Visit Isla Holbox, Mexico

The tiny relatively undeveloped island of Holbox (pronounced Hol-Bosh) is just 25 km long and 3 km wide, located two hours north of Cancun.

The Caribbean waters here mix with the darker waters of the Gulf so the water is not that of clear turquoise as it is along the Mayan Riviera, but it is a peaceful place to stay. The main town of Holbox has just a few vehicles and sandy streets enabling you to walk everywhere from the central plaza, known as El Parque.

The island is far less-visited than other parts of this region and with just two thousand inhabitants this is the spot to relax and forget about the rest of the world, adapting to its slower pace of life. It is famous for its whale sharks who inhabit the waters near the island from mid-May to mid-September to spend the summer season. You can often see dolphins, as well as pink flamingos and terns here too.