CasaSandra, a luxury hotel on Isla Holbox — Photo courtesy of CasaSandra Hotel
A few hours from Cancun, by boat, is Isla Holbox, a small island with roughly 2,000 inhabitants. Isla Holbox is truly a place where you can get away from it all. People drive golf carts on the island, instead of cars, but bicycles, mopeds, and walking are other popular modes of transportation. The streets are unpaved, cell phone service is sketchy, at best, there is no hospital, and there is only one ATM on the island; a relatively new addition, but it's often empty. The lack of all of these things are actually some of the reasons why this charming little island is beloved by many.
On the tiny island paradise of Isla Holbox, there are rental homes and hotels to suit all budgets. Casa Sandra is one of the nicest and most romantic hotels on the island. It offers more amenities than most and is the home of Isla Holbox's only gourmet restaurant.
Casa Sandra was originally built to be an artist's retreat, but it has turned into an upscale, yet casual and relaxed, hotel. (There are no "stuffy" or pretentious places on the island.) Recently, the hotel began offering a new cultural activity for its guests; tequila tastings. The tequila tastings are conducted by the hotel's tequila expert, who hails from the Mexican state of Jalisco, from where tequila originated.
During the tequila tastings, participants will learn the history of tequila, how it's made, and why it can only be produced in certain parts of Mexico. They will also learn about the different types of tequila; blanco (white), reposado (rested), anejo (aged), and extra anejo (extra aged), and how each type develops its unique flavor and has its color. In addition to sampling the tequilas, cocktails will also be made, using some of the tequilas that were sampled during the class.
At the moment, the cost of the tequila tasting is $55 USD, per person. To make a reservation, contact CasaSandra Hotel.
