Holbox (, "black hole" in Yucatec Maya) is an island in the

Mexican Mexican may refer to: Mexico and its culture *Being related to, from, or connected to the country of Mexico, in North America ** People *** Mexicans, inhabitants of the country Mexico and their descendants *** Mexica, ancient indigenous people ...

state of Quintana Roo, located on the north coast of the Yucatán Peninsula. It is approximately long and wide, and it is separated from the mainland by 10 km of shallow

lagoon A lagoon is a shallow body of water separated from a larger body of water by a narrow landform, such as reefs, barrier islands, barrier peninsulas, or isthmuses. Lagoons are commonly divided into ''coastal lagoons'' (or ''barrier lagoons'') a ...

that is home to flamingos,

pelican Pelicans (genus ''Pelecanus'') are a genus of large water birds that make up the family Pelecanidae. They are characterized by a long beak and a large throat pouch used for catching prey and draining water from the scooped-up contents before s ...

s and other rich birdlife. Holbox Island is part of the Municipality of Lázaro Cárdenas and also part of the

Yum Balam Yum Balam Flora and Fauna Protection Area ( es, Área de protección de flora y fauna Yum Balam) is a Mexican Flora and Fauna Protection Area located in the state of Quintana Roo in southeastern Mexico. Established in 1994, the nature reserve was ...

Biosphere Reserve. The island's main industry is

fishing Fishing is the activity of trying to catch fish. Fish are often caught as wildlife from the natural environment, but may also be caught from stocked bodies of water such as ponds, canals, park wetlands and reservoirs. Fishing techniques inclu ...

. However, the island is developing a growing tourist industry in the form of

whale shark The whale shark (''Rhincodon typus'') is a slow-moving, filter-feeding carpet shark and the largest known extant fish species. The largest confirmed individual had a length of .McClain CR, Balk MA, Benfield MC, Branch TA, Chen C, Cosgrove J, D ...

viewing.

Lobster Lobsters are a family (biology), family (Nephropidae, Synonym (taxonomy), synonym Homaridae) of marine crustaceans. They have long bodies with muscular tails and live in crevices or burrows on the sea floor. Three of their five pairs of legs ...

is the main product of this fishing and many of the dishes made on the island center around lobster or other seafood. Golfcar_Holbox_island_Mexico_(20153467086)

Golfcar_Holbox_island_Mexico_(20153467086)

The island is accessed by ferry from the mainland town of

Chiquilá Chiquilá is a ''pueblo'' (village) located in the municipality of Lázaro Cárdenas in the state of Quintana Roo, Mexico, in the extreme northeast of the Yucatán Peninsula. It is located on the coast of the Gulf of Mexico, and its location all ...

, and has virtually no cars, with transport by most residents and tourists by golf cart or

moped A moped ( ) is a type of small motorcycle, generally having a less stringent licensing requirement than full motorcycles or automobiles. The term used to mean a similar vehicle except with both bicycle pedals and a motorcycle engine. Mopeds typic ...

. A few charter airlines fly to Holbox from Cancún and Playa del Carmen; there is a small

airstrip An aerodrome (Commonwealth English) or airdrome (American English) is a location from which aircraft flight operations take place, regardless of whether they involve air cargo, passengers, or neither, and regardless of whether it is for publ ...

called

Holbox Aerodrome Holbox Aerodrome (DGAC Code: HOL) is a small private airport for public use located on the island of the same name in Quintana Roo and is operated by the air taxi company Aerosaab. It has a runway 660 meters long and 12 meters wide, a platform with ...

that can accommodate five-seater and 13-seater

Cessna Cessna () is an American brand of general aviation aircraft owned by Textron Aviation since 2014, headquartered in Wichita, Kansas. Originally, it was a brand of the Cessna Aircraft Company, an American general aviation aircraft manufacturing c ...

aircraft. Vehicle entry is not allowed at Holbox in order to protect the environment and to prevent the streets from accumulating sand. Holbox has several alternatives to enjoy nature, but the one that attracts most visitors is the experience of swimming with the impressive

from June to September, an opportunity found in very few parts of the world. During hurricane season, the island is often evacuated as it can get directly damaged by hurricane winds.

History

The first written mentions of the island were in 1852 from a document sent by Don

Bartolomé Magaña Bartolomé may refer to: Places * Bartolomé Island (Spanish: Isla Bartolomé), a volcanic islet in the Galápagos Islands Group * Isla Bartolomé, Diego Ramirez Islands, Chile People * Bartolomé Bermejo (c.1440–c.1501), Spanish painter * Barto ...

to the Governor of Yucatán. The adjacent mainland was frequently attacked by the Maya therefore people sought refuge on this island. The government wanted to keep people from living on this island but the citizens refused to leave their homes. Hurricanes in 1886 completely destroyed the island, but the island was rebuilt afterward.

Kiteboarding in Holbox

Holbox has one of the safest beaches for learning how to

kiteboard Kiteboarding is a water-based, kite-powered sport Kiteboarding may also refer to: *Snowkiting, a snow based, kite powered sport *Kite landboarding, a land based, kite powered sport using a four-wheeled board See also *Windsport A windsport is ...

. Conditions are ideal for beginners, as the beach has shallow waters, no big obstacles on the wide and long beach, many days of wind during the winter months, and a nearby school with professional instructors. Advanced riders can find also very good conditions when the north or south winds reach 25 knots or more. The climate is subhumid warm, creating a stable and consistent temperature year-round.

Bioluminescence

At the western tip of the island, there is a lagoon called Punta Cocos, where

bioluminescence Bioluminescence is the production and emission of light by living organisms. It is a form of chemiluminescence. Bioluminescence occurs widely in marine vertebrates and invertebrates, as well as in some fungi, microorganisms including some b ...

can be observed on dark nights. See the .

Gallery

Palms,_Beach_and_the_Sea_(5307721736).jpg, Palms, Beach and the Sea Beaches of Isla Holbox (42877731844).jpg, Holbox city aerial Sandy streets of Holbox (42877671074).jpg, Sandy streets of Holbox Aerial of the island of Holbox, Mexico (28707744657).jpg, Aerial view of Holbox Holbox-31.jpg, Holbox beaches Dream Sunset on Holbox, Mexico (43595368241).jpg, Sunset in Holbox, Mexico File:Holbox aerial.JPG, Aerial view of Holbox File:Holbox-21.jpg, Sandbank in Holbox

References

External links

Municipality of Lázaro Cárdenas
{{Authority control Islands of Quintana Roo Geography of Mesoamerica Populated places in islands of Mexico Places with bioluminescence