Isla Holbox

Isla Holbox
Island community
Isla Holbox in June, 2008
Isla Holbox in June, 2008
Isla Holbox is located in Quintana Roo
Isla Holbox
Isla Holbox
Location of Isla Holbox
Isla Holbox is located in Mexico
Isla Holbox
Isla Holbox
Isla Holbox (Mexico)
Isla Holbox is located in Gulf of Mexico
Isla Holbox
Isla Holbox
Isla Holbox (Gulf of Mexico)
Coordinates: 21°32′16″N 87°13′12″W / 21.53778°N 87.22000°W / 21.53778; -87.22000
Country Mexico
StateQuintana Roo
MunicipalityLázaro Cárdenas
Town Founded[1]1854
Area
 • Land55.948 km2 (21.602 sq mi)
Elevation
1 m (3 ft)
Population
 (2005)[3]
 • Total1,198
DemonymHolboxeños[1]
Time zoneUTC-6 (Central Standard Time)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (Central Daylight Time)
Area code984
Map

Holbox (Spanish pronunciation: [xolˈβoʃ], "black hole" in Yucatec Maya) is an island in the Mexican state of Quintana Roo, located on the north coast of the Yucatán Peninsula. It is approximately 41.84 kilometres (26.00 miles) long and 1.5 kilometres (0.9 miles) wide, and it is separated from the mainland by 10 km of shallow lagoon that is home to flamingos, pelicans and other rich birdlife. Holbox Island is part of the Municipality of Lázaro Cárdenas and also part of the Yum Balam Biosphere Reserve.

The island's main industry is fishing. However, the island is developing a growing tourist industry in the form of whale shark viewing. Lobster 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

The island is accessed by ferry from the mainland town of Chiquilá,[4] and has virtually no cars, with transport by most residents and tourists by golf cart or moped. A few charter airlines fly to Holbox from Cancún and Playa del Carmen; there is a small airstrip called Holbox Aerodrome that can accommodate five-seater and 13-seater Cessna 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 whale shark 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.

  1. ^ a b "History of Holbox Island in spanish". Archived from the original on 2009-10-01. Retrieved 2009-11-14.
  2. ^ Land area of islands in Mexico Archived 2011-07-22 at the Wayback Machine INEGI
  3. ^ Census Results by Locality, 2005 Archived 2011-07-22 at the Wayback Machine INEGI.
  4. ^ "How to get to Isla Holbox? used". wavesnbackpack. Retrieved 28 March 2017.

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