Discover Holbox (another option near Cancun)

Isla Holbox or just “Holbox” (pronounced Hol-bosh) as referred by locals is an island that belongs to the state of Quintana Roo and whose name means “Black-hole” in the Mayan language. This island was previously known as “Polbox” and today some people also call it Isla de los Tiburones (Shark’s island).

Holbox is located in the north side of the Peninsula de Yucatan and a good way to get there is going first to Cancun and then renting a car and then get there driving. This is because, as most of the places I write about, Holbox is off the mainstream tourist tours offered in Cancun so it maybe difficult to find an agency that could offer it to you.

Here you can read an excellent review of the place in Ricardo’s Blog and some valuable driving tips.

This are some reasons I could mention to visit Holbox:

You can visit an island practically unknown and with a minimum affluence of international visitors (that maybe a completely new experience).

You can take a tour to go fishing with authentic local (not tourist guides with a costume).

You can visit a place that once was inhabited by authentic pirates!

You can walk about 34 kilometers of white-sand virgin beaches.

You can see pink flamingos (among other uncommon and protected bird species).

You can eat lobster, snail and exotic dishes like squid or “mantarralla empanadas” for just a fraction of the price you would have to pay in a restaurant in your home place (if you can find them there).

I could mention some more but I will let you discover them by yourself.