Isla Holbox, a very attractive but further destination from Playa del Carmen

Isla Holbox is a marvellous place to visit, although it is not very close to Playa del Carmen (a four-hour drive by highway, at least by bus). The trip will surely take less time if we go by van or rent a car.

Anyway, if we choose to go by bus, we will have to go to Cancun and, from there, at the Terminal Central (Central Terminal), take a bus of the company Mayab to Puerto Chiquila where we can take the ferry. The bus fare is 8.50 euros for the roundtrip which takes about three hours. The journey in ferry from Chiquila to Isla Holbox costs about 5 euros for the roundtrip which takes 20 minutes.

If you can afford it, the best way to go is undoubtedly, by aero taxi. According to the information on the website of Aerosaab, the company that offers this type of service, the price per person is 334 euros plus airport taxes, in a charter flight. This same company offers a day trip to Isla Holbox in light aircraft and includes lunch and several visits for 196 euros per person.

But it is worth, according to travelers’ opinions on forums, to stay there some days in order to enjoy most of its marvels. There are not many hotels there, so it is convenient to book in advance.

Isla Holbox in Mayan language means “black hole”, referring to the subterranean lagoon located south. The Mayans used this island to settle fishing camps. To know more about the history of this island here is an interesting link. As a natural heaven, it is priceless. One of the most interesting spots is Isla Pájaros, a smallish nearby island, located at 30 minutes by boat, where in a space of no more than 200 square miles, we can watch thousands of birds, some of them endangered. Of course, it is compulsory to respect the zones limited for trekking and to watch them from the observation posts provided for this.

Isla Pasión, hardly 20 minutes away, is the typical uninhabited island where all of us would like to get lost, although we meet another visitor there. It is an island where one imagines to find a pirates treasure. Talking about pirates’ refuge, you don’t want to miss the lagoon of Yalahao or Yalahau, a surprising fresh water lagoon located between the island and the continental part of Isla Holbox. Needless to say that you can contract a guided tour to visit these three places in an “all inclusive package”.

You can travel freely around Isla Holbox, the most popular vehicles being bicycles and golf carts. Don’t forget that it is only 26 miles long by 1/^1/4 miles wide. The adventure travelers may find completely deserted fine white sandy beaches. Another way of visiting the island is by motorboat and, if you are lucky, you can enjoy one of the unparalleled pleasures of swimming with whale sharks.

You can reach the continental part of Isla Holbox easily by van or rented car from Cancun. There, you can also visit interesting places like the archaeological remains of El Naranjal: 50 structures in hardly 1/^1/4 miles of a marvellous ecological interesting route. Some of the ruins are being restored. There are many more attractive spots in this part of the island, so here is a link to discover further.

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Francisco Cenamor

Welcome to the Riviera Maya, a paradise for relaxing in a natural environment

The Riviera Maya is one of the most heavenly places of the Caribbean. It is located in Mexico, on the eastern end of the Peninsula of Yucatan. Some 74.56 miles of beaches that separate a sea of a bright turquoise color from luxuriant forests.

In the last years important and modern buildings have been developed in the area to facilitate a relaxing and welcoming stay to visitors. Besides, you will find many activities: long strolls on the beautiful beaches of soft sand, excursions to the forest and other interesting ecological trips, visits to the impressive archaeological sites excavations, scuba diving and other water sports, visits to the cenotes, peculiar source water deposits, and visits to typical villages of the surroundings.

One of the main advantages for visitors is the great variety of alternatives that are offered to tourists, for the independent traveler as well as the most demanding or the most adventurous sportsperson and the one that seeks peace and relax. And this is due to the fact that there is a wide range of lodgings at the traveler’s disposal, from a solitary lodge in the seashore to the luxury services of the hotel chains offering all the services, to the variety of small hotels that can be found in the villages of the area.

For those who love nature, it is not difficult to visit the numerous and luxuriant forests of the Riviera Maya. In those impressive forests, you can observe different species of flora and fauna that are only found in the area. Besides, you can spend the night there thanks to a network of bungalows established for this purpose. It is also possible to visit one of the best preserved biosphere and almost intact reserves: the ecologic paradise of Sian Ka’an. Not to forget the ecologic and recreational activities organized in the parks of Xcaret and Xel-Há.

From the marinas you can also easily access the abundant submarine nature to practice scuba diving or snorkeling along the bright coral reefs. For those who wish to devote their visit to scuba diving, it is mostly recommended to do the so-called “Tour of the jungle” which includes immersion in the Nohoch Nachich, the center of the subterranean rivers that cover the Peninsula of Yucatan.

Combining rest and activities on the beach with cultural activities is another of the interesting tourist offers of the Riviera Maya. The small surrounding villages and hamlets are characterized by their picturesque popular architecture, but of course, the most impressive is the accumulation of archaeological remains, a legacy of the attractive and mysterious Mayan Empire. In the depths of the immense forest, there is the pre-hispanic town of Coba, constructed intentionally among five lagoons and inhabited until the XV century. You can also visit the old walled city of Tulum, situated on the highest peak of a cliff and that shows the architectural remains of the XIII to the XVI centuries.

The most important urban enclave of the area is Playa del Carmen, a cosmopolitan and welcoming city equipped with the most modern facilities of assistance to citizens. Its streets are full of malls were you can shop as well as important restaurants and leisure areas. There are also other well-equipped towns on the Riviera Maya such as Puerto Aventuras, Akumal and Tulum, the ultimate bohemian city, where there is a fusion between the different languages of the visitors and the Mayan dialects of the peaceful inhabitants.

Finally, reaching the Riviera Maya is not troublesome at all since it is only some miles from the modern international airport of Cancun, where planes arrive from the most important cities of the planet.

All in all, the Riviera Maya is a heavenly place where to enjoy a wide range of ecologic tourism and relax at the reach of all pockets.

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Francisco Cenamor

The Fives USA blog about Playa del Carmen & the Riviera Maya, Mexico

Note: Feel free to visit our sponsor: The Fives Resort & Private Residences in Playa del Carmen