Hey travelers! Welcome to my article on Isla Holbox, Mexico. My name is Andjela Djosovic and I’m from Serbia, which is situated in the Balkan Peninsula (Southeast Europe). I always like to explain precisely where my country is because people in general think that we are part of Russia.
Since I was a kid I have loved discovering new things, so I began traveling through Serbia doing sports or following my cousins on their tournaments. I fell in love with volleyball as it gave me the chance of meeting new people and visiting new places. I also started traveling abroad.
Because I had studied Italian, that encouraged me to travel even more. I started going on work camps as a volunteer, went on cultural exchanges and I also took part in an Erasmus student exchange. I like to say that traveling doesn’t mean getting to know only new places, it’s more about getting to know yourself and to learn how to move your own boundaries.
A Stunning Day Spent in Isla Holbox
Mexico is a country that has always been on my bucket list. I love it’s history, the Mayan period, the cenotes, the colors, the people, everything! I have only been here for two weeks but during this time I have gotten to know a decent chunk of Yucatan. I have visited Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Isla Mujeres, Bacalar, Valladolid, Casa Tortugas, Chichen Itza and Isla Holbox.
I first found out about Isla Holbox through Instagram (like many of us do these days) and I decided to visit for a day with friends, which also included a trip to Isla de la Pasion. Isla Holbox is a slice of paradise. I highly recommend that everyone visit this island because it’s so authentic.
This is basically a deserted island – with a population of 2,000 people – where you can admire the nature and animals that live here and if you are lucky you will get to see flamingos and dolphins. There aren’t many hotels or bars here, and not much sign of human influence. It’s really a place where you can relax at the beach and connect with nature in many ways.
The entire island of Isla Holbox is so gorgeous that it’s almost impossible to single out one or two must-visit places. It’s very interesting/strange that Holbox in the Mayan language means “black hole”, especially because the island has long white sand beaches and tranquil turquoise waters.
What I loved most about Isla Holbox was the fact that it’s still not that well known on the tourist trail and because of that you can admire the island in its genuine state, rather than being a place irreversibly changed by tourism. This is my point of view though, maybe other travelers will see it differently.
Best Things To Do in Isla Holbox
When you arrive here the best thing to do is just “go with the flow”. Every inch of this island is stunning and it gives you some kind of inner peace. The most recommendable thing to do is to just wander around and get lost. You can rent a bike or a buggy car, but I think doing this will mean you will miss some aspects of the island. Just take a walk and enjoy!
I was amazed by the beaches and colour of the water here. The water is so shallow and crystal clear that you can walk through the water and never get tired of it. What I liked most is the fact that even the bars and hotels on the beach are fused with nature, maybe because people only used natural materials e.g. swings decorated with seashells and roofs from palms.
Another highlight of this island is the food. As you might have guessed, the food in Mexico is so tasty and wherever you go you won’t be disappointed! Since Isla Holbox is an island, I would suggest trying some of the seafood specialties, for example: Pulpo Enamorado or Camarones Empanizados.
The dish I liked the most was Tortas de Cochinita Pibil – chopped meat with sauces put inside a sandwich. The most typical drink to try in Isla Holbox is called Agua de Jamaica which is essentially a type of Hibiscus Iced Tea.
Final Thoughts on this Beautiful Island
In my opinion, I think Isla Holbox is like no other place on earth. I had never seen such beautiful beaches and colours before visiting Isla Holbox. The thing that left the biggest impression on me was the murals on the houses – they just fit perfectly into the atmosphere of the island. I just hope that this place will keep its uniqueness even when it becomes more popular.
