Day Trip
We spent the day walking along the Malecon and beach. We had a car rented for the weekend so we took advantage of this neighbor city to Playa del Carmen. A taxi ride is also an easy way to get here. (Taxi from Playa10-15US$) It’s a quiet and relatively undiscovered beautiful beach town. If you like quiet moments and gorgeous views, this is the town for you.
Puerto Morelos in a nutshell
A tranquil coastal town located between Cancun and Playa del Carmen, Puerto Morelos offers a serene escape from the bustling tourist hubs. With pristine white-sand beaches and clear turquoise waters, it’s a paradise for beach lovers seeking relaxation and tranquility.
A Marine Life Playground
Snorkeling and diving enthusiasts can explore the nearby Mesoamerican Reef, the second-largest barrier reef in the world, teeming with marine life and vibrant coral formations.
I recommend visiting Puerto Morelos if you like…
- Low Key Relaxing
- Casual shopping
- Snorkeling or Diving
- Meditating or Reading under a Palapa on the Beach
- Beach Life
- Resort Life
Dining and Cuisine
Even though Puerto Morelos is a small town, there are very modern restaurant choices here. Just fewer. You could probably see all the choices available by walking the first day. If you’re going to be here for more than a day, you’ll get to sample some good local food. One way to get aquainted with the local choices is by taking a food tour.
Regional Dishes
You can’t go wrong ordering…
- Ceviche: Fresh seafood, such as fish or shrimp, marinated in lime juice and mixed with onions, tomatoes, cilantro, and sometimes avocado, served as a refreshing and tangy appetizer.
- Pescado Frito: Whole fish, often snapper or grouper, seasoned and fried until crispy, served with rice, beans, and tortillas.
Popular Local Tacos
- Tacos de Pescado: Fresh fish, often snapper or grouper, grilled or fried and served in tortillas with shredded cabbage, pico de gallo, and spicy mayo.
- Tacos de Cochinita Pibil: Slow-roasted and seasoned pork, marinated in achiote paste and served with pickled onions and habanero salsa.
- Tacos al Pastor: Marinated and grilled pork cooked on a vertical spit, served with pineapple, onion, and cilantro.
The Best Things to Do in Puerto Morelos
Many things you can do on your own but there are some activities, I suggest a tour. I haven’t been on a bad tour yet. And they really know how to do it here in Mexico. They take all the stress of planning out of it so you can focus right on what you want to see.
Walk the Malecon
It’s not a long one but you’ll pass by the leaning lighthouse that you’ll see in all the Instagram photos. When I was there it was a nice and breasy with beautiful views of the turqoise sea.
Take a Snorkeling Tour
See Fish, Stingrays, and coral reefs guided. thetre are plenty of tours to pick from at the town center but if you want to book ahead “Snorkeling in Puerto Morelos” through Viator
Join a Catamaran Party Cruise
I’ve taken a few of these and they are super fun. You meet other travelers and are entertained with music and water toys. Most of the time the food is OK. Just enough to get you through the day of playing in the water. But you don’t have to pack or clean up, which makes it awesome.
For Families
Visit the nearby Nicholodeon Theme Park which is very close. I wish I had places like this to take my kids too when they were that age.
Where to Stay – Accommodations
If you’re on foot like me, you want to be as close to the center as possible. I recommend staying in the grey zone shown on the map. Part of what is considered to be Puerto Morelos is away from the beach and on the highway. While there are probably some nice places to stay
You can find any price point you want from dorm rooms to luxury.
Click on the links below to go directly to Puerto Morelos.
I have booked tens of stays and experiences using Airbnb. Iconic Mexican Cities do not have to cost an arm and a leg.
