…on Mexico’s Mayan Riviera
On a trip to the Yucatan Peninsula, I like to start in Puerto Morelos to adjust to being on vacation. The beach is expansive and gorgeous, the prices are competitive, and the town itself has a slightly more authentic feel than its neighbors like Playa del Carmen and Akumal. Several of the locals we interacted with said they visited and just never left, and once you visit, that makes perfect sense. Having visited several places along the Riviera Maya, Puerto Morelos has hands down my favorite “downtown.” Puerto Morelos is an excellent place for a calm and relaxing vacation, especially if you prefer to book independent lodging instead of being at a big hotel or resort.
Puerto Morelos is only a short drive to the Cancun International Airport (~26 km / 16 miles), and is split into two parts – by the beach and by the highway – separated by a mangrove swamp. Admittedly, I’ve only stayed in the eastern/beachy section, as I like that everything a tourist needs is within walking distance once you get there. The western side of town is 2.5 km/1.5 miles away, and while I’ve seen locals traverse the sidewalks that go between, the heat and alligator warning signs have dissuaded me from attempting the stretch on foot myself.
Puerto Morelos’ Reef National Park is just off shore, directly out in front of the town, and you will find plenty of guides vying to take you to the coral reef if you walk up to the main dock next to the town’s iconic crooked lighthouse. If you book a snorkeling tour elsewhere along the Riviera Maya, chances are that they will bring you to Puerto Morelos’ reef. Snorkelers can be unintentionally destructive, though, so remember to wear reef-safe sunscreen and not to touch the coral or any other living things (I’m always worried I’m going to step on or kick the coral while swimming in shallow reefs).
The reef also breaks the waves, creating peaceful and beautifully clear water. The relatively shallow turquoise water and bright sand create that idyllic pattern of sun reflecting through the gentle waves. The quality of the sand is also soft, and the beach is far more expansive than in Playa del Carmen, so you can get a bit more personal space or take long walks. As with any beach in the Riviera Maya, sargassum seaweed washes up and can be a nuisance. Resorts will attempt to remove it to keep their guests happy, and the town hires a driver to occasionally scoop it away. It usually doesn’t bother me in Puerto Morelos’ calmer waters (as opposed to Playa del Carmen, where it irritates me when I get in the water and it scratches or surprises me as it’s jostled in the waves), but it’s something to be aware of.
You can also book all of the other popular Riviera Maya and Yucatan excursions from Puerto Morelos – take a cenote tour, visit the Mayan archeological sites of Chichén Itzá and Tulum, spend a day at one of the Xcaret parks, or visit one of the islands Cozumel or Isla Mujeres. May I also recommend some rooftop sunset yoga?
The streets along Puerto Morelos’ main square are filled with souvenir shops, and depending on the customs in your hometown, it can be a little overwhelming to have so many vendors push for your attention; however, I do appreciate the salespeople that throw in a joke (offering to help us clean out our wallets, or promising to rip us off for less than the neighboring stall).
There are several excellent restaurants in Puerto Morelos. We enjoy Península on Av. Javier Rojo Gómez and Punta Corcho on the main square. The food, drinks and presentation at both of these spots is outstanding. There are also many other options – I don’t think we have been disappointed by any meal in Puerto Morelos! There are several vegan spots, too, which surprised me the first time I visited.
Everyone we have interacted with in restaurants and for lodging has spoken excellent English. Taxi drivers sometimes rely a bit more on Spanish, but by typing an address into a phone and having them write down an amount – specifying whether in US dollars (USD) or Mexican pesos (MXN) – you can typically get by just fine, even as a non-Spanish speaker. Cancun International Airport publishes taxi rates on its website, so be sure to agree with the driver on the price that seems in line with those rates from the start. Note: Cancun International Airport has additional regulations and safety tips, so be sure to read them and make a reservation in advance, as its their policy that you can’t hail taxis at the airport.
So, is Puerto Morelos worth visiting? For me, it’s a definite yes, but typically as part of a longer, multi-faceted trip. This is the slower paced, quieter, and simply relaxing part of the vacation. Its clear blue water is somehow both energizing and soothing, and that’s a great note on which to start or end any vacation.
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