Puerto Morelos is a beautiful town in Riviera Maya, located just 20 minutes away from Cancun Intl Airport. If your vacation plans involve soaking up an authentic Mexican beachside vibe, this charming village will surely impress you.
Thanks to its residents’ dedication and hard work, Puerto Morelos has successfully balanced preserving local Mayan traditions and adapting to the ever-evolving Riviera Maya tourism scene. Just like Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum, Puerto Morelos offers a wide range of experiences to dive into the local culture through its serene beaches, exciting Mayan jungle, and delicious traditional cuisine.
Not sure where to start? Here are the best activities in Puerto Morelos!
Photo by Eating With Carmen Food Tours
Roam Around Puerto Morelos
Puerto Morelos is divided into three distinct neighborhoods: Colonia Pescadores, Joaquin Zetina Gazca, and Old Puerto Morelos. These areas are separated by the Federal Highway 307 and the mangroves. While walking between them can be challenging, taxis are readily available throughout the town with fixed fares to specific spots.
Drop By Local Landmarks
The daily life in Puerto Morelos revolves around El Malecon (the pier), where locals and tourists gather to socialize and watch fishermen head out for their daily catch. Before you leave El Malecon, make sure to visit the iconic Leaning Lighthouse. Built from stones of ancient Mayan structures, this lighthouse has survived numerous hurricanes while maintaining its unique tilt.
source: Wikipedia commons
From the Leaning Lighthouse, you can easily walk to the heart of the town, Plaza Javier Rojo Gómez. Stroll through the charming streets adorned with vibrant street art and explore a variety of artisan shops, local cafes, restaurants, bars, and hotels.
At the Main Plaza, you’ll experience a lively atmosphere where locals and visitors share their culture and traditions. Enjoy traditional dance performances, local music, markets, and galleries showcasing handcrafted goods, paintings, lamps, hammocks, traditional garments, and more.
Savor Local and New Flavors
Treat your taste buds to the distinctive flavors of this region and discover the culinary variety Puerto Morelos has to offer. The catch of the day is almost always guaranteed, so you’ll find plenty of restaurants and street vendors featuring fresh fish and seafood. Don’t miss out on local favorites like Tikin-Xic fish, coconut shrimp, and fish tacos. Local cafes and restaurants are perfect for enjoying a traditional Mexican breakfast of chilaquiles, pan dulce, and Mexican coffee.
Photo by Eating With Carmen Food Tours
For a deeper dive into local cuisine, consider booking a guided food tour. Explore an Authentic Mexican Food Tour in Puerto Morelos that takes you off the tourist path and into the heart of the local culinary scene. In this Food Tour, you can savor Cochinita Pibil and other regional dishes like tacos de guisado and sopes, paired with refreshing Aguas Frescas! Make sure to leave some space for dessert!
Swim your worries away
Puerto Morelos boasts some of the best-preserved stretches of the Great Mayan Reef, which explains the stunning marine life and the beautiful range of blues, turquoise, and greens in its Caribbean waters. The wide, soft sand beaches in Puerto Morelos offer plenty of space for relaxation and are far less crowded than those in Cancun or Playa del Carmen.
Spend a day at the beach setting up your chairs, umbrellas, and cooler with your favorite snacks and drinks, or visit a beach club for added amenities and dining options.
source: Wikipedia commons
No visit to Puerto Morelos is complete without diving into the reef. Whether you’re a newbie or a certified diver, the calm, shallow waters near the reef are perfect for snorkeling, diving, and even swimming with kids. Admire the coral reefs, sea turtles, fish, and rays in their natural habitat. Don’t miss the sunken gunboat C-56 Juan Escutia, donated by the Mexican Navy in 2000, which now serves as an artificial reef teeming with colorful corals and marine life.
Photo by Yuri Manei
For an extra splash of adventure, explore The Cenote Route, where over 60 enigmatic cenotes stretch across 35 kilometers. These water bodies are connected through the world’s longest underground river system, the Great Mayan Aquifer. Many of these cenotes offer activities ranging from traditional snorkeling and scuba diving to zip-lining, cycling, rappelling, horseback riding, and much more!
Immerse yourself into the enigmatic Mayan Jungle
Puerto Morelos is home to the most important botanical garden in Southeast Mexico. With 65 hectares of jungle, the “Jardín Botánidoc Dr. Alfredo Barrera Marín” has been essential for the preservation of this beautiful ecosystem since its founding in 1982. If you are into sustainable traveling, this is a must on your list.
Here you’ll get to know 60 different species of medicinal plants used by the Ancient Maya for generations and over 50 different types of ornamental plants from the region. If you’re into flowers, the orchids and bromeliads section will blow your mind!
Photo by Man Dy
As you can see Puerto Morelos is perfect for tourists and locals hungry for Authentic Mexican Culture, so don’t forget to visit this awesome town on your next visit to our shores!
– Abbey
