Shh! 8 Reasons Why Isla Holbox Is The World’s Best Kept Secret

What if I told you that just two hours away from Cancun, one of the world's most popular tourist destinations, lies the world's best kept secret. Meet Isla Holbox, whose Mayan translation means "black hole" and it certainly is. You'll get sucked in and never want to leave. Here are 8 reasons why...

1. Whale Sharks

Jones / Getty Images / Via lonelyplanet.com

If there is any chance you'll ever run into anyone that's heard of Isla Holbox, and you won't, but it would be because of the whale sharks. Clocking in at 60 feet long and an average 41,000 pounds, the world's largest fish migrates to this area every summer. Between June and September you can take a day trip with one of the island's local eco tourism companies out to where the Gulf of Mexico meets the Caribbean Sea and experience a rare opportunity to swim with these gentle giants. The locals call them "domino fish." We just missed them last year so we're heading back this August to try our luck again.

2. No cars allowed

Via indianajo.com

You won't need a driver's license to get around Isla Holbox, a bike will do just fine. In fact it's your only option unless you walk. There's no rush - you're on island time. Don't worry though, if you need assistance getting around they have taxi golf carts.

3. The street art

Via thefairytaletraveler.com

As you are out exploring your new island keep your eyes peeled for the incredible street art you'll find. In fact the island hosts a festival each year that draws in artists from all over.

4. This beach bar

Via Facebook: thehotcornerholbox

The Hot Corner is a must visit beach bar with live music and cold beer. We walked to this little spot several nights after dinner. Live music starts at 10 pm but watch out... the mezcal shots flow like water.

5. Lobster pizza

Via tripadvisor.com

Yup! You read that right. Like any good secret island, lobster is king on Isla Holbox. I ate it daily. I had incredibly delicious and very inexpensive grilled lobster tail multiple nights. I had lobster quesadilla for lunch. But the strangest and best way I had lobster was right on top of a pizza. This is no pineapple on a pizza kinda debate either. It's that good and everyone agrees. Island lore is that long ago Italian pirates settled on Holbox. I don't know if it's true but you'll find incredible Italian fare all over the island. I never expected to find Italian food that rivaled Rome on a tiny Mexican island but then again... that's why this place is the world's best kept secret.

6. Cooper

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I judge most people on the way they treat animals so when I found an entire island full of dog lovers it was a match made in heaven. We fell in love with one local golden retriever named Cooper. Cooper spent his days right alongside us on the beach, rolling in sand and "fishing" in the Gulf. He'd stalk a pack of fish and then pounce in the water trying to catch them. He never actually caught anything but he never stopped trying. In the evenings we'd see Cooper out trying to score table scraps from all the people he swam with and entertained that day. We got to know Cooper the best but the island has many friendly dogs. In fact there is a great animal shelter on the island - Refugio Holbox. We plan to bring down some leashes and other pet supplies on our next trip. Stop by the shelter and pick up a pup for a walk as you explore.

7. The sunsets

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This one kinda speaks for itself. Each evening after a shower and a post beach nap we'd walk back down to watch the sunset before heading into town for dinner. Every night the sun put on a different kind of show depending on the cloud cover but one thing was always the same (besides the frozen cocktail accompaniment) - it never disappointed!

8. Because there's nothing to do...

Via tripadvisor.es

I love to travel and usually when I do I fill my days with taking in all that I can. Museums, walking tours, shops, natural attractions. When I visit a new place I want to leave having seen as much of it as possible. I want to soak it all in. This is still true for Isla Holbox it's just that, on a 26 mile island (where most of it is a nature preserve) you can do it in one day. So how do you spend the rest of your vacation? Relaxing. I naturally woke up at 7 am every day (this never happens) but I couldn't wait to get down to the beach to... do nothing! It was one of those rare vacations that once it was over, I didn't feel like I needed a vacation from my vacation. We decided that a week of doing nothing wasn't long enough so this year we're staying longer. If you're looking for me I'll be on a beach bed.