Holbox Expects 95% Occupancy for Summer 2026 Season

Aerial view of Holbox island beach with turquoise water and palm trees

Holbox, Quintana Roo — Tourism officials on Holbox Island are projecting up to 95% hotel occupancy for the upcoming summer vacation season, with average visitor spending of $600 over three days, according to Alejandro de Jesús González Villanueva, Director of Tourism for Lázaro Cárdenas municipality.

While May and June typically see occupancy around 50%, González said bookings are expected to surge past 90% in July. He noted that Holbox relies heavily on last-minute reservations, often made just two or three days in advance.

“The good news is we’re already seeing an upward trend as summer vacation approaches,” González said. “If everything continues as we hope, and being very optimistic, we could reach 95% occupancy during the peak days of the season. Holbox is a destination that receives many last-minute bookings, so we’re confident the coming weeks will be very positive for the tourism sector and especially for all the families that depend on this activity.”

The average stay during summer is two nights and three days, González said, compared to winter when visitors often stay up to ten days, taking more time to enjoy the destination.

González emphasized that tourism spending directly benefits the entire community, as visitors pay for accommodation, food, tours, transportation and local products. “In Holbox, practically the entire economy revolves around tourism,” he said. “Each vacation season represents a great opportunity to strengthen the island’s economy and the pockets of the community.”

He highlighted the island’s attractions beyond its beaches, including birdwatching for flamingos, mangrove tours to Cabo Catoche, and whale shark sightings in the protected biosphere reserve. “We have beautiful, unique and magical sunsets; a vast and delicious gastronomy; and experiences that let you feel and live the island more directly,” González said.

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By Laura Castillo

Laura Castillo covers tourism, business, and economic development across Cancún, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, and the wider Riviera Maya for Riviera Maya News & Events. She tracks the region's most important business stories — from hotel investments and airline route expansions to real estate market trends and local economic policy — helping English-speaking readers stay informed about the economic pulse of Mexico's Caribbean coast.Laura has been reporting on Quintana Roo's tourism sector since 2020, closely monitoring developments in Cancun's hotel zone, Tulum's rapidly growing commercial corridor, and the evolving business landscape in Playa del Carmen. Her coverage includes corporate investments, employment trends, infrastructure projects, and the economic impact of events like sargassum seasons and hurricane preparation.Before joining Riviera Maya News & Events, Laura worked in business development and market analysis in the Riviera Maya region, giving her first-hand insight into how tourism, real estate, and local commerce intersect. She is fluent in English and Spanish.For story tips: laura@rivieramayanews.mx