Holbox Island Yucatan, Mexico-laid back vacation away from the crowds
Holbox is a strange name for a vacation destination in Mexico. It looks like an English word, but apparently it is Mayan and means ‘Black Hole’. Now if ever a name didn’t do a good job at describing a place it’s this one; Holbox Island is the opposite of a black hole, in fact they should have called it … well, whatever the opposite of a black hole is. If you’re looking for a very laid-back vacation away from the crowds in a place with beautiful beaches, fabulous weather, gorgeous wildlife, and charming, affordable accommodations, then you could do a lot worse than checking out Holbox Island. It is off the beaten track and separated from the Yucatan Peninsula by the enchanting Yalahau Lagoon, which is its saving grace since it makes it difficult to get cars onto the island. This means that, despite its beauty, it doesn’t get too many visitors and that there are hardly any cars on the island, which only adds to the relaxed, tranquil ambiance of the place.
The island is a couple of hours to the north of Cancun, from where you can take a bus or mini-van, and when you get to Chiquilá you take a 20-minute boat ride across the lagoon to Holbox Island. Accommodations are plentiful and varied – from boutique hotels to a hammock on the beach.
The hotels are rustic but comfortable and usually very pretty, built from natural materials and often with palapa roofs. If you want to go budget you can rent a hammock or hostel bed or a cabin on or near the beach. Come to think of it, everything is on or near the beach. There are plenty of small, charming restaurants and if you go you must remember to try the lobster pizza, which is a local specialty. So, how does it sound? If you’re after the wild nightlife of a place like Cancun this is definitely not the place for you; but if you’re looking for a beautiful, tranquil place to just kick back far from the maddening crowds then Holbox Island is a great option. So, if you want to get around it will be on foot, by bicycle, by moped, or you can rent a golf cart. A good way to explore the hidden corners is on horseback. The streets are made of white sand and since this is a fishing community you’ll often see the locals walking home carrying their daily catch. Despite its peacefulness there are plenty of activities on the island. Holbox is on the Caribbean, so the sand and the sea are beautiful. The swimming, snorkeling, and kayaking are excellent, kite-boarding is popular, and you can even go surfing. You might want to try some fly fishing or deep sea fishing. Bird watching is a delight on the lagoon which is home to a wide range of tropical flora y fauna including pelicans and flamingos. There are whale shark tours and boat tours out to nearby islands and around the lagoon for bird watching. On the way you will probably see dolphins, turtles, and manta rays. There are also tours for crocodile and turtle watching, and tours around the island to explore hidden bays and virgin beaches.
