Puerto Morelos

Riviera Maya fishing town with a leaning lighthouse and reef protected just offshore.

Puerto Morelos sits between Cancun and Playa del Carmen on the Riviera Maya, but feels about a world away from either. It is a small fishing town that has grown into a low-key traveller base — still centred on a modest town square fronting the beach, with a lighthouse that leans slightly to one side thanks to a long-ago hurricane and never got fixed.

The reef offshore is part of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, the second largest in the world, and it is protected as a national maritime park. No motorised watersports are allowed, which keeps it quiet and healthy. Several dive shops work out of the town. The Yaax Che Botanical Garden on the highway south of town is one of the better places on the coast to see the native flora of the Yucatan, and the Ruta de Cenotes — a string of freshwater sinkholes — begins just inland.

The town square has a good spread of restaurants for its size, ranging from no-frills Mexican holes in the wall to fine dining that draws visitors from the resort strip. It is the right size to walk everywhere, and traffic is light enough that the horse carriage offering rides around the square is not just decorative.

Guide

Day Trips in Puerto Morelos

THE LITTLE MEXICAN COOKING SCHOOL in Puerto Morelos Opening December 8th, 2009, the Little Mexican Cooking school is providing day long classes in traditional and contemporary Mexican food. Local chefs will give hands on lessons and you will learn about the Mexican flavours you can add to to your cooking. An incentive of an Australian and a Canadian, the school offers a great fun alternative day with a souvenir apron and recipe book, bookings via the web or 52 998 1598890. A great lunch rounds off the day

NATIONAL MARITIME PARK Snorkeling, Diving, Fishing The 2nd largest reef in the world is on Puerto Morelos' doorstep and povides a great location for holiday snorkeling and diving. It is a protected reef so no motorised sports are available but various companies are proud to take you out to see the sights including Dive in Puerto Morelos, Aquanauts, Almost Heaven and others. There is great sport fishing as well, Diving Dog Tours and Chucho's Don Pepe boats

HORSE RIDING AND FOUR WHEELERS at the Polo Club A great day our could be a leisurely stroll on horseback through the jungle surrounded tracks of the El Rey Polo Country Club with their trained guides, great fun activity for children and adults. There are also four wheelers to take you on a great cenote adventure for swimning and snorekling in the cool waters ** POLO, learn, play or watch** Always wanted to know what polo was about? come along to the El Rey Polo Country Club, the only full fiel in Southern Mexico. You can take a very reasonably priced lesson for horse riding or polo in a beautiful setting. If you are already a player, you can stick and ball or join in a game. There are various tournaments throughout the year and everyone is welcome to come and join in. They have a full bar and restaurant and swimming pool as well

YAAX CHE BOTANIC GARDEN Situated on the highway just out side Puerto Morelos is the lush quiet Yaax Che gardens where you can walk in peace and learn about the flora and fauna of the region. Come along and support the wondeerful volunteers who continue to make this beautiful spot available to you.

CROCOCUN ZOO A great family day out - have a look at the wild animals of the region, hold a snake or a crocodile

RUTA DE CENOTES - Road of the Cenotes Our workd famous cenotes line this road, you can visitm them by the four wheeler sfrom the polo club or take your own hire car. They ar a wonderway to cool off fromt heat, swimming an snorkeling in depp cool clear waters of the undergroudn water system - remember no sunscreen or repellant or any other creams etc before swiming thsi is pristine water and a delicate ecoswstem

CHICHEN ITZA, COBA, EL BALAM The greatest archaelogical sites of the region are only a day trip from Puerto Morleos. You can take a tour company or take yourself! The highways are easy to travel and clearly marked to these amazing destinations ** HOLBOX, ISLA MUJERES, TULUM** These world famous locations are also only a day trip and easily accessibel by bus, ferry, hire car etc. Holbox is a 'big day out' and a lot of people opt to stay over on the island for a night, great attractions there are the flamingoes and the whale sharks.

Contributors September 27, 2009

Guide

Eating Out in Puerto Morelos

Eating out in Puerto Morelos! list of possibilities

Want catering in your villa? come January 2010 you can call The Little Mexican Cooking School and they will send over one of their chefs, you'll find them on the web too. Here is a selection of the places to eat: ** On the Town Square**

Café de Amancia On the south side of the square, kitty corner from the church. Espresso coffee and light fresh meals with internet available. Open early until late. Closes in the afternoon for siesta. Closed Tuesdays

**Doña Triny's. ** On the south side of the town square. Mexican food, local specialties. Lunch and dinner. Closed Wednesdays

L' Oazis ** On the south side of the town square. Wide variety of choices. Dinner only. Closed Mondays ** The Ice Cream Place In the middle of the south side of the square. Lots of varieties of ice cream in the cone or by weight to take home

David Lau's On the south side of the square. Asian food & Italian specialties, pizza, spaghetti. Weekdays 5-10 / Weekends 3-10. Closed Wednesdays ** Hola Asia** On the square, south side near the beach. Asian food, lunch-time buffet. Chinese, Thai and Sushi. Good and cheap. Opens daily at 3pm, Sundays at 1pm. Closed Tuesdays

El Tio opens very early and closes late Across from the lighthouse, just around the north corner of the square. Mexican hole in the wall, inexpensive meals and take away. Open all day and most of the night. Never seems to close.

El Pirata On the north side of the square on the corner near the police station. Wide varied menu. Open all day every day. ** Los Gauchos** Across from the church on the south side. Varied menu, pizza, homemade pasta, empanadas. Inexpensive. Dinner only. Closed Mondays

Pelicanos On the beach, just around the south corner of the square. Mexican seafood, full bar, popular with tourists. Open all day every day.

La Terraza On the north side of the square upstairs. Vegetarian choices. Healthy, light Mexican food. Much is homemade. Open daily 7am-10pm.

La Casa del Pescador On top of the fish co-op beside Terraza on the north side. Seafood. Open 10 –10 daily during high season

Restaurante El Faro On top of the supermarket, near the dock. Steaks, fish, fajitas, shrimp, soup and salad. Cold beer, great view of the square and the fishing pier activities. Open daily. Closed Wednesdays ** El Michoacan Ice cream Along the beach, just south of the square An ice cream store with an amazing variety of real fruit ice creams, in the little mall next to the supermarket. ** Los Palmeros On the ocean, half a block south of the square. Mexican seafood. Open for lunch and dinner daily

La Panza Es Primero In what used to be Paradise Pier, south of the square, very cold beer and cocktails has fun, cartoon Mexican sports bar atmosphere. Great deck and view of the ocean, beautiful timber floors and palapa. ** Cayote Apache in Hotel Carmen Hacienda** 1 long block south of the square on the beach in what was Hacienda Morelos, about Mixed variety of food to suit tourists, hotel and restaurant now managed by Carmen Inns. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

El Gato Azul Nearby the Carmen Hacienda, across the street in front of the kindergarten. Cute café. Variety of breakfast and lunch dishes, crepes, sandwiches and fruit. Homemade specialities, cakes, delicious hot and cold drinks. Single bedroom Studio for rent in the back of the café. Closed Thursdays.

La Suegra (de John Gray) On the beach just north of the square. Breakfast & lunch favourites and gourmet. Not cheap but a great location. Open for breakfast and lunch. All you can eat on Sundays with a barbecue. ** La Petita** On the road near the lighthouse. Fish & Lobster - great fried fish and cold beers. Fisherman hang-out, muy autentico! Open daily

North of the Square on Ninos Heroes Road ** John Gray’s Kitchen** 1-ish block north of the square on Ninos Heroes opposite Hotel Inglaterra. Fine dining, international cuisine. Reservations recommended, no credit cards. Dinner only, high season. Closed Sundays

Loncheria Mimi About 1 block north of the square on Ninos Heroes. Local food (cocina economica) Open all day

The Biergarten Adjacent John Grays, this indoor outdoor venue is casual dining with a german menu and cheap beer Schnitzels, pasta, fish, very reasonable. Closed Monday

The Little Fish place Next to the tortilleria in Ninos Heroes - local seafood basics - fried fish fresh cheap

** North of the square, along the main road (Rojo Gomez) ** Juicy Rosy's Juice Bar One half block north of the square on Rojo Gomez (main road). Breakfast, lunch, juices & smoothies. Lunch & dinner daily

Pizza and Love On Rojo Gomez next to the Police station Open in the evenings

The Octopus On Ninos Heroes they have fresh seafood tacos, cheap and good, every day. near Lonceria Mimi, opposite John Gray’s ** Mama’s Bakery** Half block north of the square on Rojo Gomez. North American-style baked goods and breakfast & lunch. Breakfast and lunch. Closed Mondays

Don Pepe’s Ole One half block north of the square on Rojo Gomez (main road). Mexican food and steaks, full bar. Lunch and dinner daily

Pescayito's North of the square, half a block opposite Habanero's. Hole in the wall fun place with seafood tacos and other light meals. Very clean, cheap, and great attention, they also have the best Micheladas and Mojitos in town. Closed Mondays ** Cantina Habaneros** On Rojo Gomez. Full restaurant & Bar. Open daily with food and bar service at night (Live music sometimes). Home of a weekly 'Meet, Greet, & Eat' every Friday night, for Trip Advisor people and other visitors, often followed by live music.Open every day.

Spaghettino reopening in November at a new location Italian style food. Dinner from November-ish. Closed Sundays ** Ojo de Agua Restaurant** South of the square, along the main road (Rojo Gomez) On the beach at Ojo de Agua Hotel. American, Mexican. Cancun visitors hang out Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily.

Posada Amor Just south of the square on Rojo Gomez. The oldest restaurant in Puerto Morelos, has retained a loyal clientele for nearly 3 decades. Terrific mexican and seafood dishes. Famous great Sunday brunch buffet. Open all day, every day. ** Al Chimichurri Across from Posada Amor on Rojo Gomez. Empanadas, pizza, fresh pasta, meat. Opens at 5:00. Closed Mondays ** Bara Bara A place where Martinis, caguamas, and good music join to give you a night of pleasure. Opens daily at 8pm until very late: Fridays HOUSE Music, national and international DJ's, Saturday DANCE HALL, REGGAE, RAGGA, DRUM & BASS

Los Baleanoras Just down from Bara Bara, local family run Argentinian speciailites, lots of barbecue, salads, pastas, good red wine, very reasonable priced TUE-SUN 5.30pm- 11.30pm ** The Little Empanada place South of the town square opposite the Handicraft Market, local chap eatery has empanadas (7 pesos), salbuches etc. good for a cheap quick snack. Open daily, day time ** Cactuz Just past the handicraft market on the other side. Reopens November Argentinian food - big fat steaks with salad, mixed grill, also do vegetarian shashliks and other dishes including pastas and empanadas. Fun place with local artists exhibited on the walls, backyard and live music in high season. Open for lunch and dinner high season.

** On the Beach, north**

Ixchel Beach Bar On the beach, near star wars condos. You can lie on the beach under an umbrella or sit on a stool with your feet in the sand. Drinks & sandwiches. Sunday BBQ. Open daily except Tuesday and during thunderstorms

** South of town**

La Marina On the Marina at El Cid (open to the public) Seafood, view of the marina. Open daily - closed until first week November

In the Colonia

There are a lot of small restaurants and taco shops in the colonia (west side of the highway) including these:

Valentina's On the southbound lateral, just south of the highway intersection. Mexican food, plus burritos and fajitas. No English spoken, but very friendly, clean and inexpensive. Open daily ** Pizza del Carmen** Just south of the highway intersection on the eastbound one-way road. Pizza. 2 for 1 every Tuesday and Thursday - They deliver too Open daily

Contributors September 27, 2009

Guide

Things to do in Puerto Morelos

**

The Little Mexican Cooking School in Puerto Morelos** Opens on January 5, 2010 and will be supplying twice weekly 'hands-on' cooking classes for tourists, in traditional and contemporary Mexican food. Bookings are in advance call 52 998 1598890. The school offers an alternative cultural experience and provides a souvenir apron and recipe book as well as a late lunch

National Maritime Park Reef - Diving Snorkelling Fishing The reef in front of Puerto Morelos provids hours of fun for divers and snorkellers, it is a protected reef so no motorised sports allowed. There are several dive shops to look after your needs, Dive in Puerto Morelos, Aquanauts, Almost Heaven to name just three. They can help with all your equipment needs and your snorkel or dive trips. There are several fishing companies including Diveing Dog Toiurs and Chucho's Don Pepe boats.

Horse Back Riding and lessons at the Polo Club, four wheelers and more Puerto Morelos sports the only full size polo green in this region of Mexico at the El Rey Polo Country Club. Some of their beautiful horses ar available for trail riding through the jungle surrounded tracks of the grounds, for children and adults. There are also 4 wheeler tours to our beautiful cenotes where you can swim in their cool clear waters

Want to Learn Polo, play or watch? World class polo is played at the El Rey Polo Country Club, you can pick up some very  fairly priced lessons, stick and ball OR come along on a Saturday and watch a game of polo. There are several tournaments through out the year and players come from all over to participate

Yaax Che Botanic Garden Just outside Puerto Morelos is th beautiful  quiet lush botanic garden where you can learn a lot about the local flora and fauna. Come and support the many volunteers who have made this unique garden possible.

Ruta de Cenotes - the world famous cenotes Puerto Morelos has several unique cenotes along the roda called Ruta de Cenotes, you cna get there by fourwheeler form the polo club or  with a hire car. Green Star, Siete Bocas, Boca de Puma, Kin Ha are amongst those possible to visit.