Puerto Morelos is a charming fishing town with an incredibly strategic location in between Cancun and Playa del Carmen. It’s within easy reach of the most popular attractions in Cancun and the Riviera Maya. Featuring beautiful beaches and a peaceful, chilled atmosphere that’s different from its neighbors’, it’s an ideal place to rest and unwind. So how far is Puerto Morelos from the important places and attractions in the region?
Whether you’re looking at hotels on the Cancun side of Puerto Morelos like the Secrets Silversands, or on the Playa del Carmen side like the Now Jade Riviera, you’ll be just half an hour away from Cancun International Airport. In terms of time, you’ll be just as close as many of the hotels in the Cancun Hotel Zone. This puts you on the beach, with a cocktail in hand, within an hour, if you pick private transportation. Not bad, eh?
Speaking of airport transportation, you could get a taxi or a bus, but it’s easier to get private transportation from Cancun airport. You don’t have to wait long after your arrival and you don’t have to make lots of stops on the way. It’s just a simple way to make the most of Puerto Morelos’ proximity to the airport.
How Far is Puerto Morelos from Cancun and Riviera Maya?
Puerto Morelos is within easy reach of Cancun and its attractions, such as Market 28, Xoximilco, and the Party Zone. All are about 30 minutes away. The same applies to Playa del Carmen sights like Playa Mamitas, Quinta Avenida, Coco Bongo, and iconic Xcaret. It makes it really easy to get to Isla Mujeres and Cozumel, and difficult to choose between the two. If you pick Cozumel, you can enjoy a full island tour with pick up from your Puerto Morelos hotel. If you pick Isla Mujeres, then you can take the short trip to Cancun and grab a tour from there.
Distances from Puerto Morelos to the Mayan Ruins
Slightly farther away are the Mayan ruins of Tulum and Coba, less than 2 hours away. Tulum in particular is a must-visit, as it’s closer and it’s the only coastal Mayan archeological site in Mexico. You’ll want to spend at least a day exploring the Mayan culture, with numerous other options available. Famous Chichen Itza is just over 2 hours away, along with the popular Ik-Kil cenote (freshwater sinkhole). Stunning less well-known beaches like Akumal (full of turtles) and Xpu-Ha (inlets and cenotes) are just an hour away.
Tours and Activities in Puerto Morelos Proper
But if you’re looking to get the most from your time in Puerto Morelos, then you’ll want to get out and about in the great outdoors. Try some of the tours available through world-class suppliers, who supply comfortable air-conditioned transportation from your Puerto Morelos hotel. They also come with a quality guarantee.
Especially relevant, one of the nearest excursions is the Snorkel Park, just minutes away from your Puerto Morelos hotel. Try the Snorkel Adventure tour and explore the stunning Coral Reef National Park just offshore. But if you want to explore Puerto Morelos a bit more inland, you can enjoy the Gimme All package tour. This includes zip-lines, ATV rides, and cenotes, all at one park, making for a perfect day out that you can upgrade to a more exclusive experience.
How Far is Puerto Morelos from Xcaret and Xel-Ha?
There are also certain places that you just have to go to on a visit to the region. Experience all that makes Mexico and its Yucatan Peninsula so unique with a magical day at Xcaret! About 45 minutes from Puerto Morelos, this eco-park by the beach shows off the Mexican culture with different attractions. It offers swimming in underground rivers, local flora and fauna exhibits, thrilling shows, and traditional Mayan chocolate production. Finally, it features a Mayan ballgame along with a cultural performance extravaganza to end the day. If you’re here at the end of October, the park is a special place to spend the Day of the Dead celebrations. The food is also spectacular!
Meanwhile, you should also consider visiting Xel-Ha, a little more than 1 hour away from your Puerto Morelos resort. It’s a huge natural aquarium, a stunning inlet and one of the best and most varied places to snorkel. There is also a lazy river, bicycle rides through the jungle canopy, and a floating bridge for you to enjoy. In addition, unlimited food and drink are part of the excursion, as well as fun zip lines and cliff jumps. A perfect place for a sunny day, but also a great option for when it rains. In addition, you can visit both the Tulum ruins and Xel-Ha in one day with a combo tour.
Stay — and Play! — at Beautiful Puerto Morelos
In summary, Puerto Morelos is a fantastic place to stay for an unforgettable vacation in Cancun and Riviera Maya. You can visit the fishing village itself and find charming restaurants and small businesses, or head to larger cities nearby. Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum are all within easy reach, as are iconic regional attractions. Make the most of your hotel’s location as a great starting point for exploring this incredible coastline! If you’re staying in Puerto Morelos, Cancun or along the Riviera Maya and would like a fishing experience nearby, you can try the best sport fishing charter tour.
