This Car-Free Island Between Mexico's Caribbean & Gulf Coasts Is A Great Budget Getaway

Mexico's Caribbean coast is one of the most sought-after vacation destinations in the world. The Riviera Maya, as it's known, stretches from Cancun to Tulum on the west coast of the Yucatan peninsula, and is one of the most beautiful coastlines in the world. From the sugar-soft white sands of the beaches in Tulum, Playa del Carmen, and Cancun, to the crystal-clear waters of the cenotes in Puerto Morelos and Tulum, it's a magical, mysterious, exquisite place to visit, and one that guarantees a truly stunning vacation adventure.

As with many of the most popular and beautiful spots in the world, it's becoming harder and harder to find places in the Riviera Maya that aren't overcrowded and unaffordable. Relaxing on a beach at a luxurious couples retreat at a Tulum boutique hotel will have a serious impact on your wallet, while the famous beaches of Cancun tend to be filled with loungers and beach vendors throughout the high and shoulder seasons. However, you don't have to go too far to find a tranquil, car-free oasis with stunning beaches, amazing wildlife, gorgeous views, and laid-back island atmosphere, where a getaway won't break the bank. Just a little way up and around the coast from Cancun, Isla Holbox is an underrated Mexican gem that deserves serious attention.

Lying just to the west of Cancun on the north coast of the Yucatan peninsula, between the Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico, Holbox is a small island a few miles from the mainland. Part of the Yum Balam Nature Reserve, it's only accessible by boat from the small village of Chiquila, which has helped it maintain its retro, uncrowded atmosphere. Cancun Airport is just over two hours away from Chiquila by car or bus.

If you can picture a classic paradise island, chances are you'll already have an idea of what Isla Holbox is like. While the town on the island has a vibrant buzz to it thanks to a combo of backpackers, wildlife enthusiasts, and vacationing families, a few steps from the five or six blocks that make up town center brings you to wild mangroves and peaceful lagoons.

The island boasts stunning beaches, deep mangrove swamps crisscrossed with narrow channels, and even a cenote, as well as incredible wildlife, including flamingos, crocodiles, and iguanas. The marine life in the surrounding waters is even more exciting, with dolphins, manta rays, and electric tropical fish aplenty, as well as the chance to swim with whale sharks from May to September. Holbox is also one of the few places in the world where you can experience the mindblowing phenomenon of bioluminescence, when the sea lights up in a vivid electric lightshow caused by microscopic organisms, a truly extraordinary sight.

The wildlife and biodiversity of Holbox are a huge part of its attraction, but most people make the trip for the beach, with its pristine sands and remarkably warm, clear, and calm waters. The main beach is a stone's throw from town center, a wonderful stretch of lazy, fine sand that gently slopes down to the turquoise Caribbean. The water remains shallow for hundreds of meters, making it the perfect beach for families, and it's incredibly easy to spend an entire day relaxing, watching pelicans finish their graceful, soaring swoops with an inelegant crash into the water, and soaking up the sun. And if the main beach gets full, a short walk east brings you to empty sands in no time at all.

One of the most charming aspects of Isla Holbox is that it's completely car-free. Golf cart taxis take you from the port to town, and then out to the further-flung hotels, guesthouses, and Airbnbs, but in reality, most of your time will be spent on-foot, strolling down the sandy tracks and along the beach.

The town has a delightfully chilled-out vibe, part island paradise, part shoestring backpacker, part ecoboutique luxury. It's filled with fantastic bars, cafes, and eateries, and while the nightlife is a far cry from the bright lights of Cancun, there's still plenty going on after the sun goes down. For breakfast, Mr. Happy offers a taste of home, with epic waffles and American-style breakfasts, while Copal Cafe serves up seriously good coffee, arepas, and smoothies. In the evening, Tierrasal is an incredible combination of great food and even better atmosphere, while no visit to Holbox is complete without a trip to El Chapulim, an affordable fine-dining spot with no menu, where the chef comes to your table to describe the four main dishes he's cooking that night so you can choose. After dark, the vibes are great at Tribu Bar and Capitan Capitan Beach Lounge.

A few years ago, staying in Holbox meant picking from a few hostels and guesthouses, but now the secret is out and there's an array of great accommodation options. If you are looking for something truly out-of-this world, Nomade Holbox offers a Michelin Key-rated wellness retreat married to eco-boutique architecture. Casa Las Tortugas is ideal for anyone looking for bohemian chic that won't empty your checking account, while budget-conscious travelers might want to look at self-catered options like Why Knot Cool, or the backpacker favorite Tribu Hostel.