Updated our February 3, 2023 article with new activities and more money-saving tips.
Puerto Morelos is located between Cancun and Playa del Carmen, only 20 minutes from the Cancun International Airport. Formerly a small fishing village, tourism is now the main source of cash flow for its citizens.
The village is divided in two. The first is La Colonia, located just off Route 307, the Riviera Maya’s main road from Cancún to Tulum. This part is a little more authentic, with low-cost local restaurants, street food stalls and more rustic houses. There’s also a huge Chedraui, a large-scale grocery store well known in Mexico.
On the other side of Route 307, the only road for three kilometers crosses a large swamp before arriving on the “port” side at the seaside. This part is a little more touristy as there are many hotels, souvenir stores, a phenomenal amount of restaurants, and of course, the white sand beach stretches for miles.
Besides swimming in turquoise water, Puerto Morelos is known for diving and snorkelling. Close to the shore, you’ll find a large coral reef where many multicolored fish live side by side. It is also possible to go out on the high seas to practice fishing. If you’re not interested in the water, the many stores, restaurants and beach clubs are waiting with open arms for you to have a good time.
My favorites in Puerto Morelos:
In all, I’ve spent the equivalent of five months in Puerto Morelos over the last few years, which tells you how much this village charms me, even though it’s becoming increasingly touristy and not as “secret ” as it used to be. Some highlights not to be missed during your visit:
This increasingly popular peninsula is located on the other side of Cancún, about 2 hours away by car and a few minutes by ferry. The ADO bus goes daily to Chiquilà from where one of the two boats leaves to take you to Holbox.
Depending on the time of year, Holbox can be a pleasant and relaxing island or a muddy and rowdy one. That’s because the streets are actually sandy paths, and there are plenty of hotels where people party!
You can walk, ride an electric golf cart or bike, enjoy the beach, and the shallow wave-free sea, take pictures for Instagram, admire the many colourful murals, and just enjoy life.
Don’t hesitate to book an excursion to Holbox Island to enjoy the beach or visit the village.
My favourites in Holbox:
I also want to tell you about the Yucatan Peninsula which is less often visited, but easily accessible with the ADO buses or by renting a car from the Cancún airport.
This small town, classified as a Pueblos Magicos, is simply beautiful and is best visited on foot. From its central square, you can admire the San Gervasio cathedral, sample from the food trucks, and enjoy spontaneous entertainment by street entertainers.
The most colourful street in Valladolid is Calzada de Los Frailles, where your camera will come in handy.
My favorites of Valladolid:
The capital of the Yucatan region, Mérida is a great historical city. The central square remains a lively and very nice place to visit. Many guided tours, some of which are free, depart from this location.
You can also visit the Museo Casa Montejo, which traces the history of the most prominant family in the region. Do you like markets? I love them, and in Merida, there is the Mercado Lucas de Gervès; you can find fruits, vegetables, meat, clothes, and just about everything there.
If you love Mexican cuisine, you can’t miss this gastronomic tour of Mérida.
My favorites in Merida:
On the northern tip, not far from Holbox, Rio Lagartos is a pretty fishing village.
Its greatest attraction: a swath of pink flamingos in January. It’s also a great stop to taste the local seafood caught in the early morning just off the coast.
Opt for a tour of the lagoon by boat or go to Las Coloradas, pink, turquoise, copper, and green salt marshes.
My favorites in Rio Lagartos:
Here are a few suggestions for activities in the area:
Here are two Ulysses guides to other places and activities:
If you’re planning a trip to Mexico, choose a credit card with no conversion fees. That’s 2. 5% savings per transaction!
Discover all our tips in our guide to saving on foreign currency transactions.
Here are some cards with no conversion fees:
To reach Cancún or Tulum, you can use points from the Aeroplan loyalty program. A minimum of 12,500 points is required for a one-way economy flight from Montreal, according to Air Canada’s points predictor.
Our Aeroplan beginner’s guide shows you all the tricks to quickly earn points on your daily expenses.
Many loyalty programs offer the possibility of converting your reward points into account credit. You’ll save on travel expenses. Popular programs include :
There are several ways to earn Marriott Bonvoy Rewards points. The easiest way is via credit card.
American Express offers two credit cards linked to this loyalty program:
Each of these cards allows you to earn Marriott Bonvoy points directly through your daily spending, as well as through welcome offers.
Marriott hotels abound in the area. Here are some of them:
You’ve spotted a hotel that isn’t a Marriott: there are several ways to save money.
How can I save on independent hotel reservations? Many tips are listed in our guide.
Winter is the most pleasant season, according to the Ulysses guides. Hurricane risk is high in September and October.
This region offers a wide choice of hotels and activities for young and old. The Riviera Maya is easily accessible via Cancún and Tulum airports.
There’s no shortage of all-inclusives in and around Cancún. Some are adults-only, such as the Grand Fiesta Americana Coral Beach Cancun and Blanc Spa Resort Cancun.
It all depends on your tastes. The Riviera Maya remains a destination of choice, offering many attractions for the whole family. From sublime beaches and parks to archaeological sites such as Tulum, your vacation will be both relaxing and enriching.
Savings are here:
