About a quarter of a century ago, Playa del Carmen on Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula was a sleepy fishing village, with its main street a dirt track. Most visitors were adventurous, independent travelers, with development just beginning. Today, the coastal resort town is one of the most popular in the country, which means those days of empty or nearly empty beaches are long gone.
While Playa del Carmen has changed quite a bit over the years, that doesn’t mean you can’t find the same kind of experience it once offered. Puerto Morelos is still mostly a hidden beach town. While it’s slowly getting discovered, it still offers that quaint, laid-back fishing village feel, along with beautiful beaches for snorkeling and swimming.
A Well-Kept Secret
Puerto Morelos is within 25 minutes of Playa del Carmen and Cancun, yet most travelers pass it by, heading to one of the many resorts in either town. Perhaps it’s the lack of marketing, but whatever it is, this lesser-known, authentic village provides a much more peaceful alternative to those commercialized destinations—at least for now. You’re unlikely to encounter loud crowds or pushy vendors, although the nightlife isn’t hopping 24/7.
An Underwater Paradise
If you like to snorkel, the world’s second-largest barrier reef is right off its shoreline. It’s easy to access, so you don’t have to worry about booking a high-priced excursion from Cancun or Playa del Carmen. Enjoy incredible marine life encounters within the protected reef, with just some of the possible sightings including colorful tropical fish like parrotfish and queen angelfish, sea turtles, spotted eagle rays, and the occasional moray eel.
Shopping, Dining, and Accommodation
Despite its quieter vibe, you’ll find plenty when it comes to shopping, dining, and accommodation options in Puerto Morelos. Some say it’s the perfect-sized beach town, while bursting with color and the pristine beaches the Mexican Caribbean region is known for.
What I love about Puerto Morelos is that there are no big shopping malls or brand-name stores. Shopping venues here focus on unique, locally produced items, including local craft markets with handmade pottery, jewelry, textiles, and more.
For drinking and dining, you’ll find beach bars (often referred to as chiringuitos) that serve light bites and drinks along with casual eateries, beach clubs, and higher-end options, with lots of fresh seafood on the menu.
The development that has taken place in recent years means that you can still find a wide range of places to stay, from budget-friendly to luxurious. That includes all-inclusive resorts, boutique hotels, B&Bs, apartments, and various other vacation rentals.
As with so many destinations across the globe, if Puerto Morelos sounds enticing, book sooner rather than later to enjoy it before the word gets out.
