A thriving Caribbean port town on the Yucatan Peninsula, Puerto Morelos is a relaxed fishing village between the touristic hotspots of Cancun and Playa del Carmen. Warm Caribbean waters, a stunning barrier reef and brilliantly hued cenotes make this one of the most cherished spots in Mexico for diving, fishing and snorkelling.

Things to do

Puerto Morelos is a diver’s dreamland, home to the Mesoamerican Barrier reef, the second largest in the world. Casual divers and snorkelers can float amongst sea turtles, eagle rays, lobsters and rainbow-coloured fish, while wreck divers head for the sunken C-56 navy boat and the cenotes sinkholes. A special treat is diving to the underwater sculpture series by artist Jason de Caires Taylor.

Other water-based activities include jet skiing, parasailing and swimming with whale sharks. Anglers can book a sports fishing charter to catch sailfish, Spanish mackerel, wahoo and blue marlin. You can also fish straight from the pier in the heart of town.

Pick up some local crafts, jewellery and high-quality handcrafted hammocks at Artisans Market, then stroll Jardin Botanico Dr Alfredo Barrera Marin, a 65-hectare botanical reserve featuring orchids, bromeliads and various succulents. Traveling with kids? Don’t miss the Croco Cun Interactive Zoo, a conservationist zoo with endangered species, boa constrictors, spider monkeys, crocodiles and macaws.

In the evening, enjoy live music and traditional Mexican dishes at La Petita or try Uruguayan cuisine at Al Chimichurri. Practice your salsa dancing at Posada Amor and sip handcrafted martinis at Bara Bara.

Getting around

Many visitors choose to walk or rent a bike in Puerto Morelos, but taxis are available in the main square. You can pick up a rental car at Cancun International Airport, about 25 kilometres away.