Things To Do in Puerto Morelos

Puerto Morelos Rentals

Puerto Morelos might be a small quiet town between Cancun and Playa del Carmen but they are many things to do in Puerto Morelos to keep you and your crew entertained during the time you are staying in your comfortable hotels in Puerto Morelos Mexico.

If you are thinking of taking a break and looking for the best beach destination, you will find many places with cristal clear water, cocconut trees on a while sand beach, tropical islands and crispy sunshine, Puerto Morelos is the perfect place for you and we made for you the list of the best things to do in Puerto Morelos, this village called “Jewel of the Caribbean” because it’s Mexico’s best-kept secret. 

What to do in Puerto Morelos?

Puerto Morelos is definitely dream-worthy and the best beach destination 2021 after the covid-19. Puerto Morelos is a laid-back fishing village just 20 minutes south of Cancun. What visitors love about ‘Puerto’ are lower prices and a slower pace of life than its larger, busier neighbors. It’s the perfect spot for relaxation at one of the several Puerto Morelos vacation rentals – a place to get away from it all and experience the pure Caribbean life, while still being centrally located to the surrounding attractions of the Riviera Maya.

You have all the beauty of the Caribbean less than 20 minutes from the Cancun International Airport. Puerto is located almost exactly between Cancun and Playa del Carmen, and literally right off the highway.

Staying in Puerto means you get the advantages and the amenities that Cancun and Playa del Carmen offer, but none of the crowds and needless noise and you will find many things to do in Puerto Morelos.

Snorkeling Puerto Morelos

The highlight of the  things to do in Puerto Morelos is the amazing snorkeling. The second largest reef in the world (the Mesoamerican Reef), runs parallel with Puerto Morelos coastline. A perfect spot for beginner and experienced snorkelers to discover the extraodinary marine life of the Riviera Maya. Since the reef is protected as a national reserve, it’s a lot healthier than sections of reef elsewhere. The highlight is that you can snorkel from the shore and see a range of beautiful coral formation or you can take a 2 hour boat tour on the reef barrier from Puerto Morelos Beach. A great spot for a stingray or sea turtle sighting, snorkeling the coral reef is the best-of-the-best for snorkeling experiences. Get all the information in our snorkeling in Puerto Morelos Guide.

Puerto Morelos scuba diving

Scuba diving in Puerto Morelos is a lot less busy than in Playa del Carmen. So, you will feel less rushed and more relax thanks to the great diving teams of the different dive shops. It is a perfect place for beginner and experienced divers as you can discover the C-56 shipwreck, largest wreck in the Riviera Maya other amazing dive sites, you can even try a night dive (the neon colors of the reef fish and corals really pop).  Listed on the top list of  things to do in Puerto Morelos, divers will for sure enjoy the dive spots in Puerto Morelos

Diving in Puerto Morelos

Puerto Morelos fishing

Puerto Morelos is home to a mangrove swamp, and these shallow waters are brimming with Bonefish, Permit, Jack Crevalle, Snook, and Tarpon, great spot for fishing trip. You can easily ask about pricing and fishing trips as you walk along the beach and main square. Theboats captains will offer the cheapest and most negotiable prices. If you want a more luxury option, just make your way to the south end of the beach to Pelícanos Marina. Here you can book a trip in a 20 to 28-foot private charter fishing boats that are full equipped with a fighting chair and few more comfortable amenities. Alternatively, you can also book a fishing charter from the El Cid Marina (about 2 Km south of the town square) with highest prices but most likely the best charter boats and equipment.

Salsa class in Puerto Morelos

Take a salsa or bachata class on the beach with the best salsa teacher in the Riviera Maya. Steve from Steve dance Academy is an experience teacher sharing his passion with all its heart. Learn how to dance and move like a local during your stay is one of the best things to do in Puerto Morelos if you want to interact with locals. The classes are one hour and if you stay a few days or weeks, we recommend to take various private lessons to improve you salsa skill.

Salsa class in Puerto Morelos

Cenotes in Puerto Morelos

Cenotes are freshwater sinkholes to underground rivers, like natural wells and are rated among the best things to do in Puerto Morelos. Some are flooded caverns with impressive stalagmites and stalactites, others are collapsed caves that have become swimming holes. Most are crystal-clear, with incredible visibility for snorkeling and diving. La Ruta de los cenotes (cenote road) is a 20-ish km route cutting through the jungle, leading to over a dozen cenotes. Each cenote is privately owned, so they range from a single swimming hole to a wide complex of water slides and zip lines. The best way to enjoy the cenotes, is to rent a car to visit the most beautiful ones, like Siete Bocas, La noria or Cenote Zapote. You can also catch a collective from Puerto Morelos town but be aware that you won´t have as many freedom to move around.

Cenotes ventas

Crococun Zoo

Located 5 minutes away from Puerto Morelos town, this is the perfect activity to inspire passion for nature and wildlife, through an interactive guided tour amongs crocodiles and native wildlife. An interactive conservation zoo where it is allowed to touch, load and feed crocodiles, monkeys, deer, and snakes. The park is beautifully lush and you’ll feel like you’re stepping into another world. Reasonably priced, this is a fun option for your family to learn about the local wildlife and ecosystems. The zoo is very easy to reach by bus, shuttle or taxi. It is well-marked so you’ll find it easily if you’re driving a rental car. An on-site café provides frappes, breakfasts, baguette sandwiches and desserts.

croco zoo Puerto Morelos

Jungle Spa Puerto Morelos

When you want to take a break from thre activities, head to the spa, get some time to relax. Jungle Spa is a community tourism project created to benefit the local Mayan communauty. Exotic environment, surrounded by hundres of trees, tropical plants and birds singing. Ixchel Jungle Spa, a non-profit organization, of Puerto Morelos, offered a project for the women of the community enabling them to earn a better income so they would have the opportunity to support their families and ensure that their children could go to school and get a higher education. The Mayan women giving the massages are from a culture where giving massages is a way of healing. The women’s hands are blessed with the gift from God. They have been given the “DON” or “HEALING HANDS” and they will work magic on your body.

jungle spa Puerto Morelos

Beach Yoga in Puerto Morelos

Puerto Morelos is a perfect location to escape from the chaos of life and take a time to deeply relax and connect with your self. No need to go on a special retreat, just take a yoga class in front of the beach while the sun is rising! What else could be more inspiring and energizing? Our favorite yoga classes in Puerto Morelos are at the Beach Club Ojo de Agua with Mariane from Yoga Kia Ora, on a lovely wooden terrace on the beach, facing the ocean. The classes are at 7.30 am, yes it seems early but the spectacular sunrises will make you get out of bed!!! Best morning  things to do in Puerto Morelos happen here.

Yoga in Puerto Morelos

Puerto Morelos Beach

The beach in Puerto Morelos is wide, flat and just beautiful. If you are running out of activities, tanning on the beach is a good option among the things to do in Puerto Morelos. Usually there are local vendors strolling the beach selling fruit, food, pastries, jewelry, and other crafts along the main stretch of beach. The beach stretches from south of Hacienda Morelos Hotel north to the first big resorts on the coast. The beach near the town square has the most activity. This is where many of the locals go as well as where many of the snorkeling, and fishing charters. As you traverse the beach north towards Cancun, it gets less and less populated and you can enjoy the pretty Puerto Morelos beach.

Beach in Puerto Morelos

Puerto Morelos Beach Clubs

Unico: Cute beach bar that will let you use their lounge chairs and umbrellas as long as you’re a buying something from their restaurant or bar. They offer tours, paddle board rentals, massages, delicious Caribbean style ceviches, fresh and natural salads, stuffed avocados and copious sandwiches. Unico’s bar is unmissable in Puerto Morelos to enjoy a delightful drink prepared and served as it should by our bartenders.

My Paradise: A beautiful little spot, one of the best atmosphere with delicious food and refreshing drinks. It also offers massages as well as snorkel tours out of the beach club. They will charge you a small fee on top of whatever you purchase to use their lounge chairs and umbrellas or personal palapas.

Ojo de Agua: Located in a privileged location, Hotel Ojo de Agua offers a magical setting for travelers looking for a destination of relaxation with a very attractive beach day pass. They offer breakfast to dinner service, comfortable loungechairs with umbrellas, massages, yoga classes in the mornings and the staff is the most friendly out of all the other beach clubs. Right in front, you can snorkel in the Ojo de Agua” of the Puerto Morelos reef National Park.

Delfinus Puerto Morelos

Being with dolphins is an experience that will change your view of marine life. Discover a unique experience interacting with dolphins in environmentally sound habitats, as you learn about their world. In Puerto Morelos, you can swim with them! You can play with them, touch their incredible soft skin and just let them wonder around you and poke you with those long funny noses. learn about environment and conservation of marine mammals. The park is open from 8.30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Swims with dolphins usually take around 45 minutes and prices vary depending on the size of the group and the type of swim. Be sure to make your reservation ahead of time. You can get your tickets online and find exclusive deals and discounts; just pick the date and time of the package you want to book.

delfinus Puerto Morelos Mexico

Restaurants in Puerto Morelos

Puerto Morelos offers a widerange of cuisines and some amazing food. As a fishing town, you should definitely enjoy a seofood lunch or dinner. On the port side, you will find many seafood restaurants offering delicious seafood dishes for all tastes. Among the most commun, try the ceviche, aguachile, fish al ajillo or a la plancha, lobster and fresh prawns. For meat lovers, eat at the chimichurri or John Gray´s kitchen. To be honest, there are no bad restaurants in Puerto Morelos, so check the list of restaurant and pick your favorite one.

Restaurant El Merkadito Puerto Morelos

Botanical Garden

If you wan tto take a break from the beach and still looking for things to do in Puerto Morelos, here´s an idea for you. Established in 1982 garden is one of the largest botanic gardens in Mexico. In that little piece of the conserved forest, you can find a lot of representative Yucatan plants, including a lot of kinds of cactuses, palms or medicinal plants. The entrance fee in the Jardin Botanico – Dr. Alfredo Barrera Marin is 6usd, you can take a walk through the jungle and mangroves and watch for exotic birds, spider monkeys, coatis and other wildlife. The trail is about 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) long where you will also see a traditional Mayan house and Mayan archaeological site and cross a suspension bridge to walk across and an observation tower looking out over the mangroves. 

Jardin Botanico Puerto Morelos

Local Markets in Puerto Morelos

Weekly market every Wednesdays:  Located to the west of the town square beside the church on Avenida Tulum. Produce, baked goods, home made meals, and local artisans. Sellers change weekly. 9:00 am to 12:00 noon.

Artisan market – every Fridays and Saturdays from 5pm to 11pm: Located on the main square in Puerto Morelos beach side, next to the letters. You will find crafts and products from local artisans. The hammocks sold here differ from what you’ll find elsewhere because they’re created right here in Puerto Morelos by a local family that’s been making them for decades. (Ask for Mauricio or Martin!) You can also buy dream catchers, alebrijes (colorful wooden animal figures from San Martín Tilcajete), handbags, masks, jewelry and more.

Artisan market Puerto Morelos

Nightlife in Puerto Morelos

There is not much nightlife in Puerto Morelos, but you can catch live music at some spots like Unico Beach Club, La Sirena (on the square), and Micheladas (at the highway junction). If you are looking for a spectacular show outside of Puerto Morelos we recommend the Joya Cirque du Soleil. “Joya” is the first-ever permanent Cirque du Soleil show outside of the USA. It’s an absolute experience for the senses! Uniquely written and designed for the Mayan Riviera, this show will take your breath away. The modern, air-conditioned theatre is stucked in lush grounds featuring a beautiful waterfall. It’s located about 12 minutes south of Puerto Morelos on Highway 307, near the Vidanta Resort. Taxis will take you there, and there is ample parking if you drive.

joya cirque du soleil cancun

Popular attractions around Puerto Morelos

Since Puerto Morelos has a perfect central location, you can book any excursions to mayan ruins, islands, cenotes, Cancun theme parks from Xcaret Group, snorkeling or diving and discover the wonders of the Riviera Maya. There are many things to do in Puerto Morelos and the Riviera Maya.

Xcaret: Spend a day in the famous Mexican eco-archeological park of Xcaret from Puerto Morelos town. Best things to do in Puerto Morelos with your family. You can book with Puerto Morelos Travel Agency for a full package with transportation or go on your own in your rental car.

Chichen Itza: The most famous archeological Mayan site that you should have on your bucket list. Book a tour or go on your own, it is a long but easy drive of around 3 hours.

Tulum : Tulum is only 2h30 away from Puerto Morelos and easy to reach on a bus or driving. You can visit the ruins and the charming and enchanting hotel zone. If you decide to push it to Sian Ka´an, natural biosphere that we highly recommend, stay a night in Tulum.

Isla Mujeres: Isla Mujeres Cancun is characterized by stunning white sandy beaches, cristal blue waters, picturesque rocky cliffs and roads that are mostly filled with golf carts.

Spearfishing: Beginner or experct, you can book a spearfishing tour in Playa del Carmen and go spearfishing. Experience catching a fish and cooking it extra fresh!!

Book your trip

Are you ready to book your trip?  .Here are the websites you can use to book your trip, get inspired with the best things to do in your destinations and travel smarter.

  • Kiwi.com– A great website to book your flights. It has good airfares but you need to search regulaly as the prices are constantly changing
  • Booking.com – The best website to book your accommodation, you can book and cancel free up until a certain point, especially when your plans are forever changing. It’s easy to use and has one of the widest selections. 
  • Airbnb – You can get some really nice places to stay here. If you don’t have an account and you click on this link then you will get $36 off your first booking.
  • Hotel.com – Huge choice of hotels with  free cancellation up until a certain point. It’s easy to use and has one of the widest selections. 
  • Agoda – Agoda is very good if you are searching hotels, resorts, houses. They always have attractive promotions.  
  • Get your Guide – It is a platform where you will find tours and excurtions in Cozumel and every part of the world.
  • Xcaret Group – Xcaret Group is the most famous theme park in the Riviera Maya. If you visit Cancun, check their prices here to get good discounts.
  • Viator – If you need to find inspiration about things to do in Cozumel, check on Viator to see the tours they offer for diving and other activities
  • Rental Cars – Looking to rent a. car while you are away? I always book through Rental Cars as they do a search of all of the big sites and find the best deals. 
  • Yacht Rental – If you are thinking of spending time in a paradise beach destination with friends or family, this is a good option to enjoy the beach life.
  • Sailing Trip – For cruising holidays, book a sailing trip, they have many trip destinations, lehghts and standing.
  • Dive the World – If you are a diver, book a diving trip with them. They have dive packages everywhere in the world with very attractive prices.
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