Puerto Morelos

From Wikitravel

Beach at Puerto Morelos, in front of the Casita del Mar at the north end of town

Puerto Morelos is a town in Quintana Roo on the Yucatan Peninsula, about 20km south of Cancun. It is both a fishing village and a resort and diving destination. It is located roughly halfway between Cancun and Playa del Carmen on the Caribbean coast of Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula. The pier in the center of town hosts snorkel and sport fishing boats while yachts dock in a man-made harbour just south of town. The village used to be the embarkation point for the car ferry to Cozumel, but that now leaves from Calica, a major port south of Playa del Carmen.

[edit] Understand

The Original Lighthouse at Puerto Morelos, Mexico in Feb. 2007. In 1967 the structure was tilted over in Hurricane Beulah. It has since survived Hurricanes Gilbert in 1987 and Wilma in 2005, but has not been knocked down. The new light house replacing this one is visable in the background.

It's the ideal location for those who want a quiet beach vacation away from the glitz, but with ample tourist amenities. The town has just two principal streets and you can walk from one end to the other in about 15 minutes.

You can get by with English, but Spanish is not superfluous. Most places accept US dollars but not credit cards. Almost all prices are quoted in Mexican pesos and it is generally cheaper to pay in pesos, than in US dollars.

The reef just off the shore is a protected national marine park. Buildings in Puerto Morelos are limited to three stories by local bylaws, to preserve the village type of character.

There are two parts to Puerto Morelos, the former fishing village on the coast, now Hotels, Condominiums, Restaurants and Tourist shops, and the second part about 2 Km. inland and adjacent to Highway 307, on the western side, called La Colonia by locals. The inland portion is mainly single level dwellings for the local workers.

A quiet beach just north of the Puerto Morelos town square.

[edit] Get In

[edit] By plane

The nearest major airport is in Cancún International Airport (IATA: CUN) (ICAO: MMUN) [1]. It is 20km away from Puerto Morelos and is Mexico's second busiest airport.

[edit] By car

Puerto Morelos is situated at the junction of Route 307 and an unpaved road into the interior. This unpaved road is the eastern terminus of La Ruta de los Cenotes, a network of minor roads that allows access to many cenotes in the interior. At Puerto Morelos, the beginning of this road network is marked by an archway. The waterfront is about 2km from Highway 307. Puerto Morelos is about 30km south of Cancun, 30km north of Playa del Carmen, and one hour north of Tulum.

[edit] By bus

Buses from Cancun and Playa del Carmen traverse Route 307, the coastal highway and the main highway into town:

• From Cancun airport take the Riviera/ADO bus to Playa del Carmen, hourly from 10:30. The bus departs from Terminal 2, east end (terminal faces north). Buy a ticket for Puerto Morelos just inside terminal or on bus. Ask the driver to stop at Puerto Morelos.

• From downtown Cancun (el centro) take the Riviera/ADO bus for Playa del Carmen from the bus terminal on Av. Tulum. Departs every 15 minutes. Buy a ticket for Puerto Morelos, the bus stops at the highway terminal, about 2km from town; take a taxi into town (MXN22).

[edit] Get around

There are many local taxi´s around, they gather at a taxi stand on the west side of the main square in Puerto Morelos. Bicycling is an excellent way to get around town, and they can be rented at a number of places in town. There is also a local car rental agency in the main town on the highway. Always make sure you find out the price of a taxi ride BEFORE you get in to avoid disagreements. At the car rental place, bargaining for a cheaper rate is recommended.

[edit][add listing] See

A side street in Puerto Morelos

• Sit on the white sand beach in the shade of a thatched palapa

• Visit the Jardin Botanica just outside town.

• Birdwatching in the mangroves.

• Browse the various shops around the central square.

[edit][add listing] Do

• Swimming. Near the shore, water temperatures average about 27°C (80°F) year round. Freshwater swimming is available inland, at several cenotes. At cenotes that are not exposed to sunlight, temperatures are colder, and a partial wetsuit may be necessary for anything more than a brief dip.
• Reef Diving. The Mesoamerican Barrier Reef lies about 500 meters offshore. It is closer to the shore near Puerto Morelos than it is at most other points along the coast of Quintana Roo. Several dive shops and nearby resorts offering diving on the reef.
• Cenotes. Cenotes are sinkholes in the native limestone that are filled with crystal-clear groundwater; some are large and deep, while others are small passages through a cave. Inland from Puerto Morelos, many cenotes are accessible along the road from P.M. to Central Vallarta, some with really good swimming in clear blue water; one good one is Boca de Puma, which has nice trails through the forest and a cool snorkel through a cave passage. Snorkel in a cenote a few meters out in front of the Ojo de Agua hotel or the Puerto Morelos Reef, about 500-1000 meters from shore. You can rent equipment at the dive shops around town and swim there yourself, or book a boat trip outside the Casita del Mar (north end of town, on the beach) for USD22. Downtown operations offer trips for USD25.
• Almost Heaven Adventures (two locations: one in the heart of Puerto Morelos, the other in the Ceiba del Mar Hotel at the north end of town) +52 9988710230 [2] - dive, snorkel and fishing trips, jungle tours, also sells equipment. For those who want to try out scuba diving but are not certified, try a resort course. Night snorkeling trips are also popular.

• Walk on the boardwalk through the mangroves behind Ceiba del Mar resort (N end of town), and look at birds, fish and cool plants

[edit][add listing] Buy

• Alma Libre Bookstore [3]. Large selection of used English paperbacks, plus new books of local interest. They take trades too. Sign up for their free monthly newsletter, full of updates about the town.

• Browse through metal and clay sculptures at Artisolo.

• Check out the local crafts at the Mayan Handicraft Center.

• Buy a hammock, a serape, or a postcard at the souvenir shops off the town square.

[edit][add listing] Eat

Most places don't take reservations, and there can be a wait for dinner, especially around 7 or 8 in the evening. Sundays are the most crowded. There are a number of very cheap restaurants not listed here. If you eat at these places, stick to food that is cooked to order, as some dishes may not be fresh.

If you have a kitchen, you can buy groceries at Casa Martin on the town square, but it's more like a convenience store than a supermarket.

[edit] Budget

• Earth Foods & Juice Bar. Fresh local food.

• El Tios. Tiny place across from the lighthouse; very inexpensive tortas, soup or Mayan food.

• Hola Asia, [4]. pan-Asian; entrées around MXN80.

• Le Café D'Amancia, on the square. Best coffee and healthy breakfast.

• Fresh fish - buy from fishermen at the pier or at their stall on the north side of the zocalo, and cook it yourself.

Le Café D'Amancia and L´Oazis Restaurant and Grill at Puerto Morelos, Mexico in Feb. 2007.

[edit] Mid-range

• Bodo's, in the Hacienda Morelos Hotel on the beach, south of the square. Owned by a chef from Switzerland. Expertly prepared seafood. Menu ranges from spaghetti with shrimp sauce (MXN75) to giant shrimp with tequila sauce or Caribbean lobster (MXN195); also includes Wiener Schnitzel and Jaeger Schnitzel.

• La Marina El Cid, a little south of town. Overlooks the marina and serves a fresh seven-seas ceviche, as well as other good seafood and Mexican standards. Service is as good as the food and view.

• Le Marlin Bleu, [5]. Tasty shrimp tacos and more.

• L´Oazis Restaurant and Grill, [6]]. Th-Su 5PM to 10PM. Features Canadian style food, fish, meats,pasta, and deserts, with excellent cappuccino coffee. Run by Martine and Flavio from Quebec, Canada. French, English and Spanish spoken. Located on the south side of the main square of Puerto Morelos.

• Posada Amor. Great Mexican food, and the best ceviche in town. This restaurant, the oldest in Puerto Morelos, has retained a loyal clientele for nearly three decades. In the palapa-covered dining room with its picnic-style wooden tables and benches, the gracious staff serves up terrific Mexican and seafood dishes, including a memorable whole fish dinner and a rich seafood bisque. Sunday brunches are also delicious.

[edit] Splurge

• John Gray's Kitchen, Avenida Ninos Heroes. Posh and pricy; excellent food by a former Ritz Carlton chef - reservations recommended. The Mexican-influenced crab cakes are a must. Also makes one of the better margaritas along the riviera; not too sweet.

• El Faro, Located on the square above the grocery store this restaurant offers a great view of the town sqaure and dock. They provide great service and a delightful daily specials from roasted pork loin to lobster bisque. English and Spanish spoken

[edit][add listing] Drink

Tuna Bar and Restaurant is no longer in business in Puerto Morelos.

• Bara Bara bar. excelent martinis and great music, International Live Dj's on Friday and reggae dj on saturday.

• Posada Amor terrace. terrace with live music, great drinks and Litter micheladas.

• Earth Foods & Juice Bar - fruit & vegetable drinks.

• Don Pepe's Ole.

• Gioconda Pizza Bar, [7].martinis & Pizzas Lounge Bar, Live Blues on Saturday !
• Tuna, [8]. NOTE: Tuna's is no longer in business in Puerto Morelos

• Cantina Habanero's, - Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner serveing a variety of food, from delicious baby-back ribs and grilled steaks to regional mexican food. Live music most Friday nights. A gathering spot for locals and tourists alike. Located 1/2 block north of the town square. English and Spanish spoken.

• Ixchel Beach Club, Palapa beach bar located 5 blocks north of the square on the beach. Chairs and umbrellas available, light lunch fare and friendly bartender. English and Spanish spoken.

[edit][add listing] Sleep

All types of lodging are available, including modest hotels right on the beach. If you are booking within a few weeks of your travel date, you may have to contact several places to find a vacancy.

• Abbey del Sol, [9]. Really nice apartments/condos, fully furnished, really nice and helpful staff. On the north end of town.

• Amar Inn. Headquarters of environmentalists.

• Apartment FLOR, [10]. Fully furnished center apartment

• Blue Monkey / Mono Azul, [11]. Long and short term rentals in lovely hacienda garden apartments, two blocks from the beach. Fully furnished, two-bedroom flats, plus a rooftop efficiency suite with stunning views. Safe and secure.

• Casita Granada. A beautiful 2 - 3 bedroom, 2 bath villa/condo right on the ocean and just north of the town square. Private outdoor courtyard with outdoor shower. Visit www.casitagranada.com for pictures, info, rates, and much more.

• Casa Vista Al Cielo, [12]. Fully furnished 3rd floor 2 bed 2 bath apartment next to the mangrove jungle just off the beach; USD600/week (USD800/week Dec.23-Jan.)

• Casita Blanca Condominiums, [13]. Quiet beautiful beach front Condominiums for sale or rent.

• Ceiba del Mar. All-inclusive resort.

• Condos Villas Playasol, [14]. Gorgeous two-bedroom condos for rent in a small complex right on the beach. Playasol features Puerto Morelos' largest blue pool, beautiful gardens, and a picture perfect shore. Excellent value, well recommended, best in town.

• Hotel Ojo de Agua, [15] - small hotel on the beach.

• Hotel Posada El Moro, Av. Javier Rojo Gomez Smz., 2 Mz 5 Lt 17. half a block north of the main square, Tel (998) 8710159 Fax (998) 2069005, [16]. Bed and Breakfast: Rates from $40 USD to $75 USD.

• Hotel Marina El Cid Riviera Maya, Boulevard El Cid Unidad 15, Phone: 011-52 (998) 872-8999, [17]. A member of El Cid Resorts, this oceanfront hotel features colonial and modern architecture styles, a free form pool, snorkeling and diving, and several on-site restaurants.

• Mayan Riviera Properties, [18]. Private Homes & Condos in Puerto Morelos for Vacation Rental.

• Posada Amor. Just off the plaza, not on the beach. A simple fan-cooled room is in the $30US range, and as is typical, this runs about 50-100% more than a comparable room on Mexico’s west coast. The rooms are clean and you’ll meet an interesting cross-section of international travelers who are often the best source for information and tips. The attached restaurant is quite good and serves as an informal meeting place for many of the gringo locals. [19]

• Rancho Sak-Ol, [20]. Adults-only resort south of town, on beach

• Santa Fe Bed & Breakfast, [21].

• Caracol - hotel & restaurant, Tel: 0052 998 871 0232, [22]. Nice and clean hotel in the center, some rooms with fridge, TV and AC - run by a Swiss couple.

• Paradisus Riviera Cancun, [23]. SM. 11 MZ. - 9 Lote 10 Puerto Morelos - half an hour south of Cancun, lays a well-hidden secret where sun searching beach enthusiasts can enjoy the gorgeous weather and beautiful beaches of Mexico. Paradisus Riviera Cancun luxury, all inclusive resort stretches along a lush tropical mangrove preserve on a 5,000 foot long Caribbean coastline and whose beach is protected by the second largest coral reef formation in the world.

[edit] Get out

• Visit the many impressive Maya archaeological sites: Mayan Riviera including Tulum, Cobá and Muyil; Great Costa Maya (Kohunlich, Kinichná, Dzibanché, Oxtankah and Chacchoben) south of the biosphere reserve Sian Ka'an and sites in the nearby Yucatan State including Chichén Itzá, Uxmal, Dzibichaltun and Ek Balam.

• Take the ferry to Cozumel from Playa del Carmen

• Go to the big Chedraui supermarket [24] in Playa del Carmen to see what real Mexican families eat and to see some really cool produce. (This also the closest real supermarket to get large quantities of food if you plan to cook; 20 minute bus ride)

• Visit Cancun via highway 307 for shopping and dining. A 30 minute drive.

• South of Playa del Carmen visit X'caret [25] or Xel-ha [26], large theme-park style nature parks.

• Visit A´aktun Jaaleb at Nuevo Durango, [27] - a small Mayan community 2 hours inland from Puerto Morelos that participates in fair tourism as an alternative economic model of development. The community is located between Puerto Morelos and Valladolid (and Chichen Itza) and sits north of Coba.