We're Planning to Travel to Holbox in July I'm really hoping that Sylvia is exaggerating the dangers and corruption on Holbox as my family and I plan to travel there this July to swim with the Whale Sharks.
I'm not as concerned with the medical access she mentioned but I'm VERY concerned about drug violence since we are hearing more and more things in the news about drug violence in Mexico. We will be flying into Cancun and will probably take a bus to get to the ferry. Is this a safe route for tourists?
Again, I'm REALLY REALLY REALLY hoping that Sylvia's description of what she experienced/heard/read is atypical.
We'll be taking a 9 year old and a 13 year old boys.
Looking forward to hearing other people's experiences on Holbox.
Sylvia, are you serious? Yes, Sylvia's glass is definatley half empty!!! I have been to this hidden paradise 4 times and I love it more each time I come. There are problems everywhere if you look for them, like Sylvia did. But on Holbox, there are beautiful people, great food, and a relaxed lifestyle. I love it here, and would encourage anyone (except Sylvia) to come and visit. :)
answer to Sylvia I have just found this blog and Sylvia´s comments and i am shocked.How can people speak about a place they have just been for a week or so so badly without really making sure what they are saying is true.Most of it are lies , it is true about the loud music sometimes and the lack of some medical care although it is not as bad as she says.People are not dying around in the streets and falling like flies everyday as she says.The Italian guy was sent to jail because he beat up so badly the burglar that he was sent to hospital and was himself sent to jail after 3 days.I don´t know about the drugs as i never asked anyone about it .I have been coming and going to this island for the last 7 years and to me it is like a lost paradise , of course there are a lot of things to be improved but people there don´t want to be as perfect and know everything as Sylvia. The couple in the faro viejo hotel were never given generously 30 % of the shares ,where on earth have you seen that ?They bought them and bought another 22 % legally to Lucio who first agreed and then made a fuss because he wanted them back.The law is the law in Mexico , Italia or China and and people should be franker and think it twice before defaming other people.
She makes Holbox sound like Babylonia , the mayor is not that corrupt otherwise he would be in jail .It is so easy to use a computer and writing such nonsense,come to Holbox and see how beautiful and relaxing it is , i guarantee you will love it.This is an ecological reserve and people should make sure they know the rules before buying any land.
Please Sylvia stay in your house and keep looking at your half empty glass of water , mine is always half full,we are very happy here.
Holbox Et bien, comme quoi les apparences peuvent etre trompeuses! Je dois dire que mon experience est Holbox etait tres bonne, mais je ne suis reste que 2 jours. Je n'ai pas pu verifie les infos que Sylvia nous donne, mais voyageur avise, dans le doute abstiens toi!
Holbox In the Travel section, of the New-York Times, I read an encouraging editorial on Holbox, a Mexican island off the Yucatan Peninsula.
I followed their recommendation and planed my winter vacation in Holbox.
Subsequent to my experience, I truthfully think that this letter should be published to avoid a serious incident and maybe death to anyone who would like me follow their advise.
My very first night on this island has been a nightmare.
At 11.30 pm. I was brutally awaken by the loudest and most distressing music I ever heard. A techno-rap group called “Flash Gordon” played without interruption till 5 am.
The next morning, with scores of other tourists, I decided to leave this “paradise”. It was then that I heard from the hotel owners - disturbing tales of corruption, deceit and death. I decided to stay a few more days to investigate this “ecological paradise”. My findings reported here are only the tip of the iceberg.
Health. In Holbox, not only you risk to lose your sleep but also your life. Here are three tragedies that happened these last few months. In Hotel Tortugas, a tourist died of a minor heart attack; in the park, a 23 years old girl died of an asthma attack, a young man bled to death after a knife wound,. The reason: the simplest medical necessities like a defibrillator, oxygen or blood do not exist in Holbox.
The only doctor not always available though - is an inexperienced young girl, just out of Med School.
Drugs. From marihuana to cocaine, from amphetamines to crack, from ecstasy to heroine, drugs are readily available. I asked a perfect stranger in the street if it was possible to buy drugs. Without hesitation he offered to take me to three different sources.
The law. This true story will tell you what you as a tourist - should expect from the police. An Italian tourist called Enzio rented a two stories house. One day he heard noises on the ground floor. Wanting to check, he found a thief in the act of stealing. The police was called and instead of arresting the thief, they handcuffed the tourist and dragged him to jail where he was kept for two full days before he could talk to a lawyer. The thief, a drug addict teenager known for breaking into houses is still free and active, bequest of the local corrupt authorities.
Corruption. In spite of numerous complains, disregarding the well being of the tourists - lifeline of this island - the mayor keeps giving permission for all sorts of (frequently) illegal activities to take place, motivated only by lucrative kick-backs.
This corruption is putting in danger the very physical existence of this island. Holbox lives from its beaches yet, apart from a small section in the center of the village, most of the most beautiful beaches on the west side as well of those on the east side are disappearing or have already disappeared through criminal neglect. The solution to reverse this tragedy is available but the mayor preferred to use the money to buy for himself BMWs and a Harley Davidson.
Business: Here is another true story to enlighten anyone who would like to invest in Holbox. A few years ago, Lucio, an Italian businessman build the “Faro Viejo”, the first decent hotel on the island. He hired a married couple to manage the hotel. To motivate them, he gave them a generous 30% of the shares. As a result he lost his hotel, and in spite of years and tens of thousands of dollars in law suits, he is not even allowed to come near his own hotel without risking jail. Once more, compliment of the mayor.
I might also tell you the story of this young Canadian couple from Vancouver who bought a land for 18.000 $. Nobody told them that their land - crammed with mangroves - is protected by the environmental agency SEMARNAP and that nobody can build there..
This is only a few stories about Holbox, there are many, many others. Before venturing in there, your readers should know some of them.
Sylvia Lemoine
Le Peq
France 78110
et après tout ça, tu persistes et signes... ... en banque d'affs...
que de contraste, que d'incohérence...
je taquine, bien sûr. belles photos, beaux endroits, textes marrants...
@+
OUA! Tu passes un de ces temps dans les transports en commun! Au moins, tu vois du pays!!
Des belges!! C'est Titin qui aurait adoré être à ta place pour le coups! Tu as du bien te marrer!
Mais dis moi le frèrounet, tu apprends très vite!! Tu as réussi à trouver de la charmante compagnie!! Persévère, tu es en réel progrès!!
Le hamac, c'est mytic! Alors, la nuit était plutot sympa dans un hamac douillet ou super froide???
yes!! enfin un peu de confort! J'imagine que ça devait être le bonheur pour toi! Un SIEGE!!!!
Moi, je suis même alongée depuis une semaine!! (avec les grêves, je dors à la maison!!)
c troooooo boooooo!!!!!!
coucou tiennou!
c la deuxieme fois que je fais un petit tour sur ton blog...c épatant, époustouflant, trop magnifique!!! tu dois vraiment en avoir plein les yeux!
te souhaite très sincèrement une bonne suite de voyages...que tes aventures continuent!...
bisous
Chiapas je connais Je connais maintenant le Chiapas pour en avoir discuter avec la postière de Nantes.
Contraste : haute technologie en duplex avec toi et 4 postiers et postières muets devant un écran d'ordinateur pour utiliser Western Union.
Du style "Chiapas pas !"
Du coup qu'est-ce j'apprécie ces photos
OUA!!, c'est déjà fini.... Moi, ton voyage m'a crevé.. Et bien oui, à voir les photos avec les coms, on s'y croirait presque!!
Comme souvenir, tu nous ramènes des poules du marché que tu as si soigneusement pris en foto (en FRAUDE!)?? t'es trop sympa!!
(éspèront qu'elles survivent le long du voyage!! Sinon, ce sera du déliceux poulet typic du Guatemala! Miam...Miam...)
(t'en fait pas, ce n'est pas un sous entendu pour avoir des souvenir.. haha! Ton blog est le meilleur souvenir!!)
Et ben! Ton voyage est vraiment super! En tout cas, le résumer que tu en fait nous donne l'eau à la bouche!
C'est super sympa de faire un blog tientoon! j'ai hate de voir la suite de ce périple!
Au surf!!! Le pied! Tu pourras nous montrer au bateau tes exploits!! (enfin, si tu viens au bateau un de ces 4 et si on arrive à trouver des vagues..)
Mais, j'imagine bien le beau surfer avec le maillot à fleure et le collier en perles de bois...!
Tu as même pris une lancha pour venir sur ce site!! Tu as revu des crocodiles???
Oua!! Un volcan avec un rivière de lave! C'est complètement ouf!
C'est mieux que de voir de la lave séchée sur le vésuve et ne pas voir le cratère!! (cf:voyage en italie!)
Ouai, tu as raison, elle est tout à fait charmante! Mais non, tu ne t'égares pas, tu es sur la bonne voix!
Tu as raison, c'est fou comme la différence peut être flagrante!! Tu as l'occasion de découvrir plusieurs cultures tout en restant dans le même domaine, le pied!!
J'ai hate d'avoir le résumer avec tous les détails à la maison!!
Mais, ce n'est plus Indiana Jones, c'est Etienne de Belloy!! (tu dois être fière de porter le même nom de famille que moi...!)
Tu as fait ami-ami avec des singes??
au fait, je l'ai toujours pas dit dans mes comments, mais Etienne, tu cartonnes!!
Si si!! J'insiste, j'aurais adorée être avec toi pendant ce voyage!! Pour bien rigoler avec rasta man!! Mais surout, faire du cheval pour visiter un sit, c'est trop génial comme idée!! Et alors, tu as chuté?? (et oui, les moments croustillants sont super sympa à connaitre!!! euh...haha!)
En tout cas, je vois que tu as pu découvrire des sites super beaux!
Ca y est, le mois de vacances tant attendu (et tant mérité!) est enfin arrivé, et je quitte la grisaille et les giboulées parisiennes pour des cieux plus cléments. A moi les plages paradisiaques des Cayes de Belize et leurs bareilles de corail, la jungle tropicale de l'arrière-pays guatemaltèque, les vagues de la côte Pacifique, les temples mayas au milieu des singes hurleurs et des toucans, les montagnes du Chiapas, et le Spring Break de Cancun!
Ce blog est là pour partager avec vous l'inoubliable, le grandiose, le magnifique, bref, le grand rêve de l'aventure, sac sur le dos, gu... full info
LuseeEdwards
non-member comment
We're Planning to Travel to Holbox in July
I'm really hoping that Sylvia is exaggerating the dangers and corruption on Holbox as my family and I plan to travel there this July to swim with the Whale Sharks. I'm not as concerned with the medical access she mentioned but I'm VERY concerned about drug violence since we are hearing more and more things in the news about drug violence in Mexico. We will be flying into Cancun and will probably take a bus to get to the ferry. Is this a safe route for tourists? Again, I'm REALLY REALLY REALLY hoping that Sylvia's description of what she experienced/heard/read is atypical. We'll be taking a 9 year old and a 13 year old boys. Looking forward to hearing other people's experiences on Holbox.