It has a beautiful view of the Caribean Ocean, but it’s not full of tourists like Cancun.
It has the nice all-year-round weather of the Mayan Riviera, but it’s not as expensive as Tulum.
Puerto Morelos is one hidden gem in the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico. And that’s why many people are choosing to move to this small -but rapidly growing- town of fewer than 20,000 people.
Living in Puerto Morelos has been a wonderful experience for many expats. It has some of the best things Mexico has to offer. Excellent weather, beachfront views, friendly people, delicious food, and plenty of folklore.
This guide will help you understand what is like living here and see if maybe Puerto Morelos could be worth a visit for you.
Let’s get started.
Living in Puerto Morelos
Location
Puerto Morelos is in a privileged location. It is in the Mayan Riviera in the southeastern corner of Mexico.
On the eastern side of town, you can find some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. The ocean´s water has unique light-blue / green tones created by the reflection of the sunlight in the white powder sand.
To the west, Puerto Morelos has the jungles of Quintana Roo and Yucatan. There you will find the world-famous cenotes, sinkholes with underground pools, and rivers that are theorized to have been created by the same meteorite that caused the extinction of the dinosaurs.
To the north, you can find Cancun. It is around 40 minutes away by car or bus. That’s where people in Puerto Morelos go when they want to go shopping or they need something that can’t be found locally.
Finally, to the south, Puerto Morelos has direct access to all the other towns in the Mayan Riviera like Tulum, Akumal, and Playa del Carmen. Each of these places offers something different and has a unique vibe. They are worth exploring and Puerto Morelos is a great home base to do so.
Weather
The weather in Puerto Morelos is warm all year round. The temperature remains stable throughout the year. In winter, the daily mean is 73°F (23°C) with lows of 65°F (18°C). Don’t ever expect a white Christmas here though.
Summer sees the hottest temperatures. The daily mean is 83°F (28°C) with highs of 91°F (33°C) and the occasional peaks that get close to 100°F. AC is a necessity during this season.
Hurricane season in the Caribean / North Atlantic ocean happens between June and November, with the most activity happening in September and October. However, there’s not much to worry about as most hurricanes won’t make landfall or won’t cause significant damage. The last major hurricane to hit the area was hurricane Wilma in 2005, and the one before that was Gilbert, in 1997.
Rain season is also between June and October. It is mostly sporadic rains during the late afternoon with just a couple of weeks of heavy rainfall around September.
Things to do in Puerto Morelos
The Yucatan peninsula is full of activities for everyone. From people looking to relax at the steam bath to the ones looking for extreme sports. There’s something for everyone.
Here are some ideas of activities and things to do in Puerto Morelos and the nearby areas.
- Take as many walks on the beach as you want. Beaches in Mexico are all public and absolutely free.
- Puerto Morelos is still a fishing town. Try one of the many seafood restaurants with all kinds of fresh fish.
- Visit a wildlife shelter where you can watch monkeys, crocodiles, and even pet snakes.
- Take a tour at the National Reef Park where a guide will take you to see the coral reef. If you are lucky, you might also get to see the turtles, barracuda fishes, and stingrays.
- Check out the botanical garden.
- Visit one of the multiple cenotes and take a swim in their underground pools and rivers.
- Take a spa/spirituality day at a temazacal. These are traditional sweat lodges (steam baths) with a pre-hispanic origin. It is said temazcales have many health benefits.
- If that’s not for you you can also take a spa day at one of the local resorts that offer day passes.
- Visit the nearby archeological sites such as Chichen-Itza.
- Spend an afternoon in Puerto Morelos’ flea market where you’ll find all kinds of handmade crafts.
- Go bird watching at the Toh reserve where you will find more than 60 species of birds.
- Go snorkeling or scuba diving with one of the many instructors you’ll find on the beach.
- Visit the artist’s gallery and the artist’s cooperative to find the most unique pieces of art, jewelry, and clothing
- Go horseback riding at one of the nearby ranches.
As you can see, despite its quiet appearance, there’s always something to do in Puerto Morelos.
Cost of living in Puerto Morelos
The cost of living in Puerto Morelos is very reasonable. A couple can expect to spend between $1,100 and $2,000 dollars to live comfortably. A comparable lifestyle in the US or Canada could cost 3 times that amount.
The biggest expense is going to be housing. The good news is prices in Puerto Morelos are still going to be 20% to 40% cheaper than in Cancun for comparable conditions.
The bad news is some types of houses can be hard to find and are snatched as soon as they are available. Specifically, 2 or 3 bedroom houses for families are hard to come by. Solo travelers or couples looking for an extra bedroom for a home office might have to settle for a single bedroom or a studio.
New residential developments are slowly starting to change this, but it’s something to keep in mind. For some good tips to assist you when looking for housing check out this article on how to find long-term rentals in Mexico.
The approximate cost of living fro a couple living in Puerto Morelos is detailed in the table below.
| Item | Mexican Pesos | US Dollars |
|---|---|---|
| Rent / housing | $6,000 – $24,000 | $300 – $1,200 |
| Groceries | $6,500 | $325 |
| Utilities | $2,000 | $100 |
| Housekeeping (twice a week) | $2,400 | $120 |
| Dining out / entertainment | $4,000 | $200 |
| Transportation | $2,000 | $100 |
| Total | $22,900 – $40,900 | $1,145 – $2,045 |
Other expenses may include healthcare, insurance, etc. Mexico has a mix of public and private healthcare systems. Expats with a temporary or permanent resident visa can apply to the public healthcare system (IMSS) which has a yearly cost of $350 to $700 per person based on age.
If your budget is more flexible than the costs above and you are looking to spend a bit more, consider the town of Playa del Carmen instead. It is about 30 minutes away from Puerto Morelos, it is also in the Mayan Riviera, and is considerably bigger with more options (but also slightly more expensive).
Language
One of the few disadvantages of Puerto Morelos is the low percentage of English-speaking population compared to the more touristy towns.
Only 10% to 15% of the locals speak English conversationally although most of them understand basic words and phrases and will gladly try to assist you should you need help with anything.
Your best bet to find other folks that speak English is to lurk the local Facebook groups and see where people are meeting.
Is Puerto Morelos safe?
Coming from the US or Canada, we hear some scary news about Mexico in the media. And while it’s true the country is going through some rough times in certain zones, here’s our boots-on-the-ground experience.
Puerto Morelos is safe to visit and live on. As long as you exercise the same precautions as in any other city in the world, you’ll be fine.
There is cartel activity in the area. There’s no doubt about it. Tourists visiting the Mayan Riviera are an attractive market for people looking to sell them illegal substances. But that is also why tourists and the general population are left alone. On top of that, the Yucatan peninsula is one of the areas in Mexico with the most security.
Alternatives to Puerto Morelos
Puerto Morelos made our list of the best beach towns in Mexico to live on a budget. Check out that article for other towns in the country that are in the same price range when it comes to living costs.
Summary
- Puerto Morelos is the place for those looking to live in the Mayan Riviera without breaking the bank and who are looking for a less touristy experience.
- The weather and the beaches are just as nice and beautiful as in Cancun or Tulum. And is close enough so that you can still drive there if you want to go shopping or catch a show.
- It is definitely a place worth considering as a living destination.
