Puerto Morelos

Puerto Morelos is the ideal location for travelers seeking a quiet beach vacation away from the glitz of nearby Cancún and Playa del Carmen, while still offering ample tourist amenities. The town has just two principal streets and you can walk from one end to the other in about 15 minutes. It serves as a gateway to the Great Mesoamerican Reef, the second largest reef system in the world and the largest in the Western Hemisphere, with the reef lying about 500 meters offshore—closer to shore here than at most other points along the Quintana Roo coast.

Puerto Morelos sits about 20 km south of Cancún on Highway 307, the main north-south route on the Yucatán Peninsula. ADO buses run regularly between Cancún and Playa del Carmen, stopping at Puerto Morelos. The town is also accessible by rental car via Highway 307. There is a new Tren Maya station (Estacion Tren Maya Puerto Morelos) on the Ruta de los Cenotes with service north to Cancún and south to Playa del Carmen and Chetumal.

The town is compact enough to walk across in about 15 minutes. Local taxis gather at a taxi stand on the west side of the main square—always confirm the price before getting in to avoid disagreements. Bicycling is an excellent way to get around town with bikes available for rent at several places. There is also a local car rental agency on the highway. For the inland community of La Colonia (Colonia Zetina Gazca), crossing Highway 307 is necessary.

Water temperatures near the shore average about 27°C (80°F) year round. The high season runs from December through June, when the weather is driest. Summer months (June-August) are hot and humid with occasional rain showers. Hurricane season runs from June through November. Sundays tend to be the most crowded days for dining, with waits common around 19:00-20:00. The Alma Libre Bookstore is only open during high season (December to June).

Puerto Morelos offers boutique hotels, condominiums, villas, and modest hotels right on the beach. For budget travelers, Cuca Macuca Hostel (M$1,200) provides a rooftop pool and shared kitchen. Casitas Kinsol (M$935) offers rustic cabins with hot water and WiFi, while Hotel El Moro (M$1,273) includes continental breakfast and is half a block from the main square. If booking within a few weeks of travel, contact several places as vacancies can be limited.

Local dining options range from very cheap restaurants to upscale establishments. El Tio Polo near the lighthouse serves inexpensive grilled meats, tortas, soup, and Mayan food for around M$150. For seafood, Los Pelicanos offers palapa-style beachfront dining with fresh fish and tacos (M$300). John Gray's Kitchen (M$800) is a pricier upscale option featuring a former Ritz Carlton chef—reservations recommended for the famous duck breast. Sundays are the most crowded for dinner, especially around 19:00-20:00. Crossing Highway 307 to La Colonia reveals cheaper local restaurants serving simple fare.

Puerto Morelos is a premier diving destination with access to the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef just 500 meters offshore. Dive shops like Aquanauts, Om Delfin, and Wet Set Diving offer PADI certification, reef dives, wreck dives (including the C-56 at 60-90 feet), and cenote diving. Snorkeling near the beach is marked by yellow floaters, with a small underwater cenote called Ojo de Agua popular for viewing fish. Official park snorkeling tours to the reef cost about M$600/US$30 per person—swimming out alone to the reef risks fines. The Ruta de Cenotes begins in Puerto Morelos and heads west toward Merida. Jungle Spa offers authentic Mayan massage treatments operated by a non-profit supporting local Mayan women.

Puerto Morelos is generally a safe town, though standard travel precautions apply. The reef area is protected by park wardens who enforce rules against unauthorized reef access. Swimming alone to the reef from the beach can result in fines. For cenotes not exposed to sunlight, temperatures are colder and a partial wetsuit may be necessary. Mosquito spray is recommended when walking the botanical garden trails.

Most places accept US dollars but not credit cards. Almost all prices are quoted in Mexican pesos (M$) and paying in pesos is generally cheaper than using dollars. There is no bank in town, but several bank cash machines (ATMs) are available. A couple of bank branches can be found at the commercial area by La Colonia where Calle Jose Maria Morelos meets Highway 307. WiFi is available at many accommodations and restaurants.

Puerto Morelos caters to various budgets. Budget accommodations start around M$935-1,200 for hostels or budget hotels. Street food and basic meals at local restaurants cost M$150-300, while nicer restaurants range M$300-800. Snorkeling tours to the reef run about M$600 per person. Diving excursions vary by operator and dive type. Paying in Mexican pesos rather than US dollars typically results in better rates.

Cancún is a 30-minute drive north on Highway 307 for shopping and dining. The famous Maya archaeological sites of Tulum, Cobá, and the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve are accessible as day trips. The Ruta de Cenotes begins in Puerto Morelos heading west toward Merida. South of Playa del Carmen, Xcaret and Xel-ha offer large nature parks. The ferry to Cozumel departs from Playa del Carmen. A small Mayan community called A'aktun Jaaleb at Nuevo Durango, 2 hours inland, participates in fair tourism.

Spanish is preferred and appreciated, though you can get by with English in tourist areas. Most locals are friendly and used to tourists. The town has a mix of Mexican, Canadian, American, and European residents who live there full or part-time. Dress casually for the beach and town, with modest dress recommended when visiting churches or local communities. Tipping is customary at restaurants (10-15%).

Direct ADO buses to Chetumal depart at 06:35 (5 hours) from the pharmacy Paris location. Mayab buses run the rest of the day, slightly cheaper at 6 hours. The nearby Maya archaeological sites include Tulum, Cobá, Muyil, Chichén Itzá, Uxmal, Dzibichaltun, and Ek Balam. Swim in the cenotes via the Ruta de Cenotes westward toward Merida. Take the ferry to Cozumel from Playa del Carmen. Visit Xcaret or Xel-ha nature parks south of Playa del Carmen.