Puerto Morelos
Located on the Riviera Maya just 20 minutes south of Cancun, Puerto Morelos is one of the original fishing villages that dotted the Caribbean coastline of Mexico long before Cancun became a booming international tourist destination.
Puerto Morelos is still a small town where you can enjoy uncrowded white beaches and warm Caribbean waters, relax in the plaza with a yummy ice cream, take a leisurely bicycle ride, or sit on the dock and watch the fisherman arrive with the catch of the day
Mainly Mayan, the population averages between 2500 and 5000 depending on the season and boasts an interesting mix of residents from around the world.
Named after Mexican independence leader José María Morelos, Puerto Morelos has been an important port since ancient times when it connected Mayan ceremonial centers on the mainland to those on the island of Cozumel.
The town's central square called La Plaza or El Parque is a popular place to gather to people watch, listen to a concert sponsored by the Casa de la Cultura, or watch school children celebrate national holidays.
Most town businesses are located near the plaza-- several Internet cafes, a bookstore with English, Spanish, and German books, a small supermarket, an ATM, money exchange booths, an array of restaurants, and the main dock.
Puerto Morelos is almost a small island set between two nationally designated ecological preserves that have helped keep the village small, but are now threatened by encroaching development.
A lush mangrove wetlands, rich in wildlife, sprawls along the back of the town. One hundred meters off shore, lies the Puerto Morelos National Marine Park that forms a portion of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System.
Beaches
Puerto Morelos is sheltered by The Great Mayan Reef, the longest reef system in the Western Hemisphere that lies very close to the shore at this point on the coast. The uncrowded beaches here are peaceful and the waters clear and calm.
The Reef -- Snorkeling, Diving, & Fishing
One of the town's major attractions is the ocean reef, second only to the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. The water is clear and usually calm. Snorkeling is excellent way to experience the magical coral landscape with its swaying sea fans and darting colorful tropical fish, or an occasional sea turtle, barracuda, or impressive manta ray.
Mayan Ruins
The Yucatan peninsula has more archeological remains than any other area in the Western Hemispheres - nearly 1200 sites. Over one thousand years ago, the area around Puerto Morelos was densely populated and many ceremonial sites are still visible in the nearby jungle.
Cancun
Cancun is Mexico's biggest tourist destination. Catch a bus on the highway by Puerto Morelos to the main bus terminal in the city center. Large supermarkets, banks, immigration, and even an authentic French bakery are located near the bus terminal.
In the heart of Cancun, you can explore Market 28 or Market 23 where you can find silver jewlery, pottery, and handicrafts. A walk along quiet back streets will surprise you with open-air restaurants, shaded public parks, lush residential gardens, and unusual tropical architecture.
A bus ride or a taxi (around 60 pesos) will take you to the Zona Hotelera on the beach with its strip of international hotel, restaurant chains, and higher prices.
Playa del Carmen
Located 30 minutes south of Puerto Morelos, Playa del Carmen (called simply Playa by the locals) is a small town fast turning into sprawling urban center. Quinta Avenida (Fifth Avenue) is the main thoroughfare, one block up from the beach and stretching 10 blocks through the busiest part of town.
Quinta Avenida, for foot traffic only, is shaded by huge trees during the day and illuminated by dazzling lights at night. Playa is the place for trendy boutique shopping, people watching from a sidewalk cafe, dining in open-air restaurants, enjoying exotic bars, or soaking up the vibrant nightlife.
You can catch a ferry to Cozumel here, enjoy the crowded beaches, and brush shoulders with people from around the world.
Reserve you adventure now!