Step away from the busy resorts along the Riviera Maya, and delight in the peaceful atmosphere in this small, beachfront village. The pace of life is very relaxed here and the population is made up of locals, rather than tourists, giving a charming insight into everyday life in this idyllic setting.
The sea is ever-present in Puerto Morelos and is the lifeblood of the community—fishing boats still go out every day and bring their catch into the piers. The beautiful sandy beach is a major attraction, and it is easy to spend a day lounging on it, but what lies beyond is the real reason why so many visitors come here—the Great Maya Reef lies just 500 metres off shore. This is the world’s second largest reef system and stretches for over 1000 kilometres. The section at Puerto Morelos has been declared a national park, to protect the flora and fauna.
The reef can be accessed by swimmers and divers of all abilities, as the coral lies very close to the surface in these shallow waters. Hire a snorkel from one of the village’s many diving shops to experience the vast array of fish species, including eels, nurse sharks and brightly coloured parrot fish, up close. More experienced divers can head to the deeper water, either independently or as part of a tour.
Away from the water, there is much on offer in Puerto Morelos. Shoppers can browse the artisans’ market for handcrafted hats, locally made clothes and wood carvings. Or head out to the leaning lighthouse—this hardy building has survived three hurricanes, but is still standing.
Puerto Morelos also offers some fascinating land-based natural beauty—join an All-Terrain Vehicle tour around the mangrove swamps, which are home to hundreds of species of birds and over a thousand plant species.
This is a very laid-back village with very little nightlife. The handful of cafés, restaurants and bars in Puerto Morelos offer a relaxed way of spending an evening in beautiful surroundings.
Puerto Morelos is the first town along Highway 307, 38 kilometres south of Cancun and 35 kilometres north of Playa del Carmen. Once you get here, park your car and explore on foot, as everything is just a short walk away.
