Nômade Holbox

Where:
Holbox Island, Mexico
Why:A much needed retreat by the sea
When:December 2022
Who:My boyfriend Alex and I

"A dreamy treehouse living among the stars"

AT A GLANCE: In Mexico’s Yucatan peninsula, on the cusp of the Caribbean, is Nômade Holbox. A tribute to nature and the sacred land on which it stands, the 30-room adults-only wellness resort has rooms reflecting the three terrains: Earth, Water, and Sky — all of them built using natural materials and future-forward technology. From yoga and breathwork to cacao offerings and Agua Magica, a sensual experience combining watsu and rebirth. With an incredible breakfast, delicious mescalitas, vibey music, and most importantly, an endlessly starry sky, Nômade Holbox is the perfect getaway to rejuvenate and reconnect with nature, whether you’re traveling solo or with your partner.

Reflections. How seamless the interior-exterior living is at Nômade Holbox

Our Eiwak treehouse in the sky

The beautiful bedroom filled with sunlight and natural materials

The breakfasts of champions, I still dream of these morning feasts

The beach is dotted with what I consider to be miniature works of art — derelict toilets that have been beautifully graffitied

Standing in the sacred circle where the cacao ceremony was held. Every hotel should have one!

It’s a jungle out here! I stocked up on my favorite Mexican attire, Caravana Tulum

Nômade Holbox Agua Magica — this was the most incredible, transformative activity. I felt like it was a form of rebirth. It’s quite a surreal experience, and it was wonderful to see how magical touch and intention can be in the water

Agua Magica — this was the most incredible, transformative activity. I felt like it was a form of rebirth. It’s quite a surreal experience, and it was wonderful to see how magical touch and intention can be in the water

Everywhere you look, there are birds and creatures. It is quite incredible.

There are so many incredible birds here. I’m now an amateur bird spotter!

This was one of my holiday highlights, getting to hang out and beach walk with these wonderful creatures from Refugio Holbox

My holiday romance

Only fans!

Beachside

Scenery

I found a terrestrial sea slug

The stairway to heaven — aka our treehouse

Our Nômade Holbox table — does everybody gravitate towards a particular table on holidays? This was ours!

Highs & Lows

I loved treehouse living, and the deck for stargazing was a stratospheric high! The architecture here is beyond
In the realm of wellness, there is much on offer at Nômade Holbox. The daily schedule was brilliant, with some unique experiences beyond the regular yoga and meditation offerings at other hotels — 'Agua Magica' being a central high point. There is also a roster of visiting practitioners for private sessions from astral chart readings, dream decoding, and sea yoga
The nature here and the feeling of being immersed in it were incredible. I became a bird spotter for the first time. There are birds everywhere — from pelicans, herons, and flamingoes. It's a nature lovers' paradise
The mescalitas were so good! I will always remember that first sip at sunset!
The staff here were so helpful and so genuinely friendly that it would be an error not to mention it

All the menus were on QR codes. I like a menu, even if it is a chalkboard one or a scribbled card. When I'm on holiday, I don't like relying on or using much technology. #makemenusgreatagain
More information in the room on local activities. I only discovered on leaving that you can kayak or swim to see bioluminescence nearby at night. I think an illustrated map with all the local hikes and walks would be a great addition

The Barometer

Design
Location
Future Forward
Night's Sleep
Service

Amenities
Takeable Treats
Refer a Friend
Overall Value
Life Changing

Total: 47/50

Important Bits

Type
Beach Resort
Vibe
It’s a beautiful rustic seaside oasis with a distinct nomadic cinematic aesthetic, it’s like a really beautifully designed camp. High vaulted outdoor rooms fabricated from reeds, Persian rugs, and towering treehouses growing out of the sand in a haze of copal. When we arrived, we felt like it reminded us of Bright Tree Village, where the Ewoks in star wars lived
Location
Nômade Holbox is on the north coast of Mexico's Yucatan peninsula, on the cusp of the Caribbean
Rooms
30
Pre-Arrival & Arrival Experience
The hotel was super helpful with all pre-arrangements. Because Holbox is a small island, we had a mini adventure to get there — a cross-country car drive and then a ferry. When we arrived, we got a buggy to the hotel because no cars are allowed on the island, so it is a bike or a buggy situation which adds to the holiday feeling
Future Forward
Nômade Holbox is a wellness resort. Every day there is a program of activities that are amazingly all included in your stay. The architecture is all informed by nature. The buildings are made from woven reed, wood, and metal. There is no plastic, water is provided in glass decanters, and there is an app for all activities, menus, and information
Music
The music was really chilled and not at all obtrusive. When there was live music, it was by an electronic sitar and Dj, all quite ambient. Nomade also has a radio station on Spotify. Throughout the resort, there are some amplified birdsong and sounds from nature, which are sublime
Year Opened
2022
Designed By
Nômade’s in-house architects
Health & Wellness
From shots of watermelon juice at breakfast to delicious healthy menu options — the wellness resort is done very thoughtfully. The big appeal for me was a daily wellness schedule that offered everything from kundalini yoga and breathwork to cacao ceremonies and the truly transformative 'Agua Magica.' This was a combination of watsu and rebirthing and was incredible to experience in the pool or the sea — I did both! We also participated in a cacao ceremony which felt so lovely to do to close the year. We made offerings to the sea, which felt particularly apt in this beautiful area that was so full of nature. Bikes were available, and we used these daily which was a lot of fun. The combination of no cars and bike rides everywhere gave us a distinctly carefree, laid-back experience
Food
The food here is exceptional! Firstly breakfast is included, and it really is a feast. I don’t eat breakfast in real life, but while staying here, I never missed a day. Fresh juices and elixirs, fruit platters and the best acai bowls, home-baked banana bread (which I squirreled away for my afternoon sugar snack), and really great coffee. The Shrimp and fish tacos were my favorite. The cocktails and drinks were amazing too! They had a really extensive wine menu, including my beloved orange wine. The mescalitas were really great… maybe too great!
Bar, Events & Nightlife
There was live music on some of the nights, which was wonderfully atmospheric. We were in a very relaxed state of mind (read boring), so I have to admit the nightlife activity highlight for me was star spotting on our rooftop with a bottle of wine and room service. The stars are incredible here, and I saw so many shooting stars that keeping a watch out for them became a little addictive. I downloaded a star-spotting app so I could name all the constellations
Minibar & Retail
There was a mini bar in our room, but it was quite limited. I feel like some niche Mexican snacks would be a great addition
Accessibility
I am not sure this is a great place for accessibility
Pet Friendly
No, due to the fragile ecosystem surrounding the hotel
Children
No, the property is adults-only
Price
This is one of the rare places I have stayed in that is not only breathtakingly beautiful but also of great value for money
Tel.
+52 984 689 0577
Website
Visit website

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In the Area

Hotel Location Nomade Holbox, Calle Caracol, Holbox, Quintana Roo, Mexico

Nômade is on Holbox island, which is on the north side of the Yucatan Peninsula, on a beautiful white sandy beach. This is a place to come for nature and wildlife and not so much nightlife (unless you go into the town). The roads are more like dirt tracks, and transport is by bike or buggy only. There is a distinct unspoiled rustic quality to the area which reminds me of Tulum over a decade ago.