I Am Obsessed With This Boutique Hotel In Mexico
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What's it like to fall in love with a hotel? Well, let me tell you about Punta Caliza in Holbox, Mexico. It's best known for its unique architecture — as you can see, the pool is the main focal point of the property.
A few years ago, it flooded travel Pinterest boards, and I'm pretty sure my bucket list board has this hotel pinned at least 10 times.
Prices vary by room and date, but you can typically find a room for around $240 per night (while it isn't all-inclusive, it does include breakfast).
Holbox is a quiet island along the northern coast of Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula.
To get to Punta Caliza, I took the ADO bus from Playa Del Carmen to Chiquilá, and from there caught a ferry to Isla Holbox.
Once I arrived on the island, I took a taxi to my hotel.
Thankfully, the ferry terminal has this map with a list of the island's hotels so you can see how much it should cost to get you there. However, rates tend to vary based on the road conditions. When I arrived, it had just rained, so the roads were flooded in some parts, which drove the cost up.
Did I mention there are no cars on the island? Yeah, so all the taxis are actually golf carts.
Rebecca Khera
The whole island is so colorful!
When I finally arrived at Punta Caliza, I was greeted with a welcome margarita and this amazing view of the pool that the rooms are built around.
I arrived before check-in time, so I grabbed lunch at the hotel's bar.
The shrimp tacos and guacamole were so good, highly recommend.
Each room has direct pool access.
And I think we can agree the architecture is everything!
Honestly surprised I never saw a single IG baddie having a full on photo shoot here.
But let's talk about the room, because 😍😍😍.
The rooms were made to have an indoor/outdoor feel. Both side walls are windows that showcase a lush green space.
This feature felt very unique to me and oh so luxurious.
Even the shower has that lush outdoor feel.
Rebecca Khera
And to my surprise, each room comes with a private plunge pool, aka a mini pool 😍.
I will say that because of the walls, the plunge pool doesn't get a ton of sun, and in late November, the water was a tad bit chilly, but I'm sure it's perfect in the warmer months.
Yeah, I think it's fair to say I'm obsessed. 😍
Rebecca Khera
And next to the private plunge pool, you can access the main pool.
The included breakfast was so good!
On my first day, we had an egg and veggie scramble, yogurt with fruit and granola, fresh pressed juice, and, of course, some coffee.
Then it was time to hit the beach.
Rebecca Khera
The beach was just a short walk past these cute villas with all the island vibes.
Punta Caliza, despite not being on the beach itself, did have a beach area with loungers.
Rebecca Khera
And that golden hour lighting was 🌅.
The all-around vibes were: toes in the sand, cold drinks, and peak relaxation.
All along the beach are little massage stations, as well as people selling tours.
The top tours include:
-A night tour to see the bioluminescence (aka glowing plankton that you can swim/kayak in).
-Swimming with whale sharks, when in season (I can't recommend this, as animal tourism in general isn't always ethical).
-Visits to nearby cenotes and other major sites in Mexico that aren't on the island itself.
While Punta Caliza has great food, I mostly chose to eat street tacos and at local cafes.
Rebecca Khera
There are plenty of trendy cafes and beachfront bars visitors to enjoy.
I found that Holbox is more of a tourist destination for Mexicans and Europeans, as I didn't see many Americans while I was there.
The island itself is a bit more remote, the Wi-Fi isn't always reliable, the cell service can be spotty, and there aren't any huge chain hotels. But I would say that's why people love it. It doesn't even compare to the popular tourist locations in Mexico like Cancun, Tulum, or Cozumel.
Also, there are plenty of cute dogs — please enjoy.
The next morning, I indulged in more delicious hotel breakfast.
Which was two quesadillas! 🤤
But after a few days on the island, I had to get back to reliable Wi-Fi to get work done.
I left Holbox and headed back to Playa Del Carmen.
Punta Caliza was easily one of the most beautiful hotels I've ever stayed at.
