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Bucketlist Bri

Bucketlist Bri

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Isla Holbox, Mexico: Ultimate Travel Guide

Last Updated: June 23, 2023 · Mexico, Riviera Maya

Holbox (pronounced hole-boshe) is a tropical, car-free, and carefree island off the northern coast of the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico.

It’s not your average island; hammocks gently float atop the turquoise water and in lieu of paved streets like in Cozumel or Isla Mujeres, you have sandy roads navigable only by bike, foot, or golf cart.

But it’s got all the other island stuff too, of course. White sand beaches are aplenty, colorful cocktails adorn the beachfront tables and chairs, palm trees wave in the breeze, and there are enough mosquitoes to go around the island twice! 

You name it, Isla Holbox probably has it—except maybe for fast wifi (island internet tends to cut out)!

Holbox Island is basically a beach bum’s paradise. And did I mention there are epic outdoor activities to do as well?

Think snorkeling, swimming with whale sharks, and splashing around at midnight to illuminate the bioluminescence!

So if you’re wanting to travel to Holbox and enjoy the best things to do there, then read on!

Isla Holbox Ultimate Guide: 10 Best Things to Do (& Not Do!) including the best beaches, where to stay, how to get there, and more Holbox travel tips! #holbox #mexico #island #travel | bucketlist bri
Isla Holbox Ultimate Guide: 10 Best Things to Do (& Not Do!)

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links that may earn me a small commission should you decide to click through and make a valid purchase (at no extra cost to you). Thanks so much for your support!

Here is my ultimate Isla Holbox travel guide, including the best things to do, mistakes to avoid, when to go, how to get there, where to stay, and more!

Practical Tips & Resources for Isla Holbox:

✈️ Find affordable flights to Cancun, Mexico on KAYAK from $99+

🚗 Rent a car from Cancun to Chiquila Ferry Port on Discovercars.com

🏠 Stay at one of these cute, top-rated hotels on Holbox 

🎒 Pack water, a cute day backpack, and wear comfy walking shoes (psst… they’re sustainable!)

📸 Bring your SonyA7iii and all-around 24-70mm travel lens for epic shots!

🛡 Insure your island adventures with SafetyWing, the global travel medical insurance for nomads ($40/4 weeks)

🎟️ Book with GetYourGuide for fun activities & tours in Holbox

Table of Contents show
Top 10 Things to Do in Holbox, Mexico
1. Hang out on the beaches at Punta Mosquito (east) and Punta Coco (west)
2. Rent a bike and explore the island
3. Witness the bioluminescence at night
4. Volunteer at the Refugio Holbox Animal Sanctuary
5. Swim & snorkel ethically with whale sharks!
6. Lounge in a Holbox hammock… or swing!
7. Shop & eat your way around downtown Holbox
8. Hike across the sand bar to the Yum Balam Protection Area
9. Boat tour to Cabo Catoche
10. Jump in the refreshing Yalahau Lagoon
What NOT to Do in Holbox (Mistakes to Avoid)
Don’t rely on the taxi golf cart guides!
Don’t wait to book your trip or reserve a restaurant
Don’t just eat the Holbox lobster pizza 🙂
Don’t overpay for golf carts or tours
Don’t approach or encounter wildlife irresponsibly
Final Holbox Island Travel Tips
Best Time to Visit Isla Holbox
How to Get to Holbox
Where to Stay on Holbox Island?
Packing
Catching the sunset
Tipping
Recommended places to eat
Getting a golf cart taxi
Shop and eat at the local market
Taking the ferry from Chiquila to Holbox and back

Top 10 Things to Do in Holbox, Mexico

Let’s start with the top ten things to do in Isla Holbox! Read further down for things to avoid when visiting Holbox that are important to keep in mind when planning your trip.

Isla Holbox Ultimate Guide: 10 Best Things to Do (& Not Do!) including the best beaches, where to stay, how to get there, and more Holbox travel tips! #holbox #mexico #island #travel | bucketlist bri
Welcome to Holbox!

1. Hang out on the beaches at Punta Mosquito (east) and Punta Coco (west)

When you visit Holbox chances are you’re going to hit up the beaches! After all, you are on a wild, tropical island! The best beaches in Holbox are Punta Mosquito to the east and Punta Coco to the west.

Punta Mosquito is a nice escape and has a long stretch of beach and sand bar and tranquil, turquoise water. The road to get there is long, however. From downtown Holbox, it takes over an hour of walking and a good 20+ minute golf cart ride (or more depending on the road conditions).

You could also rent a bike for the day. In any case, visiting Punta Mosquito is worth it! Sometimes you can spot flamingos at Punta Mosquito. Here you’ll find iconic Holbox hammocks hanging just above the crystal-clear water.

A great spot for hanging out in a Holbox hammock near Punta Mosquito

Punta Coco is the best place to catch a famous Isla Holbox sunset and this is also where you will be able to see the bioluminescence (more on that in a bit). You can also see flamingos here if you go early enough in the morning and in-season. If you wander around the coastline, you might find some fun swings or hammocks out in the shallow water.

Tips for visiting both: Bring bike locks if you rent a bike since you can’t take them on the beach with you. It’s also wise to bring some repellent (preferably natural and non-toxic) as there are mosquitos and even pesky sand fleas.

Isla Holbox Ultimate Guide: 10 Best Things to Do (& Not Do!) including the best beaches, where to stay, how to get there, and more Holbox travel tips! #holbox #mexico #island #travel | bucketlist bri
Punta Coco

2. Rent a bike and explore the island

There is so much to see in Holbox, more than just the beaches. Getting around Isla Holbox can be a real pain, especially when it’s crowded because there are only a limited number of golf carts “taxis” and renting your own is more expensive than renting a bike.

Bikes are just more fun, anyway! You can reach places faster this way too. It costs around $250 pesos to rent a bike in Holbox for the day.

Isla Holbox Ultimate Guide: 10 Best Things to Do (& Not Do!) including the best beaches, where to stay, how to get there, and more Holbox travel tips! #holbox #mexico #island #travel | bucketlist bri
Rent a bike a ride out to secluded beaches on Holbox Island like this!

3. Witness the bioluminescence at night

Weather permitting, you can see bioluminescence in Holbox and it’s definitely a unique experience! But don’t set your expectations too high. The bioluminescence isn’t as bright as you might think and the island really hypes it up by offering pricey bioluminescent tours. You can visit them on your own if you know where to go. You can follow another golf cart to the location or ask your hotel/campground for the best spot which is usually somewhere at Punta Coco.

The conditions have to be right (dark sky, clear night, no rain) for you to really see them. You have to shut off all lights and wade in the water to activate them.

If you move your feet and hands around you can see the bioluminescence light up like sparkles! It’s fun and interesting, and worth experiencing while in Holbox.

Isla Holbox Ultimate Guide: 10 Best Things to Do (& Not Do!) including the best beaches, where to stay, how to get there, and more Holbox travel tips! #holbox #mexico #island #travel | bucketlist bri
Ask around to know when the best time to see the bioluminescence is

4. Volunteer at the Refugio Holbox Animal Sanctuary

The Refugio Holbox Animal Sanctuary is a local animal shelter that takes in and cares for unsheltered domestic animals as well as injured or sick wildlife on the island. Many dogs, cats, birds, and even raccoons are sheltered here and receive care from the volunteers.

If you love to give back to the communities you visit and if you are an animal lover, consider stopping by to lend a helping hand! There are several ways to get involved from walking animals, giving hugs, masonry, training, graphic design – all sorts!

Address: Calle Tintorera, Holbox, Q.R., Mexico next to the regional airport.

5. Swim & snorkel ethically with whale sharks!

Holbox is home to lots of wildlife, including whale sharks! Whale sharks frequent the island during the peak season between July-September, so if you’re traveling in Mexico over the winter holidays (as many are), you might miss them.

But if you’re in Holbox during this time, consider booking a tour. It’s so important to book with an eco-tour, though, as many companies mistreat and disrespect these gentle giants. VIP Holbox is one of the best tours to experience whale sharks ethically and responsibly. The guides are well trained and will guide you on how to stay safe while practicing mindful tourism. They even provide biodegradable sunscreen in case you don’t have any!

Book your whale sharks eco-tour with VIP Holbox here

Isla Holbox Ultimate Guide: 10 Best Things to Do (& Not Do!) including the best beaches, where to stay, how to get there, and more Holbox travel tips! #holbox #mexico #island #travel | bucketlist bri
We weren’t there at the right time to see whale sharks, but I did see a baby manta ray!

6. Lounge in a Holbox hammock… or swing!

Holbox is so tropical and laidback that it makes you just want to bask in the sun from the seat of your hammock! Hammocks in Holbox are typically found a few feet into the shallow, clear water. They are extremely popular so it’s not guaranteed you’ll find an empty one.

Playa Holbox has several, Punta Coco, and Punta Mosquito has a few as well. Alternatively, most of the beachfront boutique hotels will have their own version of a lounger, hammock, or cabana where you can chill out while still being in reach of bar service. Otherwise, Holbox has random hidden water swings, like this one!

Isla Holbox Ultimate Guide: 10 Best Things to Do (& Not Do!) including the best beaches, where to stay, how to get there, and more Holbox travel tips! #holbox #mexico #island #travel | bucketlist bri
We got lost somewhere along the Punta Coco coastline and found these swings!

7. Shop & eat your way around downtown Holbox

Downtown Holbox is the hub of activity in Holbox and for good reason! Plenty of boho shops and trendy restaurants line the streets and central square in Holbox.

Prices for shops and even restaurants range anywhere from frugal to luxury so the best is to just explore around to see what’s there! Support local shops and handmade items first before diving into the mass-produced souvenirs. More on where to eat in Holbox below!

Isla Holbox Ultimate Guide: 10 Best Things to Do (& Not Do!) including the best beaches, where to stay, how to get there, and more Holbox travel tips! #holbox #mexico #island #travel | bucketlist bri
Holbox Island has super cute shops and tasty + trendy restaurants

8. Hike across the sand bar to the Yum Balam Protection Area

The Yum Balam Flora and Fauna Protection Area is prized as one of the best places to birdwatch in Holbox with over 420 bird species. But you have to go early when the tide is out! To get there you have two options: walk or take a boat tour.

We decided to walk and it was awfully beautiful traversing the crystal clear water. However, the tide rises by late morning and we found ourselves having difficulty navigating back. It was actually pretty exhausting, and not a great idea for traveling with large groups. Nevertheless, the stretch of the coastline is beautiful. Walking there and back will take several hours, so go prepared with water and snacks!

Isla Holbox Ultimate Guide: 10 Best Things to Do (& Not Do!) including the best beaches, where to stay, how to get there, and more Holbox travel tips! #holbox #mexico #island #travel | bucketlist bri
We finally reached the Yum Balam sign but were too tired to keep going

9. Boat tour to Cabo Catoche

Cabo Catoche is where the first European settlers touched land! It sits east of Isla Holbox where the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean sea meet and is the northernmost point of the Yucatan Peninsula.

If you’re up for the task, a boat tour to Cabo Catoche is a great way to see the water from a different perspective as most tours offer snorkeling expeditions in their Cabo Catoche tour package. Book your tour with VIP Holbox here!

10. Jump in the refreshing Yalahau Lagoon

The Yalahau Lagoon is a freshwater spring (not a cenote) great for refreshing off in cool, teal-colored water. While the Yalahau Lagoon isn’t on Isla Holbox at all (it’s across the bay on the Chiquila side), the best way to get there is with a boat tour from Holbox.

You could also take a tour from Chiquila I suppose, but when we inquired at our hotel it cost too much and we also ran out of time. The 3-island boat tour from Holbox covers Passion Island, Isla Pajaros (bird island), and the Yalahau Lagoon.

Isla Holbox Ultimate Guide: 10 Best Things to Do (& Not Do!) including the best beaches, where to stay, how to get there, and more Holbox travel tips! #holbox #mexico #island #travel | bucketlist bri
Holbox’s picturesque beaches

What NOT to Do in Holbox (Mistakes to Avoid)

For a long time, Holbox has been the destination where people go to escape the crowds and conundrum along the Riviera Maya. But not for long… Holbox has seen a surge in tourism over the past few years and that’s only expected to rise.

With that being said, we took away a few lessons from our trip to Holbox over the Christmas holidays that I want to share with you here!

Don’t rely on the taxi golf cart guides!

There are places that welcome you with warm hospitality and sadly, Holbox didn’t leave that impression on us. As soon as we stepped off that boat from Chiquila, golf cart drivers were shouting and waving everyone to form a line. If you didn’t know where you were going right away or didn’t accept their going price, you got skipped. And they overcharge.

Isla Holbox Ultimate Guide: 10 Best Things to Do (& Not Do!) including the best beaches, where to stay, how to get there, and more Holbox travel tips! #holbox #mexico #island #travel | bucketlist bri
The ferry port in Holbox

Not only that, but these golf carts are limited in number and over the holidays (we were there for New Year’s), lots of the golf carts stop service because the drivers want to be with their families. This left us waiting for hours (literally hours) for a taxi to pick us up from our campground just so we could go hang out in downtown. Our campground was only a 2-mile drive away, but with the flooded roads and potholes, it took a cart at least 30-45 minutes roundtrip. And we needed 3 golf carts since we were traveling with a large family.

Isla Holbox Ultimate Guide: 10 Best Things to Do (& Not Do!) including the best beaches, where to stay, how to get there, and more Holbox travel tips! #holbox #mexico #island #travel | bucketlist bri

But the worst bit was on our final day when golf cart drivers promised to go pick up the rest of our family. Except they never did! And without phone service to reach them (plus the campground didn’t have wifi), we relied on trusting the golf cart drivers to go pick them up and come back. It took us over 3-4 hours to get our family back together. I can’t explain the toll this took on everyone. It was nightmarish just to get anywhere with a golf cart in Holbox.

Don’t wait to book your trip or reserve a restaurant

We thought Holbox was going to be easy-going, as in you didn’t need to reserve way ahead for anything. Restaurants are jam-packed, and all the best places to stay are booked quickly. Hence why we ended up at a campground in the first place, despite booking 6 weeks in advance.

Don’t just eat the Holbox lobster pizza 🙂

Lobster pizza has become a Holbox staple. And restaurants know that tourists want to try it! While you should definitely explore your taste buds, there is more to Holbox’s food scene! Lots of the traditional Mexican dishes get overlooked, so consider supporting small by eating at local food stalls for a meal or two.

Roots Pizza

Don’t overpay for golf carts or tours

You need to sharpen your negotiation skills because Holbox has sharpened theirs.

Most prices from golf cart taxis are overpriced, so try to haggle a little (but not too much). Likewise, tours can be extremely expensive. Consider finding another group to team up with to reduce the cost for everyone. Instead of 4, combine it to make a group of 8, and you’ll probably end up with a discount. And if you do pay full price for a tour, at least make sure you are booking with a responsible company that makes safety and respect for the environment a priority.

Don’t approach or encounter wildlife irresponsibly

Holbox Island is home to lots of land + sea species that deserve our respect! Please don’t touch underwater sea creatures, disturb local fauna and flora, or pick up baby turtle hatchlings.

Report any injured animal to the Refugio Animal Sanctuary. Also, I know I said this before but please consider using biodegradable, reef-friendly sunscreen!

Isla Holbox Ultimate Guide: 10 Best Things to Do (& Not Do!) including the best beaches, where to stay, how to get there, and more Holbox travel tips! #holbox #mexico #island #travel | bucketlist bri
No me toques, por favor 🙂 

Final Holbox Island Travel Tips

Best Time to Visit Isla Holbox

With Holbox gaining in popularity, visiting over the peak season (November/December – April) is going to become more crowded. But is that when it’s best to visit Holbox, anyway? It all depends on what you want to see and do.

For example, if you’re really wanting to swim and snorkel with whale sharks, know that you won’t be able to do this unless you travel to Holbox between late June and September (varies). The weather is probably the best from December on, however, as it’s the dry season (that didn’t prevent the flood we had for New Year though). The rainy season in Holbox lasts from May through to October.

Isla Holbox Ultimate Guide: 10 Best Things to Do (& Not Do!) including the best beaches, where to stay, how to get there, and more Holbox travel tips! #holbox #mexico #island #travel | bucketlist bri
Downtown Holbox with a few feet of flooding from an unexpected torrential rain (New Year’s Eve)

How to Get to Holbox

Getting to Isla Holbox is pretty easy. You just need to drive to the town of Chiquila and then take a short ferry ride over to Holbox Island.

Nearest airport: Cancún or Mérida (check for cheap flight deals here)

Driving to Chiquila: Follow Hwy 5. Driving time from Cancun or Valladolid takes 2hrs and from Tulum or Playa del Carmen 2.5hrs.

Chiquila remains a remote, local town. So don’t expect loads of restaurants and amenities. It’s a cute town and the locals have quickly set up homemade micro-businesses by safekeeping tourists’ cars in their backyard parking lots while they visit Holbox. 

Parking in Chiquila costs around $6 USD per day per vehicle.

Where to Stay on Holbox Island?

Holbox has hundreds of good places to stay and they range from budget-friendly hostels and campgrounds to mid-range boutique hotels, to full-fledged luxurious beachfront resorts.

We stayed at the Balam Eco-Camping and while it’s great for the sustainable traveler, it’s not great for traveling to/from downtown or for traveling with families or large groups.

Isla Holbox Ultimate Guide: 10 Best Things to Do (& Not Do!) including the best beaches, where to stay, how to get there, and more Holbox travel tips! #holbox #mexico #island #travel | bucketlist bri
Isla Holbox Ultimate Guide: 10 Best Things to Do (& Not Do!) including the best beaches, where to stay, how to get there, and more Holbox travel tips! #holbox #mexico #island #travel | bucketlist bri
Balam eco camping, a mindful and budget-friendly + remote place to stay near Punta Coco

Holbox Island has so much to offer, see and do, so make sure to get out and enjoy it! Here are some final tips for visiting Isla Holbox.

Packing

As I said, Holbox is a beach bum’s paradise. The weather stays tropical year-round so you’ll hardly need a sweater except for those chilly nights. Pack several swimsuits and a micro-fiber towel for quick-dry. You won’t need much in your suitcase, and if fact, travel with only a backpack if you can. The sandy roads aren’t ideal for strolling a suitcase.

Also Read: The Ultimate Packing List for Mexico (+ Free Printable)

Catching the sunset

The island has many beaches but one of the best places in Holbox for sunset is at Punta Coco. To the left of the pier is a semi-private beach with hammocks in the trees and with bar service. There was hardly anyone when we went and we got to snag a couple of hammocks!

Isla Holbox Ultimate Guide: 10 Best Things to Do (& Not Do!) including the best beaches, where to stay, how to get there, and more Holbox travel tips! #holbox #mexico #island #travel | bucketlist bri
Sunset at Punta Coco

Tipping

Tipping in Mexico is a pretty big deal, and Holbox Island is no exception! It’s common to tip at least 15-20% like in the States. You don’t have to tip the golf cart driver, though sometimes if they were really honest and courteous we did give a tiny bit more.

Recommended places to eat

Holbox has a boho style and feel, and with that comes hippie-style bars, restaurants, and cafes. Roots is a delicious pizzeria serving up some fire-roasted dough with specialty drinks (and yes, they serve lobster pizza!) If you want sushi and seafood, head to Tamashi.

Fancy a French-style breakfast? Le Jardin is made for that. And Las Panchas is great for Mexican fare plus fresh ceviche.

Isla Holbox Ultimate Guide: 10 Best Things to Do (& Not Do!) including the best beaches, where to stay, how to get there, and more Holbox travel tips! #holbox #mexico #island #travel | bucketlist bri
Treating myself to some island sangria!

Getting a golf cart taxi

You have to queue at the corner of the central square downtown to grab a taxi. It is based on a first-come-first-serve basis so if the weather turns sour, the line can get long pretty quickly.

Shop and eat at the local market

The Mercado Municipal in Holbox often gets overlooked by tourists because it’s a very local place tourists wouldn’t think to eat at. But actually, coming here for breakfast is quite the local thing to do and a delicious one at that!

We ate at a family-run bar next to a juice stand and the sweet lady whipped us up some of the best quesadillas and empanadas we had on our entire trip. Everybody ordered seconds. And it was extremely well-priced at a typical local rate.

Isla Holbox Ultimate Guide: 10 Best Things to Do (& Not Do!) including the best beaches, where to stay, how to get there, and more Holbox travel tips! #holbox #mexico #island #travel | bucketlist bri
Having breakfast at the Mercado Municipal was a highlight of our dining experiences in Holbox

Taking the ferry from Chiquila to Holbox and back

The ferry from Chiquila to Holbox is pretty straightforward. There are two ticket counters in front of the port that offer the same ticket. The ticket counters just alternate every hour or something so it can seem confusing. The price one way is around $150 and a ferry goes every half hour.

Isla Holbox is a beautiful, tropical destination in Mexico that’s not to be missed! It’s very different from the other island vibes on the Riviera Maya and it’s worth the extra effort to get there, as not everybody does (despite the increase in popularity).

I hope this guide to Holbox, Mexico helps you plan your stay! If you have questions about visiting Holbox, feel free to drop your thoughts with me below or shoot me an email. Thanks for reading!

xx Bri

Isla Holbox Ultimate Guide: 10 Best Things to Do (& Not Do!) including the best beaches, where to stay, how to get there, and more Holbox travel tips! #holbox #mexico #island #travel | bucketlist bri
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By: Bri · In: Mexico, Riviera Maya

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Comments

  1. Marcella says

    October 3, 2021 at 3:25 pm

    Hi! What a great article about Isla Holbox! How is the island with New Year’s Eve? Do you know if there are small beach parties?

    Reply
    • Bri says

      October 4, 2021 at 8:27 am

      Hey Marcella! Thanks for your comment. It’s hard to say how the situation is now, but I imagine there will still be parties going on! People do go to the beaches, but unfortunately, it flooded on NYE so we hung out in town and took shelter in a restaurant lol. That said, it was so packed for NYE in Holbox, and I would’ve much prefered to enjoy the island during the off-season. Tip — stay in a hotel around town and not off-grid so to speak, because taxis (golf carts) don’t like to go out of their way when they could be making much more $ sticking around the busy downtown area and making small trips for the same price. If you go, I hope you have a fun time! x

      Reply
  2. sam says

    December 5, 2019 at 7:51 pm

    I had no idea you could see bioluminescence in Mexico! That is so cool! I was able to see it in Puerto Rico but I would love to see it here! Isla Holbox looks so amazing, I just added it to my bucket list!

    Reply
    • Bri says

      December 6, 2019 at 3:15 pm

      Yay happy to hear that, Sam! I have family in PR and have always wanted to visit! Maybe we’ll swap – you see it in MX and I’ll go in PR! haha 🙂

      Reply
  3. Rocio says

    December 5, 2019 at 1:48 pm

    Wow, How I haven’t heard about this place. It looks so dreamy and beautiful. You share great information on this blog and I am adding this to my bucket list

    Reply
    • Bri says

      December 6, 2019 at 3:13 pm

      Aww happy to hear that! Hope you get to go one day! xx

      Reply
  4. Amanda says

    December 5, 2019 at 4:14 am

    Such a great guide! The photos are absolutely amazing, makes me wanna go to Mexico – I haven’t been there yet!

    Reply
    • Bri says

      December 6, 2019 at 3:13 pm

      Thanks, Amanda! You’d love it chica you must come!!

      Reply
  5. Meghan Emcee says

    December 5, 2019 at 3:03 am

    This is a really great guide to Holbox, inspired me to look into planning a trip there. Could use a break from the Montreal winter that already started a month ago!

    Reply
    • Bri says

      December 6, 2019 at 3:12 pm

      Thank you! Bbrrrr! Yeah, wintertime would be a great time to go. And if you go early December you might be the New Year and Christmas crowd!

      Reply
  6. Kay says

    December 4, 2019 at 10:58 pm

    This is great! I’ll be on Isla Mujeres for a wedding next year…do you know if there are any ferries between the two?

    Reply
    • Bri says

      December 6, 2019 at 3:11 pm

      Wow that’s going to be beautiful! And unfortunately, I don’t think so but I’m not entirely sure. You’d probably have to take the bus to Chiquila first then take the ferry to Holbox.

      Reply

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I’m Bri, an adventurous digital nomad living abroad full-time since 2015. It is my hope to inspire you to live a life of adventure, seek out meaningful experiences, and travel slowly and mindfully!

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Traveling solo in Nepal has awakened in me a confi Traveling solo in Nepal has awakened in me a confidence & sense of self (at the risk of sounding cliché), of “my essence” and inner Knowing, and where my compassion and passions mingle and thrive. I was reading some of your comments on my recent Reel about solo travel and how I put myself at great risk/in danger. But as I was telling my Tibetan friend, Sonam, tonight (yes, the new one I made last week!), I inform my decisions mostly by 1. Asking myself, “Would this make a good story?” and 2. Listening to my body and emotions. Yes, it’s risky to travel solo, to be a female in a male-dominated culture, to go out after hours with people you just met, etc. But doing that — and all the magic that followed by “allowing” — reminded me exactly of who I am at my core: Curious and open to the world, willing to get uncomfortable for the sake of finding magic and serendipity. Some of you said, “I’m too scared to do this, how do you overcome that fear of personal safety?” And to this I say, I don’t! Fear accompanies me along the journey. Living life is one big risk. It’s uncomfortable to be open, vulnerable, and unsure. But once you accept that and once you begin to let compassion and curiosity guide you rather than your fear, the real magic starts to happen in all areas of life, not just travel. I find these moments most in travel though, when I’m confronted with contrast and am left vulnerable to the world and the kindness of my fellow humans. My Reels are not meant to romanticize or gloss over very real risks/threats in life, but rather to share a real account of what’s possible (adventure, connections, love, etc) when you worry less about societal norms and what’s “safe not safe” “right not right” and allow your over-active fears to take a backseat. 
This is your reminder to trust your inner compass to guide you in writing your epic life story. ✨✨

To sum it up: 

1. Choose a life of adventure 
2. Stay curious
3. Get comfortable with being uncomfortable (otherwise said, seek discomfort)
4. Let love and light flow in and out 
5. Change is the only constant 

#solotravel #nepaltravel #solofemaletraveler #soloadventure #localtravel #trekkingnepal #adventurethatislife
The strength of women 💛 These ladies were lau The strength of women 💛 

These ladies were laughing so sweetly while filling up their water jugs at the Manga Hiti fountain in Patan. I watched them for a while and then plucked up the courage to ask if I could take their photos, which only made them giggle more. 

I've always felt that not being able to communicate in the same language makes for even more interesting encounters. Without words, we have to touch each other's humanity with eyes and gestures, and most of the time it leads to unspoken mutual understanding, acceptance, and love. We three walked away with the biggest smiles on our faces. I yelled out "Dhayabad!" (Thank you!) as they hoisted their jugs up the stairs, laughing all the way. I won't forget this shared moment between us 🙏 

Check stories for the landscape orientation for some of these photos ✨ 

#nepal #nepalnow #nepalphotography #nepaliculture #nepalisbeautiful #natgeoyourshot #patan #kathmanduvalley #lifetimeexperiences #photonepal #nepaltravel
Did you feel it? Nepal’s ancient wisdom, its swi Did you feel it? Nepal’s ancient wisdom, its swirling spirituality, its raw humanity? ✨🇳🇵❤️

#nepal #visitnepal #nepalnow #travelstories #localtravel #mindfultravel #slowtravel #natgeotravel
When you say “yes” as a solo traveler and stay When you say “yes” as a solo traveler and stay open to the randomness of life and the kindness of strangers, really wonderful memories can be made. Thank you Lama family and my new Tibetan friends for such a fun and insightful sequence of experiences 🙏 💛

#solotravel #localtravel #nepaltravel #nepaldiaries #nepali #solofemaletravel #kathmandunepal #thamel #tibetanfood #solotraveldiaries
My first week back in the chaos of Kathmandu, 💛 My first week back in the chaos of Kathmandu, 💛 

Being back after 7 long years away has jolted my body, brain, and spirit. At first, I felt overwhelmed with the recurring thought of, "I don't know what to do with myself." It was only when acceptance knocked on my door, and I finally decided to let it in, that things began to shift and flow.
 
In Nepal, particularly Kathmandu, everything around me swarms like a hive. I have nowhere else to go but inside myself. I've discovered through years of slow traveling (and solo travel) that peace awaits me there -- a sense of independence, power, and knowing that is still, comforting, and safe. And I can tap into it whenever I need to.

Chaos and peace reside in all of us, and Nepal has a cosmic, ancient way of reminding you of just that. 

📍 Patan Durbar Square, Lalitpur

#nepaltravel #patan #durbarsquare #nepalphotography #slowtravel #nepal #solotravel #lalitpur
They ask, “Why?” I was 29 when I embarked on They ask, “Why?” 

I was 29 when I embarked on the plane on the 21st, and 30 when I disembarked on the 23rd. How fitting. I spent all of my 20s abroad (except for my two final semesters in undergrad), and moved to Nepal when I was 21. 

What better way to say goodbye to my twenties than by returning to the start? I felt the desperate urge to start my 30s this way—alone on a one-way ticket with no concrete plans. I have both feared and longed to come back all these years. You see, I had made a promise to one of my closest Nepali friends that I’d see her again, but the reality is that I no longer can. 

She, along with another dear friend, passed away from cancer a couple of years back. The thought of returning to my old life here without my friends made me, well, incredibly sad. I had thought that, upon landing in Kathmandu—or taking a bite of my first momo—after so long, I’d find myself bursting into tears of both grief and gratitude. But I didn’t. Instead, I found familiarity in the chaos and chaos in the strangeness. 

Just being here—and the decisions and actions it took to get here—has reminded me of the preciousness of this one very short life. And that, by choosing to celebrate mine—at the exciting turn of a decade no less—by coming back to Nepal on a solo trip that would force me into daring discomfort when I could instead retreat to the comforts of family or my partner, is how I want to live it.

Truth is, a couple of months ago the thought of Nepal felt out of reach. It felt risky, unattainable. But the idea itself pushed open, just a crack at first, a door that had been otherwise closed. I could have more easily ignored my “what if?” daydreams—calling them off as too hard, too uncomfortable, or too far-fetched to actually pursue—and kept it shut.
But sometime in mid-July, I decided to look at flights. And I found one (truly, just one) option that could work. And it just so happened that it would fall on my birthday, or rather bridge my birthday. The idea of getting on a plane at 29 and getting off it at 30—back in Nepal—sold me. I fell in love with the story, the adventure, the unknowingness of it all. 

So, yeah. That’s why. Or as I prefer, “Why not?”
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