Sitting off the north coast of the Yucatan Peninsula overlooking the crossroads of the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico is the picturesque island of Holbox, separated from the mainland by a wildlife-rich lagoon.
The island’s 2000 residents make a living off fishing and sustainable tourism, while preserving the outstanding natural treasures along their 36 kilometers of white-sand pristine beaches, coral reefs, mangrove swamps and lagoons.
As part of the Yum Balam Flora and Fauna protection Area, Holbox Island is completely car free and doesn’t even have a roads – only white sand paths with buggies and dune bikes for transportation.
Travellers to Holbox make the journey for the nature and wildlife; especially the increasingly popular whale shark watching and swimming with the gentle giants that congregate in the island’s plankton-rich waters every summer.
Walks along the island’s many nature paths will reveal more of its wonders: dolphins can be spotted swimming along the coast; large flocks of flamingos, pelicans and ibises cover the shallow sandbars of the lagoon; and should you be very lucky you may spot a giant otter or even one of the elusive wildcats that inhabit the islands.
The very exclusive Las Nubes offers visitors to Isla Holbox a true boutique experience as its location is an ideal base to explore the many virgin beaches only minutes away. Their 28 luxurious suites, three swimming pools, the restaurant and spa are designed with simplicity and respect for the surrounding nature in mind. The hotel restaurant Larena serves up sumptuous meals, served with a stunning view of the surrounding panorama.
Hotel guests are offered complimentarily use of kayak and bicycles to explore the island, if they opt for more activity than just soaking up the rays while being pampered on an exotic beach.
An escape to this island paradise reaches perfection with a Mayan masage treatment at the in-house Orchid Spa – a holistic space where you can focus on relaxation and rejuvenation while the sounds of the wind and sea and chirping birds are in the background.
Text with permission of Quintessentially Lifestyle, Wish hr partner.
Photo: Las Nubes
