beach is called Playa Holbox. Despite its proximity to the town and its popularity, you will find clear turquoise waters and fluffy white sand.
Playa Punta Cocos is another great beach where you will find fewer crowds with equally beautiful beach conditions.
This beach offers a good amount of shade and is a great place to spot flamingos.
Punta Mosquito is a more secluded beach that requires more of a trek to get to but has a great payoff.
We went here early in the morning to catch the sandbank and it was a lot of fun for our little one to play in the small lagoons that were created.
5. Food And Drinks
Both of these islands will provide you with plenty of options in terms of delicious local cuisine.
If you’re a foodie, you will enjoy the many different restaurants found in Isla Mujeres offering a wide range of cuisine.
This island has it all from tasty street food to quality 5 star restaurants.
Our favorite restaurant in Isla Mujeres was Cocteleria Picus. It is located right by the ferry terminal and has access to a small beach area.
The seafood was delicious and we enjoyed sitting at a table on the sand watching boats go by.
If you are looking for a nice margarita or a cold beer on the beach, you will have no problem finding this on either island. There are lots of beach clubs on both islands that offer bars and restaurants with a view.
If you’re looking for nightlife, you will have far more luck with Isla Mujeres.
While neither of these islands will compete with Cancun nightlife, Isla Mujeres has far more people and is more party focused than the lazy vibes that are felt on Holbox island.
6. Wildlife And Nature To See On The Islands
Isla Pajaros, sometimes referred to as bird island, is located 30 minutes away from Holbox, and it’s one of the “three islands” – some of the best places for wildlife encounters.
The entire Isla Holbox is a part of the Yum Balam Flora and Fauna Protection Area allowing this island to be full of exotic wildlife, most notably the pink flamingos.
There are stunning mangroves that you can kayak through which house a wide range of animals.
Travel Tip: The best place to go to see the wildlife is Punta Cocos. We rented a golf cart and went there early in the morning. There was no one else there and it was so peaceful. We saw tons of birds and explored the whole area on our own.
On Isla Mujeres, all the wildlife you will see is in the water.
Areas like Garrafon Natural Reef Park on the southernmost tip of the island in Punta Sur will be your best bet for encountering the animals.
Here you can swim with dolphins, and sea turtles, and get some great snorkeling opportunities to see the marine life.
7. Activities And Excursions
Both Isla Mujeres and Isla Holbox offer a lot in terms of things to do.
If you’re wanting to take island tours, you will be happy to know that both offer beautiful beaches where the Mexican charm and the Caribbean Sea meet.
You’ll find plenty of things to do in Holbox to keep you entertained.
One of my favorite activities on Isla Holbox is to marvel at the bioluminescent plankton. Playa Punta Cocos is a popular beach for seeing this natural phenomenon in the water.
If you’re looking to kitesurf, Holbox’s stunning beaches with large waves are perfect for kiteboarders, especially if visiting between November and August.
Activities in Isla Holbox:
- Booking a bioluminescence experience on Isla Holbox is one of the only places where you can do this. The island also acts as a great jumping off point to visit other islands in the area.
- This 3 island boat tour will take you to neighboring islands that are great nature preserves.
- If you’ve never gone kiteboarding before, or are looking to brush up on your skills, you can book a kitesurfing lesson on the island.
- If you are looking to go swimming with whale sharks, you can do so on both islands. Snorkeling with whale sharks on Isla Holbox can be done between June and August.
Activities in Isla Mujeres:
- If you’re in Isla Mujeres, you can take a full day whale shark tour between June and September.
- If you’re interested in snorkeling, Isla Mujeres offers far better snorkeling conditions including tours that allow you to snorkel the famous MUSA underwater museum.
- If you’re interested in the museum but would rather go scuba diving here, this scuba diving tour is a great option.
- If you’re looking for a short day trip to visit Isla Mujeres and traveling with a group, you can skip the ferry ride and travel in style on this private catamaran to Isla Mujeres.
I would like to add that we visited as a family with a small child and loved it. If you stay at a beachfront hotel closer to town, it makes it easier.
I also recommend renting a golf cart or arranging taxis to get around the island conveniently. We also brought all the supplies we need since the availability is more limited on Holbox Island.
8. When to visit Island of Women and Holbox
Both Holbox and Isla Mujeres will deliver a solid island vibe no matter what time of year you visit.
While there is no bad time to visit, there are specific times of the year that are better than others.
The busiest time of year to visit is between December and April when North American tourists flock to the area to escape colder winters.
Whether you visit Isla Mujeres or Holbox, both will be busiest during this time of year and come with an extra cost due to the high season.
For those looking to see marine life such as whale sharks, your best chance to swim with these gentle giants is between June and August.
These islands receive the majority of their rainfall between September and October so I’d recommend avoiding visiting during this time.
What’s better, Isla Holbox or Isla Mujeres?
Both Isla Mujeres and Isla Holbox offer unique and memorable experiences for travelers seeking a relaxing beach vacation in Mexico’s Caribbean.
Isla Mujeres has the advantage of being more developed with better infrastructure and more dining and accommodation options, making it a more comfortable and convenient option.
However, this comes with the downside of being more crowded and less secluded than Isla Holbox, which offers a more laid-back, rustic, and natural atmosphere.
Isla Holbox’s pristine beaches, vibrant wildlife, and peaceful ambiance make it an ideal destination for travelers looking to disconnect and immerse themselves in nature.
On the other hand, its lack of modern amenities and limited options for dining and activities can be a drawback for some visitors.
Ultimately, choosing between Isla Mujeres and Isla Holbox depends on your priorities and travel preferences, and both islands offer their own charm and beauty that are worth exploring.
I hope this article has cleared up any questions you had about these two amazing islands.
FAQ: Holbox vs. Isla Mujeres
Is Isla Mujeres too touristy?
Isla Mujeres can get crowded, especially during peak season and around the main tourist areas like Playa Norte. However, there are quieter spots to explore on the island.
Is Isla Mujeres a party island?
While Isla Mujeres has some bars and nightlife, it’s not known as a major party destination. The atmosphere is generally relaxed and family-friendly.
Is Isla Mujeres safe?
Isla Mujeres is a safe destination with a low crime rate.
What should you be careful of in Isla Mujeres?
Be cautious of strong currents when swimming on the south side of the island.
Can you go from Isla Mujeres to Holbox?
Yes, you can travel between the islands by ferry and bus or taxi combinations.
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