Isla Holbox Facts for Kids

"Holbox" redirects here. For the Michelin-starred Mexican restaurant in Los Angeles, California, see Holbox (restaurant).

Quick facts for kids Isla Holbox
Island community
Isla Holbox in June, 2008
Isla Holbox Location in Quintana Roo Show map of Quintana Roo Isla Holbox Location in Mexico Show map of Mexico Isla Holbox Location in Gulf of Mexico Show map of Gulf of Mexico
Country	Mexico
State	Quintana Roo
Municipality	Lázaro Cárdenas
Town Founded	1854
Area
• Land	55.948 km² (21.602 sq mi)
Elevation	1 m (3 ft)
Population (2005)
• Total	1,198
Demonym(s)	Holboxeños
Time zone	UTC-6 (Central Standard Time)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-5 (Central Daylight Time)
Area code(s)	984

Holbox is a beautiful island in the Mexican state of Quintana Roo. Its name means "black hole" in the Yucatec Maya language. The island is located on the northern coast of the Yucatán Peninsula.

Holbox is about 41.84 kilometers (26 miles) long and 1.5 kilometers (0.9 miles) wide. A shallow lagoon separates it from the mainland. This lagoon is a home for many birds like flamingos and pelicans. Holbox Island is part of the Municipality of Lázaro Cárdenas. It is also part of the Yum Balam Biosphere Reserve, which protects its amazing nature.

The main way people make a living on the island is through fishing. However, more and more tourists are visiting Holbox. Many come to see and swim with whale sharks. Lobster is a very popular seafood caught here. You will find many dishes made with lobster and other fresh seafood.

Golf carts are a common way to get around Holbox island.

You can reach the island by taking a ferry from the town of Chiquilá on the mainland. There are almost no cars on Holbox. Most people and tourists get around using golf carts or mopeds. Some small planes also fly to Holbox from Cancún and Playa del Carmen. There is a small airstrip called Holbox Aerodrome for these planes. Cars are not allowed on Holbox to help protect the environment and keep the sandy streets clear.

Holbox offers many ways to enjoy nature. One of the most exciting is swimming with huge whale sharks. This amazing experience happens from June to September. It is a rare chance found in only a few places around the world. During hurricane season, people on the island sometimes have to leave for safety. This is because hurricanes can directly hit the island.

Island History
Kiteboarding Adventures
Discover Bioluminescence
Images for kids
See also

Island History

The first time Holbox Island was written about was in 1852. This was in a document sent to the Governor of Yucatán. The nearby mainland was often attacked by the Maya. Because of this, people looked for safety on Holbox Island. The government wanted people to leave the island, but the citizens did not want to move from their homes. In 1886, strong hurricanes completely destroyed the island. But the people worked hard and rebuilt their homes and community afterward.

Kiteboarding Adventures

Holbox has one of the safest beaches for learning how to kiteboard. The conditions are perfect for beginners. The water is shallow, and the beach is wide and long with no big obstacles. There are many windy days during the winter months. You can also find a school with professional instructors nearby. Experienced riders can also enjoy great conditions when the winds are strong. The weather is warm and stable all year round.

Discover Bioluminescence

At the western tip of the island, there is a lagoon called Punta Cocos. On dark nights, you can see something magical here called bioluminescence. This is when tiny living things in the water glow, making the water light up. It's like seeing stars in the ocean!