We decided to venture from Isla Mujeres and explore the island of Holbox for a few days. Holbox is situated north west off the coast of the town of Chequilla. As the crow flies it is only about 45 km from Cancun but ends up to be a 2 hours drive on the local highways. Holbox borders on the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean. We ferried over to Cancun and stayed with our friends Betty and Don at the Royal Caribbean the first night where we were treated to a delicious steak stupper.
The next morning, Salvador, our driver picked us up and we headed out. Salvador was not only a driver but a knowledgable tour guide and told us very interesting stories about the area and the towns we went through. A variety of landscape - some rather scrubby and some quite tropical. We arrived at the ferry and scooted across to the island arriving at 10:30 a.m.
We were greeted by bicycle and golf cart taxis. We took the bicycle one where the driver pedalled our luggage and walked behind! Here on Holbox, there are only a few sand streets and only bikes and golf carts and a few service vehicles. It is what you call a small little place but with lots of Mexican charm and culture. Kind of reminded us of the islands in Belize.
We enjoyed our hotel - Casa Maya de Jose Lima. Palapa rooms right on the beach. Very spacious, clean and decorated in Mexican art. The white sand beach was amazing as was the pretty jade green color of the ocean.
We spent the first day driving around the island on a golf cart. We spotted some interesting birds - offspreys and white herons. Pink flamingos also live here, but the tide was too high so we couldn´t cross over the split to see them. Apparently during the summer months people from all over the world come to see the whale sharks. It was fun being able to drive the cart right along the beach.
As we sipped margaritas at our beach bar, Warren and Don bought two fresh groupers from the fisherman that had just pulled up. The restaurant cooked tehm up for us . . . so delicious! Eating our fish dinner on the beach was definately a highlight!!
Day two brought another hot, sunny, humid and calm morning. Wonderful! But our luck was about to change. At noon almost instantly, the clouds moved in, the wind started blowing in circles and then the rain began!! Yikes! We hung around our room for awhile but were able to shop around town walking around barefoot in the puddles of the sands streets!!
We had a lovely pasta supper at a very quaint restaurant. Hard to believe the amazing fine dining this little island has to offer. Had the best cream of vegetable soup I have ever had!!
Our last morning was sunny again so we went out and about and did a little shopping and had local tacos which we always enjoy. Caught the 1:30 ferry back to Chequilla where Salvedor was waiting for us and headed back to Cancun and Isla.
We would definately go back to Holbox for a few days or week sometime. May a little slow for an extended vacation. Surprisingly, we met quite a few Canadians who live there year round.
Our friends Gary and Carol arrive soon, so stay tuned for that episode.
Cheers
Mallory and Warren
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