Holbox is an island in the Mexican Caribbean, in Mexico.
To get
You can get to the Cancun International Airport and from there transfer to the bus terminal, from where the trucks that go to the Port of Chiquilá leave. They are the Mayab Buses and there are 2 departures during the day, at 7:40 am and at 12:30 pm. This is a picturesque tour that allows you to observe the Quintana Roo jungle and some towns where many of the inhabitants are of Mayan origin. Mayab buses is a second-rate line, so it makes several stops (ADO, which is first-rate, does not go as far as Chiquilá).
If you rent a car, you must take the Federal Highway to Mérida-Valladolid, up to El Ideal -passing Km. 80- and turn north at the crossroads to go to Kantunilkin-Chiquilá.
When arriving at the Port of Chiquilá, there are two transportation options: boats and passenger boats of fishermen from the communities of Chiquilá and Holbox. They are all relatively inexpensive and the boat companies have fixed hours until 7:00 pm. If you transfer at night, few boatmen make the trip and charge a slightly higher fee than the normal one that they would give you during the day.
This is how you arrive at the wonderful island of Holbox and you can begin to enjoy this unique setting.
Schedules of the collective boat to Isla Holbox
Departures from Holbox 5:00 AM 7:00 AM 11:00 AM 1:00 PM 3:00 PM 4:00 PM 6:00 PM
Departures from Chiquilá 6:00 AM 8:00 AM 10:00 AM 12:00 PM 2:00 PM 4:00 PM 5:00 PM 7:00 PM
- Hospitality & Fun, [1] offers you transfers from the Cancun Airport, from the cities of Cancun and Playa del Carmen, or from anywhere in the Riviera Maya or Mérida, to the door of your hotel in Holbox.
Understand
The correct pronunciation of this word of Mayan origin is something like "jolbosh". It means "black hole" and refers to an area of the lagoon, whose bottom is dark in color and which gives its name to this beautiful island in the Mexican Caribbean.
Laguna Yalahau is a natural paradise surrounded by mangroves and separates Holbox Island from the mainland, on its shore is the famous Ojo de Agua - "holbox" in Mayan - from which the island takes its name.
In its origins, the Mayans collected water to drink from it, in addition to using it to cool off. The story goes that one day, one of the Mayan kings had the place closed for public use, turning it into a resting place where he built a pool decorated with precious jade in the background.
Travel
The island is very small, so there are very few cars. It can be explored on foot, by bicycle, or aboard a golf cart, which act as a taxi and you can find them anywhere.
Watch
Among the attractions of the area is the magnificent Yalahau Lagoon, which is beautiful by itself.
In the lagoon is the Isla de los Pájaros, only 500 m in diameter, composed of sand and guano. Approximately 155 species of birds eat and nest in it; among which are: frigate bird, white ibis, white gazelle, red gazelle, double-crested cormorant, pink spoonbill, white pelicans, gray pelicans, herons, and of course, the beautiful pink flamingos that visit the island from April to October , painting the sky pink when taking flight.
In this magnificent lagoon you will also have the possibility of seeing dolphins, which come to it to feed in the early hours of the morning. Summer is the best season to snorkel.
Another of the wonderful experiences that lovers of natural life can enjoy in Holbox is the nesting of turtles in Punta Mosquitos. A large number of sea turtles come to this site during the months of May, June and July to lay their eggs. It can take a whole night for turtles to dig their nest, lay their eggs and cover it before returning to the safety that the sea offers them.
Do
- Turtle releasing
- Bird watching
- The one and only tour of the swim with the whale shark, the largest fish in the world!
The season to swim with the whale shark is from the end of May to the beginning of September and the best months are in between, that is, July and August. It is an incredible experience! They are the largest fish in the world and are not afraid of people, on the contrary, they are curious and harmless despite their enormous size.
Events (edit)
- The February Carnival It is a colorful spectacle in the streets of Holbox. The hotels participate by giving food or drink and so the troupes continue from one place to another all day.
- Holbox Patronal Festival The patronal feast of San Telmo González, patron saint of fishermen, is celebrated from April 4 to 19. On the last day there is a procession by sea with the island's fishermen and their families, which culminates in a great popular festival in the center of town, which is dressed in long tablecloths and celebrates all night the holy protector of Holbox and his people.
- Fishing tournament In Holbox there is a great sport fishing tournament every year, which takes place in the month of April, as part of the festivities of the Patron Saint of fishermen, San Telmo González. An average of 15,000 tourists attend this exciting event on the island each year and it is one of the most important fishing tournaments in the Mexican southeast. It is normally divided into two categories, which are deep-sea fishing and riverine fishing. The specimens obtained during the tournament are cooked in various ways, with typical recipes of the region, to share them with the tourists who attend the event.
To buy
The island is covered by natural shells, of all sizes, and many crafts are made with this material and with sand. Nice memories to take home with you.
There are several stores for all budgets, the best stores with products for all budgets are in the El Pueblito shopping plaza.
- Potato frog has very original products at affordable prices. They handle factory prices and for that reason it is the place where you will find the best souvenirs at the best prices, whale shark mugs, t-shirts, crafts from Mexico, salt and pepper shakers in the shape of funny chubby Mexicans in the style of a botero. Do not stop visiting this store.
To eat
The gastronomy in Holbox is another of its attractions, since the delicious food of the sea, of Mayan, pre-Hispanic and modern antecedents, has merged with the kitchens of as far away as Italy, creating unique mixtures, such as the "lobster pizza" , an icon of the haute cuisine of Holbox.
You can find seafood, Mexican and international cuisine, lobster, seafood and other delicacies at very affordable prices. There are also delicious desserts and refreshing drinks.
- Juan's Grill, delicious dishes from the sea, such as Caesar salad with shrimp, fine cuts, fine dining, apple crisp with ice cream, among other delicacies.
- Edelyn Pizzeria, a traditional meeting point of the island and the perfect place to try lobster pizzas, seafood and other rich flavors.
- Holbox Sushi, [2]. A modern place on the island to taste the white snail sushi roll and fresh lobster. A pleasant place to have a margarita, it has the best terrace in Holbox and the quality of its incredible dishes. The one who tastes it returns!
- Larena, [3]. La Arena restaurant ensures an unforgettable gastronomic experience accompanied by a spectacular view, once a week the show cooking is offered where the chef's secrets are presented. the best option to enjoy the sunset.
Drink and go out
The center of the island, which is where the park is, and the surrounding streets are the meeting point for tourists and locals to enjoy the warmth of the night with a delicious dinner, a refreshing drink and lively music, in the light of the moon and the stars. There are a couple of nice places to have a cocktail and listen to good music. For my taste the best is Holbox Sushi or Holbox Sushi. Another place is Cariocas which is on the beach, nice too but the music is not very good.
Sleep
This beautiful island in the Mexican Caribbean has options for all budgets. The Holbox Collection brings together hotels with rooms for all types of travelers. Boutique hotels, hostels, inns and campsites. Some options are:
Economic
- Elements[4] - the only vertical hotel, with a viewpoint at the top
- Roundtrip Hostel[5], cabins and camping, to coexist with nature and other travelers
- Maya Inn Holbox[6] - It is a nice and comfortable hotel, very Caribbean and is next to the port captaincy
Half
- The Palapa[7]
- Flamingos Villas
- The turtles
- La Aldea Camping
- Wayak - [8]
- Mawimbi
- Old Lighthouse
- The Dolphins
- Holbox Dream[9]- a dream to stay, excellent service and unique landscapes. It is attended directly by its owner and manager, Jérémy Douchet.
- The Holbox Collection, [10], excellent options for all budgets, in one place
- Sandra House[11] - Boutique hotel on the island, every detail is carefully planned, the atmosphere, the decoration, the food. On a beautiful beach, designed by the famous bipolar Cuban artist Sandra Pérez. It is the site of the celebrities, artists, musicians and poets on the island.
- Holbox Clouds, [12], Boutique Hotel, offers 28 spacious rooms, with unparalleled views of the Mexican Caribbean, which provide the ideal space to enjoy and rest. It is an exclusive hotel, which offers the opportunity to be in direct contact with nature thanks to its unbeatable location on the coastline of virgin beaches. Las Nubes is the only hotel that adjoins the beginning of the Yum Balam flora and fauna protection area.
Surroundings
If you have time, and you want to leave the island for a day or two, you can cross to the mainland and visit Chichen Itza and Cancun, which are not far away.