Beginning as a small fishing village located between Cancun and Playa del Carmen, Puerto Morelos has emerged in recent years as a tourist destination in its own right. This seaside town on the Mayan Riviera showcases the beauty of the Mexican Caribbean without the crowds and high energy of its larger neighbors. Visitors seeking history, nature, adventure, and a slower pace of life will find plenty to like.

Our catamarans are docked in Marina El Cid, about a 20-minute stroll from downtown Puerto Morelos. The marina hosts vessels up to 120 feet in length and serves as the backdrop for several resorts overlooking the marina.

Puerto Morelos dates back to the early 20th century. The original settlement served as a port for the shipment of chicle (the natural gum once used in chewing gum) and timber. Its tilted lighthouse, built in the 1940s and a survivor of Hurricane Beulah in 1967, is one of the town’s most iconic landmarks.

Despite its transition to tourist hub, Puerto Morelos has maintained a relaxed, small-town feel. Unlike Cancun and Playa del Carmen, there are no high-rise resorts dominating the skyline. Instead, family-owned restaurants, artisan markets, and small-scale plazas set the tone. The town square often hosts cultural events, from live music to food festivals, giving travelers a chance to experience authentic Mexican traditions.

Perhaps Puerto Morelos’ greatest treasure lies offshore. The Puerto Morelos Reef National Park, just a few hundred yards from the beach, is part of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef and is a protected marine nature reserve.

Puerto Morelos also serves as convenient gateway for exploring the Yucatan Peninsula. Most notably, the Ruta de los Cenotes (Cenote Route) starts just outside the city and extends inland through lush jungle. Cenotes are the freshwater sinkholes sacred to the ancient Maya that dot the Yucatan. They're ideal spots for swimming and snorkeling in unspoiled nature.

Also nearby is the Jardin Botanico Dr. Alfredo Barrera Marin, one of the largest botanical gardens in Mexico and a living museum of the region’s rich biodiversity. Visitors can stroll shaded trails, view spider monkeys in the treetops, and learn about native plants used in traditional medicine. Other ecoparks offer ziplining and hiking. If you're still eager for high-wattage nightlife, Cancun and Playa del Carmen are about half an hour away.