Caribbean Coast Places

Puerto Morelos

The sleeping beauty is awakening. For years Puerto Morelos was known only for being the coastal town where the car ferry departed for Cozumel. Over the past decade, this cargo port has morphed into the gateway to the Riviera Maya. About halfway between Cancún and Playa del Carmen, Puerto Morelos makes a great base for exploring the region. The town itself is quaint and colorful, with a central plaza surrounded by shops and restaurants. Its trademark is a leaning lighthouse.

The pace is slow, the vibe is relaxed, and the atmosphere bohemian enough to attract a cluster of artists, painters, and poets. Many of the residents are Americans and Canadians who own local businesses or commute daily to Cancún.

Puerto Morelos's greatest appeal lies out at sea: the superb coral reef only 1,800 feet offshore is an excellent place to snorkel and scuba dive. This thriving reef and the surrounding mangrove forests are a protected national park, meaning trips can only be made with licensed guides. The park is home to 36 species of birds, making it a great place for bird-watchers. (The mangroves are also a haven for mosquitoes—bring repellant, especially after dusk.)

Environmental laws and building restrictions keep growth under tight control. This has prevented Puerto Morelos from becoming the next Cancún or Playa del Carmen—which many locals consider a blessing. Although these are not the turquoise waters of Cancún, they are calm and safe. The sand may not be as immaculate as elsewhere, but you can walk for miles and see only a few people.