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There’s no shortage of beautiful destinations in the Riviera Maya, and Cancun is only the beginning.
Throughout the Mexican Caribbean, there are small towns and islands that highlight everything beautiful about this region. But beyond the white sand beaches and aqua-blue water, many of the places have even more to offer.
Some of these places are so culturally rich that they’re deemed Magic Towns, and the island paradise of Holbox is one step closer to becoming the next Mexican Caribbean Magic Town.
But what is a magic town?
Mexico’s Magic Towns
In Mexico, the government highlights certain towns throughout the country that exhibit different attributes that make them special.
These attributes are typically those that make them unique in some way. Nature, culture, traditions, food, history, and folklore all separate these towns from the rest and make them special.
There are more than 300,000 cities, towns, localities, and communities in Mexico, but only 132 have been given the distinction of being called a Magic Town or a Pueblo Magico.
@farfarwego What are Magical Towns? #mexico🇲🇽 #mexico #mexicocitylife #travel #traveltiktok #cdmx #traveltiktokers #digitalnomad #expat #expatlifestyle #canadian #canadianexpat #mexicocitycheck #canadiancheck #photography #beautiful #instagood #happy #happy #summer #tunnels #roads #infrastructure #guanajuato #guanajuatocheck🇲🇽🍻 #driving #history #visitmexico #wanderlust #adventure #exploring #igtravel #vacation #placetosee #explorer ♬ Love You So – The King Khan & BBQ Show
Other Mexican Caribbean Magic Towns
Of the 132 current Magic Towns in Mexico, three of them are in the state of Quintana Roo.
Those towns are Isla Mujeres, which is an island just off the coast of Cancun, Tulum, and Bacalar.
This is the third time that Holbox has sought out the Magic Town distinction, and if approved, it will be the fourth Magic Town accessible to travelers visiting the Mexican Caribbean.
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@aalcantara1 All good stories start in Tulum. 🇲🇽 Tulum, you were absolutely everything I read about. A beautiful boho beach town in the Riviera Maya with a raw connection to nature. A magical and mystical place rooted and embedded in its core. ✨ A place of art and self expression, delicious food, vibrant culture, a rich mayan history, turquoise waters, lush jungles & sacred cenotes that are portals to the Maya underworld. And the kindest people. A spiritual and cultural sanctuary that fed my soul. I have yet so much more to discover. I know we will meet again. Te amo Tulum. 🤍 #tulumtown #mexico #quintanaroo #culture #art #rivieramaya #pueblomagico #mexicancaribbean #yucatanpeninsula ♬ Tuyo (Narcos Theme) – Rodrigo Amarante
The Island Of Holbox
The island of Holbox is about a 20-minute ferry ride from the town of Chiquila.
It takes just under two hours to get to Chiquila from Cancun International Airport.
Holbox, which is part of an important nature reserve in the region, the Yum Balam Nature Reserve, is a car-free island that exudes charm and has a laid-back atmosphere.
@christie.murph So here’s the deal with Holbox Island: Basically I’ve been visiting Tulum since 2014 and it’s safe to say that it’s drastically changed over the years. Holbox is essentially “the new OLD Tulum”, if that make sense?! If you’re interested in the “vibe” Tulum offers, but looking for more relaxation, WAY fewer tourists, a cleaner Sargassum-free ocean, and a more “unplugged” feel, Holbox is a must-go! The island is basically split up into 2 sides, Playa Punta Cocos & Mosquito Beach. Both sides are beautiful; I recommend trying out both. The entire island is super small & you can see & explore all of it in as little as 4 days. The town is extremely safe; my wife and I comfortably walked around alone every night! Don’t believe all the stupid news outlets saying to “stay away from Mexico”. They’re corny. My only CONS: •TONS of mosquitos, so bring EXTRA strong bug-spray with Deet & DO NOT wear scented creams/perfume. I recommend even wearing bug-spray in the daytime. •Slower pace, so don’t expect to get your drink the moment you sit down. Be present & patients, it’s Island Time. •The ocean has a slight sulfer smell. It didn’t bother me, but still something to note. •It’s quite a trip to get there. You fly into Cancun, 2 & half hour car ride to Chiquilá & then a 30 min. ferry to the island. It was smooth and seamless, but still a hike! Other than that, we LOVED SOOOOO MUCH about Holbox Island! 🌴 #holbox #holboxmexico #islaholbox #holboxisland #mexico #travel #traveltiktok #tulum #tulummexico #tulumbeach #vacation ♬ Innerbloom – RÜFÜS DU SOL
What Makes Holbox So Special?
Holbox is different compared to many of its Mexican Caribbean counterparts because it still has that small fishing village, beach town vibe.
Walking the roads, you’ll see colorful buildings, thatched roofs, street art, and authentic Mexican restaurants.
Holbox is also a paradise for nature lovers, a place where you can see flamingos, bioluminescent water, stunning white sand beaches, and turquoise water as far as the eye can see.
How To Get To Holbox
The most convenient way to get Holbox is to fly into Cancun Airport and then book transportation for the roughly 2-hour trip to Chiquila.
An ADO bus would cost around $20 each way, so it is by far the cheapest option but probably not the most comfortable, considering how long the trip is.
You may want to book private transportation instead, which ranges in price depending on the vehicle, but you can expect to pay around $250 each way.
@leonamarlene Replying to @Edilia how to get to Isla Holbox 🏝️ #holbox #mexico #travel #holboxisland ♬ Speak Now – Taylor Swift
Where To Stay In Holbox
Most of what you’ll find in Holbox are small boutique hotels, and there are quite a few to choose from.
Some of the most highly rated include El Corazón Boutique Hotel, Hotel Para Ti, Casa Mech, and Hotel Villas Flamingos.
For travelers looking for an all-inclusive, there are a couple of highly rated properties, but it will run you about $2,000 for a five-night stay in July, compared to as low as $550 for that same time period in some of the boutique hotels.
@guruhoteloficial Conoce nuestro hotel aliado “El Corazón Boutique Hotel” un hotel solo para adultos, ubicado en la reserva natural de yum-balam, en la isla de Holbox. Un lugar perfecto para disfrutar en pareja. Reserva en el sitio web oficial y recibe la mejor tarifa: http://www.elcorazon.mx #hotel #caribe #holbox #visitméxico ♬ Back to Beginning – Breno Miranda & Talking Dirty
The Town Of Holbox
While many people travel to Holbox for the beaches and the island vibe, the town is where you’ll find the heart and soul of the island.
The bright-colored murals that can be seen throughout, the quiet streets, the quaint little shops and restaurants, and the locals themselves make Isla Holbox the paradise that it is.
A paradise well deserving of the distinction of being a Magic Town.
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Robert
Monday 29th of May 2023
I heard that Cozumel was going to be awarded the same designation. Is that true?