Holbox, Quintana Roo — While other destinations along the Mexican Caribbean struggle with massive seaweed arrivals, Holbox Island has emerged as an ecological refuge, its beaches remaining completely free of sargassum thanks to a natural barrier near Cabo Catoche.
Christian Stenta, president of the Holbox Hotel Association, said the island’s privileged geography naturally prevents large amounts of the algae from washing ashore, unlike other parts of Quintana Roo. “The beaches look beautiful and are ready to welcome national and international tourists,” he said, noting a significant rebound in visitors over recent weekends.
Stenta acknowledged that May was a challenging month for the sector. International factors, including rising oil prices, have driven up airfares and directly affected arrivals from Europe. “We hope the conflict in the Middle East ends soon, because these situations end up affecting mobility and travel costs around the world,” he said.
Despite the global headwinds, the island maintained hotel occupancy at around 60% during May — a positive figure for the low season, according to industry officials. The Holbox PRIDE 2026 event, an annual celebration of inclusion and diversity, helped boost tourism by showcasing attractions such as Laguna Yalahau and Isla Pasión.
The island currently has 43 registered hotels with a combined capacity of 1,100 rooms. Hoteliers are now looking to June for an economic rebound, pinning their hopes on the start of the whale shark viewing season, considered the main economic driver of the summer season. Tour operators say they are ready to offer top-quality service, confident that the ocean giant will draw global attention back to northern Quintana Roo.
