Hotels in Puerto Morelos

Puerto Morelos Hotels

Run your hands through powdery white sand, or dive below the turquoise Caribbean waves to swim through a confetti of jewel-coloured fish, at the tropical Mexican coastal town of Puerto Morelos. Only the Great Barrier Reef is larger than the Great Mesoamerican Reef, and this stunningly diverse ecosystem is home to more than 500 different types of fish. Puerto Morelos gives you VIP access to the reef, and lets you stay in an ideal location for taking day trips out to the colourful chaos of Cancun, or the moss-coated ruins of some of the most spectacularly well-preserved Mayan ruins in existence.

Things to see

Learn to scuba dive in Puerto Morelos, and you’ll see lightening-blue angel fish, majestic seahorses and curious turtles peeking out from between the coral, as you navigate an extraordinary submarine world. If you’d rather stay dry, without missing out on the animals, a glass-bottomed boat will give you a window into the reef, or you could head out to Crococun Zoo. There, you'll get chance to touch the rough skin of grinning crocodiles, and stroke the fur of cute monkeys, as they snatch the food you're holding out for them. You can’t visit the Yucatán Peninsula without swimming in the fresh water of one of its famous cenotes - sinkholes filled with the clearest water you’ve ever seen. Cenote Verde glows beautifully as it reflects the leaves, branches and vines that are knotted over its sides. Make a splash by jumping in from its diving platforms, or pick up some speed on the zip-line that sags just above the water’s surface. If you’re up for a challenge, seek out the cenote that’s hiding at Ojo de Agua Beach. Here’s a clue, it’s out to sea, and the fresh water that gushes out of the small hole in the seabed is a little cooler than the seawater - so look out for a slight change in the water temperature as you're swimming.

Hotels in Puerto Morelos

Practically every hotel here nonchalantly offers amazing views of uninterrupted blue sea meeting the sky - so the 5-star luxury options really have to go above and beyond to stand out. Top quality hotels in Puerto Morelos let you soak in baths of aromatic rose petals, and sleep in spectacular bedrooms, where the softest Egyptian cotton sheets are waiting to carry you off to sleep each night. Stay at indulgent spa hotels to feel magic fingers unwinding your back muscles, or to try out the fitness facilities – should you ever need a change from sunset jogs along the beach. Even the cheapest hotels in Puerto Morelos will leave you feeling like royalty, as you swim lengths of sparkling outdoor pools, or recline in comfortably air conditioned rooms.

Where to stay

Its great hotels, envied location and friendly atmosphere means Puerto Morelos really does tick all the boxes. In the evenings, head to restaurants where you can choose your own fish from the day’s haul, before kicking back with an icy cerveza, watching as your fish is fired to perfection. Wake early to mix with the locals at the town’s bustling market, picking up fresh pineapples, or investing in a handmade hammock - perfect for your afternoon siestas.

How to get to Puerto Morelos

Cancun Airport is Mexico’s second largest, and flights from across the world touch down there. Many Puerto Morelos hotels run free transfers, but if you’re catching public transport, then the ADO bus will run you from the airport to the outskirts of the city. Renting a car gives you the option to drive out to Chichen Itza, a bone-fide wonder of the world, or down to Playa del Carmen and its lively beach parties.

When are the best times to travel to Puerto Morelos?

If you’re visiting for the blissful heat of the Mexican sun – and that is one of the biggest draws, after all – then you’ll want to be here for between March and May, and between July and August. These are the periods which will really work wonders for your tan, although if you’d prefer something a little less intense, then head over between December and March, when the temperatures won’t be quite so extreme. Downpours are frequent between September and November, and there will be the risk of hurricanes, too.

What are the top must-see attractions in Puerto Morelos?

Located between the famous pleasure spots of Cancun and Playa del Carmen, Puerto Morelos is a refreshingly relaxed treasure on the Yucatan. It’s most popular attraction is the wide, pristine beach, where you’ll be met by sparkling Caribbean waters and plenty of room to bask. Nature lovers will relish the Jardin Botanico, which is lush with ornamental plants and palms, not to mention playful spider monkeys. The symbol of the area is the famous leaning lighthouse, the Faco Inclinado, which still stands proud – albeit slightly slanted – on the seafront.

What are the best types of food and restaurants in Puerto Morelos?

If you like your margaritas frosty cold and suitably strong, you’ll lap them up in the bars of Puerto Morelos. You can also feast on classic local dishes, like deliciously sour and lip-smacking ceviche, as well as freshly grilled lobsters with sizzling shells. Need serious refuelling after a day’s wandering? The heavily loaded nachos should do the trick. There are eateries spread out by the beach, and around the town square, so you can have a pit stop wherever your Puerto Morelos hotel happens to be.

What are the top things to do in Puerto Morelos?

This part of the peninsula is famed for its proximity to the Mesoamerican Reef, which lies 500 metres from the beach. A submerged realm of darting fish and languid sea turtles, it’s the perfect place to snorkel. After drying off, go and meet some of the wild locals at Crococun Zoo, where you can feed deer, kiss parrots, and even get to grips with the diminutive Mexican crocodiles. Foodies will also want to book a class at the Little Mexican Cooking School, a much-loved institution popular with tourists.

What are some fun facts about Puerto Morelos?

This area is nicknamed La Joya del Caribe, or the Jewel of the Caribbean, which is fitting for such a relatively hidden gem. Its real name, Puerto Morelos, derives from a national hero of Mexico, José María Morelos, a priest who led revolutionaries during the Mexican War of Independence. The area is renowned for its access to the Mesoamerican Reef, and divers will be intrigued to know that this reef stretches for well over 600 miles and is the 2nd largest such system in the world after the Great Barrier Reef.

What kinds of public transport are there in Puerto Morelos?

Travel in Puerto Morelos is a breeze, thanks to the relatively small size of the community. Staying here, you won’t really have to step on any public transport at all, as the beach, the town square, and surrounding attractions are all within strolling distance. If you do need to go further afield, there are plenty of taxis readily available to whisk you on your way.