mexico_holbox

OF COURSE, THE PATCH IS ONE OF OUR ORIGINAL DESIGNS. IN YUCATEC MAYA IT SAYS: "SWIM WITH GIANT FISH!"

Holbox is a different and amazing place. In the winter it is a Mecca for some of the best kite surfers from Europe. In fact Holbox is more about Europeans and Mexicans than it is tourists from the United States. The fact that getting there requires some effort and the fact that English is not spoken by as many people may have a lot to do with it. There are a number of ways to get there but our choice both times in summer was the 2nd class bus from Cancun. The price is about $15USD each way. It takes three plus hours to Chiquila and then about twenty minutes across by boat to the island. Golf carts are the most common form of transportation on the island. Even the TAXI is a stretched out golf cart.
Summer is when the migration of whale sharks arrives off Cabo Catoche and Holbox becomes a magnet for snorkelers who are eager to swim side by side with the world's biggest known fish. It is thought that as many as 3000 of these animals may be in this area from mid June to early August. There are usually dolphins to see on the way to the sharks and sometimes mantas as well as sharks. Sometimes the mantas will leap completely out of the water. We saw this on two occasions in 2006. This is a once in a lifetime treat, perhaps, but the sharks are so abundant that seeing and swimming with them is a sure thing.
We stayed at Mawimbi http://www.mawimbi.net/english.htm both times that we were there for the whale sharks. I like it very much. It is located on the beach but at the edge of the town within easy walking distance of everything. Maureen suffers when the nights are hot and both times we stayed there it was hot. Mawimbi has only a couple of rooms with AC and if I can reserve one next time I am sure that we will stay there again but she will not go there without AC.
While the beach at Holbox has some pebbles along the waterline it is still a great location for small children. You can wade out about 200 to 300 feet and not be up to your knees.
There are a few little restaurants that are worth a try also. Maureen has found that the pizza place on the east side of the zocalo is her staple. The pizza is always good and the cervesa is cold. What more can you ask?
I have considered offering a trip to this place. Perhaps some day we will.

john noftall

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