Puerto Morelos

[HAWKEYE]

Thought of spending a morning on the beach
in P.M. Staying in Playa.
Best way to get there?
Experiences?
Thank's in advance.
Craig.

[MWC]

Based on my limited experience (once), I would NOT plan on taking the colectivo. We did, and were so disappointed compared to our (far more frequent) experiences taking southbound colectivos. It took forever for us to get one going to Cancun, and the van we finally did get was in ratty shape. The driver didn't stop for us, etc.

You could check into the ADO bus, I think it stops along 307 where PM's main drag intersects. From there you will want to get a cab into town, it's a pretty long and dusty walk.

Honestly, though ... best bet is to take a cab from Playa. Coming back from PM, there are always several cabs hanging around the main square.

The beach at PM is nice, but not as nice as Playa. But what IS good, is the snorkeling. Think about hiring a boat to take you out to the reef. Good stuff, and fairly reasonable.

[HAWKEYE]

Thank's for the info.
Craig.

[MWC]

You'll want to do the snorkeling early am, before the midday winds kick up.

Check out "Alma Libre" bookstore in PM. They have a very informative website on the area, and are nice people.

Here's the link:

http://www.almalibrebooks.com/

[HAWKEYE]

By the way, love your avatar.
Craig.

[MWC]

Thanks,
Trying to shake things up in any little way I can!

[redhed]

We always go to PM for a day. It's a very quiet wonderful little town with some great restaurants. We usually lunch at Pelicanos which is very close to the Alma Libre Book store and right on the beach.

No beach clubs......we just spread out our towels and veg. Lots of pelicans to watch.....

We take the Cancun bus from the 5th Avenue Bus Station in Playa and just buy a ticket to Puerto Morelos. I think it's about 17 pesos one way and about half an hour on the road. They let you out at a small depot on the highway and there are cabs there waiting to take you to the beach area....about $3.

Always lots of cabs there to take you back to the highway for your return trip home.

Public transit is so cheap and easy all over the area.

[MWC]

I love it, too, it's such a different vibe from Playa. I hope the El Cid development down the road doesn't impact the town itself.

[bufante]

If you get a chance, you should eat at John Gray's in PM. His establishment is north and west of the northwest corner of the square.

[Michele]

I hear there is a new good chinese place as well. Definitely stop in at Alma Libre. They always have a nice selection of books about the region.

[HAWKEYE]

Thank's to all.
Craig.

[MWC]

That was some helpful advice from Frank, elsewhere. Now that I know that about the busses, I would go that route.

[MWC]

Found this site, too, for more PM info:

http://www.vivapuertomorelos.com/index.html

[Xcalaker]

Originally Posted by Michele

I hear there is a new good chinese place as well. Definitely stop in at Alma Libre. They always have a nice selection of books about the region.

Hola Asia is awesome as is Alma Libre. Cool town, but so unlike Playa, or Akumal or Tulum, perhaps the most truly "Mexican" of the 4. It's really worth a daytrip to visit to discover the beaches, businesses and restaurants.

[caribbean5]

Originally Posted by MWC

Found this site, too, for more PM info:

http://www.vivapuertomorelos.com/index.html

Nice mape of PM. Question:
Where do you get the small boats to take you out to snorkel on the reef? I understand there are several that take you out for about $25 US for the day.

Where do you catch them from the taxi stand?

[MWC]

From the taxi stand, just walk toward the water. You will come to the dock. Boats should be there.

[caribbean5]

Thanks,
Gives us an idea when we get there where to go. We want to snorkel on the reef. Is it good snorkeling? Any suggestions?

[Woodman]

Originally Posted by caribbean5

Thanks,
Gives us an idea when we get there where to go. We want to snorkel on the reef. Is it good snorkeling? Any suggestions?

Snokeling is good,not as good as akumal bay but good.It's a pretty small town but very cool and friendly.You can get a can-do map that's shows you pretty much everything.I think they just came out with a new one.

[Beth&Scott]

Originally Posted by MWC
Found this site, too, for more PM info:

http://www.vivapuertomorelos.com/index.htm

Im looking forward to a day trip here. Where is the bookstore on this map? Is it in the town sqaure?

[MWC]

Originally Posted by caribbean5

Thanks,
Gives us an idea when we get there where to go. We want to snorkel on the reef. Is it good snorkeling? Any suggestions?

It's good, but you need to hire a boat/guide to take you out to the reef -- that's a local law to protect the reef. And get there early for the best visibility and easiest swimming; once the winds and waves kick up, it's not as nice or fun, even when you're on the "lee" side of the reef.

I will be candid, though. If finances are an issue, and what you want to see is ocean wildlife -- we had just as good a snorkeling experience at Zubul Reef (Coco Beach) in north Playa del Carmen; Akumal, Yal-Ku, Xpu-Ha, and Paamul (but get there early before the cruise ship crowds!) All those places, you can access good snorkeling right from the shore.

What's nice about PM snorkeling is the health of the reef itself -- I saw coral there I didn't see anywhere else along the coast -- plus the fact that you're patronizing a town that is working hard to conserve the reef and a certain way of life.

Originally Posted by Beth&Scott

Im looking forward to a day trip here. Where is the bookstore on this map? Is it in the town sqaure?

AlmaLibre is along the town square; on the southern side. (Yeah, I noticed that glaring omission, too; I guess Playa isn't the only tourist town with strong factions! )