Holbox: The True Fantasy Island

I have to admit, it's a bit difficult for me to write about Holbox. It has nothing to do with a lack of interesting topics about the place. That's simply not the case. What happens is that, without fail, when I remember this incredible island in the northern part of the Mexican state of Quintana Roo, I close my eyes and try to evoke that spiritual tranquility inspired by the breeze that flows during a walk along the coast at sunrise, as I view the miles and miles of beach while early fishermen calmly make their way out to sea, and the salt water looks like liquid gold from the beams of the early morning sun.

The island of Holbox doesn't just attract its visitors; the relationship that this pleasant area has with travelers goes far beyond a passing casual encounter. Once you've stepped onto Holbox, you'll begin to fall in love with this island even long after you've said goodbye to its surreal tranquility. Many factors come into play to form this bond between Holbox and its visitors. In addition to the impressive natural landscapes that can be seen throughout this 25-mile-long, one-mile-wide island, the slow, enjoyable pace of its lifestyle is sure to capture your attention from your first moments there. The island has practically no vehicular traffic, with the exception of a few scooters and golf carts; most of the inhabitants use these vehicles to get around, along with bicycles or simply on foot. Everything and everyone here moves at its own pace, and there's no hurry to get anywhere.

Holbox offers a unique opportunity to get in touch with all the sounds of nature: waves breaking on the beach, the song of birds after catching a fish, the wind blowing through the local trees and plants, the rain creating music with thousands of drops beating on the different textures of the local roofs, and even crickets giving listeners an evening serenata.

If the calm of the island combined with the absence of city noises and contamination wasn't enough, Holbox has yet another gift for visitors: the unique opportunity to jump into the water and swim side-by-side with the world's largest and most impressive fish, reaching up to 50 feet long. From June through September, there's a window of opportunity to swim with the majestic whale shark and find yourself face-to-face with this amazing creature. This shark has nothing in his diet besides plankton, algae and krill, along with small crustaceans and fish, meaning there's no risk involved during a swim with the beautiful whale shark.

On board a local boat, you can visit a few other islands near Holbox with a short trip that's both fun and educational. Since the entire area is set inside a nature reserve called Yum Balam, visitors can find hundreds of birds that fly freely, without the threat of human beings: flamingos, seagulls, cormorants and herons are just a few of the species that seem to pose proudly in front of a camera lens. Once you're in the adventurous mood, don't pass up the chance to visit Yahalau, a freshwater oasis set in the midst of mangrove and dry land, which can only be reached by boat.

The wide variety of amazing hotels in Holbox offer many different styles, concepts and rates, but all feature the same relaxing harmony that characterizes the island itself. Rustic Caribbean-style buildings, minimalist-inspired constructions, cozy cabins and even camping sites make up the hotel infrastructure in this beautiful island destination.

At dinnertime, visitors to Holbox will be pleasantly surprised because here you can try a variety of cuisines, including Yucatecan, Italian and Spanish dishes, along with regional favorites made with fresh fish and seafood along with Caribbean fruits and vegetables. There's also a central area on the island with a few bars that are worth visiting all in one night. In addition to great drinks, you can enjoy all sorts of music, from tropical beats to jazz, along with pop in Spanish and in English.

My office surroundings, the clicking of the keyboard and the glare of the monitor hardly help my imagination to travel to that fantasy world filled with friendly whale sharks, playful dolphins, all kinds of birds, creative artisans and wise fishermen. With my mind surrounded by the intense green of the mangrove and the palm trees, the nearly snow-white sand and the turquoise waters, I'm only hindered by the memory sticks, the office phone and my cell phone, not to mention the city clothes I'm wearing, and it makes me want to return to Holbox as soon as I possibly can.