North of Cancun at the tip of the Yucatan Peninsula, Isla Holbox is a Great place to go watch whale sharks and flamingos.

From SEDETUR (Secretaria de Turismo Quintana Roo):

Holbox

The Mexican Southeastern: immense variety of flora and fauna. Mayan land. White sands Beaches and turquoise waters. The Mexican part of the Caribbean Sea. But, where do the Caribbean begins? The Caribbean begins in Holbox. There where the waters of the gulf begin to change their tonality to a blue and green transparency.

Located in the North part of the state of Quintana Roo, Holbox is an island of 43 km in length by 2 of wide that lodges a little town that does not arrive at 2 thousand habitants, and is the habitat of a great variety of marine birds, turtles and mangroves. Is part of the Ecological Reserve of Yum Balam, area of protection of flora and wild fauna. Its name in Mayan means “black hole”.

The life is simple in this island: those who lives there dedicate, in its majority, to the fishing, reason why the fish and the prepared seafood of diverse forms are the specialty in the restaurants of the place.

Palapas (houses of palm ceiling) are seen by all Holbox: villagers and hotelkeepers adopt this type of construction very characteristic of the zone.

It is rare to see motor cars. People transport their things and themselves by bicycles, tricytaxis (tricycles adapted to take two or three passengers) and the golf carts. The streets are made of sand, are not paved, that’s why the huaraches and sandals are the best option to walk.

Once you arrive to Holbox, the noisy cities, the insecurity, the traffic and stress are left behind. It’s a good choice to kept the clock and the cellular telephone in your night table’s drawer, and to loose yourself a little in the time: there’s no are automatic tellers, neither banks, and the cellular reception is nule in many parts of the island. So forget the electronic games and the computer, and go away to the beach to gather some shells and snails, Lay down in the sand to observe the albatrosses, pelicans and gulls that plunge themselves in the calm waters looking for food, see the turtles that rest in the security of the beach, and, if it’s your lucky day, watch the dolphins that time by time jumps out the water very closely of the border.

And already entered the night, lay down in a hammock, and enjoy the spectacle of the celestial vault with its fleeting stars and constellations.

How to arrive?

First you have to arrive to Cancun, via aerial or terrestrial route.

By bus: From bus station of Cancún, take a bus to the port of Chiquilá. It is recommendable that this transfer is made the earlier possible to arrive at good hour to Holbox. It’s a second class route and lasts approximately 3 hours. The schedules of the bus are the following ones:
- Cancún - Chiquilá: 4:30, 6:00, 8:00, 12:30, 13:30. 14:15 hrs.
- Chiquilá - Cancún: 5:30, 7:30, 13:30 hrs.
Please take note that these schedules can change depending on the season.

By car: You can leave from Cancún or Mérida, capital of Yucatan. Take the highway 180 (not the highway) Mérida-Cancún, turn towards the east in the kilometer 80, El Ideal, in the direction of the sea. It is necessary to pass the town of Kantunilkín, and to arrive at Chiquilá, where a boat is taken to cross to Holbox. From the Ideal to Chiquilá the distance are approximately 80 kilometers.

The trip in automobile from Cancún to Chiquilá lasts approximately 2,5 hours; from Mérida they are approximately 3,5 hours. There is a parking in Chiquilá that costs $30 or $40 pesos the day, depending on the car.

There are two types of boats and diverse schedules to cross the lagoon of Yalahau towards the Island of Holbox:

• Slow Ferry of Chiquilá to Holbox ($11 pesos by person, approximately)
- Chiquilá - Holbox: 9:30, 13:30, 15:30, 20:00 hrs.
- Holbox - Chiquilá: 8:00, 12:00, 14:30, 18:30 hrs.

• Fast Ferry of Chiquilá to Holbox: ($40 pesos by person, approximately)
- Chiquilá - Holbox: 6:00, 8:00, 10:00, 11:00, 12:00, 14:00, 16:00, 17:00, 19:00 hrs.
- Holbox - Chiquilá: 5:00, 7:00, 9:00, 10:00, 11:00, 13:00, 15:00, 16:00,18:00 hrs.

The Ferry for motos and bicycles crosses at 8:00 A.M. and at 1:30 P.M.to Holbox, and returns to Chiquilá at 11:00 A.M. and 3:00 P.M.

By small plane:, Aerosaab offers private flights to Holbox Island from Mérida, Cancún, Isla mujeres, Cozumel, Playa del Carmen and Tulum.
- Cesna Airplane for 1 4 passengers
- Limit of luggage: 12 pounds by person
- From Cancún: US$500.00 of 1-4 passengers, plus US$18,00 tax of airport by person
- From Playa del Carmen: US$450 of 1-4 passengers, plus US$2,00 tax of airport by person
www.aerosaab.com

How much it costs to stay itself?

The lodging rates vary depending on the hotel and their services. The hotels in Holbox are ecological palapas that do not count on conditioned air, although are some a little more luxurious than others.

Here there are some examples of hotels and their approximate lodging rates:

Puerto Holbox
US$70.00

Villa Mapaches
US$45.00

La Palapa
US$40.00

Coral
US$35.00

Faro Viejo
US$60.00

Las Tortugas
US$56.00

Mawimbi
US$50.00

Casa Sandra
US$156.00

Paraiso del Mar
US$128.00

Villa Flamingos
US$66.00

Villa Delfines
US$70.00

Posada Careyes
US$35.00

Xaloc
US$86.00

Posada Holmar
US$65.00

What to do in Holbox

The island is very small, you can cross it complete. A golf cart can be rented, Their prices go from US$11 the hour to US$60 for 24 hours.

Fishing

For the fishing lovers, this it is a true paradise.

All the year species can be found, although the best season of fishing begins in the month of April and finishes in September.

The Lagoon of Yalahau is an ideal place for the “fly fishing”.

Diving and snorquel

Don’t forget the viewfinder and esnórquel, because in waters of any beach of the island it is possible to observe great variety of aquatic species.

Like part of the Mexican Caribbean, in the coastline of Holbox is the extraordinary coralline barrier that it gives origin to the Great Mayan Reef, a great spectacle that no diver will have to lose it.

Please remember to not touch the chorales, the fish, the stones nor nothing that is in the water, since in addition of which they can be damaged, also they can make damage, because some have no appreciable blade and poison ends. Also, please don’t submerge in the water with shining objects that can call the attention of barracudas and other predator fish.

Although the beaches are very calm, is important not to move away too much of their border, because the deep and stronger currents can surprise you.

Near Holbox

It is recommendable to include in the itinerary excursions to the islands near or the Yalahau Lagoon.

Isla Pajaros (Birds Island)

To visit the Birds Island is one of the forced activities. This small site, also call Isla del Tan, is located to 30 minutes in boat from Holbox, in the lower part of the lagoon of Yalahau, and is inhabited by a great variety of birds like flamenco, pelicans and ducks, among others. The birds can be admired from terraces and roads of observation, since it is prohibited to walk in the island.

This it is a short stroll that leaves the wharf of Holbox, and although the birds can be seen all the day, the true emotion is to be able to go during the sunset, when all the species that live there reunite with a lot of noise and aerial games.

Isla de la Pasion (Passion Island)

At only 15 minutes in boat from Holbox, this very small island invites you to the relaxation and the rest, since it continues being a completely moved away site of the civilization.

Laguna Yalahau (Yalahau Lagoon)

Also called Conil Lagoon, is the lagoon you have to cross to arrive from Chiquilá to Holbox. It’s a sweet and fresh water lagoon, fed by a water eye. According to the Mayan legend, it is a magical place, a youth source, that make up to ten years younger all that swims in his waters.

To only 40 km of Yalahau is Boca Iglesias, site in where an old monastery and a church are conserved, in where it says that were applied punishments and tortures during inquisicion times.

Tips of trip

- Take lotion against mosquitos.
- Take care of the sun with a cap or hat and use biodegradable solar protector.
- Bring cash. There aren’t banks nor tellers.
- Take care of this small paradise. Avoid to introduce sweepings, Reuse the plastic boats and to throw the garbage in its place.
- Not to use the golf trolleys on the beach, because the nests of wanderers and the shells can be destroyed.
- To communicate and to buy food are not a problem. There is Internet, telephones and convenience stores.

If you are looking to change your routine, visit the paradise of Holbox.

Note of the writing: The prices and schedules described in this article can vary according to the season.
Sources: Secretaría de Turismo de Quintana Roo, Fideicomiso de Promoción Turística de Holbox, Holbox Island, Viajeros, México Desconocido, Editorial Verás, Planeta Azul

Links:
www.caribemexicano.gob.mx/
http://sedetur.qroo.gob.mx/Fideicomiso%20Holbox/Archivos_INDEX/Index1.htm
www.holboxisland.com
www.caribemexico.com/espanol/destinos/islas/isla_holbox/

This entry was posted on Wednesday, September 19th, 2007 at 11:02 am and is filed under General Blog Entries. You can subscribe via RSS 2.0 feed to this post's comments. You can comment below, or link to this permanent URL from your own site. We reserve the right to delete inappropriate comments.