I think I’ve left my heart in Holbox… Isla Holbox is a small island located north of Cancún. It only counts one town (Holbox), yet you won’t get bored while staying here for a week. If you like disconnecting, white sand beaches and laid-back vibes, then this is the place for you. There are no cars to be found here, the main mode of transportation in and around town is by golf cart. ATMs sometimes just stop working or run out of money, so bring enough cash with you before your visit. Don’t expect any great functioning internet either, as service often gets lost on the island. Luckily, there’s a lot of things to do here that you don’t need any Wi-Fi for anyway!

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   1. Street art

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1. 1. Punta Mosquito

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1. 1. Cycling

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1. 1. Golf cart

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1. 1. Sunset hotspot

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1. 1. Refugio Animal Holbox

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1. 1. Whale sharks

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1. 1. Kitesurfing

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1. 1. Punta Cocos

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1. 1. Secluded beaches

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#1 Go on the hunt for the best street art

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Holbox Pueblo has some of the best street art. In 2014, the International Public Art Festival took place on the island. Ever since, it’s been a street art lover’s paradise. All the murals have their own story behind them. You wouldn’t even need Google Maps to find them, as you come across a different colourful mural around every corner!

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#2 Walk all the way to Punta Mosquito

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Holbox is part of the nature reserve called Yuk Balam. There’s a lot of wildlife here. From the public beach in town, a sandbank reaches all the way to Punta Mosquito, so you can actually walk there via the shallow ocean! You can only actually reach Punta Mosquito with a guide, but you could also just enjoy the sceneries till about halfway by yourself.

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#3 Rent a bicycle

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To me, biking is always the best way to get around in smaller places. You’re even allowed to bike on the beach here, which is an experience on its own already. It also makes it a great vehicle to spot all the street art in town. I rented mine at Bikes Holbox. You can even request to let them drop your bikes off at your accommodation!

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#4 Rent a golf cart

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Since the golf carts are a thing on the island, you basically need to hop on one! Taxis here are in the form of golf carts and you only pay 100-300 pesos (depending on the distance) for a ride. What might even be funnier is renting a golf cart yourself! I rented one at Monkey’s Golf Cart Rental, but I can’t really recommend them in terms of service. I’m not sure if there are other parties renting golf carts as well, but if there are, go with them!

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#5 Enjoy drinks during sunset at Hotel Zomay Holbox

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Holbox is known for having the best sunsets of Quintana Roo since the main beaches are on the west side of the island. One of my favourite spots to watch it was at Hotel Zomay Holbox. Every night, a bunch of travellers gather here to witness the sky turning into all shades of pink.

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#6 Help out at Refugio Animal Holbox

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The amount of stray dogs in Mexico is shocking for me as a Dutchie. Yet, here at Refugio Animal Holbox, they provide shelter for all of them. They make sure there are no stray dogs on the island, which is amazing. They obviously need the right resources to take care of all the dogs (as well as cats and other animals) that they have at the refugee. You can stop by to make a donation, bring some toys/treats for the animals, and/or you could help them out by walking with one of the dogs!

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#7 Swim with whale sharks

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Holbox is actually one of the few places from where you can go on a whale shark tour. Keep in mind that it’s still a 2-3 hour (bumpy) boat ride to get to the location though, but from what I’ve heard, it should be so worth it!

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#8 Go kitesurfing

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If the weather allows it, Holbox is an amazing place to go kitesurfing. Whether it’s your first time and you’d like to take classes, or if you’re experienced and just like to rent the gear, Holbox is a perfect fit. The water is crystal clear, the ocean a bit shallow and there usually is enough wind.

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#9 Enjoy the views from Punta Cocos

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On the most western part of the island, you’ll find Punta Cocos. There’s just one small bar here, some swings/places to sit at, and you can see the mainland from here. Another great spot to enjoy the sunset from!

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#10 Chill at the quieter beaches west of town

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The main public beach can get pretty crowded, so even though you’ll find the best bars and restaurants here, I can also recommend you to walk to the beaches west of town! It’s quieter here, meaning you have the ocean for yourself sometimes.

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Looking for some more info about the Yucatán Peninsula? Have a look at my other blog articles about Mexico, or fly along to another destination! n

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Do you have any questions about my travels, or do you see a great opportunity to collaborate? Feel free to send me an Instagram DM or email (floraflies.nl@gmail.com).

Cenote Suytun is unarguably the most photogenic cenote in the Yucatán Peninsula. You’ve probably come across lots of Instagram photos of this place already. So had I, and I have to say this cenote certainly didn’t disappoint me in real life. The magical beam of light is even more incredible in real life. Note that you’ve got to be lucky with the weather, though. You’ll logically only see the most vibrant light beam if the sun’s doing her job. I can’t guarantee perfect weather, but I CAN provide you with some helpful tips and info for your visit to Cenote Suytun!

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How to get there

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Cenote Suytun is located about 8 km east of Valladolid. One of the many reasons to stay in Valladolid for a couple of days is that you’ll find many fun activities within just a short driving distance. There are three common ways to get to Cenote Suytun from Valladolid:

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Car

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It takes around 15 minutes to drive from Valladolid to Cenote Suytun, depending on the location of the accommodation you’re staying at. I stayed at Hotel Los Frailes (very helpful people at the reception, beautiful swimming pool, great prices!). I combined visiting Cenote Oxmán with Cenote Suytun, with the driving distance between them being around 14 km (15-20 minutes).

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Bicycle

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Cycling is an option as well. It should be around a 30-minute cycle. Keep in mind that there aren’t any cycling paths here, meaning you’d have to cycle along the highway.

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Taxi

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In case you don’t possess a (rental) car or bicycle, a taxi is a great (and relatively cheap) alternative. To get back to your accommodation in Valladolid from Cenote Suytun, just ask the restaurant or reception whether they could call you a cab.

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Entry fee and opening hours

(August, 2021)

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Cenote Suytun is open from 10 am – 5 pm, meaning you can make use of all the facilities during that time. At the entrance, you’ve got to pay an entry fee of 150 Mexican pesos, which calculates to 6 euros. This can be paid by credit card (Visa/Mastercard) or with cash. You receive a bracelet that allows you to leave and enter the place throughout the day.

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Facilities

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When you enter the property, you’ll find several souvenir stands.

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There’s an outdoor shower that everyone has to use before entering the cenote. This is common at many cenotes in the Yucatán Peninsula, since you get to rinse any chemicals off of your body that way.

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Wearing a life jacket is mandatory at Cenote Suytun. The life jackets are included in the entry fee. You don’t have to wear them on the platform where you take the photos, though!

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There are obviously bathrooms as well, and there’s a free car park.

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Close to the parking, you’ll find a restaurant, which serves a buffet for economic prices!

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Before you go

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I’d normally recommend you to go early, because just like at any tourist attraction, Cenote Suytun gets pretty crowded around noon. At Cenote Suytun this isn’t for no reason, though, since the light beam is perfectly located in the middle somewhere between 12:30 – 1:15 pm. To me, it’s very much worth it to visit Cenote Suytun around that time of the day! Another pro is that you can combine your visit to Suytun with Oxmán (10 am) that way.

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Very obvious yet worth mentioning: bring your camera!* Like I said, Suytun is the most photogenic cenote out there. Don’t forget to take some photos from above as well. Cenote Suytun luckily doesn’t charge you extra for bringing in cameras, unlike some other tourist sites in the Yucatán Peninsula.

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This location can only stay this pretty if we treat it accordingly. I know this isn’t the best medical advice, but don’t apply sunscreen. The chemicals in sunscreen can harm the environment. Luckily, you won’t be exposed to direct sunlight at all in this cenote. And you’ve got to rinse it off under the outdoor shower anyway!

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Looking for some more info about the Yucatán Peninsula? Have a look at my other blog articles about Mexico, or fly along to another destination! n

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Do you have any questions about my travels, or do you see a great opportunity to collaborate? Feel free to send me an Instagram DM or email (floraflies.nl@gmail.com).

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*note that the beam of light is gorgeous, but that it also makes it a very tough shooting condition. I couldn’t manage to get the camera settings right on time – since there’s a line of people waiting to get their photos as well – so the photos that you see on this page are all taken with an iPhone 12.

Cenote Oxmán is my favourite cenote in the Yucatán Peninsula. Swimming in these crystal clear waters, whilst being surrounded by lianas and lots of fish… it literally feels like a dream. It’s just a short drive from Valladolid and deserves a top spot in your Mexico itinerary. Let me provide you with some tips and info about this cenote. Here’s all you need to know before your visit!

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How to get there

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Cenote San Lorenzo Oxmán is located about 4 km south of Valladolid and can be easily combined with Cenote Suytun. One of the many reasons to stay in Valladolid for a couple of days, is that you’ll find many fun activities within just a short driving distance. There are three common ways to get to Cenote Oxmán from Valladolid:

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Car

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It takes somewhere between 10-15 minutes to drive from Valladolid to Cenote Oxmán, depending on the location of the accommodation you’re staying at. I stayed at Hotel Los Frailes (very helpful people at the reception, beautiful swimming pool, great prices!) and drove in about 10 minutes to the entrance of Cenote Oxmán.

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Bicycle

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Cycling is another great option, since I’ve been told by Google Maps it’s just a 15-20 min cycle. Keep in mind that if you opt for the quickest route, the road isn’t very well maintained.

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Taxi

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In case you don’t possess a (rental) car or bicycle, a taxi is a great (and relatively cheap) alternative. To get back to your accommodation in Valladolid from Cenote Oxmán, just ask the restaurant or reception whether they could call you a cab.

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Entry fee and opening hours

(August, 2021)

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Hacienda Oxmán is open from 10 am – 5 pm, meaning you can make use of all the facilities during that time. At the entrance, you’ve got to pay an entry fee of 150 Mexican pesos, which calculates to 6 euros. This can be paid by credit card (Visa/Mastercard) or with cash. You receive a bracelet that allows you to leave and enter the place throughout the day.

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Facilities

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The restaurant serves food and drinks, including sandwiches, snacks and hot meals. At the entrance, you could choose a slightly higher entrance fee, which then allows you to make use of the breakfast buffet as well. So if you’d like to get some food at Hacienda Oxman, opt for the cenote+food entry fee!

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Wearing a life jacket is mandatory at Cenote Oxmán. The life jackets are included in the entry fee.

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There are obviously bathrooms as well, and there’s a free car park.

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Last but not least, what makes Cenote Oxmán my favourite is the rope swing! Feel like Tarzan or Jane for the day and swing into the cenote as pictured below.

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Before you go

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My main advice would be: go early. Just like at any tourist attraction, Cenote Oxmán gets pretty crowded around noon. If you go at 10 am, right when the doors open, you will be able to take some amazing photos and swim in the cenote with just a few others. After swimming in Cenote Oxmán for a couple of hours, it’s the perfect timing to head over to Cenote Suytun for the magical light beam.

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Which gets us to the next point: bring your camera! It’s a very photogenic location. Don’t forget to take some photos from above as well. Cenote Oxmán doesn’t charge you extra for bringing in cameras, unlike some other tourist sites in the Yucatán Peninsula.

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This location can only stay this pretty if we treat it accordingly. I know this isn’t the best medical advice, but don’t apply sunscreen. The chemicals in sunscreen can harm the environment. Luckily, you won’t be exposed to direct sunlight too much in the cenote.

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Looking for some more info about the Yucatán Peninsula? Have a look at my other blog articles about Mexico, or fly along to another destination! n

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Do you have any questions about my travels, or do you see a great opportunity to collaborate? Feel free to send me an Instagram DM or email (floraflies.nl@gmail.com).

Bacalar was my favourite stop in Quintana Roo, especially because of the endless possibilities when it comes to water activities. South of the lagoon, you’ll find Los Rápidos: a small river with a natural current. The water is crystal clear, you’re surrounded by mangroves and you can even spot stromatolites: incredibly old fossils with several layers. If Bacalar is on your Mexico itinerary, you basically can’t miss out on a visit to Los Rápidos. Let me tell you about how to get there, the types of activities you can do and how many pesos you should bring!

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How to get there

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Los Rápidos is located about 10 km south of the laid-back town Bacalar. It’s a small river that connects the lagoon of Bacalar with that of Xul-Ha. There are three common ways to get there from Bacalar:

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Car

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It takes somewhere between 10-20 minutes to drive from Bacalar to Los Rápidos, depending on the location of the accommodation you’re staying at. I stayed at Casa Bakal (recommended!) and drove in about 15 minutes to the entrance of Los Rápidos.

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Bicycle

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If you’d ask me, I wouldn’t recommend you to go to Los Rápidos by bike, but I did see quite a few backpackers choose this type of transport. Take into account that it takes more than half an hour to get there, which should be no fun at all in the Mexican heat. There’s also just one way to Los Rápidos, which is a highway, meaning that cyclists have to take the emergency lane.

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Taxi

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In case you don’t possess over a (rental) car or bicycle, a taxi is a great (and relatively cheap) alternative. You can count on a single ride not costing more than 250 pesos (10 euros). Let your taxi driver drop you off at the restaurant (!) since it’s still somewhere around a kilometre from the fence along the 307 highway. To get back to your accommodation in Bacalar from Los Rápidos, just ask the restaurant whether they could call you a cab.

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Entry fee and opening hours

(July, 2021)

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The restaurant is open from 10 am – 6 pm, meaning you can make use of all the facilities during that time. At the entrance of the restaurant, you’ve got to pay an entry fee of 150 Mexican pesos, which calculates to 6 euros. This can be paid by credit card (Visa/Mastercard) or with cash. You receive a bracelet that allows you to leave and enter the place throughout the day.

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Facilities

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The restaurant serves some amazing food and drinks, including sandwiches, snacks and hot meals. My recommendations: the fajitas and the nachos with guacamole.

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There are plenty of chairs and tables where you can take a seat. At the tables that have a little roof over it, you’re obliged to order something from the restaurant. In the other seating areas, you can just make use of the chairs to take a break from swimming (you can still order things from the restaurant from here as well). Prefer a hammock? No worries, Los Rápidos has got you covered.

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There are kayaks for rent, which is a fun way to explore the closely located Xul-Ha lagoon. A one-person kayak costs 150 pesos (6 euros) per hour, a two-person kayak costs 300 pesos (12 euros) per hour. On your way to Xul-Ha, you have to conquer the current, but that also means that you can literally go with the flow on your way back to Los Rápidos. Don’t forget to enjoy the views!

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Wearing a life jacket is being recommended, yet voluntarily. The life jackets are included in the entry fee.

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In case you’re bringing valuables, you can store them in one of the many lockers.

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There are obviously bathrooms as well, and there’s a free car park.

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Before you go

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My main advice would be: go early. Just like at any tourist attraction, Los Rápidos gets pretty crowded around noon. If you go at 10 am, right when the doors open, you can find yourself a great spot to drop your bags and have a seat. It’s also the best time to get some pictures without any other visitors in it!

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Which gets us to the next point: bring your camera! It’s a very photogenic location. In case you have a drone, eat your heart out. The river looks even prettier from above. Los Rápidos doesn’t charge you extra for bringing in cameras/drones, unlike some other tourist sites in Quintana Roo.

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This location can only stay this pretty if we treat it accordingly. I know this isn’t the best medical advice, but don’t apply sunscreen. They tell you this at the entrance, with the reason that the chemicals in sunscreen can harm the environment. Luckily, there are lots of places where you can find cover under the shade of the trees. You can also consider bringing a hat/cap and a sarong to cover your shoulders!

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Looking for some more info about the Yucatán Peninsula? Have a look at my other blog articles about Mexico, or fly along to another destination! n

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Do you have any questions about my travels, or do you see a great opportunity to collaborate? Feel free to send me an Instagram DM or email (floraflies.nl@gmail.com).