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Chiquila, Quintana Roo Yucatan, Mexico 

Chiquila is a small fishing port town with a population of about 2,000. At this time, the roads are not paved. This is the town where one catches the ferry to the island of Holbox.

Mayan Villas Hotel Chiquila, Quintana Roo, Mexico   

Chiquila is an ancient Mayan port site on Laguna Conil and centuries ago, the population was noted to be about 5,000 people. Today the population is about 2,000 and this town still holds a significant Mayan influence. We stayed at this Mayan Hotel.

Our journey to Isla Holbox has begun! We needed to catch this ferry from an ancient Maya fishing port to cross the Laguna Conil to reach the island. Holbox is nearly a mile wide and much of it is protected by the Yum Balam Biosphere Reserve.

The the Paradise Island of Holbox is located on the north coast of the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico and is about 26 miles long and almost a mile wide.

We've been spending some time at an international island destination called Isla Holbox. Many young ones from Mexico's capitol city want to live here, and you'll find LOTS of Argentines working in the hotels, restaurants and bars. Speaking of restaurants, we met yet another Mexico City transplant working at this very popular cafe. She was living her dream.

Happily - since Holbox is an international tourist destination - much of food here is excellent. This night we decided to go to Casa Nostra Rooftop Restaurant, a bit of a walk from our hotel.

Isla Holbox is a paradise island in the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico, north of Cancun. It's twenty-six miles long and almost a mile wide with beautiful Caribbean-style white-sand beaches. Here are some photos of these magnificent beaches for you to enjoy. 

Being an international tourist destination, it makes sense that Isla Holbox would have high quality food offered in their restaurants. Our first meal here at Amaite Restaurant was remarkably good and we decided right then to come back again.  

We ended up leaving Chiquila a day early by ferry, and arriving on the island before our reserved hotel was ready for us. We walked around town, and found Hotel Los Arcos and made arrangements to stay there for the night.

We had just spent the night in a small, ancient Mayan port town called Chiquila. However, we quickly moved on to the island of Holbox, and after one night at Hotel Los Arcos, our reserved room at Hotel Diosa Kali was ready.

An international vacation destination, Isla Holbox has a distinct personality. There is the influence of the ancient Maya, the tropical flavor of a Caribbean island, and an irreverent sense of humor in posted signage. Oh, and let's not forget that Holbox is part of Mexico, too, and it's all displayed in the mix.

Because Holbox is an international destination, the food choices were varied and full of flavor. The food we had in this simple place was beyond what we expected.

One day while we were chatting with Diana, our server at A Mar Cafe, she mentions that we absolutely MUST go see the sandbars on Mosquito Coast. "Now is a good time to see them. Go at a low tide so you can fully view and enjoy." Our curiosity was piqued and the next day we found ourselves in a taxi rolling along the 3 kilometers to get there. 

Isla Holbox is a laid-back island popular with international tourists. Located in the Mexican state of Quintana Roo, north of the Yucatan Peninsula, Holbox is famous for its Bioluminescent tours, swimming with the whale sharks, its sugar sand beaches and... its beautiful sunsets.

We hadn't realized when we first arrived on Isla Holbox, that there was an airport and landing strip here. This was rather exciting. We considered hiring a private plane - just for the experience and for the photos we'd take - to make our return to Cancun International Airport.

We just spent a week in Isla Holbox and flew a private plane from this island to Cancun. These ferries are wonderful - clean, new, and comfortable. A young man played guitar and sang at the front of the rows of seats, and drinks and snacks are also sold onboard.

Javi's Cantina Restaurant Bar

While walking on the beaches of Isla Mujeres, one of our readers recognized us and came up to chat! What a happy and humbling experience. As a parting gift, she mentioned that we must eat at Javi's Cantina, and to order the Parmesan Crusted Filet. It was her very favorite. Well alright then... Let's go!

We were visiting Isla Holbox and since we were in the vicinity, we thought we'd take a couple of days and go to Isla Mujeres. After taking a private plane out of Holbox and into Cancun international airport, we then took a ferry to land on the island itself. After checking into our hotel and getting settled, the next day we took a walk around some of the island's beaches.

This story goes to show you how important the right employees are to a business. If it weren't for Carlos, we would never have eaten here.

We are waiting for the ferry in Chiquila to leave and take us to Isla Holbox. This island is a paradise with turquoise waters and white sand. We saved money on our round trip tickets by using our INAPAM cards. Take a look!

We take the ferry from Chiquila, Quitana Roo, Mexico to Isla Holbox, a tropical paradise. Ferry runs every 30 minutes and today it was not crowded at all! It was a smooooth ride. 

We're on the final leg of the Chaquila Ferry and into the dock on Isla Holbox. The island is reminiscent of the Florida Keys, very tropical with little hidden beaches everywhere. Much of the island is environmentally protected. 

We just arrived on the tropical island, Isla Holbox in the Mexican state of Quintana Roo. Waiting for our complimentary breakfast at Hotel La Diosa Kali, Billy chats a bit about the island.

We are sitting at a beachside restaurant waiting for our fabulous lunch to arrive. Billy shows you a massage bed by the sea with a woman giving another a massage with the turquoise waters behind her. White sands, and blue skies are all waiting for YOU!

We take a bumpy open-air taxi ride on Isla Holbox to Mosquito Point, a must-see spot on this tropical island. The wind is blowing a bit, but the views are beautiful. No cars are allowed on the beach, and THIS IS THE PLACE where the international beautiful people come!

On the paradise island of Holbox in the Yucatan of Mexico are these stunning sandbars. They are a must-see. We took a taxi out to Mosquito Coast, and walked home. The sandbars are wide and expansive and is quite the tourist attraction. Amazingly beautiful!

At a Funky Beach Bar on Island Paradise Holbox, Yucatan, Mexico

We're on Island Paradise Holbox on the northern part of the Yucatan in Mexico. Here's this Funky Beach Bar where you can watch vendors walk by, bicyclists, the wave action and white caps out on the reef. Drift and dream along!

On the Wharf, Isla Holbox, Yucatan, Mexico

Out on the “Sunset Wharf” on the Island of Holbox, you can view the beaches, whitecaps on the reef out in the ocean and observe the winds that the offshore storm is creating. Quite a breezy day today, which makes for good Kite Surfing. Get a sense of the island of Holbox.

Sights and Sounds on Isla Holbox, Yucatan, Mexico

Sitting at one of our favorite restaurants on Isla Holbox, Billy shares with you some sights and sounds of daily life on the island. Wandering minstrels, people walking by on the beach, a beautiful little wharf with conch shells as decoration. Enjoy!  

Watching the Sun Set from the Main Wharf, Isla Holbox, Yucatan, Mexico

Every evening it's a social event to watch the sunset from the main wharf on Isla Holbox. Billy shows you the scene and the sunset. At the dipping of the sun, observers clap over the sun's performance. 

Our Chartered Plane Flight Holbox to Cancun, Mexico

Billy and I charted a private plane to leave Isla Holbox and arrive at Cancun International airport. Just about a 30 minute flight, the whole plane chartered for $900USD and sat 8 passengers. We fly over beaches, jungles, wetlands and dodge a storm while landing on the main landing strip at Cancun airport. What a ride! 

VIDEO - A First Look at Isla Mujeres, Yucatan, Mexico

We just arrived by private plane and public ferry to Isla Mujeres in the Mexican state of Yucatan. This first look is of a rocky style beach more similar to the Pacific Coast than the Gulf of Mexico. Beautiful, nonetheless. Take a listen and enjoy the view!