holbox [Archive] - tulum, mexico forum

debski

11th October 2011, 04:01 PM

This trip was my and my daughters annual vacation, 10th year to be exact. The morning of Sept 5th, we leave home shortly after 6am to make the long trek to Calgary. 6 hours, was dropping off my mother at her sister's for the week we were away. Supper with brother and sister in law then headed to the airport for the red-eye to Toronto. After a 4 hour layover there, we were on our way to Cancun. Arrived round 1pm, omgosh, the airport was empty! never seen that before, gathered our luggage, green light and we're off! HOT!!!!! HUMID!!!!!!! Love it! Transferhobox was waiting for us! hooray!!!! and we are off. half hour into our road trip, we need gas, no problem there's one on the way! I would have thought he would have fueled before picking us up, but oh, well, no worries, we are on vacation. So get to the Pemex.............and they have no gas!!! power is out! I ask, will we make it to the next gas pit? driver shrugs, and I realize the adventure begins.

We do make the next station and then off to the ferry station. The crossing was smooth and Gus was waiting for us on Holbox with the golf cart. short 5 minute drive through major water holes and we have arrived. So from the time we left home, to the time we arrived at our hotels............36 hours had passed and this is what we looked like:
http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn168/debski08/holbox/DSCF1269.jpg

debski

11th October 2011, 04:04 PM

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn168/debski08/holbox/DSCF1270.jpg

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn168/debski08/holbox/DSCF1271.jpg

this is what the streets looked like. They had had 5 days of rain before we got there, and it would be most of our 9 days there before the streets dried up.

debski

11th October 2011, 04:12 PM

Carolina greeted us at Casa Tortuga's. We were told our ocean view room was on maintenance, but really there was someone else in it, and we would be upgraded for 1 night only to the master suite. This suite is actually a lesser valued room, but we did not complain. It was Great!!!!
http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn168/debski08/holbox/DSCF1272.jpg
bedroom
http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn168/debski08/holbox/DSCF1275.jpg
dinning area
http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn168/debski08/holbox/DSCF1274.jpg
sitting area
http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn168/debski08/holbox/DSCF1276.jpg

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn168/debski08/holbox/DSCF1278.jpg
bathroom was huge and beautiful.

debski

11th October 2011, 04:14 PM

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn168/debski08/holbox/DSCF1277.jpg

debski

11th October 2011, 04:18 PM

so after checking in, finding our way to the room, we headed down to the restaurant for a quick supper and hit the hay! long day...............
http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn168/debski08/holbox/DSCF1355.jpg

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn168/debski08/holbox/DSCF1353.jpg

debski

11th October 2011, 04:19 PM

If this is your trip report you have to do better. :wave: Please. I do get you liked it though!

hey minnie, I was once again having trouble with posting pics from my mac..............so now I'm doing it from my PC at work!!!! shhhhhh, don't tell anyone!

sparklegem

11th October 2011, 04:48 PM

Terrific Trip Report Debski! 36 hours is a long time to travel! I will think of you if I get tired on our trip down. I can't wait to read and see more of your report!

beachreader

11th October 2011, 06:54 PM

Yippeeee!!!! So excited for this TR!!! That master suite looks awesome--I don't suppose there was a single bed tucked away anywhere? Two of us can share a king but it would be nice to have another bed. Our current reservation is for a regular suite with two queens, but always have my eye out!

Food looks gorgeous, too!

beachreader

11th October 2011, 07:48 PM

Did you use the transfers provided by the hotel, or did you book that separately? How much did you pay? I'm still trying to decide our transportation.

minniemex

12th October 2011, 06:54 AM

hey minnie, I was once again having trouble with posting pics from my mac..............so now I'm doing it from my PC at work!!!! shhhhhh, don't tell anyone!

Just giving ya a hard time! Say if anyone out there has a Mac and can help with the picture posting? Maybe if there is some trick to it we can post it in the picture posting section?

debski

12th October 2011, 09:17 AM

Did you use the transfers provided by the hotel, or did you book that separately? How much did you pay? I'm still trying to decide our transportation.

beachreader, we used transferholbox, was referred to us by locogringo. I did not want to put all my eggs in one basket so to speak. We also booked our whale shark tour separate from the hotel . The transfers were around $60/person each way. We booked shared transportation but in the end we were the only ones going to holbox, low season and all. :wave:

debski

12th October 2011, 09:34 AM

The morning of our 1st full day dawned clear, hot and very very humid!!!!

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn168/debski08/holbox/DSCF1283.jpg
view from the master suite (limon)
http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn168/debski08/holbox/DSCF1298.jpg
breakfast was included in the rate and consisted of 2 choices, sweet or salty, example: crepes with chocolate (sweet), pancake with honey (sweet) or salty, eggs & ham or bacon

Day consisted of reading, swimming and walking the beach. Shared lunch and generally lazing around. By late afternoon we were moved to our ocean view room, (menta)

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn168/debski08/holbox/DSCF1286.jpg

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn168/debski08/holbox/DSCF1290.jpg

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn168/debski08/holbox/DSCF1289.jpg

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn168/debski08/holbox/DSCF1288.jpg

room was right on the beach!!!:D

debski

12th October 2011, 09:43 AM

Just some thoughts about the hotel; the rooms were great, clean, spacious and very comfortable beds. A/c worked and the fans were not loud or loose like some I've seen in Mexico. The water pressure was Awesome!!!!!! actually wasn't able to put it on full force, this was a first for me as well. The master suite and family suites had coffee makers but the rest of the rooms did not. Breakfast started at the hotel at 8 am and the coffee was decent. If you were scheduled for the whale shark tour they opened a half hour earlier and you could get coffe and toast only.

The property:

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn168/debski08/holbox/DSCF1292.jpg
view from our room
http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn168/debski08/holbox/DSCF1376.jpg
the restaurant from our room.

debski

12th October 2011, 09:49 AM

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn168/debski08/holbox/DSCF1420.jpg

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn168/debski08/holbox/DSCF1425.jpg

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn168/debski08/holbox/DSCF1368.jpg
from the robinson crusou area..........beachreader, this will be your view into the resort!

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn168/debski08/holbox/DSCF1366.jpg
kids play area

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn168/debski08/holbox/DSCF1367.jpg

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn168/debski08/holbox/DSCF1365.jpg
lobby area

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn168/debski08/holbox/DSCF1367.jpg
pool rooms

debski

12th October 2011, 09:54 AM

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn168/debski08/holbox/DSCF1377.jpg
boat inside the restaurant...........most comfy place to read.

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn168/debski08/holbox/DSCF1375.jpg
from the snack bar area

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn168/debski08/holbox/DSCF1360.jpg
staircase to Limon!!!!

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn168/debski08/holbox/DSCF1352.jpg
from the water

debski

12th October 2011, 09:57 AM

Our First full day comes to and end, we are happy and relaxed;
http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn168/debski08/holbox/DSCF1293.jpg
pretty awful pic.......oh well

Whale sharks tomorrow!:sun:

patmex

12th October 2011, 01:06 PM

Fabulous TR so far Deb! And I don't think that last picture is terrible at all. It's 100 percent Q.Roo.

debski

12th October 2011, 01:18 PM

6:30 am the alarm goes off, Whale Shark day!!!!:) NOT! It's pouring!!!! Get ready and wait for the call, by 8am we know we've been canceled.:mad: Visit with the other's who've been cancelled. Some, because of the weather, have been cancelled 4 days running. They are getting a little concerned, they'll be leaving soon. Anywhoo, the rain stops and we head out to explore. I have to say, If you are an adventurer, you won't find much on Holbox. There is nothing to do here! We headed out to walk the beach and head to the end of the island to see the pink Flamingo's. The beach here is not at all like Tulum! It was my only real disappointment.
http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn168/debski08/holbox/DSCF1303.jpg
some interesting trees
http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn168/debski08/holbox/DSCF1301.jpg
the canal
http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn168/debski08/holbox/DSCF1313.jpg
Holbox is a bird watchers paradise
http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn168/debski08/holbox/DSCF1385.jpg
self explanatory:)

debski

12th October 2011, 02:33 PM

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn168/debski08/holbox/DSCF1475.jpg

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn168/debski08/holbox/DSCF1474.jpg

the beach in both directions in front of the hotel. The hotel beach was for the most part clean, but the rest of the beach on the island was not. Lots of sea grass, and tons and tons of washed shells! pretty awsome, you could collect them by the buckets!!!

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn168/debski08/holbox/DSCF1295.jpg
this was one of the many many water holes. never wore shoes the whole time we were there!

So for the most part, day two was exploring the tiny island. With a little luck, whale sharks tomorrow, 6:30 am!!! Hope so cause who wants to get up at that god awful time every morning on your vacation?????

Couple more thoughts as I write; Everything on the island came to a stand still between 2 & 5pm! period!!!!! The mosquito's came out at sunset, for exactly 1 hour, and yes, you needed spray or you were dinner. The fly's were only around when you ate!!! and the locals and shop keepers could care less if you were there. They we polite and all, but did not hound you for a sale or a meal. Food was extraordinarily priced low, low, low. One meal cost us $7.00, that included a fresh fish dinner and a coctail.

debski

12th October 2011, 03:12 PM

omgosh, I timed out:mad: Will have to start the whale shark swim again!!!!grrrrrrrr

debski

12th October 2011, 03:22 PM

Alarm goes off 6:30 am, cloudy but no rain! head for brekky and meet and greet with our captain and head for the boat by 8am. The sky has cleared and it's hot and sunny. The water is calm and we head out for the hour and a half trip to the swim site It's very interesting to watch the colors of the water change to the emerald green at the hotel, to blue/green, and then to blue/black as we reach the site. The ride is beautiful and uneventful. No marine life along the way. As we reach the swim site, the swells are about 3feet. not to bad, could be worse. Say our first shark at a distance and we tried for a pic, but pretty much missed it:
http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn168/debski08/holbox/DSCF1315.jpg

debski

12th October 2011, 03:32 PM

I'm going to do this in sections, so I don't loose it all again.

Watching the sharks was AMAZING! As we arrived on site, the captain cut the motors and we were riding the swells, and just like that, I'm not feeling well. The first two swimmers geared up and headed into the water, We were asked if we'd like to go next, so with the help of the other guests, I get out of my clothes and into the snorkel gear, and next thing I know, I'm paddling like a mad woman straight into the open mouth of a shark!!!! He veers off at the last minute and I watch in utter amazement as he swims on by. As I reach his tail, I turn around and try to keep up with him. He is moving quickly and I am in AWE! When I am tired, I return to the boat, exhilarated! Once I am inside, OMGOSH! I am sick!!! I manage to watch a few more sharks as they swim by the boat, but eventually I give in to the sickness and lay on the bottom of the boat for the duration of the swim. My daughter is doing no better, she's actually heaving over the side of the boat. At some point, our captain comes over and says alot of people feel better in the water, would you like to try..............oh yes. so over the side we go and instantly feel better. They leave us there for awhile as more people take their turns with the sharks. Eventually we get back into the boat, and instantly, SICK! So pretty much, we are done. We don't feel better for about an hour after he starts the motor and heads back toward the hotel.

debski

12th October 2011, 03:37 PM

On the way back, we stop and buy fish from one of the fisherman at sea, and then head into the lagoons for a swim, snorkel and some very fresh cervice (spelling)
http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn168/debski08/holbox/DSCF1320.jpg

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn168/debski08/holbox/DSCF1318.jpg
http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn168/debski08/holbox/DSCF1336.jpg

]http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn168/debski08/holbox/DSCF1324.jpg[/IMG]

debski

12th October 2011, 03:40 PM

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn168/debski08/holbox/DSCF1343.jpg

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn168/debski08/holbox/DSCF1339.jpg

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn168/debski08/holbox/DSCF1332.jpg
http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn168/debski08/holbox/DSCF1324.jpg

debski

12th October 2011, 03:42 PM

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn168/debski08/holbox/DSCF1345.jpg

debski

12th October 2011, 03:48 PM

oh, the funny looking creature above is a horseshoe crab.................

some pics arriving back at the hotel:

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn168/debski08/holbox/DSCF1350.jpg

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn168/debski08/holbox/DSCF1351.jpg

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn168/debski08/holbox/DSCF1352.jpg

Once back at the hotel, more swimming, the waters in Holbox hover around the 30 degree mark. so very warm!!!!

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn168/debski08/holbox/DSCF1453.jpg

supper will be at the hotel tonight, drinks on the deck, what a great day!!!

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn168/debski08/holbox/DSCF1297.jpg

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn168/debski08/holbox/DSCF1296.jpg
these were the only meals we had on our vacation that we were not happy with. the fish in the top photo was fine, but the cranberry rissotto was mushy and to sweet. And the Lobster rissotto, bottom pic, was just not good. Drinks here at the hotel were awesome!!!!!

ilovewyoming

12th October 2011, 04:04 PM

Beautiful...Love the trip report. EVERYTHING so far... What a great trip
This pic is amazing...
http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn168/debski08/holbox/DSCF1404.jpg

debski

12th October 2011, 04:08 PM

Beautiful...Love the trip report. EVERYTHING so far... What a great trip
This pic is amazing...
http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn168/debski08/holbox/DSCF1404.jpg

more to come:sun:

susan

12th October 2011, 05:38 PM

Thanks for the report, it brings back great memories of our trip this summer. We stayed at tortugas as well although in July I didn't find the restaurants low priced but that is the only thing I can remotely say negative about Holbox. I loved that place and my 15 and 19 year old sons did as well.

beachreader

12th October 2011, 07:07 PM

I am SO excited I can't even stand it. I totally feel for you on the whale shark trip, I was the same way! I didn't heave, but once I got back in the boat from my first swim, I tore off my gear and lay down on the bench, never to recover until we got back to shore (we were on Isla Mujeres). I love boats, but I hate seasickness, one of the essential contradictions of my life! :-)

Where were you for these shots? I love this pic, and the beautiful water. Was this walking or golf cart distance from the hote by any chance, or only a boat ride away? I'm thinking we'll take a boat ride somewhere, though we won't be in whale shark season.

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn168/debski08/holbox/DSCF1339.jpg

tbpeaceful

12th October 2011, 08:16 PM

Beautiful photos! Holbox looks so pretty and laid back. I hope there are more pics. :o

elvo73

12th October 2011, 09:19 PM

am I the only one not able to see the pictures?? I'm so sad!!

debski

13th October 2011, 09:25 AM

Beautiful photos! Holbox looks so pretty and laid back. I hope there are more pics. :o

yup, got more pics, will try to finish up the report this afternoon.

Beachreader................those pics were taken in the lagoons on the way back from the whale sharks. Bout an hour boat ride from the hotel:o

debski

13th October 2011, 01:21 PM

So now that the main event is done, (sharks) we will settle in to relaxing, lots of reading, swimming and exploring. Rented a golf cart to see the rest of the island. This took about 2 hours and that included stopping at all properties. There really is very little to do here. The nices part of the beach is at our hotel and Miwimbe next door. Shopping is non existant, with the exception of 2 really nice places. Noa's, a fine jewelry store and another that dealt with Italian imports. I was dissappointed with the lack of uniqueness on the island. I had expected to find alot of whale shark paraphanalia and there was none, ZERO!!! I couldn't even find a painting or postcard.

Most of the restaurants are Italian, I was a little surprised at that, and seemed to open and close at will.
some of our dishes:

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn168/debski08/holbox/DSCF1391.jpg

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn168/debski08/holbox/DSCF1390.jpg

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn168/debski08/holbox/DSCF1387.jpg

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn168/debski08/holbox/DSCF1389.jpg
this was our favorite mexican place and this entire meal cost 94 peso's

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn168/debski08/holbox/DSCF1430.jpg

debski

13th October 2011, 01:23 PM

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn168/debski08/holbox/DSCF1439.jpg
we did alot of this............:)

debski

13th October 2011, 01:28 PM

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn168/debski08/holbox/DSCF1441.jpg

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn168/debski08/holbox/DSCF1445.jpg

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn168/debski08/holbox/DSCF1380.jpg

some of the town:

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn168/debski08/holbox/DSCF1467.jpg

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn168/debski08/holbox/DSCF1466.jpg

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn168/debski08/holbox/DSCF1464.jpg

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn168/debski08/holbox/DSCF1468.jpg

debski

13th October 2011, 01:30 PM

a few more of the beach:

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn168/debski08/holbox/DSCF1471.jpg

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn168/debski08/holbox/DSCF1470.jpg

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn168/debski08/holbox/DSCF1476.jpg

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn168/debski08/holbox/DSCF1469.jpg
pool at night.

debski

13th October 2011, 01:35 PM

In the 9 days that we spent here, we were fortunate to see 2 clear nights which meant sunsets!:

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn168/debski08/holbox/DSCF1458.jpg

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn168/debski08/holbox/DSCF1406.jpg

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn168/debski08/holbox/DSCF1399.jpg

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn168/debski08/holbox/DSCF1397.jpg

Well, I'm thinking that's pretty much it. Hope you enjoyed, and beachreader, If you have any further questions, please feel free to ask away.

susan

13th October 2011, 02:21 PM

http://tapatalk.com/mu/cffa00aa-470b-58e0.jpg

Look closely at the log sitting on the beach in this photo. The first night we were there we walked out onto the beach in the dark to go for a stroll into town. We didn't have our flashlights with us. When we looked up we stopped dead in our tracks as we thought we were seeing a ginormous dog laying on the beach in front if us. From behind this log is shaped just like a dog. We were in holy c*** mode for a minute until we realized it was a log. We still chuckle about this.

Thanks for the photo.

beachreader

13th October 2011, 08:36 PM

Ha, Sue, I see it now!

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn168/debski08/holbox/DSCF1470.jpg

And Deb, what was the name of your favorite restaurant? If we only end up with four dinners, what would be your recommendation for split between hotel restaurant and town? I don't think we're concerned about cost necessarily.

We're still leaving the whole second half of the trip open to allow for us to either love or leave Holbox. I don't even know if Tortugas will have space available for us to stay, but I'm sure we could find somewhere. I hope.

debski

13th October 2011, 09:16 PM

beachreader..........when exactly will you be in Holbox?? and how long will you stay.? Tortugas is fully booked over the holidays!

Can't think of the name of our favorite place, but I'll look it up and get back to you. The restaurant at the hotel was quite good, and there was an Italian place that was quite good as well. Will have to look back at my notes for the names. The food on the island was certainly good, (fresh) but not great and there was no real standout. Lots of little mexican places, but no Fine Dining so to speak.

I'm going to think that you'll move on to Tulum for the second half of your trip..........

beachreader

13th October 2011, 09:19 PM

We're going in early December, no holidays involved. Would love to learn the names of your restaurants, but of course I'll print out that Miklis list on TA.

So you really think we'll move on to Tulum, eh? OK, I'll think more on that side of things. Transportation becomes a bit more of an issue, but might end up being cheaper if we get a car after all. I'll just have to suck it up and do the driving, but that's not so bad, I'm more comfortable in that seat anyway.