Retire Early
Lifestyle
Retirement; like your parents, but way cooler
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. |
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Isla Holbox
Homepage
(Pronounced: EES-lah
HOLE-bosh)
Quintana Roo, Mexico
Billy and Akaisha Kaderli
Currency Exchange
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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. |
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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.
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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. |
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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. |
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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.
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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. |
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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. |
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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! |
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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. |
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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.
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VIDEOS
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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! |
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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. |
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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. |
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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! |
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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.
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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!
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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!
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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
About the Authors
Retire
Early Lifestyle appeals to a different
kind of person – the person who prizes their
independence, values their time, and who doesn’t
want to mindlessly follow the crowd.
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