This Quiet Riviera Maya Beach Town Feels Like Cancún Before the Crowds—And It’s Just 40 Minutes Away

While it’s only a 35-minute drive from Playa del Carmen and 40 minutes from Cancun, Puerto Murelos feels as if it’s worlds away. Not being a fan of crowded, tourist-heavy destinations—think sprawling resorts and so many vendors I’m stuck in a constant loop of “No, gracias”—I was instantly curious when a friend living nearby told me about this quieter small town.

This picturesque town offers a more authentic, tranquil atmosphere for enjoying chalk-white sands with crystal-clear turquoise waters, and exploring a vibrant, protected reef just offshore. No, there’s no big mall like you’ll find in its more-visited neighbors, or much for sightseeing, but you will find a charming, laid-back vibe, enticing independent shops, and plenty of places to grab authentic local eats and tasty cocktails. 

Of course, as a beach town, the first thing you probably want to know more about is the beaches!

Playa de Puerto Morelos, simply referred to as the Main Beach, is right in the heart of town. Easily accessible and very different from the crowded beaches in the popular resort areas on either side, it has quintessential white sands and brilliant blue waters, while the iconic slanted lighthouse lies adjacent. There are plenty of amenities too, including casual beachside palapa bars and eateries. There are some beach clubs here if you’re looking for umbrellas and loungers, or food and drink service. But what makes it so special is that the Great Mesoamerican Reef is just over 1,600 feet away. 

The water here is calm and shallow, protected by the reef, providing an ideal place to safely swim or snorkel right offshore. You can often see colorful fish and sometimes even rays right in the shallows. Or, take the quick ride by boat for even more exciting snorkeling with a guided tour where you’ll likely swim among colorful fish like tangs, angelfish, parrotfish, sea turtles, and rays. Plus, the coral is impressive, with fire, brain, elkhorn, and staghorn corals all protected as part of the world’s second-largest reef system.

Just north of the Main Beach, Punta Brava offers a more secluded beach experience with a more tranquil atmosphere while still offering stunning Caribbean views. But you’ll need to bring all your own supplies, including an umbrella, food and drink, as services are limited here.

South of Puerto Morelos, Petempich also offers shallow waters ideal for families with kids who want a safe place for the younger ones to splash around, protected by the nearby reef. There are a few resorts nearby for easy access and amenities like pools and restaurants.

Unico is a beach club providing breathtaking Caribbean views while sipping on cocktails and indulging in a diverse array of tasty eats, including fresh fish, tacos, prawn salad, poke bowls, rice dishes, grilled meats, and burgers. All can be enjoyed with a backdrop of live music. 

Located along Playa Puerto Morelos at the Puerto Morelos Diving Lodge, the Diving Bar is one of the most popular gathering spots in town. A casual bar/eatery, enjoy drinks, ceviche, tacos, and other light bites. Beach beds are even provided for customers.

A bar, restaurant, and beach club, Don Ernesto’s is popular for its dual happy hours that run from 3 to 4 p.m. and again from 6 to 7 p.m. The tacos are tasty, but you can get more unique items too, like the avocados stuffed with shrimp. If you like pina coladas, you’ll want to order one here!

A unique culinary gem, Dai Smokehouse and Sake Bar mixes American BBQ with Japanese. The diverse menu ensures there’s something for everyone, although many come for the sushi, ramen, and poke bowls. For a sweet finish, try the new dessert: Tataki filled with cream and served with a side of ice cream. There’s also a good range of beers, wine, and sake to complement your food with.

As noted, there isn’t a lot for sightseers, with the coast and its white sandy beaches the top attraction. That said, there are some things to do beyond the beautiful shores. 

Be sure to capture a photo of the famous El Faro Inclinado, The Leaning Lighthouse. It’s all part of the town’s vibe, symbolizing its resilience after 1967’s Hurricane Buelah devastated it. Not only is it one of the top photo ops, but it’s also a great place for taking in picturesque views of the beach and the sea, located near the pier.

There are many cenotes near Puerto Morelos that can be reached by taking the paved road into the jungle, including Boca del Puma. It includes two cenotes, a cavern cenote and an open cenote, both nestled deep within the jungle, requiring a guide to reach. Your admission includes ziplining, and you’re likely to see quite a few friendly but wild spider monkeys too. 

La Noria is also close by, along the “road of cenotes.” Here you can even swing inside a cave, something that can be done in any other cenote that I’m aware of. It also includes a floating platform at the center that you can swim to and float around. Verde Lucero includes an open cenote with caves that can be explored. It also has a cliff for jumping and a zipline while surrounded by incredibly lush scenery.

If you want safe, up-close encounters with animals like crocodiles and monkeys, head to the Croco Cun Zoo. It’s not your typical zoo, but rather an interactive experience, with guided tours that will bring you to feed, touch, and even hold some of the local wildlife. The daring can even walk through crocodiles. 

One of Mexico’s largest botanical gardens, Alfredo Barrera Marin is a 65-hectare reserve with about 1.25 miles of trails and sections dedicated to a variety of flora. It includes palms, ferns, orchids, succulents like cacti, and plants used in traditional Mayan medicine. It’s also home to a large population of wildlife that includes the region’s only remaining coastal troops of spider monkeys.

Puerto Morelos offers a good range of accommodation options from vacation rentals to boutique hotels and resorts.

One of the most luxurious places to stay in Puerto Morelos is The Fives Oceanfront Riviera Maya, with optional all-inclusive packages. It sits right along the beach with its own private area and also includes a beach club, so if you’re looking for a higher-end destination resort where there’s no need to leave the property, it’s a great pick. Accommodation options include suites with balconies, and the higher-end suites have ultra-luxe features like hot tubs or private pools. The property also includes two infinity pools, a spa, a gym, and four restaurants, although I highly recommend venturing out to try some of the local beach bars and restaurants too.

For a charming hotel near the beach that won’t cost an arm and a leg, Areia is a boutique property well worth considering. It will put you close to everything, not only the sand but a variety of food hotspots and the grocery store. There’s also a fabulous rooftop pool with a spectacular sea view.

I like to stay in vacation rentals through Airbnb, Vrbo, and the like to have a full kitchen, and often other amenities, at a reasonable price, particularly as a frequent solo traveler. There are some beachfront condos in Puerto Morelos for under $200 a night with ocean views and pools, while centrally located to multiple restaurants. 

If you’re on a really tight budget, basic apartments a block or two inland can be had for as little as $89 per night. Just be sure to read the reviews thoroughly to ensure you get the best value for all your wants and needs.

The best time to visit Puerto Morelos is generally considered to be the peak travel season, which is the sunny, dry season from December through May. January to March is the peak, with conditions typically ideal and the sargassum (seaweed) generally not a problem until April. June through November is the storm season, which means there’s a possibility of hurricanes and tropical storms, while temperatures are sizzling and humidity is high. This is also when the most sargassum ends up on the beaches. 

If you’d like fewer crowds, limited sargassum, and mostly ideal weather, consider April through mid-June. November can also be a good time, although it technically falls during the storm season, there’s less of a risk, along with fewer tourists. 

One of the joys of visiting Puerto Morelos is that it’s more of a hidden gem, making it enjoyable just to wander throughout town. Filled with color, there are countless photo ops, from the bright hues of the buildings to the lush palms, blooming flowers, and street murals. Spend time soaking up the atmosphere, enjoying the little moments of relaxed, more authentic Mexican life in between capturing your photos.

When beach conditions aren’t great due to the sargassum, plan other activities like visiting the cenotes or even taking a full-day tour to Chichen Itza. It’s home to a New Seven Wonder of the World, El Castillo, a Mayan step-pyramid famous for its astronomical precision, 365 steps, and a serpent shadow that occurs during the equinoxes.