Seniors Enjoy the Eden of Mexico

 Holbox (pop. 1,600) is an island in the Mexican state of Quintana Roo, located 7 miles north of the Yucatán Peninsula. Senior travelers can find this island about 40 miles northwest of Cancun. Holbox Island is just 26 miles / 42 km long.

Holbox, called the “Eden of Mexico,” is separated from the mainland coast of Mexico by a shallow lagoon which gives sanctuary to thousands of flamingos, pelicans and other exotic birds and creatures. It is an ideal place for senior birders to enjoy spending a couple of days just enjoying the winged wonders of the island.

Holbox has several alternatives to enjoy nature, but the one that attracts most visitors is the experience of swimming with the impressive whale shark from June to September, an opportunity you can experience in very few parts of the world.

Seniors Discover One Of Mexico’s Well Kept Secrets

Isla Holbox is a well kept secret not known to many Mexicans outside of the Yucatan. The island was settled by pirates who intermarried with local Mayans living in the area. Incidentally for your information, Isla Holbox is pronounced i-la holebosh – “x” in Mayan is pronounced “sh”.

If you are like me and enjoy a tour of wherever you are before you go out to discover sites for yourself, check out the various tours available on Isla Holbox. A modern catamaran takes senior visitors to Holbox in just 15 minutes.

Holbox (“black hole” in Yucatec Maya) is full of surprises. Both the land and the people are special, something to be explored at leisure and cherished. The locals of Holbox invite you to enjoy the natural beauty of their island.

Fishing, Birding and Whale Watching

Fishing remains a major draw for those of us who enjoy casting a line. For the more adventurous visitors, kiteboarding is lot of fun at Isla Holbox. The island is lined with seemingly endless beaches, tranquil waters and a galaxy of shells in various shapes and colors.

Lying within the Yum Balam reserve, Holbox is home to more than 150 species of birds, including roseate spoonbills, pelicans, herons, ibis and flamingos. In summer, whale sharks congregate nearby in unheard-of quantities. Once on site you will want to enjoy the Yalahau Lagoon. The La Odonata is a great place for enjoying the seafoods of the Caribbean.

The highlight of Isla Holbox is the annual migration of the whale shark, the largest fish in the world, an event that happens every summer in the Gulf of Mexico. Dolphin and whale watching is another fun activity. All transportation on the island is by golf-carts, motorbikes, bicycles and of course walking.

They say that it is hard to believe that a place like this could be so close to the megalithic tourist destination of Cancún and yet be a million miles away in attitude, natural beauty and environmental diversity and so loaded with “Island Life.”  jeb