Jilly N. Says:
Dear IL,
I’ll be spending 10 days in and around Cancún, Mexico. I’m close to 60, love the sea, exploring new places, and authentic local cuisine. I’d also like to escape the busy city and enjoy some time relaxing in the sunshine, somewhere quiet. Do you have any recommendations?
IL Latin America Correspondent Jason Holland Says:
Hi Jilly,
Since Cancún is on Mexico’s beautiful Riviera Maya, a stretch of coast known for its ancient ruins and stunning scenery, you have plenty of options.
I’d recommend taking a trip to nearby Isla Holbox.
Isla Holbox (pronounced hol-BOSH, which means “black hole” in the Mayan language) is a 26-mile long island in the Gulf of Mexico, just north of the Yucatán Peninsula. It’s separated from the mainland by a six-mile wide lagoon.
There are no cars allowed, and about 75% of the island is undeveloped mangrove, jungle, and empty beach. As you can imagine, it’s a slow-paced place.
Being an island, fresh seafood is brought in daily by the small fishing fleet—with fish tacos, ceviche, and lobster prominently featured on most menus at the open-air palapa-roofed eateries that line the main drag and beach.
If you’re interested in snorkeling with whale sharks—for which Holbox is famous—the best time of year is June to September. Never fear. These behemoths, which can grow up to 40 feet and weigh more than 20 tons, won’t swallow you up; they feed on phytoplankton.
Of course, the white-sand beaches and clear, shallow azure waters are there year-round.
Rent a golf cart if you’re staying outside the main town. Otherwise you can walk or bike easily wherever you might need to go. There aren’t many tourists here and often you can have a beach all to yourself. Sunset is a must-see, with locals and visitors gathering in a celebratory mood.
To get there, take the ferry from Chiquilá on the mainland. There are buses from Cancún (the bus station is easy to find, but it’s in Cancún city—not in the hotel zone. Cancún to Chiquilá takes about two hours). The ferry trip to Holbox takes about 30 minutes.
Read our full guide to Isla Holbox on the IL website here.
Enjoy your time in Mexico and, who knows… you might even be tempted to stay.
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