When you finally decide to retire in Mexico or move down to the Caribbean, your entertainment options will include an endless stream of adventures. You can choose from a multitude of coastline retreats, historic inland excursions or visit the many tropical islands that sit just offshore. On this particular getaway, we decided to take an overnight trip to Isla Holbox. There are many things to see and do when staying more than a day and night. You can swim with whale sharks, visit the flamingos on the nearby Isla Passion, and/or explore Holbox’s Eco Park to name just a few. This enchanting island sits just off the Yucatan Peninsula’s northern point.
After taking a relaxing two-hour bus ride from Playa del Carmen, we arrived at the quaint and very welcoming little town of Chiquila. From here we caught a ferry to the village of Holbox. Besides being an out-of-the-way tourist destination, Holbox is still a traditional fishing village. As we departed the ferry and headed towards town, we noticed that all the roads are hard packed dirt. There are curbs and brief sections of sidewalks, but the roads are unpaved.
As we got closer to the center of town, things started to come alive a little more. People were shuffling around going about their daily business. The town of Holbox allows only golf carts and scooters to occupy the roadways. All the shops and markets that line the town’s interior streets looked to be locally owned and operated. There seems to be plenty of restaurants to choose from that serve up all types of cuisines. If you are one of those individuals who look for corporate signage, you aren’t going to find it here. The residents of Holbox thrive on unity and believe in supporting locally own businesses. This is very evident everywhere you look.
The dog-leg shaped island is 26 miles long and about a mile wide. Most of its 1,200 full time residents live in or near the town. We flagged down a taxi – golf cart labeled taxi and set out to find our hotel. We were staying slightly east of town. The hotel’s structured framework, wooden doors and floor panels were built using local timber. The groomed landscape was all natural foliage and formed a private barrier between buildings. The beach was direct across the street and offered beautiful western views from the lounge chairs in front of the hotel.
Once we settled into the room, a relaxing stroll along the beach was on our agenda. The cool tempered water splashing on our legs, soothing breeze brushing against our faces and swaying palm trees offered us a true Caribbean lifestyle. On the way back, we stopped along the way to have a tropical drink under a seaside palapa and enjoyed a magnificent sunset. How can life get any better than this!
The evening was upon us and the hotel’s concierge ordered a taxi for the short ride into town. We selected a restaurant that had a second story terrace that looked out over parts of the town. When on an island in the Gulf of Mexico, seafood needs to be the favored choice. When a subtle ambiance is complimented with a refreshing beverage and fabulous food, the makings for a perfect evening are in order.
The next morning we buzzed around town exploring all the local shops and open air markets. The craftsmanship that goes into making the pottery, carved woodwork, jewelry and other trinkets is nothing less than amazing. We had a late lunch in one of the many quaint cafes before making our way towards the ferry terminal and eventually back to Playa del Carmen.
Experiencing different getaways can be a daily, weekly or monthly occasion. Living in Mexico gives you the freedom to explore all the beautiful sites that surround you. Spend a day exploring Mayan Ruins, snorkeling in crystal clear waters or zip lining through the jungle. Take a few days and relax beachside on a tropical island or discover the historic city of Merida where Spain granted the Yucatan cities their independence back in 1821. Don’t put off till later when you can start living today!
At Top Mexico Real Estate we love sharing the beauty of the place we call home. Feel free to contact us if you want to join us in paradise!
