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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.

Hotel Diosa Kali

Isla Holbox

Yucatan, Mexico

Billy and Akaisha Kaderli

Currency Exchange

We had just spent the night in a small, ancient Mayan port town called Chiquila.

Generally, we enjoy small and local places getting to know the area, shops, restaurants and people. Unfortunately, due to the timing, much of this small town of 2,000 people was closed to activity.

So 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.

Map showing Hotel Diosa Kali, Isla Holbox, Yucatan, Mexico

Map showing Hotel La Diosa Kali

We arrived early to let the office know we were here and asked when our room might be ready, hoping we could get right in.

But... Not so fast!

Check-out is 11 am and check-in is at 3 pm, so there was a couple of hours to wait.

We went out to the very popular A Mar Cafe to spend some time.

As you can see on this map, Hotel La Diosa Kali is right on the beach.

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

Front entrance sign

The roads on Isla Holbox are not paved and so much of the island's hotels, restaurants and bars have sand entrances.

There is an island here called Isla Pajaros (Bird Island) where flamingos live and is a popular island to tour. Hence, the flamingos on this hotel sign.

 

 

 

 

Price list for Hotel Diosa Kali, Isla Holbox, Yucatan, Mexico

Rates for hotel rooms

When we came to check in, we noticed that the hotel was fully booked.

There were no extra rooms available.

Entrance to Hotel Diosa Kali, Isla Holbox, Yucatan, Mexico

The entrance

Here you see the entrance of Hotel Diosa Kali.

A restaurant is to the right where we had our complimentary breakfasts every morning. The registration office is in the center and tables and chairs under palapa shade is on the left.

At the door is a walk-through container to rinse your feet or sandals before going inside.

Complimentary Pina Colada, Hotel Diosa Kali, Isla Holbox, Yucatan, Mexico

Complimentary Pina Colada

Our room was still not quite ready, so the concierge offered us complimentary Pina Coladas.

We just needed to go next door, tell them we were waiting for our room, and VOILA! the frozen concoctions appeared!
 

Dining area Hotel Diosa Kali, Isla Holbox, Yucatan, Mexico

Restaurant view to the street

We sat in the shade and sipped our frozen drinks.

Each morning we enjoyed really delicious breakfasts courtesy of the hotel.

This restaurant served breakfast and lunch and then in the evenings, a Japanese restaurant served Japanese cuisine.

You are viewing the road that lines the shore up and down the island. Bars, restaurants, lounges under palapas and various wharfs are in both directions on this sandy route.

Garden and common area, Hotel Diosa Kali, Isla Holbox, Yucatan, Mexico

The gardens inside the hotel square

This gives you a good view of the other rooms in the hotel.

Benches, tables, balconies and an outside shower to wash the salt water and sand off your bathing suits before going to your room.

Hotel room at Hotel Diosa Kali, Isla Holbox, Yucatan, Mexico

Our room

Our room was a little sparse so we asked for a chair and another rattan table.

But it was clean and we were ready to settle in.

Hotel Room, Hotel Diosa Kali, Isla Holbox, Yucatan, Mexico

Closet, outside sink and doorway to the bathroom

There was an area to place our clothes and a table for miscellaneous items.

The bathroom sink was on the outside.

The room looked fresh and clean, but unbeknownst to me, there was some touch up white paint that had been done. A few of my clothing items had touched that wet paint and left a mark.

Boo!

Shower at Hotel Diosa Kali, Isla Holbxo, Yucatan, Mexico

Stone and concrete bathroom

Being on an island, we were told that water was at a premium and that low pressure was the norm.

Our first day or two we had no hot water and only a trickle in pressure.

This did not set well with Billy who looks forward to a HOT morning shower with gushing water.

The maintenance people were called in and fixed the situation.

Yay.

Breakfast menu, Hotel Diosa Kali, Isla Holbox, Yucatan, Mexico

Breakfast and lunch menu

Our breakfasts were outstanding.

Sandwiches and smoothies weren't included on the complimentary list, but fresh juices and specialty coffees were.

And truly, it was all so very good!

 

 

 

 

Fresh Orange Juice and Cappuccino, Hotel Diosa Kali, Isla Holbox, Yucatan, Mexico

Fresh juice and cappuccino

Service was very good as well, and of course our view was super.

We people-watched as beach goers walked by. There were families with kids in strollers, and some had rented golf carts to tool around the island.

Meanwhile we drank our juice and cappuccino!

Complimentary breakfast, Hotel Diosa Kali, Isla Holbox, Yucatan, Mexico

Scrambled eggs with bacon

Billy's favorite was a hearty plate of scrambled eggs with bacon, hash browns, beans and a salad.

Poached eggs on Avocado toast, Hotel Diosa Kali, Isla Holbox, Yucatan, Mexico

Poached eggs on avocado toast

This one was my choice.

Such delicious avocado with two poached eggs.

In the center of the eggs you will see a floweret of... habanera chili!!!

Oh yessss.... those things are deadly.

After the first morning and having a habanera "experience" in eating them, I asked that they not be included on my plate.

Let me just say that these tiny things are potent. I removed them with my fingers and then inadvertently touched my face and eye... What a sting!!

And that sting lasts for an hour.

But hey. The breakfast was superb.

Free earplugs at Hotel Diosa Kali, Isla Holbox, Yucatan, Mexico

FREE earplugs

What hotel have you ever stayed that gave you free earplugs?

There was a reason for that...

Bar bands on the sandy passage in front of the hotel played loudly until the wee early hours.

Our bill for 6 nights Hotel Diosa Kali, Isla Holbox, Yucatan, Mexico

Our bill for 6 nights

Our bill for 6 nights came to $664USD or about $111USD per night

Our experience here at Hotel Diosa Kali was mixed.

The breakfasts being included daily was a definite bonus and it easily saved us $20USD a day, plus standing in line for this popular meal.

The mattress was heavenly, but getting paint on my clothes was not.

And... between the noise in the evenings and the slow drip of the shower, it would be a toss up for us to come back.

Would we return?

Probably not.

Full Disclosure: There are other choices on the island with a myriad of price ranges to fit your wallet. Blow it out or go budget at Hotel Los Arcos where the showers are hot, have lots of pressure and it's quiet in the evenings.

 

For more stories and photos about Holbox CLICK HERE

For more stories and photos about the Yucatan, CLICK HERE

For more stories and photos about Mexico 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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