HOLBOX OR TULUM: WHERE SHOULD YOU TRAVEL IN 2026.
When we travelled to Mexico, we couldn’t decide between Holbox or Tulum. Each sounded amazing, but being completely honest we had also heard bad things – our research suggested that Tulum might be overpriced and pretentious and that Holbox could be dirty, over-rated and not worth the ferry fare, let alone a visit.
But we wouldn’t be travel bloggers worth our salt if we didn’t find out for ourselves. And so, we decided to travel to Tulum and Holbox, determined to find the good, the bad and the mad.
Our experience of Holbox & Tulum
We found Holbox to be an entirely welcome surprise – yes, there were a few niggles, such as the condition of roads and mosquitos.
But, overall we found it to be a beautiful and welcoming island with stunning sunsets, pristine beaches and super fun nightlife.
Tulum was a let down in some areas – the beach is miles from the town and many bars are in fact overpriced. But, nearby Sian Ka’an was special, the cenotes out of this world and we found a few bars and restaurants that we loved (and on a budget too.)
Our verdict
Out of the two, our overall favourite was Holbox – but, that’s not to say that Tulum isn’t worth visiting as well.
For us, as a couple, we enjoyed how accessible Holbox is – we stayed centrally in the main town and everything felt accessible. We could relax on the beach for the morning, take a yoga class, or go for lunch – all within a few minutes. And the nightlife was awesome.
Whilst we had a ball in Tulum – we found the geography put us off a bit. You either have to choose to stay centrally, or by the beach. And this has limitations.
Read on to find out more about Holbox versus Tulum and when and why we think you should visit each one.
You can find also find our more about Holbox in our guide to visiting the island here.
We’ve also written two guides to Tulum – one to help you plan the perfect itinerary for three or four days and one for anyone wishing to visit Tulum on a budget.
Is Holbox or Tulum better for families?
It is possible to enjoy both Tulum and Holbox as a family, even with small children. However, the significant practical challenges that Tulum presents make Holbox a more popular destination with families.
The beach in Tulum is a long distance from the town, therefore it is not hugely convenient for family travellers. The exception may be families willing to pay for expensive accommodation on the beach in Tulum.
That said, keep in mind that the sea tends to be much choppier in Tulum than Holbox.
Holbox is small and easy to navigate, the beach is never really more than ten minutes walk and restaurants are packed into a small area. As it is a popular island with families, restaurants are super welcoming of children too.
The water in Holbox is also very shallow, making it a bit more welcoming for the littles. There’s also a small kids park in the centre of town and an opportunity to kayak or paddle board on the water.
VERDICT: HOLBOX
An alternative to Holbox or Tulum for families may be Bacalar – a peaceful lagoon side town. Find out more here.
Is Holbox or Tulum better for beaches?
The beaches of Holbox are pristine, with soft white sand and clear turquoise waters. The island is less developed than some other tourist destinations, providing a more relaxed and secluded beach experience.
In the morning, you can walk for around 4kms along the beach to a sandbank – completely uninterrupted beach, with just a handful of hotels along side it. The waters near to the coast are shallow and calm, making it safe and easy to swim and do other water sports.
On the other hand, Tulum, situated on the Riviera Maya, is known for its trendy and bohemian vibe. The beaches in Tulum are stunning, with powdery white sand and the iconic backdrop of ancient Mayan ruins.
Tulum has become a popular destination for those seeking a more upscale and stylish beach experience, with beach clubs, boutique hotels, and a vibrant social scene. The water in Tulum tends to be a bit wilder, but it is still pleasant to swim in.
VERDICT: BOTH
An alternative for beaches if you want to visit a resort more frequented by locals than tourists, is Progreso which is found on the Gulf of Mexico.
Is Holbox or Tulum better for nature?
Holbox provides some fantastic opportunities to enjoy the nature of Mexico’s Caribbean Coast. There are the nature tours – swimming with whale sharks, kayaking in mangroves, horse riding on the beach and seeing the magnificent bio-luminescence.
But the best bits of Holbox nature are free – walking to Punta Mosquito in the morning is a highlight, white sand, clear water and the opportunity to see flamingos, starfish and if you’re lucky, mantarays. Dog lovers will also revel at the chance to walk one of the dogs from the local refuge too.
Tulum also offers a lot for nature lovers. Starting with the abundant Cenotes, natural pools of water created by lime stone craters, in and around Tulum. You can spend an afternoon in the cool, clear water. Sian Ka’an biosphere reserve is the second big hitter in the area when it comes to nature.
Take a tour to Sian Ka’an from Tulum to enjoy spotting many beautiful animals and birds, even dolphins and manatees if you get very lucky. Nearby Akumal may also be worth a visit if you’re interested in snorkeling and the possibility of seeing Turtles.
VERDICT: HOLBOX
Is Holbox or Tulum better for nightlife?
Tulum nightlife is divided between the beach and downtown. The former being made up of lavish nightclubs, decadent beach bars and even more decadent (expensive) cocktails.
The latter is more low key, ranging from gritty bars with live music to more upscale wine bars. Tulum nightlife doesn’t disappoint, but it is spread between the two centres leaving you with a choice to make about where to spend the evening and a taxi ride between the two.
In comparison, nightlife in Holbox is more compact, as is the general ethos of the island. There are spirited beach bars and happy hours on the sand to enjoy followed by buzzing cocktail lounges in town.
Nights in Holbox tend to end at The Hot Corner – a live music bar. Those with expensive taste order drinks inside the bar, others gather on the corner to dance and drink beer from the local supermarket.
No prizes for guessing that we were in the second group.
VERDICT: HOLBOX
Is Holbox or Tulum for better for activities?
Holbox, being a small and secluded island, offers a quieter and nature-focused experience. It’s known for its rich birdlife, and you can take tours or walk to see flamingos and other wildlife. Holbox is also a great place for water activities, including kayaking, kiteboarding, and fishing.
One of the highlights is swimming with whale sharks during their season. It’s more of a tranquil experience, kicking back with a cocktail is also a great activity in Holbox!
You can find our detailed guide to the best things to do in Holbox here.
Tulum offers a variety of activities, including exploring the ancient Mayan ruins located right by the beach. Additionally, Tulum has a lively atmosphere with trendy beach clubs, restaurants, and shops.
Water activities such as snorkeling, diving, and paddleboarding are popular along the coast, and you can also explore nearby cenotes (natural sinkholes) and the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve for eco-friendly adventures.
Find out more about activities in Tulum in our guide here.
VERDICT: TULUM
Is Holbox or Tulum better for yoga?
Tulum has long been synonymous with yoga culture. There are many studios as well as instructors offering private classes. Retreats are run regularly in different hotels in Tulum and you can find any spiritual ceremony you could wish for. Yogis will enjoy the range of wellness activities available in Tulum.
Holbox has a few yoga classes, but during my trip I found the irregularity of classes meant that I couldn’t attend one. However, if you have your own mat, a sunrise self practice yoga session on the beach is not to be missed.
You’ll normally see one or two others and many joggers out. Fitness fanatics will also love the fun beach boot camp class offered in Holbox.
VERDICT: TULUM
Is Holbox or Tulum better for foodies?
Tulum has a range of restaurants, from Ramen to Italian and high end cookery. Anyone looking for fine dining who wants to spend big will enjoy Tulum.
However, the thing that surprised us about it Tulum was how many budget eateries there were too – especially taquerias and local holes in the wall. We ate well every day in Tulum.
Food on Holbox was a little more hit and miss in our opinion. Although there are some highend restaurants, many have mixed reviews and seemed overpriced and lacking authenticity to us.
At the budget end, we found two fun evening restaurants serving decent food that we loved and visited each a few times – find out more here.
VERDICT: TULUM
Foodies visiting Mexico will love the vibrant city of Merida – known for its street food and fine dining.
Which is cheaper, Tulum or Holbox?
Which is cheaper? Below you can see some comparisons for costs in Tulum and Holbox as of 2025.
| Item | Cost Holbox (Mexican Pesos) | Cost Tulum (Mexican Pesos) |
Main meal in a restaurant | 180 – 350 | 200 – 500 |
| Basic Taco | 25-40 | 20-30 |
| Budget Accommodation | 700-800 | 700-800 |
| Coffee | 50-70 | 50-70 |
| Beer in a bar | 50-80 | 50-80 |
| Cocktail | 150 – 300 | 150 – 600 |
As you can see, costs are fairly similar in both resorts. The main difference is that in Tulum although budget items can be found, the sky is the limit when it comes to drinks in bars and restaurants – if you want luxury, you can get it.
We generally found it easier to find less expensive bars in Holbox, comparatively cheaper food was readily available in Tulum.
Find out more about visiting Tulum on a budget here.
Is accommodation better in Holbox or Tulum?
Both Tulum and Holbox offer a wide range of accommodation.
Budget accommodation is relatively easy to find in both Tulum and Holbox, but don’t expect to get near to the beach on a budget in Tulum. Comparatively, budget accommodation near to the beach in Holbox is easier to find.
Both resorts have a good amount of mid-range accommodation, but again even mid-range is not always close to the beach in Tulum.
If you want true 5 star luxury, Tulum is a much better option. Although there are nice hotels on Holbox, the island is a little rough around the edges in some places (for example, the roads) and thus I’m not sure that a visit there would feel like total luxury.
Find out more about where to stay in Tulum in our guide here and in Holbox here.
VERDICT: BOTH
Which is easier to get to from Cancun – Holbox or Tulum?
Tulum is an easy two hour drive, cab ride or bus from Cancun. The controversial Maya Train will one day run between the two towns too.
Holbox is a little trickier. First you must get from Cancun to Chiquila, which takes around two hours and thirty minutes. Then a 15 minute ferry ride takes you across to the island. It is not a difficult crossing and connections are good with public transport, but factor in an extra $20 for the ferry.
VERDICT: TULUM (just)
Find out more about getting to Tulum here and Holbox here.
Where to next in the Yucatan?
- Cancun – beaches & food
- Tulum – beaches, yoga and nightlife
- Holbox – island paradise
- Bacalar – paddle boarding and relaxing
- Celestun – flamingos & laid back beach
- Progreso – fun beach town
- Sian Ka’an – nature reserve
- Merida – gastronomic city & culture
- Campeche – glamorous historical city
- Valladolid – history & culture
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One response to “Holbox or Tulum: Where should you travel in 2026?”
[…] Many vacationers often need to make the big decision as to whether to visit Tulum or Holbox. We’ve written a detailed guide to help you decide between the two – find it here. […]