Puerto Morelos, the best of the Riviera Maya.              (see photos below)

    The village of Puerto Morelos (only three blocks wide) is less than 1/2 hour from the international airport at Cancun, in the state of Quintana Roo.  [See Map of Puerto Morelos.]  Its modest port welcomes the Cozumel freight ferry, small cargo ships, and yachts.  Life here revolves around the sea and for generations, local men in their fishing launches have provided fresh seafood for Puerto Morelos’ many restaurants.  Now, many also take tourists fishing or on snorkeling to the best reef around. 

    PM’s magnificent section of shoreline features a brilliant blue Caribbean Sea and fine white sand — the kind of sand that never burns your feet.  The entire coast offers long stretches of sugar-white, palm tree-lined sand, secret grottos, tropical coves, and mysterious Maya ruins.  Deep, clear cenotes speckle the craggy limestone land that the ancient Maya called home.  You’ll find lots of off-the-beaten track destinations in one of our well-reviewed guidebooks.  Why not click to book our beach-front condo or in-town apartments and stay awhile.

    Puerto Morelos is a great place for kids and adults; safe, with very little traffic, among a pleasant residential mix of Mexicans, Canadians, Europeans, and Americans.   The magnificent offshore reef is a protected Marine National Park — consequently snorkeling is as good as anywhere on the Riviera Maya.  Our favorite boat captain is “Charlie Brown,” a displaced native Hawaiian who offers spectacular snorkel trips and he knows where all the fish hang out for all you fishermen.

    PM’s nightlife is confined to star-gazing, dinner at one of our great little restaurants, or a live band at a beach bar.  But its ideal location, halfway between Cancún and Playa del Carmen, means you’re close enough to enjoy the glitz and shopping of the cities, but without the hassle.  For the latest info about town, see our Puerto Morelos News page.

     Major nearby attractions, easily reached by first-class bus, tour, car, or taxi, are the Croco Cun Zoo, the Botanical Gardens, and Tres Rios, Xel-Ha, and Xcaret water parks.  PM is also a great base for exploring the Yucatán peninsula's Maya ruins at Tulum, Chichen Itzá, Cobá, and Ek Balam, or natural wonders such as Sian Ka’an Biosphere, Aktun Chen caves, Xkeken Cenote, and the flamingos of Rio Largartos.  Catch a ferry to laid-back Isla Mujeres, the "island of women," or to a diver's paradise, Cozumel.  Stay at our place and you’ll never want to go home!                                                     

(All photographs © Bruce & June Conord 2007)