Mexico is one of the best tropical travel hubs in the world.
While both Playa del Carmen and Puerto Morelos are located on the shore of the Caribbean Sea, the differences between the two cities may surprise you.
Below we’re diving into what makes each of these cities great and what sets them apart from one another.
Knowing what you can expect from these two cities will ensure you have the best Mexico adventure.
The entire Yucatan Peninsula is popular with tourists from around the world looking for a tropical beach vacation.
The most popular time of the year to visit Mexico is between December and February.
While this may be the busiest time with many American tourists looking to escape the winter, the best time to visit Mexico is in their spring and fall seasons between April/May and September/October.
If you’re looking to see what is better, Puerto Morelos or Playa Del Carmen, read below where I’ll dive into everything you need to know.
Things To Know About Puerto Morelos
The small town of Puerto Morelos is a quiet fishing village that is perfect for those looking for small-town vibes and relaxing along the beach.
There are many locally run shops and restaurants in this small town.
Puerto Morelos doesn’t receive a ton of tourism which means that it skips a lot of the bells and whistles you may expect on your trip.
This is a great budget-friendly place for travelers looking to save money.
Puerto Morelos is a great stop along the way to Playa del Carmen. Then you can head to Valladolid to continue the road trip.
There’s only a handful of things to do in Valladolid for travelers, but it’s worth a stop when you’re heading to Chichen Itza or even further to Merida.
Don’t miss the chance to stroll around the colorful streets and take a refreshing swim in the stunning Cenote Zaci.
While Puerto Morelos is a great place to stop on your Mexican vacation we don’t recommend spending too much time there.
How To Get To Puerto Morelos
The easiest way to get to Puerto Morelos is by car. Simply drive south on the Cancun/Mexico 307 south for 25 miles/41 km and turn on Calle Jose Maria Morelos.
There will be many signs warning of the turnoff as Puerto Morelos is a popular place to stop.
What To Do In Puerto Morelos
This small Mexican town is situated right on the water. There are a few resorts and spas in the area that give quick easy access to Puerto Morelos.
When it comes to visiting islands near Playa del Carmen, both Puerto Morelos and Playa del Carmen offer great options.
Puerto Morelos is known for its proximity to Isla Mujeres, while Playa del Carmen offers easy access to the stunning island of Cozumel.
The town itself has many small local shops, restaurants, hotels, and beaches.
This is one of the cheapest places in the area to get many of the touristy souvenirs seen in other parts of the country.
If you’re looking for something to do in the area, we recommend heading to the pier downtown.
As this is a fishing village, the fisherman clean their catch in this area. This attracts many animals, most prominently the pelicans.
The fisherman often will throw the guts of their fish into the air and pelicans will swoop down to catch it midflight delivering quite the show.
If you walk onto the pier and look down, you may be able to see the many sting rays that live in this area eating up all the scraps that the pelicans miss.
While it doesn’t have the same nightlife scene as its larger neighbors, Puerto Morelos is a great place to relax and enjoy the natural beauty of the area.
Here are some things to do in Puerto Morelos:
- Visit the Puerto Morelos National Reef Park – one of the largest coral reefs in the world. You can go snorkeling or scuba diving to see the colorful fish and coral up close.
- Explore the town’s charming waterfront district, with its colorful buildings and lively market.
- Sail on a catamaran to a sandbar. Board a catamaran and cruise through the clear Caribbean waters of Puerto Morelos Lagoon. Enjoy drinks on board while taking in beautiful views, or try stand-up paddle boarding! Enjoy some swim time once you arrive at the sand bar!
- Go zip-lining through the jungle – Puerto Morelos is home to several zip-line parks where you can fly through the treetops for an adrenaline-pumping adventure.
- Dip into over 60 cenotes of the Ruta De Los Cenotes.
Puerto Morelos Reef National Marine Park is one of the most popular dive and snorkel destinations in the world.
The Park is located on the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, the largest reef system in the Atlantic Ocean (second largest in the world).
Puerto Morelos Reef National Marine Park is home to over 500 species of fish, as well as turtles, rays, and other marine life. It’s located only 400 meters (a quarter of a mile) from shore!
Visitors can snorkel or dive among the coral reefs, which are some of the most beautiful in the world.
Puerto Morelos Reef National Marine Park is a must-visit for anyone who loves the ocean and wants to experience its wonders firsthand.
Looking for an adventure? Why not visit Jardín Botánico Dr. Alfredo Barrera Marin in Puerto Morelos?
This botanical garden (people describe it as a mini jungle) is home to several species of plants, as well as a variety of birds and butterflies.
Visitors can take a self-guided tour of the gardens, or sign up for a guided tour led by one of the garden’s experts.
Either way, you’re sure to learn something new about the amazing world of plants. You might even see some monkeys!
Key takeaways from our visit to Puerto Morelos:
- The beach is wider and longer than Playa Del Carmen
- The town center has a nice playground
- The vendors are not as pushy as in Playa Del Carmen
- The sea is calmer than Playa Del Carmen
- The streets are well maintained and clean
- Overall, we felt safer and more relaxed with kids in this town than in Playa Del Carmen
Things To Know About Playa Del Carmen
Playa del Carmen is one of the most popular places in Mexico. There is everything from nightly street performers to world-class beaches all found here.
If you’re more of an adventure seeker there are many cenotes to swim in, Mayan Ruins to explore and amusement parks to enjoy.
How To Get To Playa Del Carmen
In a car from Cancun, you’ll want to head south on the Cancun/Mexico 307 for 45 miles/73 km. This is the fastest and most direct route you can take.
Buses are also available to hire from Cancun to Playa del Carmen. These are shuttle buses from Cancun International Airport which cost around $10 and leave every 30 minutes.
If this sounds like the way you want to travel look for the ADO bus counter at the airport or at Puerto Cancun.
What To Do In Playa Del Carmen
Playa del Carmen is a great place to head to the beach during the day and party at night.
There are many nightclubs and restaurants that put on shows that include fire dancers, gymnasts, and live music.
While there are a lot of fun things to do in Playa Del Carmen, this is a great place to stay and do some amazing day trips as well.
Playa del Carmen is a great area for those looking to visit cenotes as there are a ton in the area.
While the beaches in Playa del Carmen aren’t the best for snorkeling, there is a lot of great areas to snorkel and scuba dive in the surrounding areas.
This is a great area to book a scuba diving trip.
The most popular attraction in Playa del Carmen is 5th Avenue (called Quinta Avenida by locals).
This is a 5-mile/8 km long street that is home to some of the best restaurants, hotels, and street performances found in Mexico.
During the day, this area is great for shopping and relaxing at a beachside restaurant. At night, the street comes alive. There are nightly shows displaying Mayan culture on the beach.
5th Avenue transforms with street performers everywhere, restaurants turning into nightclubs, and adventure around every corner.
We recommend going to one of the many amusement parks in the area. Each one has its own theme and offers a unique experience you shouldn’t miss.
Xcaret is one of the top parks in the area and offers an exhilarating all-inclusive style amusement park.
There is also Xplor where you can zipline, ride ATVs through the jungle and eat at the all-you-can-eat buffet.
Puerto Morelos Vs. Playa Del Carmen
Even though Puerto Morelos and Playa del Carmen are both located in Mexico on the shore of the Caribbean Sea, that’s where the similarities end.
Playa del Carmen is a bustling travel hub that connects to some of the best diving in the world while Puerto Morelos is more of a sleepy fishing village.
Keep in mind that Playa Del Carmen is a lot more crowded and touristy as well.
If you’re wondering is Puerto Morelos closer to Cancun or Playa del Carmen? The answer is yes. Puerto Morelos is a small town between Cancun and Playa del Carmen.
Puerto Morelos is located around 25 miles/40 km south of Cancun. Playa del Carmen is a little further south at 42 miles/68 km from Cancun.
When it comes to the Playa del Carmen vs. Cancun comparison, both destinations offer beautiful beaches and vibrant nightlife.
However, Cancun is more renowned for its party scene and high-rise hotels, while Playa del Carmen provides a more laid-back atmosphere with its charming streets and upscale shopping options.
1. Beaches Of Playa Del Carmen Vs. Puerto Morelos
The beaches in Playa del Carmen are amazing, especially if staying in one of the all-inclusive resorts. The most popular Playa beaches are located along the famous 5th Avenue.
We recommend walking down the street and finding the beach that speaks to you the most. You can also walk along the beach starting from the ferry terminal.
Cozumel does a pretty good job at creating a sheltered bay around Playa and offers an amazing view on clear days.
If you’re comparing Cozumel to Playa del Carmen for a stay, it offers pristine beaches and world-class diving, but lacks Playa’s amazing city vibe.
Does Puerto Morelos have nice beaches?
Yes, the beaches are nice but the piles of seaweed that line it make the beaches not great for swimming.
If you like sea life we suggest heading to the pier downtown where you’ll be able to see the pelicans flying in the air and stingrays swimming under the boats.
What makes Puerto Morelos beaches so special? The Mesoamerican Reef (the Western Hemisphere’s largest barrier reef) is located just 400 meters offshore.
A short walk north or south of these main docks offers even better opportunities for snorkeling, swimming, and sunbathing on pristine white sand with blue waters that always seem like they’re calling your name!
2. Accommodations In Playa Del Carmen And Puerto Morelos
Both of these Mexican travel destinations have great places to rest your head. Puerto Morelos is home to some of the best all-inclusive resorts in the area.
You’ll also have many hotels to choose from starting from around $40 USD for a room on the water.
Playa del Carmen has significantly more of a selection when it comes to hotels. We recommend staying within a few city blocks of 5th Avenue.
This gave us walking access to this area making it easy to get around as we were centrally located.
When choosing where you stay in Playa Del Carmen, keep in mind that prices drop as you go further away from the beach.
3. Food In Playa Del Carmen Compared To Puerto Morelos
Playa del Carmen has a wide variety of restaurants and places to eat. You’ll be able to find everything from fine Italian dining, Jamaican restaurants, and even vegan health food restaurants.
You could eat at a different place every night and not be able to see every restaurant in this town.
The only place that we have been to that tops the restaurant options of Playa del Carmen was Merida.
Consider taking a side trip from Playa del Carmen as there are countless things to do in Merida, Mexico in addition to sampling traditional Yucatecan cuisine.
Places located on 5th Avenue will generally be more expensive than other areas of Playa.
Many restaurants have nightly performances including fire dancers, trampolinists, and live band performances.
Those restaurants that don’t include an in-house show will be able to enjoy the buzz of people and performances along 5th Avenue – this made it worth the extra price.
We suggest sitting close to the street if you want to have a chance at being included in a performance.
In Puerto Morelos, you have a few choices of restaurants and cafes to choose from.
While your options are certainly more limited, the restaurants offer amazing seafood in a low-key setting without the hordes of tourists and overstimulating surroundings.
We had a wonderful lunch at a pretty big restaurant called La Sirena. You have to be patient as service can be a bit slow since this is a more laid back place.
Other restaurants that we would recommend in Puerto Morelos include: Punta Corcho and Al Chimichurri.
For dessert we had ice cream and espresso at Panna e Cioccolato and would highly recommend it to anyone visiting this town!
4. Nightlife Compared
If nightlife is something you’re after we suggest heading to Playa del Carmen. Playa del Carmen’s nightlife is on another level when compared to Puerto Morelos.
You will find everything from live outdoor performances to hookah bars and nightclubs in Playa.
Puerto Morelos has a few nice restaurants but lacks the nightlife that is seen in Playa del Carmen. When the sun goes down the lights come on in Playa.
In Puerto Morelos, most shops are closed at night but there are restaurants on a street that is closed to cars which have a lovely vibe.
5. Overall Cost To Value Between Playa Del Carmen And Puerto Morelos
If you are looking purely at cost, Puerto Morelos is a great option offering budget-friendly accommodations, cheap food, and affordable shopping.
If you are comparing the cost to value, Playa del Carmen is a much better option for you.
Offering a ton of activities and relatively low travel costs compared to other parts of Mexico, this is one of the best places to vacation in Mexico.
When considering whether to visit Valladolid or Merida while staying in Puerto Morelos or Playa Del Carmen, consider the differences of the two cities.
Valladolid offers a more tranquil, historic experience, while Merida boasts a vibrant cultural scene and lively atmosphere. Both cities are worth a visit for different reasons.
Is Puerto Morelos is worth visiting?
Yes, Puerto Morelos is worth visiting. This little town is a great place to stop along the way south to Playa del Carmen.
There are many shops and restaurants and the streets are fun to explore.
It’s a great place to enjoy some friendly faces from laid-back locals and not have to spend a lot of money to have a beach vacation in a beautiful location.
So, which is the better beach town? If you’re looking for nightlife and dining options, Playa del Carmen is the clear winner.
If you’re on a budget or want to avoid crowds, Puerto Morelos is a great option. It really depends on what you’re looking for in a beach town.
Are you interested in exploring Playa del Carmen or Puerto Morelos?
Have you visited either Playa del Carmen or Puerto Morelos? Chat with me about your experience in the comment section below.
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