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In 1991 Billy and Akaisha Kaderli retired at the age of 38. Now, into their 4th decade of this financially independent lifestyle, they invite you to take advantage of their wisdom and experience.

Isla Holbox Homepage

(Pronounced: EES-lah HOLE-bosh)

Quintana Roo, Mexico

Billy and Akaisha Kaderli

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Isla Holbox is a paradise island in the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico, north of Cancun. Twenty-six miles long and almost a mile wide, this tropical island is vulnerable to destruction by hurricanes.  It is now part of the Yum Balam Biosphere Reserve.

Activities including fishing, swimming with the whale sharks, visiting the bioluminescence areas at night, and kiteboarding. It has become quite a tourist area in recent times offering many hotels and restaurants. No cars are allowed on the island, and at this time the roads are not paved.

 

Map of Laguna Conil and Isla Holbox, Quintana Roo, Mexico

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 logo with a chair in front

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.

 

Nearing the Isla Holbox dock, Quintana Roo, Mexico The Nine Brothers Ferry Chiquila to Holbox 

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.

Beautiful blonde at the beach, Isla Holbox, Quintana Roo, Mexico Isla Holbox

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.

Beautiful woman eating her meal at A Mar Cafe, Holbox, Mexico A Mar Cafe Isla Holbox, Yucatan, Mexico  

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.

 

Inside Casa Nostra Dining room, Holbox, Yucatan, Mexico

Casa Nostra Restaurant Isla Holbox Yucatan, Mexico  

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.

 

Wide open spaces beach and sky, Isla Holbox, Yucatan, Mexico Isla Holbox Beach

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. 

The view from Amaite Restaurant, Holbox, Yucatan, Mexico Amaite Hotel, Restaurant and Bar 

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.  

 

 

Hotel rooms, Hotel Los Arcos, Holbox, Yucatan, Mexico Hotel Los Arcos Isla Holbox Yucatan, Mexico 

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.

 

 

Sign in front of the Hotel Diosa Kali, Isla Holbox, Yucatan, Mexico Hotel Diosa Kali Isla Holbox Yucatan, Mexico  

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.

 

 

Tourists at Holbox sign, Yucatan, Mexico The Streets of Isla Holbox   

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.

 

Fish tacos, La Combi Restaurant, Isla Holbox, Yucatan, Mexico La Combi Holbox Isla Holbox Yucatan, Mexico   

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.

On the sandbar, Mosquito Coast, Holbox, Mexico Isla Holbox Sandbars Mosquito Point Yucatan, Mexico

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. 

Billy and beautiful women at Sunset, Holbox, Yucatan, Mexico Sunsets on Isla Holbox Yucatan, Mexico  

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.

 

Akaisha and Billy in front of plane, Holbox, Yucatan, Mexico Flights Holbox - Isla Holbox to Cancun

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.

Beverages sold on Ferry to and from Cancun, Mexico Isla Mujeres Ferry 

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.

Friends eating at Javis Cantina, Isla Mujeres, Mexico

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!

Stretch of sand and sea, Isla Mujeres, Mexico The Beaches of Isla Mujeres, Mexico

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.

Grilled Octopus platter, X'catik Restaurant, Isla Mujeres, Mexico X'catik Restaurant

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.

 

 

 

VIDEOS

Waiting for the ferry in Chiquila, Yucatan, Mexico The Ferry in Chiquila, Quintana Roo, Mexico

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!

 

 

 

 
On the ferry to Holbox Island, Yucatan, Mexico On the Ferry from Chiquila to Isla Holbox, Quitana Roo, Mexico

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. 

Coming in to Holbox Island, Yucatan, Mexico Ferry Heading into Isla Holbox, Quintana Roo, Mexico

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. 

Holbox Island, Yucatan, Mexico On Tropical Isla Holbox, Quintana Roo, Mexico

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.

Holbox Island view from restaurant, Yucatan, Mexico Our Beach View from Amaite Beach Club, Isla Holbox, Quintana Roo, Mexico

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!

Holbox island, Yucatan, Mexico Our taxi ride on Isla Holbox to Mosquito Point, Quintana Roo, Mexico

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!

Mosquito Coast Sandbars, Holbox, Yuctan, Mexico Mosquito Coast Sandbars, Isla Holbox, Yucatan, Mexico

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!

View from a beach bar on Holbox Island, Yucatan, Mexico

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!

 

View from the Wharf on Isla Holbox, Yucatan, Mexico

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.

 

Short wharf with conch shells, Holbox, Yucatan, Mexico

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!  

 

Sunset from main wharf, Holbox, Yucatan, Mexico

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. 

 

Live sax player Holbox, Yucatan, Mexico Live Jazz for Restaurant Opening, Holbox, Yucatan, Mexico

Live Sax player opens new restaurant on Holbox Island and draws a crowd. Lots of construction going on right now on the island, and this was being worked on just yesterday - open today! Have a listen!

 

The white sands of main beach in Holbox, Yucatan, Mexico Taking a Look at the Main Beach on Isla Holbox, Yucatan, Mexico

Billy shows you the view of the main beach on Isla Holbox, with international tourists, massage beds, beach vendors, the main wharf, the white sands, and the sounds of the waves. Take a look!  

 

View of main beach from water, Holbox, Yucatan, Mexico A Look at Holbox Main Beach from Out in the Water, Yucatan, Mexico

Billy is standing out in the ocean in a few feet of water, giving you the view of the beach from his perspective. He pans around and you can see the whole area of the main beach and the main wharf from being out in the water. Paradise island.

 

Woman on paddleboard, Holbox Island, Yucatan, Mexico

Paddleboarding on the sea, Isla Holbox, Yucatan, Mexico

Drifting along on a paddleboard, this young woman takes in the scenery of the Paradise Island of Holbox. What a way to spend the afternoon!  

 

Private chartered plane, Holbox, Yucatan, Mexico

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!

 

For more stories and photos about Mexico CLICK HERE

For more stories and photos about the Yucatan, CLICK HERE

 

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About the Authors

 
Billy and Akaisha Kaderli are recognized retirement experts and internationally published authors on topics of finance, medical tourism and world travel. With the wealth of information they share on their award winning website RetireEarlyLifestyle.com, they have been helping people achieve their own retirement dreams since 1991. They wrote the popular books, The Adventurer’s Guide to Early Retirement and Your Retirement Dream IS Possible available on their website bookstore or on Amazon.com.

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