Paradise in the Mexican Caribbean: Isla Mujeres & Holbox

this post is about 2 picture-perfect islands in the mexican caribbean: isla mujeres & holbox!

Isla Mujeres

i went to isla on kinda a whim, figured i should check out all the islands while i’m over here, and it turned out to be an absolute DREAM. my favourite stop on #make2020flouncyagain so far for sure — i stayed 8 days and it was truly everything you want out of a travel experience: the best people, stayed right on a beautiful beach, yoga to the sound of crashing waves, yummy food, fun nights out (and by out i mean in). magical sunsets, drinking wine on the beach after dark, sunrise swims, so many laughs and spontaneous dance parties. it reminded me of koh tao in thailand (which was EXACTLY what i was looking for out of this trip), where it’s like a magical little capsule where you do the same thing every day but it never gets old and you want it to last forever.

you take a 15-minute ferry from cancun which gives you a roundtrip ticket. i arrived at Nomads Experience, which is a hostel/hotel that is bit remote like a 10-15 min drive from town, and oh my god. this is what i’d been waiting for — a place that checks all the boxes and exceeds expectations right off the bat (i just wrote right off the bar instead of bat and actually that is quite accurate — i was passionfruit daiquiri sippin’ upon arrival).

the beach area is filled with comfy spots to lounge (i literally lived in the hammock), a bathtub-warm calm ocean that is perfect for laying in while sipping sunset bevvies! i immediately met new friends wolf and clooney (aka matt) in my dorm room and knew this was gonna be nothin’ short of a phenomenal time. 

nomads was amazing for resting and recharging, and we walked 20 mins to punta sur which was beautiful (reminded me of cape point!), had a dance party in the supermarket with breno, and had a late-night pizza party on the beach.

i was so honoured to be able to collab with nomads for 2 nights but then they were booked up so i had to move on!

checked in at selina we had the best crew and the best time there. i just loved everyone and was so happy to lay in a hammock, do yoga, reunite with my peeps for a hungover breakfast. even the hurricane couldn’t dampen our spirits, although the gazillion tiny shards of plastic that got washed onto shore was definitely a downer wake up call. beach clean up was actually more depressing than rewarding because you see just how much shit there is, and it’s basically impossible to get every single little piece, which are the most dangerous for fish/turtles to choke on and die. don’t litter people. 😞😞

i loved 2 healthy restaurants in isla - aroma isla (vietnamese rolls) and cafe mogagua (club sandwich + yam fries was UNREAL and so was the salad with the watermelon and goat cheese). los tacos de humo is supposed to be the best tacos but i didnt make it there. sunset at playa norte. go to my good friend steve’s fave hole-in-the-wall spot, el patio house of music (hi steve!). this is where I became obsessed with real love baby (video here) and just had the best dance party by myself in the beanbags one morning — ahh isla is a dream!!! takemeback.

this was my vibe after isla, plus some other pics:

post hurricane, pre-beach clean up disgustingness :(

Holbox

this island was recommended to me by like, everyone, i think you guys know i like spots that are a little more off the beaten tourist track. i’m here right now and it actually is mostly mexicans (locals and tourists), definitely a more local vibe and less harassing you to buy useless souvenirs, the locals will joke with you instead of haggling you. the weather hasn’t been on my side this trip (clearly - not one not two but three hurricanes) so i’m not able to experience holbox in all its glory, normally it is super calm bright turquoise waters but it’s a bit murky for me right now. but i can tell it’s absolute paradise, there are so many sandbars in the water to just chill in, seaside hammocks and swings, super fun and chill beach bars. it’s such a vibe. 

since it’s been raining the streets are absolutely FLOODED on the islands (they’re sandy streets and there are no cars or evidently drainage systems). i tried to go to punta coco for sunset and was up to my thighs in street puddle. not ideal lol. also wifi sucks everywhere and mosquitos are on a rampage, just stuff to keep in mind.

i’m staying at tribu hostel, it’s not right on the beach (it is like a 30 sec walk but i like to roll out of bed to crashing waves, sue me) but it’s quite cool with vibrant painted buildings and hammocks, and an area with slacklines, giant hammock etc. the live music at the hostel bar is everythinggg, it was every night while i was there.

ok definitely go to painapol for breakfast (i did every day), they have an eggs dish with so many veggies, giant portion, and yummy filling smoothies. pizza at roots (the shrimp/zucchini/cream cheese one was delish), cocktail at basico (this bar has me written all over it. soso beautiful and one of my faves in the world). i loved sunset drinks (okay afternoon till night drinks) at zomay bar on the beach. salsa/nightlife is at hot corner and salma. oh ya you should also know it’s a 2-hour ADO bus from cancun to chiquila (ours got stuck in a sandpit LAWL) and then a 30-min ferry ride, and it’s pronounced “holbosh” not box. 

ok amigos that sums up my experience in the mexican caribbean/yucatan peninsula!! in cancun i’ve stayed at nomads experience again, which was great because it’s close to the ADO bus station, has nice clean rooms and a gorg rooftop pool & bar. then i stayed at yellow capsule hotel which is right by the airport. spots i wanted to go but didn’t make it this time are merida, vallodid, and i missed chichen itza which is one of the 7 wonders of the world but don’t @ me. i’m goin w the flow. 

check out my posts on my recos for tulum (and my honest thoughts on tulum), and quick tips for playa del carmen and cozumel while you’re at it and if you wanna make sure your trip is as vibey and seamless as you deserve it to be, let me plan your trip for you with my business Adventurelust!

adios! ❤️

COVID travel life.