Holbox Island Expedition (from Cancun)

Isla Holbox sits in a protected biosphere reserve at the northwestern tip of the Yucatan Peninsula — a car-free island paradise where the Gulf of Mexico meets the Caribbean and the pace of life slows to something close to a standstill. Departing from Cancun on Tuesdays and Saturdays, this 10½-hour expedition crosses the lagoon by ferry to one of Mexico’s most genuinely unspoiled island destinations.

The day begins with a boat tour through mangrove channels and coastal lagoons teeming with bird life — cormorants, pelicans, herons, spoonbills and flamingos are all common sightings. From there, the boat continues to Punta Mosquito, Holbox’s legendary shallow sandbank where the turquoise water is barely knee-deep, the sand is powder-white and the horizon appears to go on forever. For many visitors, this is the most memorable single moment of their entire trip.

The afternoon is spent on a golf cart tour of the island — the only way to get around car-free Holbox — with stops at its most iconic landmarks and an exclusive beachfront hotel where an international buffet lunch is served. The rest of the afternoon is unstructured: swim in the transparent sea, relax by the pool or explore the village streets and browse local handicrafts.

This tour runs from Cancun on Tuesdays and Saturdays, departing at 08:00 AM. Staying in Playa del Carmen or Tulum? The Holbox Island Expedition from the Riviera Maya departs daily.