Puerto Morelos

Travel Guide

Puerto Morelos which includes a coastal town, tropical scenes and a beach
Puerto Morelos featuring a bay or harbor and boating
Puerto Morelos showing a bay or harbor, landscape views and boating
Photo provided by Cancun CVB
Photo provided by Cancun CVB

A sleepy Caribbean village that delights with its unspoiled natural beauty, an extensive coral reef system and a dense mangrove jungle.

The living is easy and peaceful in Puerto Morelos. This oceanfront village has retained its quiet character despite the construction of large developments elsewhere along the Riviera Maya.

Puerto Morelos has a small-town atmosphere. Locals congregate in the main plaza to chat and fisherman haul in their catches from the end of the pier. Life isn’t fast-paced here, but visitors will still find plenty to do. Take long walks on the sandy beaches. Browse the artisans’ market for handcrafted hats, clothes and wood carvings. Snorkel, dive and fish in the clear Caribbean waters.

Be sure to pay a visit to the leaning lighthouse of Puerto Morelos. Battered by three hurricanes, the building is heavily inclined towards one side, but still it has not fallen down.

One of the biggest draws is the Great Maya Reef, which lies just 550 yards (500 meters) off shore. At more than 620 miles (1,000 kilometers) in length, it is the second-largest reef system in the world. The Puerto Morelos section has been designated a national park in order to protect its flora and fauna.

The reef lies close to the surface and the shallow waters are easy to snorkel. Here, you’ll come across some of the region’s many fish species, including eels, nurse sharks and parrot fish. There are also deeper sections for scuba divers to investigate. Arrange a snorkeling or diving tour through dive shops in the village.

On land there are more opportunities to get up-close with the area’s natural wonders. Puerto Morelos is backed by mangrove swamps, home to hundreds of species of birds and more than a thousand plant species. ATV (All-Terrain Vehicle) tours can be arranged with local tour companies.

In keeping with the area’s placid character, the nightlife is low-key and centers on the town’s handful of cafés, restaurants and bars.

Puerto Morelos is the first town along Highway 307, 24 miles (38 kilometers) south of Cancun and 22 miles (35 kilometers) north of Playa del Carmen. You don’t need a car to get around the village, since everything is just a short walk away.

Excellence Riviera Cancun - Adults Only All Inclusive
Excellence Riviera Cancun - Adults Only All Inclusive
5 out of 5
Carr. Federal 307 Chet-Pto. Juarez, Km 324 - 342, Mza. 7, Lt. 1, SM 11, Puerto Morelos, QROO
$487 nightly
The price is $487 total per night from Aug 5 to Aug 6
$487 total
Aug 5 - Aug 6
Total includes taxes and fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury property in Puerto Morelos. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 6 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the pool and the restaurant in our ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,686 reviews)
"Beautiful property and friendly staff"

Reviewed on Jul 7, 2025

Excellence Riviera Cancun - Adults Only All Inclusive
Dreams Riviera Cancun Resort & Spa - All Inclusive
Dreams Riviera Cancun Resort & Spa - All Inclusive
4.5 out of 5
Carretera Federal Chetumal Puerto Juárez, Km 324-342 Manzana 1, Lote 3, SM 11, Puerto Morelos, QROO
$335 nightly
The price is $335 total per night from Aug 5 to Aug 6
$335 total
Aug 5 - Aug 6
Total includes taxes and fees
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury property in Puerto Morelos. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 3 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the pool and the restaurant in ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,252 reviews)
"It was a pleasant experience overall. The staff was very friendly, and the food was decent. However, I believe there’s room for improvement, both in terms of the food and the entertainment options in the pool area."

Reviewed on Jul 6, 2025

Dreams Riviera Cancun Resort & Spa - All Inclusive
Ventus Ha at Marina El Cid Spa & Beach Resort
Ventus Ha at Marina El Cid Spa & Beach Resort
4 out of 5
Boulevard El Cid, Unidad 10, Puerto Morelos, QROO
$243 nightly
The price is $298 total per night from Jul 23 to Jul 24
$298 total
Jul 23 - Jul 24
Total includes taxes and fees
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Puerto Morelos. Enjoy 2 outdoor pools, a full-service spa, and 2 restaurants. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,015 reviews)
"The room was new and clean. The smell was horrible by the beach. Only time they would come to clean our room was at 9pm. Hard to get dinner reservations. The buffet is way to small for 3 properties to use."

Reviewed on Jul 8, 2025

Ventus Ha at Marina El Cid Spa & Beach Resort
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Velas Condos
Velas Condos
3 out of 5
Javier Rojo Gomez SM 2 Mz 13 Lote 2-12, Puerto Morelos, QROO
Stay at this 3-star beach aparthotel in Puerto Morelos. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a beach locale. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (272 reviews)
"Alba is the absolute best"

Reviewed on May 21, 2025

Velas Condos
Porto Blu
Porto Blu
3.5 out of 5
701 Rafael E. Melgar, Puerto Morelos, QROO
Stay at this 3.5-star apartment in Puerto Morelos. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a rooftop terrace. Popular attractions Puerto Morelos Town Square and Puerto ...
7.8/10 Good! (7 reviews)
"Porto Blu was a perfect stay. Hosts were incredibly communicative, property is beautiful, rooftop is perfect. Rooms were absolutely gorgeous. Thank you so much!"

Reviewed on Mar 23, 2025

Porto Blu
Villas Kaàn
Villas Kaàn
4.5 out of 5
SM12 L13 D6 Maria Irene, Puerto Morelos, QROO
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury aparthotel in Puerto Morelos. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 2 outdoor pools. Popular attractions Puerto Morelos Beach and Puerto ...
10/10 Exceptional! (1 review)
Really nice
"Really nice place at the beach. Nice pools and comfortable rooms. Michael really nice host and help with all things. Definetely next time to same place."

Reviewed on Mar 19, 2025

Villas Kaàn
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Puerto Morelos

4.2
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
620
5 - Excellent 46%
4 - Good
501
4 - Good 37%
3 - Okay
181
3 - Okay 13%
2 - Disappointing
27
2 - Disappointing 2%
1 - Terrible
18
1 - Terrible 1%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

We will be back!

1/5 - Terrible

Verified traveler

For the price, better resorts are available

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveler

We didnt really get to see it. Wanted to do the bike ride into town, but The rest of my party didnt bring sneakers

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Great bike ride from resort to town.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

The ease of traveling to and from the Cancun airport is very safe and a short distance. We used the super shuttle service and it was great.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Beaches can have a little of seaweed, but hotel staff are always on top of cleaning.

Cities near Puerto Morelos