Envision the perfect tropical getaway and you may just find yourself in Holbox, Mexico. The luxurious escape on the Yucatan Peninsula, pronounced “hol-bosh,” is exactly the type of idyllic paradise that takes you away from the real world.

If you’re traveling to the Riviera Maya, it’s well worth making some time to explore Holbox. Cancun, Cozumel, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum are by far the most popular tourist destinations and are known for their luxurious all-inclusive resorts. However, they also happen to be the most crowded.

Here in Holbox, you’ll find nothing but sparkling blue water and clean, white sand. Life is calm and laid-back — and because there are no cars, traffic noises won’t threaten to disturb your peace at every turn. Best of all, many of the island’s hotels are directly on the beach so you’ll never be far from the calm Caribbean waters.

As you plan your journey to the Gulf of Mexico, take some time to explore the accommodations available to you. Here are some of the best of the best.

1. Mystique Holbox by Royalton, A Tribute Portfolio Resort

The Mystique Holbox by Royalton is almost incomparable in its exquisite styling. The boutique hotel is situated on the beachfront, providing incredible views of everything from early-morning beach wanderers to frothy waves crashing against the shore. The suites are equally beautiful, with a breezy vibe supported by light, airy color palettes. Pops of light blue mingle with crisp white and soft tan, creating an earthy-meets-oceanic space that feels almost too good to be true.

The beachfront hotel is largely designed with eco-friendly elements that contribute to a more sustainable space. The rooms are outfitted in aged wood, as an example, and henequen fiber found throughout the hotel is locally sourced in support of the area’s economy. All suites are equipped with Wi-Fi, ceiling fans, and rain showers. Guests have a variety of views available, including the ocean, garden, and pool. If you’re feeling truly indulgent, book an oceanfront swim-out suite.

The property is home to two on-site restaurants, including the open-air Fresco Bar and Grill. The beach bar offers a menu of island favorites ranging from lobster quesadillas to vibrant cocktails that are more than worthy of a place on your Instagram grid. At Fresco Artful Cuisine, enjoy a carefully curated menu of specialties. Here, you’re invited to discuss your preferences with the chef and become a more integral part of the dining experience. In all, a stay at the Mystique Holbox by Royalton is a flawless option if you simply want to indulge in a true escape.

Top amenities include:

• Free Wi-Fi
• Beachfront location
• Two on-site restaurants
• 24-hour front desk

Check availability to book Mystique Holbox by Royalton.

2. Villas HM Paraiso del Mar

Among the most memorable hotels on Isla Holbox is Villas HM Paraiso del Mar. The beachfront property is breathtaking at a glance, with a secluded feel that’s perfect if you’re truly hoping to hide away from the world during your getaway. Amidst lush tropical gardens, the property feels fresh, cool, and inviting. Rooms are thoughtfully designed with natural elements, like hardwood floors and accents, with pops of warm color that lend each space a homey touch.

For a fee, you can enjoy internet access and on-site massages. Wander through the gardens during your free moments and breathe in the crisp ocean air from the Caribbean Sea. As you retire for the day, make your way to the reading area. It’s equipped with all manner of comfortable seating and illuminated by gentle lighting. There’s also an outdoor pool.

Guests have the option of booking all-inclusive, half-board, or breakfast stays to ensure they receive the most value for their money. Breakfast is a traditionally lavish affair that you can only expect from the best hotels in Mexico. Serving up traditional regional fare coupled with morning staples like eggs and pastries, it’s a brilliant spread that will kick start any day just right. There are also plentiful buffet options for lunch and dinner.

Once your appetite is satisfied, the friendly reception desk team can help you plan tours or arrange kayak rentals so you can explore independently.

Top amenities include:

• Free Wi-Fi
• Spa treatments
• Reading area
• Breakfast is available

Check availability to book Villas HM Paraiso del Mar.

3. Hotel Villas Flamingos

Another Isla Holbox favorite is Hotel Villas Flamingos. Set in the Yum-Balam nature reserve, the property boasts utterly exquisite rooms that provide their own unique charms. With varied amenities like wide terraces, outdoor showers, hammocks, indoor jacuzzis, heated indoor pools, and exquisite views of everything from mangroves to beaches, the rooms, suites, and bungalows here do not disappoint.

For an unforgettable dining experience, the Restaurant El Mangle provides fresh meals prepared by Chef Juan Uuh, who specializes in delectable regional fare. The establishment also happens to be the only fully air-conditioned space on all of Holbox Island, setting it apart even more. Make some time in your schedule for a visit (or two!) to the on-site spa, which offers a range of face and body treatments. If you’re traveling with your special someone, a couples massage is sure to delight you both.

People come to Hotel Villas Flamingos for their most special occasions (and the air conditioning!). When you’re in the Caribbean, you all but expect to make memories — and here, that’s a reality. Maybe you’re proposing to your significant other or you want to enjoy paradise in a relatively quiet spot away from the hustle and bustle you might experience in Cancun or Tulum. Whatever the purpose of your getaway, you can expect to find complete comfort and bliss here.

Top amenities include:

• Rooms with jacuzzis
• On-site restaurant
• Spa and wellness center

Check availability to book Hotel Villas Flamingos.

4. Casa Punta Coco

Life looks a whole lot better when you find yourself at Casa Punta Coco. The adults-only resort caters to the discerning traveler whose only hope is to truly get away from it all. That’s why they call it a getaway — and at this property, you’ll find just the paradise you’ve been hoping to encounter in Holbox. You’re just one one-minute walk from the beach. You also have access to a lovely outdoor pool, along with a private beach for guests only.

A shining star on Holbox Island in the Yum-Balam nature reserve, the property has just seven rooms. You’ll experience a carefully articulated experience that includes a delicious and complimentary continental breakfast to start, and the option for lunch or dinner prepared at your request.

The rooms here are decorated in light tones and finished with subtle pops of color for a welcoming vibe. You’ll find amenities like terraces, ocean views, and hydromassage tubs, plus free Wi-Fi access. Take advantage of on-site massage services when you truly need to unwind and disconnect from life for a while. Surrounded by idyllic views, you’ll feel like you’ve well and truly gotten away from it all.

Top amenities include:

• Private beach area
• Suites with hot tubs
• Private check-in

Check availability to book Casa Punta Coco.

5. Spirit Holbox Hotel and Rooftop Restaurant

Located in Quintana Roo, the Spirit Holbox Hotel and Rooftop Restaurant was practically tailor-made with the quintessential resort experience in mind. There’s a truly natural, down-to-earth feel about the accommodations here, what with their muted color palettes and simple layouts. Steps from the sandy beach and with close access to a ground-level pool, the rooms are perfectly equipped for anyone who craves some quality time in or by the water.

Make some time during your Caribbean vacation for a rooftop meal, too. There’s plenty to do on the property’s crown, from sunbathing to swimming in the infinity pool to digging into a hearty breakfast to start your day. The restaurant offers a range of both regional and international dishes, ensuring there’s something to please every palate. Come back at the end of the day and experience a quintessential Holbox sunset. Offering panoramic views, it’s the perfect place to be — especially since you can also sip on a cocktail or a glass of wine while you’re there.

The spa at the Spirit Holbox Hotel and Rooftop Restaurant is equally dreamy. With leafy tendrils draped from the ceiling, craggy rock walls, and organic wood furnishings, it’s a study in simple, natural beauty. The space alone would be soothing without the many lavishing menu treatments, but the spa’s skilled practitioners offer plenty to keep you occupied for hours during your stay. Take advantage of hypnotherapy, enjoy a dip in a pool, slip into the jacuzzi, give yourself a little waterfall time, and treat yourself to a therapeutic massage or a facial that’s formulated just for your skin type. You’ll emerge feeling clear-minded and fresher than ever before.

Top amenities include:

• Outdoor pool
• On-site spa
• Restaurant
• Beachfront location

Check availability to book Spirit Holbox Hotel.

6. Villas Palmar Holbox

Another Holbox Island favorite situated just four minutes by foot from Playa Holbox is Villas Palmar Holbox. The rooms here are warm and homey, with understated color palettes and simple layouts that reflect the creature comforts of home. Some are equipped with private balconies offering pristine garden or pool views, while others have their own patios. Hammocks abound on the property, providing a lovely spot to relax in the shade and breathe in the refreshing sea air.

The hotel also boasts an outdoor pool, along with a terrace and a garden. This is an ideal hotel for families. If you’re traveling with the kids, consider booking one of the family rooms on the property. They’re equipped with convenient kitchenettes and offer a little extra space for everyone’s comfort.

When it comes time to relax, head to the ping pong table and stage a friendly competition with a family member or a guest. Visitors can also rent bikes. Located just under a couple of miles from Punta Coco, the hotel is in a prime location on the island and perfect for family-friendly excursions to the beach.

Top amenities include:

• Rooms with garden views
• Outdoor pool

• Suites with kitchenettes
• Bicycle rentals

Check availability to book Villas Palmar Holbox.

7. Aldea Kuka

Marrying the wonders of modern sustainable design with the pleasures of a boutique hotel, Aldea Kuka is a standout property designed strictly for adults. With an array of private bungalows on the beachfront, it stands out for its wide range of amenities. The rooms and suites here are truly rustic, with wooden and straw accents throughout. Furnishings are simple and humble, yet the overall effect is one of restrained elegance.

When it comes time to dine, make your way to Kukatch. The open-air restaurant and beach bar is a marvelous spot to grab dinner on date night or enjoy a few drinks with friends. The kitchen serves up a wide-ranging medley of both international fare and favorites from Mexico. The other on-site eatery is La Malix, a gloriously designed space featuring glossy glass walls and jute-like ceilings and light fixtures. It’s a study in balanced glamor, with more than a nod to eco-friendly aesthetics that define 21st-century design.

The spa here is as holistic and laid-back as you expect it to be — and just as relaxing, too. With plentiful natural light streaming through the wood-clad rooms, getting anything from a manicure to a massage feels just a touch more naturally luxurious than it would elsewhere. There’s a sense of real goodness here, and you’ll feel at one with nature as you sit in the peaceful solitude of the space in the company of some of the most skilled technicians on the island. When you’re ready to break a sweat, you can do so at the on-site gym.

Top amenities include:

• Private bungalows
• Open-air restaurant

• Spa and wellness center
• On-site gym

Check availability to book Aldea Kuka.

The Best Time to Visit Holbox

What’s especially nice about Holbox is that it’s incredibly easy to make your plans. You don’t have to think too far ahead — that’s how wonderfully temperature the weather happens to be here. It’s tropical through and through, and you can expect it to remain so throughout the year.

January – April

If you’re hoping to avoid tourists altogether, steer clear from January through April. It gets just a little bit more crowded at this time of the year and beach clubs along Holbox Beach become more hectic.

May – October

It may be warm and rainy from May through October, but it’s also a great time of year to visit if you’ve got visions of water sports in your eyes. Traveling to Holbox to indulge your inner diver or snorkeler? The good news is that this is a wonderful area for both diving and snorkeling, so you can accomplish both during your stay. This is also the best time to see whale sharks swimming off the coast of Holbox.

November – December

From November through December, you’ll find that you have plenty of Holbox to yourself — or at least it may seem that way. Hurricane season is behind you, humidity levels are low, and it’s just slightly brisk in the evenings. You may want to bring along at least a lightweight cardigan or a shawl if an end-of-the-year visit is in the cards.

Otherwise, this is a fantastic time to visit Holbox because you can almost guarantee you won’t encounter too many people. That may also translate into reduced room rates — you can get better deals on all-inclusive hotels when there’s less demand.

Get Ready for a Vacation to Remember

When it comes to visiting Mexican paradise, you can be certain you’ve made the right choice when you pin your focus on Quintana Roo. Holbox is ideal for so many reasons, from its sheer beauty to its natural delights. It also happens to be a wonderfully safe place to bring your family, book your honeymoon, or even propose to your special someone.

There’s a reason people flock to the island and Holbox Mexico resorts with such intention: It’s relaxing in every sense of the word, simple without being boring, and deliberately slow. If you’re hoping to book a vacation that doesn’t find you caught in traffic, that avoids the loud noises that typically define beach getaways, and that puts you within easy proximity of the water, you’ll find it and so much more in Holbox.