Holbox Island - in the know

Here are some tips for your next trip to this fantastic little paradise.





Low season
-May and June
-October and November

Mid season
-Mid-January-March
-December
-September

High season
-Holidays (end of December/beginning of January)
-April
-July and August

Also important to point out, there are no rocks on the island (no wonder everyone is barefoot!). Shells are in abundance and if you are a shell collector or admirer, there are many unusual finds on the beach.

If you rent a golf cart to get around on the island, don't be surprised if you come across a Bassett Hound. His name is "Maclovio" and he's very friendly - he may even hop in the cart for a ride. :)

PS-There aren't any banks or ATMs on the island so bring dollars or pesos

Holbox Island - cerveza

Since the island is not overrun with tourists, the food options are minimal but offer a truly authentic island dining experience that you won't find anywhere else. In addition to your hotel, here's a rundown of your options:

• Viva Zapata - the most popular Mexican restaurant on the island, located about a half block from the main plaza and open for dinner. They offer grilled seafood, steaks, pasta - and of course, margaritas, daiquiris and pina coladas. They also have live music every night!
  
• Edelin Pizza - located in the main plaza in downtown Holbox, open for lunch and dinner and famous for serving a wide variety of pizzas, pastas and Mexican dishes. Be sure to try one of their special house pizzas: lobster, shrimp or tuna.
  
• Maresa Ice Cream - for 20 years, the Escalante family has made the most delicious and famous ice cream on Holbox Island. Located 2 blocks from the main plaza and all made with natural fruits in a variety of flavors including peanut, coconut, chocolate, pineapple, mango, elote, mamey, guanabana, tamarind, zarzamora, nut, strawberry and the list goes on.
  
• Restaurant Villamar - situated on the main avenue and close to the beach offering seafood, as well as a selection of house specialties.
  
• Zarabanda Restaurant - one of the oldest restaurants on Holbox Island, located one block from the main plaza and open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. This rustic family restaurant specializes in fresh seafood including ceviche, shrimp, conch, lobster and a variety of fish based on the catches of the day.
  
• Restaurant Cariocas - located on the town's beach, serving mainly seafood and regional dishes. The restaurant also serves as the local dance spot during high season.

Holbox Island - out and about

Since this island is fairly undiscovered, don't expect TONS of things to do. But there are enough options to keep you busy especially if you take time to enjoy the beautiful beaches!

If you are looking for a little adventure to spice up your relaxing trip, a whale shark tour is the best way to go. Whale sharks are the largest living fish species and feed primarily on plankton, algae and krill. Despite the word "shark" in their name, they pose little to no threat to humans and are historically welcoming to divers and have been known to be playful. This opportunity is available from June to September while the whale sharks enjoy the warm waters near Holbox. Most tours last approximately 5 hours and cost around $75-$85 per person.

Isla Pajaros "Bird Island" is another popular attraction for visitors to Holbox. The island is located about 30 minutes from Holbox by boat and is home to over 150 different bird species (PS - the island is only 200 feet wide!). To protect the fragile ecosystem, no humans are allowed to walk on the island but you can observe these birds in their natural habitat from viewing terraces and walkways that protect the birds and keep them safe. With the abundant amount of species that visit and live on the island, you can see birds nesting and mothers feeding their young at almost any time of the year. If you are a flamingo fan (I happen to know one), you'll want to mark your trip to fall between April and October. While flamingos typically feed on brine shrimp (which is how they achieve that beautiful pink/red color), when they are on Isla Pajaros, they enjoy little red crabs which continue to enhance their colorful feathers. The island is also home to iguanas, snakes and crabs (that have been living on this planet since the time of dinosaurs), in addition to a variety of plant life including cacti, mangroves and wild orchids. If you have the chance, sunset is the best time of the day to visit when all of the species in residence flock back to the island to roost. :)

Another great option, for those who want to see Isla Pajaros but not spend a full trip just there - check out a Holbox Island tour. It sounds straight-forward enough but really, you get to enjoy a variety of what the island has to offer - all in one trip. This boat tour will take you to Isla Pajaros for some time with our feathered friends and then you will be brought to the Yalahao Lagoon, where you can swim in the crystal waters of the natural spring (you can also snorkel if you bring your own equipment). The tour will conclude at Isla Pasion, where you can enjoy the virgin sandy beaches, tranquil water and listen to the rustle of the palm trees in the wind. What better way to end the day? :) By the way, when the boat takes you back to Holbox, you will pass through an ocean channel - it's not uncommon for you to see large pods of dolphins swimming in the channel and the island's fishermen at work. These tours run around $20-$25 per person.

Addiitonal activities include:

• Deep sea fishing tours
  
• Crocodile tours
  
• Chichen Itza ruins
  
• Snorkeling tours
  
• Horseback riding

Holbox Island - give it a rest

Since this location is (luckily) still relatively unknown to tourists, the accommodations are pretty reasonable. The best places on the island run between $100 to $275 for the nicest rooms (depending on the time year). I happened to also come across a nice, little find where rooms range from $50 to $180 so it's a considerable savings.


The hotel I'm referring to, or I should say "hotelito" is Casa Las Tortugas. It was originally run by a mother (Greta) and daughter (Francesca) who moved to the island from Italy but is now run by the daughter and her fiance. My descriptions will never do it justice but I can say that it's definitely worth consideration for a reasonable price and great location! They offer rooms ranging from doubles all the way up to bungalows in ancient Mayan tradition featuring wooden supports and woven thatch roofs. One of the best parts - upon request, they offer A/C (which is rare among the island hotels, usually it's just ceiling fans). Especially with this being a low-priced location, it's a definite perk! I really urge you to check out the site, it's the most charming little place and I can't imagine anyone having an experience that's anything but wonderful.

Additional accommodations are included on the list below, and if you are looking for more feedback, visit Trip Advisor.

• Hotel Posada Mawimbi
  
• Villa Los Mapaches
  
• Villas Paraiso del Mar
  
• Villas Delfines
  
• Hotel Faro Viejo
  

Holbox Island - hola

Ok...don't tell too many people but I have found a little island paradise - in Mexico of all places. This small island NW of Cancun is perfect for a getaway from it all. It has yet to be discovered by the masses and I encourage you to keep it our little secret if you have the chance to visit! :)

Holbox Island (pron. hole-bosh) is 26 miles long and accessible (by flying) through the main areas of Playa del Carmen and Cancun. You can also take a ferry or rent a boat from Chiquila (about 2.5 hours from Cancun). There are no cars on the island but you are able to rent golf carts, bikes and scooters once you arrive.

Locals make their living primarily on fishing and it's not unusual to witness the catch of the day making its way through the village. The streets are made of white sand and it's a nice separation from the bustle of everyday life. It truly is an island retreat!