A well kept secret not known to many Mexicans outside of the Yucatan - Isla Holbox was settled by pirates who intermarried with local Mayans living in the area.

The descendants of the original 8 families still reside there today. Sort of like Pitcairn Island.

Isla Holbox has 1600 +/- residents. It is a true island 7 miles north of the top tip of the Yucatan Peninsula about 40 miles NW of Cancun. It's approximately 7 miles long & 1 mile wide.

Its northern shore (facing the placid waters of the warm Gulf of Mexico) has become a secret hideout for Europeans, Canadians & Americans alike. Its like stepping back in time to the 50's or 60's.

All transportation on the island is by golf carts, motorbikes, bicycles, & of course walking!

The 1600 locals who make Holbox their home are mainly fishermen who ply their trade every morning before sunrise. The days catch includes Lobster $12lb for fresh Caught Tails, Grouper $2lb, Barracuda, Yellowtail, Red Snapper, Speckled Trout, Conch, Octopus, and many more "Fruits of la Mer". FRESH EVERY DAY!

A growing number of Americans & Europeans have discovered Holbox and make it their year-round or part-time home. Small boutique hotels that reflect the islands tropical nature have been built in the past 3 years to accommodate a growing tourist sector. However, there are NO HIGH-RISE HOTELS here like Cancun

Local Restaurants feature fresh seafood prepared in a variety of ways. New restaurants are opening, the latest being "Viva Zapata" a great 2 story Palapa featuring an Italian trained chef Guimer, who's fabulous offerings will amaze you both in the quality of preparation, appearance and taste!

You might also want to try Chef Miquel's LOBSTER PIZZA [the restaurant is named after his daughter Edelyn] $13 & loaded with chunks of garlicky lobster!

There are local markets selling chicken, pork, beef, fresh fruits & vegetables, a bakery, lots of cerveza, & more. The local Internet Cafe is a meeting place for travelers keeping in touch as well as the local young joveneses [Teenagers] chatting, playing games etc all in the internet age. All for $2 an hour!!!!

Chat, do e-mail, surf the web, heck we know of one American who runs an International AutoParts business on the web who sips Pina Coladas, does Ebay auctions... all from his beachfront home!

BIG TIME "Game Fishing" is close at hand where the local skippers who know "Where The Action" is will take you to Cabo Catoche just a short distance from Isla Holbox. This is where the currents from the Gulf Of Mexico & Caribbean actually meet, bringing with them.... PHENOMENAL FISHING!

 The favorite pastime on Isla Holbox is "RELAXATION". Explore the 7 mile long Gulf of Mexico beach with its white sands & crystal clear turquoise greenish warm waters. The Gulf of Mexico gently rolls in quite unlike the dangerous Caribbean with its undertows & sometimes monster waves.

Windsurfing is becoming a big thing on Isla Holbox as the favorable winds propel you through the water with grace & ease. Read a good book, write your novel. Some days the biggest decision you'll need to make is - "What's For Dinner" !!!

Isla Holbox's primary means of transportation is the GOLF CART [there are no courses on the island]!

There are numerous "Rentadoras" [Rental Agencies] who will cheaply rent you a GolfCar by the day or by the hour. You may bring your own car via the twice daily ferry service that brings everything to the island. Food, beer, refreshments, building materials etc, along with the delivery trucks.

Local Taxi's on Holbox.......4-6-8 passenger golfcars of course..... will take you anywhere you want to go. Rent a Motor Scooter, walk, commune with nature.

A recent article in the May 2004 issue of "Islands Magazine" was the first article in a major travel magazine about Isla Holbox. The article tells the inside story on Isla Holbox & its secrets. To quote the author, "The people of Holbox are about as content as any people on planet earth" !!

Things you should know...

There is NO bank on Isla Holbox and NO ATMs. Even exchanging money can be a hassle and sometimes not possible.

Bring Mexican Pesos or U.S.D., nothing else works.

Many businesses do not accept credit cards or travelers checks, cash only.

It is cheaper to bring your own food if you plan to cook.

You can eat the fish you catch!

You can of course buy water on the island.

The island residents are prepared for tropical storms and all precautions have been taken to ensure total safety for ALL island residents and visitors. In the advent of a natural weather occurrence you would be evacuated or if you stayed you would be taken care of, even if you were on the island alone. We stayed on the island for Hurricane Ivan so we know this as FACT!

There is no cell phone service.

The people there are very laid back.

Isla Holbox is the jump-off point for tours to see the Whale Sharks, the worlds biggest fish!



Things to do...

A lot of people go to Holbox to either fish, eat fish or do nothing. Some people get restless and for these people there are of course the beautiful nature walks you can take on the island. This does not cost you a penny unless you want to get a golf cart.

SWIM WITH WHALE SHARKS

Free Swim with the oceans LARGEST Fish.....The WHALE SHARK. These harmless peaceful creatures visit Holbox Island every May-September. Tours operated by licensed Government guides.

A must place to visit when you are on the island is Yalahau Spring. Yalahau in the local Mayan dialect translates to eye of the water. Here you will find a crystal clear spring often referred to as the fountain of life.