Just 34 km from Cancun, near Playa del Carmen and Caribbean Sea, Puerto Morelos Reef National Park is located, named after its second place on the world-largest reefs. Its coral ecosystem is home to an extensive number of fishes and seaweed that protect extinction-threatened species.
This national park belongs to the Mesoamerican Reef Barrier System, aka the Great Mayan Reef. It was declared as a natural protected zone in ’88. Its sand is white and soft, and its water is so crystal that you will be able to contemplate underwater wildlife of the whole place.
Puerto Morelos National Reef Park
Where is the Puerto Morelos National Reef Park located? It’s situated on the Caribbean coast of Quintana Roo, Mexico. It’s easily accessible from Cancun and Playa del Carmen through 307 Federal Highway. From Cancun Airport, the route takes less than 40 min., while from Playa del Carmen, approximate arrival time is 35 min.
Snorkeling Puerto Morelos Reef National Park will allow you to see underwater wildlife in Puerto Morelos. It is mainly conformed by corals, snails, sea sponges, octopuses, shrimps, a great variety of reef fishes, turtles (carey, caguama, green and white), starfishes, stingrays, lobsters, among many others.
You can also find several types of corals, such as moose horn coral (which is in extinction threat). In the reef surroundings, different types of animals inhabit, such as spyder monkeys and ocelots, which live in the forestry area of Puerto Morelos.
Puerto Morelos Tours
Puerto Morelo offers several recreational activities for the whole family, from nice and crystal beaches to great museums full of history and a never-ending underwater and wildlife. You will be able to practice extreme sports throughout the whole place, so you can get to know the area during your stay.
Jungle tours
Far from the whole Puerto Morelos civilization is the jungle located, which is home to a wide variety of wildlife species. You can get through it by horse, quad bike, or mountain bike. An unforgettable experience that will reconnect you with nature and archaeological ruins during the whole tour. Cost ranges from 80 USD to 100 USD.
Ruta de los Cenotes (Cenotes Route)
Surrounded by crystal waters and nature, tours to cenotes in Ruta de los Cenotes will give you the option to swim, scuba, or zipline. Some of them count with open-air caves where you will be able to explore. The fee is around 100 USD. You will find different-aged cenotes and underwater caves, and be able to be involved in activities guided by local experts.
Scuba
Besides exploring Puerto Morelos’ reef wonders by scuba, you can also explore a cannon ship located in the sea bottom; one of tourists favorite attractions. You must book anticipated to get special discounts.
An excellent place to scuba is the Puerto Morelos Reef National Park. Thanks to its underwater biodiversity and stunning corals, is, doubt-free, a must-scuba place.
Tour around Puerto Morelos town
Its modern history starts at the end of the XIX century and is still keeping its traditional fishers-town atmosphere. Its downtown is colorful and hosts a church where San Jose, the patron of these lands, is venerated.
In the town, you will be able to find cafes, bars, and typical Mexican and international restaurants, whatever is your pick. You can also take a tour including the whole history of this nice fishers town.
Playa del Secreto (Secret Beach)
Near Puerto Morelos and over Riviera Maya main highway is this beach located. Considered as one of the most beautiful beaches in the Mexican Caribbean, Playa del Secreto is the quietest of the whole zone. Even though its beauty, it has remained out of the massive tourism radar.
To get there, you will have to cross a mangrove area. The beach is almost unspoiled, so not many services are available. On the way there, you may come across wild animals. Depending on where are you located, the tour through the mangrove and the arrival to the beach might take around 1 hr. The fee is around 80 USD.
Punta Maroma
Over the main Riviera Maya highway too is Punta Maroma, a great beach with incredibly crystal waters and impressively white sand. It was home to a little Mayan community that remained unknown until a few decades ago.
Snorkel and scuba near the reef barrier are two of the most practiced sports on its coasts, even though thanks to the extremely crystal waters, you will be able to watch the fishes even from the shore. During the tour to get there, a short stretch of the jungle is crossed, where you will be coordinated by zone knowledgeable guides. The fee ranges from 120 to 140 USD, some tours include recreational activities as well.
Snorkel in Puerto Morelos Reef National Park
The top experience in terms of snorkeling in the whole area. This activity will allow you to discover undertaker wildlife living at Puerto Morelos Reef National Park. Tours count with specialists that will help you get the max out of your experience.
Snorkeling at Puerto Morelos’ reef will let you discover a colorul underwater world, watch all the fauna and flora living in it, go deep into town’s history, biodiversity and ecosystem. Tours range from 140 USD to 180 USD.
Would you like to visit this fishers village? Book a transportation service to Puerto Morelos with us.