Isla Holbox

Isla Holbox
—  Island Community  —
Isla Holbox in June, 2008
Isla Holbox Location of Isla Holbox
Coordinates: 21°32′16″N 87°13′12″W
Country	Mexico
State	Quintana Roo
Municipality	Lázaro Cárdenas
Town Founded	1854
Area
• Land	55.948 km2 (21.602 sq mi)
Population (2005)
• Total	1,198
• Demonym	Holboxeños
Time zone	Central Standard Time (UTC-6)
• Summer (DST)	Central Daylight Time (UTC-5)
Major Airport	Cancún International Airport
IATA Code	CUN
ICAO Code	MMUN

Holbox ("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 12 kilometers long and 1.5 kilometers wide, and it is separated from the mainland by a 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.

Not yet heavily touristed, the island's main industry is fishing. However, the island is developing a growing tourist industry in the form of whale shark viewing.

The island is accessed by ferry from the mainland town of Chiquila, and has virtually no cars, with transport by most residents and tourists by golf cart or moped. A small airline, Aerosaab, flies tours to Holbox from Cancún and Playa del Carmen; there is even a small airstrip to accommodate Aerosaab's five-seater Cessna aircraft.

Kiteboarding in Holbox

This is one of the safest beaches for learning how to kiteboard. There are ideal conditions for beginners; shallow waters, no big obstacles on the wide and long beach, many days of wind during the winter months and 2 schools with professional instructors. Advanced riders can find also very good conditions when the north winds reach 25 knots or more.

External links

• Municipality of Lázaro Cárdenas

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