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

    The village of Puerto Morelos (only three blocks deep) 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 (that no longer takes autos or passengers), small cargo ships, sailboats 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, these colorful boats also take tourists sport fishing or snorkeling, equipment included. 

    The magnificent reef just offshore 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 wonderful snorkel trips and knows where all the fish hang out.  Reach his cell phone to arrange an early morning trip (best time) at 998-148-7647.  Tell him we sent you, he’s a real gem and will pick you up on Playasol’s beach.

   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.   It seems that everyone who visits wants to throw their anchor here and live life a little less hectic and lot more serene.  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.     

    PM’s magnificent 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.

     We write guidebooks to the area and know it well.  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!                                           

(Photos © Bruce & June Conord)