Information For Your Vacation In Puerto Morelos
January 2026. With thanks to the Taxi Sindicato “Cesar Martin Rosado” of Puerto Morelos, we have finally been able to update our InPuertoMorelos.com taxi rate list!
Please note that all rates quoted on our list are in Mexican Pesos and are based on departing from the town square on the port side of Puerto Morelos. Rates from other locations are available in the attached pdfs.
It is not necessary to tip your driver, but we always do if we receive good service, a nice, safe ride, and a clean cab.
Hola again!
This is Part 2 of our Fall 2025 Town Update. If you missed Part One, you can find it here.
There was so much news, so many things to tell you about, we have split it into (at least) two parts.
We led with new things on the beach side of town in our last update, so we’ll start with the Colonia this time. (If you are new to Puerto Morelos, the Colonia covers the town on the west side of the highway. For our purposes, we will also include the Pescadores neighbourhood.) If you’d like to learn more about the neighbourhoods of Puerto Morelos, we have a detailed post about it here.
Stay with us! We have a fantastic location and great dates available.
Contact us today at CASA DE LOS VIAJEROS
While you were enjoying your summer, Carlos and the La Cabaña family were busy opening new restaurants. They opened two in the off-season.
First to open is Charly Chicken. Named after the famous Carlos, I presume, Charly Chicken is all about the bird. You will find an interesting selection of chicken burgers and chicken pieces, plus fries, onion rings, mashed potatoes and more. Charly Chicken is on Calle Chaca, between Zetina Gasca and Timon, about three blocks west of the library. It’s open daily from noon until 9:00 pm.
The other new restaurant is Bichos. They are all about fish. Try fish or shrimp tacos, tostados, shrimp cocktail, fish and chips, shrimp burger, guacamole, fries and more. They are located on the lateral on the east side of the highway, right near the little ADO bus station. They are open daily, 8:00 am – 3:00 pm, closed Tuesdays.
The best news of the summer? Chef Roberto has reopened Fonda Americana Grill, a longtime Puerto Morelos favourite. Since our first visit back in 2013, Fonda has been a go‑to for hearty comfort food, and now it’s back with the same crowd‑pleasing menu: steaks, crisp salads, pizza, burgers, wings, fresh fish, and — most importantly — that famous roasted chicken. Honestly, they could serve nothing else, and we’d still be happy.
Little Boba is a new coffee, matcha and tapioca shop that just opened in the Colonia. The owners, Fernando and Diana, are graduates of a municipal program to encourage young entrepreneurs. The mayor herself cut the ribbon and sampled their wares. Little Boba is located on Caoba, just two blocks west of the Colonia square. They are open daily, 1:00 pm to 8:00 pm, closed on Monday.
Atelier Bakery and Pizzeria is a place everyone can love. Why? It’s a bakery, and it has pizza! What more could you want? They have all kinds of bread, including sourdough. You will also find cinnamon rolls, croissants and more. They also have fresh, Italian-style pizza. Reviews are good, and there always seems to be people in line for fresh-baked goodies. You can smell what’s baking when you ride by! You will find them on Zetina Gasca, at the north end, across from the soccer field. They are open daily, except Tuesdays, from 8-12 and 5-9.
We’ve focused on the Colonia, but here’s one restaurant from the beach side of town. In our last Town Update, we mentioned that Prat’s restaurant had closed and a new one was on the way. Well, it’s here! Say Hello to Mile’s Kitchen. They have an expansive menu with lunch and dinner every day. They specialize in “comfort food”. The owner’s vision is a welcoming spot with lower prices on both food and drinks, so everyone can enjoy without stretching the budget. Look for everything from lasagne, spaghetti & meatballs, mac & cheese, salads, schnitzel, steak sandwiches, to tacos and quesadillas. Kid’s menu too. Open 7 days a week.
In other beach side restaurant news, Taco Barra near the Cultural Centre on Ninos Heroes has closed.
The ADO bus is once again stopping and picking up in Puerto Morelos. This service was “temporarily” suspended back in 2020 and only resumed recently. They do daily runs in all directions and to the airport. We have a vehicle here in Puerto Morelos, but we often use the service ourselves as it is easy, inexpensive and eliminates the worry of parking. You can get anywhere in Mexico by bus. Some ADOs are actually quite luxurious (look for ADO GL). You must check the ADO.com.mx website for the schedule, as it can be irregular. The bus to the airport is a deal at 211 pesos per person, but there are only 6 buses a day, starting at noon and ending at 5:00 pm, so it will take some coordination. Daytrips to Cancun or Playa are easier. Look for the ticket booth on the east side of the bridge.
The Colonia is going to be home to a new 7-11 store. There is already a location beside the Pemex on the highway, but this one is a lot more suburban, located on Delfin between the northbound & southbound Timon. No Slurpees yet, it’s still under construction, but the newly installed signs say that the location will be open 24 hours a day and will feature a drive-through.
In addition to the 7-11, the Colonia is also the future home of a new gas station. Pemex will open location number 3 on Zetina Gasca, behind the Aki Plaza. In addition to the pumps, they are also building a small strip mall to attract other businesses. Here’s the location on a Google Map. There are also plans for a lot more retail in this area.
Espartanos Gym Puerto Morelos has expanded! They may have triple the equipment they had last high season. No waiting for machines! This gym is located on the lateral, on the southeast side of the highway in the Pescadores neighbourhood (near the CostaMed hospital). At 500 pesos a month, it is a real bargain. It also has AC!
Just south of the gym, you’ll find Muscle Depot, Puerto Morelos’ very own supplement store. We popped in, spoke with the knowledgeable owner, Robert, and met his adorable daughter. He offers recommendations in both English and Spanish and has a wide range of pre-workout or protein powders and bars, and refrigerated protein drinks. Plus, he delivers. Open 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM Monday to Saturday and 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM Monday to Friday, closed Sunday. You can reach him on WhatsApp at +529842405666 or via Facebook.
🍺 Noche Buena: Holiday Cheer in a Bottle – Noche Buena is the seasonal star of Mexican beers. It’s rich, malty, and only around for the holidays. With its deep amber colour and smooth caramel notes, it’s basically Christmas in a glass. Locals watch for it every fall, knowing it disappears once the season ends. If you spot it, grab it…and grab one for me too. It’s the kind of limited‑edition cheer that makes the holidays taste better. (And it will never annoy you like that damn Mariah Carey song)
That’s a wrap on Part 2 of our Town Update. Puerto Morelos is always changing, and we’ll be right here to share what’s new, what’s popular, and what’s worth your time. Stay tuned – more updates are on the horizon.
Hola!
We are so happy to be back in town after a 250+ day trip around the world. It was terrific, but we are delighted to be home again in Puerto Morelos.
*Click any photo for a bigger, better full-size view*
So many new things in town to share with you! We’ll begin with NEW RESTAURANTS on the beach side of town.
BUBA has just opened its doors right on the square, bringing fresh energy and flavour to the neighbourhood. This lovely new restaurant is the latest creation from acclaimed Chef Daniel Ovadia, the culinary mind behind Muelle Once and the Michelin Guide-recognized Punto Corcho. Named in honour of his grandmother, BUBA is a tribute to the woman who taught him that food is more than sustenance; it’s joy. The cuisine is Mediterranean, with a Mexican Caribbean influence. Look for Buba on the Northwest corner of the square, on the second floor, above the little grocery store, across from the museum. See our PM restaurant guide for more details.
Don’t miss your visit to Puerto Morelos this winter! Stay for a MONTH!
Prime February/March dates are still available at Casa de los Viajeros. Book now: [email protected]
Closer to Casa de los Viajeros is Parilla San Miguel. Located on Rojo Gomez, just a couple of doors north of Yum Yum Wok and I Wanna Pizza, they are all about the grill. Tacos, steaks and a list of Mexican favourites. Prices and reviews are good. (If you’re lucky, you may catch our friend Mario singing and playing guitar.)
Huerto del Puerto Restaurante opened recently on Rojo Gomez. We watched this space build up slowly, brick by brick, over last season on the former site of Spyder Café. They have done a nice job of the space; it’s spacious and airy, with a touch of elegance. They are open all day with a wide menu that starts with breakfast, featuring many favourites, including gluten-free and keto options. As the sun sets, the menu glides into hearty dinners. Think steak, seafood, pasta, and even a dedicated kids’ menu. See their complete menu here.
If there ever were an award for “best transformation of a space”, it would surely go to “Como Quieras Quiero“, who turned a shabby old police station into a fine restaurant. It opened recently at the corner of
Adolfo López Mateos and Niños Héroes, across from Local Café. It’s brought to you by the same people who brought you Maíz Maix, which is kitty-corner on Ninos Heroes.
It’s a good-looking place, with smart-looking wait staff in crisp white shirts and natty bow ties. They offer grilled favourites, seafood and meat, and often, soft dinner music. (Not sure where the police ended up.)
If you have a hankering for tapioca, we have you covered in Puerto Morelos. Blü Tapioca Bar has opened right on the square, right below the aforementioned Buba. Reviews are good, with customers highlighting the delicious drinks, such as the unique Crème brûlée and Lotus Caramel creations. Reviewers frequently praise the variety of toppings for both drinks and soft-serve ice cream, the quality of ingredients, and the stylish, “aesthetic” atmosphere of the location, right on the square. MAP
Jake’s Sports Bar opened in the summer. They are all about music, karaoke, pool and sports. They have a small menu with all the bar favourites: Burgers, wings and tacos. They can be found on northern Niños Heroes, past Black Pearl. They are open afternoons and evenings.
A few favourite places have made some big changes since last season. The biggest change was made by our favourite tiny cafe, Café Mar de Niebla. When they moved, they really moved…the whole building! It landed in a better spot, north of where they were on Rojo Gomez, just a couple of doors down from Yum Yum Wok. With the new spot, they have extended their hours into the morning, now opening at 8:00 am until noon, and then again in the afternoon, 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm. (Long-time PM’ers might remember that the cafe building was the original Puerto Morelos taxi office, and it used to sit on the square.)
Another local favourite, Lola y Moya, nearly gave us all a scare when they announced they were “closing their doors.” Thankfully, it was just a clever (if slightly cruel) marketing twist. They only shut the doors and windows to crank up some cool air conditioning inside. Now you can enjoy their menu in chilled comfort. They also have a brand new rooftop terrace! Remember, they are open for dinner and have a double happy hour, from 6pm-7pm, cold beer and from 7pm-8pm, margaritas.
El Campanario, well known for its steaks, is now open early for breakfast. It’s a Mexican-style breakfast with a wide selection of tacos guisados, omelets and free coffee. Our friend Christian is getting up extra early to make sure you have the best breakfast!
La Sirena is already the “go to” place for entertainment and food in Puerto Morelos, and now they have seriously upgraded their happy hour. Every weekday from 4-6 pm, enjoy half-price domestic beer, house wine and single-liquor cocktails. (Half price is a better deal than 2×1 in my opinion). Plus, they have Happy Hour entertainment, including their Wednesday open mic, where you might catch the owner on the drums. Check the poster above for all the details.
If you are looking for a beautiful place to watch the sunset, we recommend trying Portside Restaurant and Rooftop Bar. They are located on the roof of Areia Boutique Hotel. Just step inside and take the elevator to the top floor for breathtaking sunsets. (Or take the stairs like we do to get the old heart pumping). They have a happy hour every day from 3 pm to 6 pm. They are also offering our readers a discount for larger parties.
We lost a few places in the off-season. Prat’s, formerly called “Oops, Que Chido,” closed. Our sources tell us it won’t be empty long. A new Greek restaurant is planned.
Something new is coming at the site of La Pizza Nostra. The local and well-known folks behind it are very tight-lipped, but assure us it will be great.
Puerto Morelos Fish Market restaurant, aka Paradise Pier, also closed. Hopefully, something new will move in. It’s a great space right on the water with a fabulous view and breeze. Nobody has made a go of it there since the wonderful “La Panza es Primero” closed many years ago.
And, to put it in the language of the decade: WHAM!, Full 80’s has closed. It was a fun little place, but more well-known for its high-volume music, and not necessarily ’80s tuneage. The space has been taken over by the snorkel office next door.
An incredible amount of construction is underway in Puerto Morelos. This is not so unusual, but while they used to build houses here, they are now building condominium towers of at least 5 or 6 stories. On the Colonia side of town, they are creating entire neighbourhoods.
The most surprising build was not done by a developer; it was ordered by the military. The giant vacant lot between Rojo Gomez and Niños Héroes sat empty for many years. The only residents were birds and the occasional wandering cat. Now, an entire neighbourhood of condos has sprung up. It was completed quickly, with a very large crew working early until sunset. Now the development looks pretty much complete, but nobody has moved in, and the places don’t even have electric meters. Hurry up and wait?
In other town news, CI Banco has ceased operations in Puerto Morelos and across Mexico. They lost their operating licence, leaving account holders surprised and confused. Deposits are insured, but you need to transfer your balance to another institution. There’s more info here.
If you did not have an account, but used CI Banco for currency exchange, there are other options in the Aki Plaza in the Colonia, and beachside on the north side of the square beside Circle K, MAP. There are other ATMs all around town. Look for ones associated with banks to get the best rate and lowest fees. (Check with your local bank to see if they have a partnership with a Mexican bank. For example, Bank of Nova Scotia in Canada allows fee-free withdrawals from Scotiabank Mexico ATMs. Bank of America has lower fees with Santander bank.)
In Memory
We lost a few good folks earlier this year.
Jack Leow was an icon in Puerto Morelos. Jack and his wife Jean established the yoga retreat Villas Shanti in Puerto Morelos back in 1988, allowing hundreds of enthusiasts to discover our town. Jack was a fan and supporter of our bookstore in our early years, donating books and never failing to share his opinion on anything and everything. We loved his visits, and he always made us laugh and smile.
You may have known Victor (Vic) Gaitan through his company, Cancun Valet, an early concierge service in our area. Though he was headquartered in Cancun, he loved Puerto Morelos and visited often. Vic treated us like family members when we made our first drive down to PM from Calgary, watching over us and promising he had a cousin in every town in Mexico who could help us if necessary. His beloved daughter Sofia is studying nursing and could use a little help during this time. If you want to help, a friend has started a GoFundMe for her.
She never lived here, but Kathleen McFarland spent as much time in Puerto Morelos as she could. She and her husband, John, were frequent and welcome guests at Casa de los Viajeros. We looked forward to their stays, and they were dream guests. We even caught up with them once on the other side of the world in Sicily.
Hope you enjoyed our InPuertoMorelos.com Town Update. We’re working on a sequel right now, focusing on the many changes in The Colonia and Christmas in Paradise. Watch for it coming soon. Be sure to subscribe to our updates. You’ll find the sign-up on the front page of our website.
You can also follow us on Facebook: In Puerto Morelos and Casa de los Viajeros, or on Instagram: In Puerto Morelos and Casa de los Viajeros
Hasta Pronto!
Hello Amigos!
We’ve missed you and this beautiful slice of paradise! Our sincerest apologies for the quiet stretch, but we just completed our longest and most ambitious journey to date: a 250-day trip around the world!
We literally circumnavigated the globe, visiting 19 countries and covering around 64,000 km by just about every mode of transport you can imagine (plus a lot of walking!). It was a dream come true, giving us fresh eyes and plenty of new ideas.
We caught up with old friends in Canada, Liverpool, and Hong Kong, and met so many fascinating people along the way.
One of the most interesting parts? We stayed in over 30 vacation rentals ourselves! Seeing what other hosts are doing all over the world has been an incredible learning experience. It truly helps us refine our approach and become even better hosts for you here at Casa de los Viajeros.
Speaking of which… we know exactly what makes a perfect home base for a tropical getaway!
We’re thrilled to be home and ready to welcome guests. If you’re dreaming of sunshine, sand between your toes, and a comfortable apartment, steps from the beach, we still have some openings at Casa de los Viajeros in January, February, and March of 2025.
Ready to trade the cold for Puerto Morelos? Contact us today—we’d love to host you!
Even while we were away, our lovely town has been busy making improvements! We’re thrilled to share two of the nicest changes we’ve noticed right away:
This is just a little snippet of what we’ve collected. We’ll be sharing more local updates soon! In the meantime, we are constantly working on refreshing and expanding our Puerto Morelos Restaurant Guide—a must-read for any foodie visiting town. There are many new spots to share with you!
And, of course, follow us on Instagram and Facebook! Rob is already back to his almost daily bike rides, capturing town news.
Like this! Here are a few photos from this year’s Revolution Day Parade. ¡DISFRUTEN! (Enjoy!)
November 20th is Día de la Revolución, Revolution Day in Mexico. It commemorates the Mexican Revolution of 1910. The revolution aimed to overthrow the autocratic rule of President Porfirio Díaz, who had been in power for over three decades. His rule favoured the elite and led to extreme socio-economic disparities.
The holiday is observed on the third Monday in November. Revolution Day Memorial is a public holiday. It is a day off for the general population, so schools, banks and government offices are closed. The holiday falls on the last day of Buen Fin, which is Mexico’s “Black Friday”, so stores will be open and busy.
1 or 2-bedroom private apartments, steps from the best beach in Puerto Morelos, for rent now!
All photos are from our many years in Puerto Morelos. Click on images to see larger.
It all began in Valladolid, just 175 km west of Puerto Morelos. The “first spark” was ignited when an insurrection took place on June 4, 1910, against Díaz. Maximiliano Bonilla and leaders of the Independent Electoral Center and the Anti-Reelectionist Front led the uprising. The rebels, mainly consisting of labourers from neighbouring haciendas and peaceful Maya volunteers, attacked the town at 3:00 a.m. They managed to take control of the city, removing railroad tracks and setting up defensive positions. The federal government responded by sending 600 soldiers, but the rebels held out for several days before they were defeated.
Later that year, a presidential election was held where wealthy landowner Francisco Madero opposed Díaz. Díaz jailed Madero, who then escaped, issuing the Plan of San Luis Potosí on October 6, 1910. In that plan, Madero declared the results of the 1910 election fraudulent, nullified them, asserted that he was the provisional president, and called for Mexicans to rise against Díaz on November 20, 1910. The actions inspired leaders like Emiliano Zapata, and Pancho Villa to emerge and advocate for democracy, land reform, and better working conditions. Their efforts brought about significant changes, including the redistribution of land, labour rights, and ultimately a new constitution in 1917.
Today, Mexican Revolution Day is celebrated throughout Mexico as a national holiday. In Valladolid, it is still commemorated with reenactments and ceremonies in the city’s main square. In Puerto Morelos, schoolchildren dress up as their favourite historical figures for a town parade. It is a great time to be in our little town and see the kids marching the streets with their big black Pancho Villa moustachios and bandoliers. The holiday remembers and honours the struggles and sacrifices made by the people to achieve a more just and equitable society. This day serves as a reminder of the ongoing quest for social justice and the importance of remembering history to build a better future.
Updated: December 2025
There have been a ton of clickbait articles lately on the Visitax. One of the top questions we get from readers and from our guests departing from Casa de los Viajeros, is “What is Visitax and how do we pay for it?” Followed by DO WE NEED to pay the Visitax?
If you are not familiar with Visitax, we’re not too surprised. It is a tourist tax that was introduced on April 1, 2021, in the midst of COVID. It was said to be mandatory for all visitors from any foreign country travelling to the state of Quintana Roo for tourism purposes. The tax costs 283.00 Mexican Pesos/person (approximately $15.80 USD/$21.70 CAD). Foreigners with residency cards do not have to pay this tax.
The money is supposed to be used to fund tourism infrastructure projects. This tax should not be confused with the federal Mexican departure tax, which is included in your airline ticket. Visitax is NOT included in your airline ticket or hotel room stay. It is separate.
There is only one official website where you can pay this tax (which took us a lot of work to find). This is the official website.
*For more info on the tax, there is an FAQ button on the above page that provides a little info.
The tax is mandatory, so if you are reading this, and are a foreign tourist, you should pay it. That said, there is very little information about the tax beyond their own website, a few blogs from a year ago, and a good number of scam sites. We wrote to the government to confirm that the tax is still being collected and they replied that it is.
Some visitors have not been asked about the tax and have not had to show proof that they paid it at the airport, while others have.
If you do want to pay online, make sure you pay on the official site. Remember official Mexican government sites always include “gob.mx” in their URL. The official site will not charge you in US dollars, only in pesos. (Currently $283 pesos – Dec 2025)
Under no circumstances should you be required to pay the Visitax in cash.
You can pay the tax in advance or wait until you get to the airport.
You can pay for the Visitax on your phone at the airport. Government employees are sometimes waiting at the bottom of the escalator in front of security and will have signs with QR codes on them which you can scan and pay right away. Just give yourself some extra time in case you run into this. The original plan called for kiosks at the airport to pay the tax, but to the best of our knowledge, they have never appeared.
Unfortunately, there are many unofficial sites offering to handle this payment for you. We found several that popped up on a Google search higher than the official site! Some charge as much as $68 USD to process your payment. The scam is that they charge you a big fee to calculate the tax for you. Here’s a search we tried today to find the right site:
Here are examples of some of the scam sites (we are not linking to them):
Bottom line, if you pay this tax in advance online, make sure you are using the official site. If it tries to charge you more than $283 Mexican Pesos, it is not the real site.
Don’t forget to follow us on FACEBOOK for exclusive pictures and the latest happenings around your favourite beach town!
We have 2 vacation rental apartments left! Just steps from the BEST BEACH!!!!
Suite #1 is a 2 bedroom/2 bath
Open now until January 5, 2025
Suite #3 is a 1 bedroom/1 bath
Open now until January 11, 2025
More Changes in Puerto Morelos! There are soooo many new things to tell you about around Puerto Morelos, we’re breaking them down over a few posts. This is part 2 you can find part 1 here. Many new restaurants and bars have opened, and some have closed. Here’s what you need to know, let’s start with the new stuff!
The NEW Food Truck Village called Cielito Lindo, named after the bar in the middle, is not to be confused with the old Salciccium Food Truck Village (across from I Wanna Pizza) which closed a while back. Cielito Lindo is located at Cozumel Aveneda #1. And if that address means nothing to you, it didn’t to us either. So here is a link to the location. It is a bit off the beaten track, but not far. Just head south on Rojo Gomez until it runs out (about 2 blocks south of Al Chimi Churri) and make a right at the end of the street (near the old Su Frida, which is now closed) for half a block and you will find it at the roundabout heading toward El Cid.
Once you arrive, there are several food trucks to choose from. Cielito Lindo Puerto Morelos is the big bar in the middle, surrounded by food choices from around the globe. First, a taste of the southern US at Texas Grill Puerto Morelos, offering grilled specialties like ribs and burgers. En Llamas Steakhouse (which opened this week) makes everything on their hot charcoal grill. Sushi Sam serves sushi and also has a location in the Colonia. Las Ahogadas has authentic Guadalajara-style sandwiches and more (it’s all about the bread). Dany’s Bavarian Food is a taste of the best German cuisine right in Puerto Morelos. Schnitzel, bratwurst, cordon bleu and more. The layout of the village is very welcoming, and a big group can dine together and all have completely different food! Open from 3:00 pm to 11:00 pm they promise to have live music some nights. Keep an eye on their Facebook page for music info.
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Rojo Gomez is the main restaurant street in town, and it becomes a pedestrian walkway after 3:30ish. So, working our way north on Rojo Gomez from the town square, we see lots of changes. The first is that the original [email protected] appears to be closed. But the owner is now working at the other [email protected] closer to the square. So now we thought we only had 2 [email protected] instead of 3, but last night we saw construction happening in their location on the second-floor corner, so now we think we may be down to one location.
Spyder Cafe across the street has closed but a new restaurant, Casa de Arbol, is being built in its place. It looks very fancy and we have heard that it is owned by the same people who own Mar Bella on the beach. We gather that steak will be on the menu at this location.
Across the street, Oops Quechido has changed its name to Prat’s Restaurant.
Kaapeh Xuuch is a new café, brunch and snack place, open 7:30 AM to 10:30 PM, except Mondays. Early reviews are very good, but we haven’t made it there yet.
Just a few steps down the street is a Mama Mia Pizza, a takeaway, by-the-slice pizza stop. It is a small chain that also has a location in Playa de Carmen.
After 10 years, our dear friends at Don Mexkal poured their last mezcal. In their place is a new bar called La Taberna del Puerto. They have music, food and drinks and are open daily from 3:00 PM – 3:00 AM.
The Palm is next to I Wanna Pizza. This restaurant and bar seem to open late, around 8:30 or 9:00 at night and go very late. Next to The Palm, we have the new Yum Yum Wok location and then there is La Marigalante Restaurant & Bar, where the closed My Little Itay used to be, about 1.5 blocks north of the square on Rojo Gomez. (Please note that the address on their Facebook page is incorrect.) They offer Italian food, pizza, steaks and seafood.
One house down from them is yet one more new place. It is so new that we had a difficult time finding out its name! It is called Los Molcajetes and is open for breakfast and dinner.
We mentioned one more new place on Rojo Gomez in one of our last Beach Reads, the little ice cream parlour, Bendito Pecado.
Got all that? Luckily we keep track of all this for you on our big Puerto Morelos Restaurant Guide on our website.
So those are all the changes in just 2 blocks of Puerto Morelos! We will stop there for now. Watch for another Town Update on Beach Reads. Don’t forget to tell your friends to subscribe to our blog and we hope to see you soon at Casa de los Viajeros in Puerto Morelos.
November 20th is Día de la Revolución, Revolution Day in Mexico. It commemorates the Mexican Revolution of 1910. The revolution aimed to overthrow the autocratic rule of the President of Mexico, Porfirio Díaz, who had been in power for over three decades. His rule favoured the elite and led to extreme socio-economic disparities.
All photos are from our many years in Puerto Morelos. Click on images to see larger.
It all began in Valladolid, just 175 km west of Puerto Morelos. The “first spark” was ignited when an insurrection took place on June 4, 1910, against Díaz. Maximiliano Bonilla and leaders of the Independent Electoral Center and the Anti-Reelectionist Front led the uprising. The rebels, mainly consisting of labourers from neighbouring haciendas and peaceful Maya volunteers, attacked the town at 3:00 a.m. They managed to take control of the city, removing railroad tracks and setting up defensive positions. The federal government responded by sending 600 soldiers, but the rebels held out for several days before they were defeated.
Later that year a presidential election was held where wealthy landowner Francisco Madero opposed Díaz. Díaz jailed Madero, who then escaped, issuing the Plan of San Luis Potosí on October 6, 1910. In that plan, Madero declared the results of the 1910 election fraudulent, nullified them, asserted that he was provisional president, and called for Mexicans to rise against Díaz on November 20, 1910. The actions inspired leaders like Emiliano Zapata, and Pancho Villa to emerge and advocate for democracy, land reform, and better working conditions. Their efforts brought about significant changes, including the redistribution of land, labour rights, and ultimately a new constitution in 1917.
Today, Mexican Revolution Day is celebrated throughout Mexico as a national holiday on November 20th. In Valladolid, it is still commemorated with reenactments and ceremonies in the city’s main square. In Puerto Morelos, schoolchildren dress up as their favourite historical figures for a town parade. It is a great time to be in our little town and see the kids marching the streets with their big black Poncho Villa moustachios and bandoliers. The holiday remembers and honours the struggles and sacrifices made by the people to achieve a more just and equitable society. This day serves as a reminder of the ongoing quest for social justice and the importance of remembering history to build a better future.
Hola!! We just arrived back in Puerto Morelos after a summer of travel in Europe. As usual, we’ve noticed lots of changes in your town, including new restaurants and new locations of old favourites. (Click on any photo for a bigger/better view)
Let’s start at the town dock. A pair of hurricanes in 2020 seriously twisted it, giving it a Dali-esque look and making the end of the dock unusable.
Now, it’s finally being rebuilt. The new dock will be a little longer than the old one.
The dock is closed during reconstruction, making loading boats much more difficult, but fishing, snorkelling and dive trips still go on. Progress appears to be slow, but the folks working the dock area say it will be open next month, just in time for high season.
The exchange place at the beach side Chedraui has closed. It’s being replaced with a Michoacán ice cream parlour, so it’s not all bad news. The exchange on the square below La Sirena remains open. If you are exchanging a large amount of money, you will likely get a better rate at CI Banco at the highway Chedraui, but for small amounts this exchange is fine.
Still with money matters, the beach side Chedraui now has 5 ATMs. Citibank, Scotiabank, HSBC, BBVA and Santander. Check with your home bank if they have an arrangement with Mexican banks so that you can withdraw your pesos for free. (For example, the Mexican Scotiabank ATM waives fees for Scotiabank Canada customers)
We have just updated our In Puerto Morelos Restaurant Guide and the downloadable list. As usual, there are sooooo many new restaurants and changes to tell you about. We will start with changes to restaurants you may already know.
Spaghettino (owned by the same family that owns Al Chimichurri) has doubled in size and completed a lovely renovation to its space. In addition to expanding their outside space, they have also added a comfortable air-conditioned dining room. The family has also opened a second Al Chimichurri location in Cancun. And a little aside, co-owner Florencia has just become a sommelier, so we look forward to a new and interesting wine list.
The owner of Taninos has moved an artisanal ice cream shop called Bendito Pecado to the beach side of town. The cute little parlour is located on Rojo Gomez, a kitty-corner from Playa Sol, making it the closest restaurant to our Casa de los Viajeros. Very dangerous to our waistlines! (The shop was in the Colonia before)
Yum Yum Wok has a new location. It’s easy to find though, it is right next door to their old location!
One of our favourite cafes has expanded. Lola y Moya is now open for dinner. You can still go there for breakfast and lunch, but now you can stay for dinner and happy hour!
If you are looking for Osteria Barocca, in the Areia Hotel (formerly We Hotel), they have made some major changes. They moved from the ground floor to the rooftop and have a new name. Portside Puerto Morelos, now open from 3:00 pm to 10:00 pm, offers some of the best views to dine by in our town. They are a bit of a hidden gem, you need to go into the hotel and take the elevator to the rooftop to find them, but once you get there, you will find a great place to watch the sunset over the mangrove and sweeping ocean views.
Restaurant Sabrina which was on the main floor of the hotel has closed.
These are just a few of the many changes. The best way to experience them is to stay with us. Right now, we are offering a Holiday Special at Casa de los Viajeros, January rates for the Christmas and New Year weeks. Contact us today for details. We have one—or two-bedroom apartments available just steps from the beach and close to downtown.
We have a lot more to tell you about, so keep an eye on your inbox for more information about Puerto Morelos coming soon. Don’t forget to share this email with your friends.
There is a new food truck village in town! More details to follow…
