Exploring Mexico: The Yucatán & Isla Holbox

As many of you know, we often travel to Mexico City (DF) to visit family and friends. Over time, we've made it a tradition to explore a new part of Mexico with our kids on each trip. Mexico is a 10 out of 10 when it comes to food, culture, adventure, and relaxation, and we want our children to experience the richness of their birth country.

For this trip, after a week in Mexico City, we flew to Mérida with my mother-in-law joining us for the first part of our journey. Flights from DF to Mérida were about $50 per person, making this an easy and affordable domestic flight.

Mérida & The Magic of Uxmal

We traveled in April, and the weather was perfect—blue skies and dry heat every day. Upon arrival, we rented a car at the airport, which gave us the flexibility to explore Mérida and its surroundings. Our stay at Casa del Maya was delightful—full of charm and a delicious breakfast each morning.

Our first adventure took us to Uxmal, a significant archaeological site 62 km south of Mérida. Years ago, my son became obsessed with pyramids and insisted we visit Uxmal instead of Chichén Itzá. It turned out to be a fantastic decision. The ruins are incredibly well-preserved, and we hired a knowledgeable guide to walk us through the history of the Puuc architectural style. The site is filled with pyramids, palaces, and even an ancient ball court.

After Uxmal, we drove to Cenotes Hacienda Mucuyché (website), a hidden paradise. As we approached the hacienda, the dry and barren landscape gave no hint of the stunning cenotes awaiting us. After a brief historical tour, we entered Cenote Carlota, named after Empress Carlota of Mexico, who famously bathed there in 1865. To reach Cenote Azul Maya, we swam through a breathtaking natural channel. Inside the cave, the water shimmered under the glow of stalactites and stalagmites. It was an unforgettable experience, and we felt incredibly safe with the provided life jackets.

We ended the day with a delicious meal at the hacienda's restaurant before returning to Mérida, where we spent the evening strolling through the city. Mérida is often ranked as one of the safest cities in Mexico, and we felt completely at ease exploring its streets.

More Cenotes in Homún

The next day, we drove to Hacienda Santa Bárbara in Homún to explore more cenotes (website). Each cenote offered a unique experience:

• Cenote Cascabel: A closed cenote inside a grotto, accessible via a wooden staircase. The crystal-clear water was illuminated by artificial lights.

• Cenote Xooch: A semi-open cenote with turquoise-green waters, decorated with impressive stalactites.

• Cenote Pool Cocom: An open cenote with concrete stairs for easy access and even an elevator.

The site provided life jackets and transportation between the cenotes. While the included meal was average, the cenote experience itself was absolutely worth the drive from Mérida.

Off to Isla Holbox

After four days in Mérida, we said goodbye to my mother-in-law and moved on to our next destination: Isla Holbox (pronounced Hol-bosh). Since cars aren't allowed on the island, we returned our rental car and hired a private van to take us to the Chiquilá ferry terminal (a four-hour drive). Two ferry companies operate between Chiquilá and Holbox—Holbox Express (red and white) and 9 Hermanos (blue and yellow). The 20-minute ride costs about $12 one way. Upon arrival, we took a golf cart taxi to our hotel.

We stayed at St. Somewhere by Margaritaville (website) located at Punta Cocos, that had literally just opened when we visited. Punta Cocos is a quieter area of the island, perfect for those seeking a more secluded spot. Here you can enjoy spectacular sunsets, swim in its calm waters, and relax under the palm trees. The resort was perfect for us. We stayed for 4 nights. We loved our room and all of the amenities.

Things to Do in Isla Holbox

Relax on White Sand Beaches Holbox’s main beach is a slice of paradise—soft white sand, turquoise waters, and a laid-back atmosphere perfect for unwinding.

Swim in the Bioluminescent Waters Between June and September, Holbox’s waters glow at night due to bioluminescence. Although we visited in April (when the effect was less intense), it was still an amazing experience.

Take the Three Islands Tour This half-day excursion includes Bird Island, Yalahau Lagoon, and Passion Island—each offering stunning natural beauty and abundant wildlife. Yum Balam Nature Reserve is home to more than 400 bird species, along with jaguars, crocodiles, and monkeys.

Explore the Island by Bicycle or Golf Cart Since no cars are allowed, renting a bicycle or golf cart is the best way to explore Holbox. Sandy streets, a bohemian vibe, and stunning murals make for a unique island experience.

Enjoy Fresh Seafood & Local Cuisine Holbox is known for its incredible seafood. Our resort had two excellent restaurants, and every meal was outstanding. One of the highlights of our trip was celebrating my birthday with a special beachfront dinner arranged by the staff—no detail was overlooked!

Final Thoughts

Holbox remains one of Mexico’s best-kept secrets. While tourism is growing, it still retains its charm with no paved roads and a relaxed, unspoiled feel. Many places only accept cash, so it's good to carry pesos or dollars.

When it was time to leave, we took an early morning ferry back to the mainland and used Isla Holbox Transfers to get to Cancún International Airport (a little over two hours away). From there, we flew directly back to Cleveland—convenient and hassle-free.

Would we go back? Absolutely! There’s still so much more to explore in the Yucatán and Holbox, and we can’t wait for our next adventure.