Before you go

Your trip to Puerto Morelos.

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

Puerto Morelos – Quintana Roo Destination Riviera Maya (Playa del Carmen and Cozumel) about 345 km from Chetumal

How to get there

Aeropuerto Internacional de Cancún (CUN) Cancún · 20 km
Parada de ônibus de Puerto Morelos (rodovia 307) 2 km

Approximate road distances. Check flights and bus schedules before you travel.

It is about 20 km from Cancún airport and 35 km from Playa del Carmen. Highway 307 buses stop at the junction with the village road, about 2 km from the center, from where you continue by taxi.

How many days

One day is enough for snorkeling at the reef, the square and the lighthouse. As a quiet base, the village works for a few days of beach close to the airport.

When to go

December to April is usually the dry season. The reef is clearer with no wind and no rain. June to November is the Caribbean hurricane season.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

Do you need a car?

Not needed for the village, which is explored on foot. A car helps for the Route of the Cenotes, the road that leaves the village inland, with several cenotes open to the public.

Suggested itinerary

An order that works

Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.

One day in Puerto Morelos

Morning
Snorkel at the reef
Hire at the square a registered fishing boat for snorkeling at the national park reef, a few minutes from the beach.
Afternoon
Botanical garden
In the afternoon, go to the Jardín Botánico Dr. Alfredo Barrera Marín, on the roadside, for jungle trails and the chicle harvesters' camp.
Late afternoon
Leaning lighthouse
In the late afternoon, walk along the beach to the leaning lighthouse and the village pier.
Evening
Dinner at the square
Dine at the seaside square, with fish and seafood restaurants run by local fishermen.

Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.

Before you go

Frequently asked questions

Is Puerto Morelos near Cancún airport?

Yes, about 20 km, roughly 20 minutes by car. It is one of the closest bases to the airport in the Riviera Maya.

Why is the Puerto Morelos lighthouse tilted?

The lighthouse was partially knocked over by Hurricane Beulah in 1967 and remained tilted. A new lighthouse was built beside it and the old one became a symbol of the village.

Can you snorkel in Puerto Morelos?

Yes. The reef is a few hundred meters from the beach, inside a national park, and boats depart from the square with registered guides.

What is the Route of the Cenotes of Puerto Morelos?

A road that leaves the village inland toward Leona Vicario, with several cenotes open to the public along the way.

Back to Puerto Morelos