This Secret 'Graffiti Island' Is One Of The Most Colourful Places In The World

Dreaming of a holiday destination with Caribbean waters, endless sandy beaches, limited tourists and walls upon walls of vibrant, multicoloured street art? Look no further than Holbox, Mexico, a tiny island off the coast of the Yucatan Peninsula where you can be a professional beach bum and an obsessive culture seeker at the same time.

Between the green of the lush vegetation, the crystal blue of the sea and the rainbow-coloured murals by international artists, this has to be one of the most colourful spots on the planet!

Unlike Miami’s Wynwood Walls or the tiny alleyways of London’s Shoreditch neighbourhood, Holbox’s street art does not live in a bustling city but instead blends into the vista of a beach lover’s heaven-on-Earth. Plus, contrary to its more hyped-up counterpart, Tulum, Holbox is mostly undiscovered. There is just one ATM on the 25 mile-long (40km) island and there are no cars. It’s practically nothing but nature and art with just enough restaurants and hotels to keep you comfortable.

The IPAF team spent two years sourcing the artists for the project, so Holbox’s collection of street art is some of the most innovative and intriguing out there—and it has become an integral part of the island’s landscape.

Speaking of the landscape, Holbox is actually a part of one of Mexico’s largest ecological reserves, Yum Balam, meaning there is a guaranteed abundance of nature and wildlife to be found. In fact, should you choose to get to the island by ferry (which takes just 15 minutes from Port Chiquila), your welcome greeting will most likely be from a flurry of migrating pink flamingos who flock to the shallow waters that separate the sandy island from the mainland.

So if you love the beach and you love art, what’s stopping you? Make your way to Holbox ASAP!

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.