Hotels near Puerto Morelos

Puerto Morelos is a low-rise fishing town halfway between Cancun and Playa del Carmen, and in October it is one of the safest bets for clear water. A coral reef runs parallel to the shore less than 1 km out, protected as Puerto Morelos Reef National Park, and it breaks up the waves and catches much of the sargassum that can wash onto the Hotel Zone's open beaches.

Licensed boat operators by the town pier run snorkelling trips to the reef, where the water is shallow and calm and parrotfish, rays and sea turtles are common sightings; every snorkeller wears a life vest and pays the national park fee. On land, the leaning lighthouse, knocked off balance by Hurricane Beulah in 1967, is the town's best-known landmark, and the main square is lined with seafood restaurants serving ceviche and whole fried fish.

Pro Tip: Book a morning snorkelling trip beside the pier, when the sea is calmest, and bring pesos in cash for the reef fee. Wear a rash vest or reef-safe sunscreen, as guides increasingly ask for it.