Homes for Sale

ATM (ABM-Cashpoint-Bank Machine) - Best to use is the HSBC machine right on the square next to the grocery store. There is another bank-affiliated machine up on the highway and an HSBC machine in the 7-11 at the highway. There are two independent machines on the square, one at the mall and one at the OXXO. The independents have higher fees.

Bank - Puerto Morelos has no bank. Your best bet is the bank machine outside the grocery store on the north east end of the square. There are no places to cash traveler's cheques in Puerto Morelos.

Bike Rental - The Puerto Morelos Travel Agency has a tiny office around the corner west of the bookstore. They rent bikes by the hour, day, week or month. There are also bikes available at Posada El Moro hotel and Hotelito Marviya.

Bookstore - There are precious few bookstores in the Yucatan, so Alma Libre Bookstore is a rare find. We could probably sell more books if we were in Playa del Carmen or Cancun...but then we couldn't live in Puerto Morelos! We have 20,000 books including new books on the area, the Maya and the birds and fish...plus lots of used fiction and non fiction books. Maps & postcards too!

Botanical Garden - Located on the south entrance to Puerto Morelos. Open daily at 8:00. Admission charge is around 70 pesos.

Catering - Chef Miguel co-owner of Hola Asia restaurant will provide meals to your place in Puerto Morelos or Playa Secreto. He also offers cooking classes in your place. Click here for more information.

Cooking Schools - How better to bring a little of Mexico home with you than to learn to make some of the fantastic food you find here? The Little Mexican Cooking School offers classes two days a week right in Puerto Morelos. Learn some new cooking skills, then eat the results. You can book online through their website.

Chef Miguel co-owner of Hola Asia restaurant will also teach classes in your home or condo. Contact him through his website.

Dentist - Dr. Carlos Escalante has an office just west of the square. 998-206-9157 NEXTEL 185-2583 Website Here. We've used him ourselves and would recommend him. He speaks excellent English.

Diving - We love to snorkel, but diving is the best way to go meet the fish. We are lucky to have several good shops right in town to serve you. if you are staying at a resort, skip their dive shop and use one of the ones in town, you will save a plethora of pesos.

Doctors - We have two in Puerto Morelos. Both speak English and will make housecalls. We have not used either Doctor, we have heard good things about Dr. Ramirez. Dr. Olea just recently opened his office, so we have not heard anything yet.

Fishing - We always recommend Kathy Loretta of Puerto Morelos Fishing. She has the best boats and crew. Daytime phone 998-848-8819. Evening phone 998-206-9206. Cell Phone 998-201-9805. She speaks English and Spanish. Alternatively you can go down to the dock and talk to one of the captains there or arrange something through one of the dive shops. You can also arrange snorkeling this way.

Grocery Store - We don't have a real supermarket in Puerto Morelos, but Casa Martin on the north side of the square has the basics including produce, eggs, bread, snacks & alcohol. There are an abundance of small "Supers" (convenience stores) all over town, most with beer. There is also an OXXO convenience store on the south west end of the square.

The Wednesday morning Produce Market by the Church and the many produce trucks that roll through town will keep you in fruits and vegetables. The fish co-operative on the square has the best and freshest fish anywhere. Letty's on Av. Ninos Heroes has frozen fish and shrimp. A bakery truck rolls through town every evening at dusk with baked treats. For more grocery selection, Playa del Carmen and Cancun both have Sam's Club, Chredaui, Mega, Wal-Mart and Soriana. Cancun also has Costco.

There are 2 very good produce markets located in the Colonia. These markets specialize in fresh fruit and vegetables.  We especially like the fresh squeezed orange juice for $10 pesos/litre. (look in the big white cooler for a variety of juices.) They also have fresh meats, chicken, pork and other items.  You never know quite what you are going to find, so they are definitely worth checking out.  The first store is located 3 blocks behind the Pemex, on the corner of the road that runs beside the Pemex and the wide street.  The second location is one or two blocks further west (toward Villas Morelos).  If you ask the bus or taxi driver to take you to Chulim, they will be able to help you find them. There are a couple of larger grocery stores there too.

Hardware - South of the square on Rojo Gomez is the most convenient location. The owner speaks English and knows his stuff. Alternatively, there are a couple on the highway, I have had the best luck with the new one on the west side, a few blocks past the Pemex. There are a couple more in the colonia. Cancun has a Home Depot which is surprisingly well equipped and features some of the worst and loudest in-store music you will ever hear.

Internet - Stay in touch with loved ones...or just rub it in that you are in paradise and they are not! There are a couple of internet cafes in town, PlayNet Cafe beside OXXO and Computips across from Cantina Habanero. There is also free WiFi in the square and free/with purchase internet access at Alma Libre Bookstore and several restaurants.

Mail - The Mexican postal system leaves much to be desired. It is not quick, but reasonably accurate. Good for sending postcards. Not good for sending vital time-sensitive materials. For that we have fax and email. Lovely PoMo postcards are available at Alma Libre Bookstore. Stamps are available at the grocery store on the square. The one and only postal box is on the wall between El Pirata and the gift shop on the corner.

Money Exchange  - We only have one in town and it handles cash only. Exchange rate is posted above the window. Located in the mall on the north side of the square. They will not cash traveler's cheques.

Newspaper - The local English newspaper is the "USA Today Cancun Edition" which comes out daily. It is available at several locations around town including the grocery store. As an alternative, pick up one of the local Spanish language dailies. Some of them are quite outrageous and have lots of pictures. In Playa del Carmen and Cancun you will be able to find other papers like the New York Times.

Perito Traductora - The Mexican government may require you to have officially translated documents if you are applying for visas etc. You can't just have anyone translate the documents for you, they must be approved by the state. Catherine Gray from Felipe Carrillo Puerto is now an official translator for English/Spanish or Spanish/English. Costs for this service depend on the work, but her rates are lower than can be found in Cancun or Playa del Carmen. Contact us for her contact information.

Rental Accommodations - See our list

Restaurants - See our list or download a copy to take with you

Snorkeling - Our main attraction in Puerto Morelos is our Federally protected healthy reef which attracts thousands of fish, creatures and plant life. There are a variety of ways to book a snorkel trip,  the easiest is just to head sown to the dock and catch the next boat going out. It's a quick boat ride to the reef and they should take you to two different locations. Cost is about 250 pesos, which includes Park admission. Make sure you receive a wrist band. The money from the sale of the band goes to protect the reef. All the guides are trained. If the guide "Charlie Brown" is available, go with him. He's a special guy. You can also arrange a trip through one of the Dive Shops or with Diving Dog Tours.

Spanish Lessons - The wonderful Casa de la Cultura now offers lessons in Espanol Mondays and Wednesdays from 6:00-7:00. A little Spanish goes a long way here. Give it a try! For private or semi-private classes, try Marilu and Victor. I don't want to publish their email address here because of spam, so write to us and we'll send it to you. They get excellent reviews and teach all levels. Mary from Minnesota also offers classes, she will come to you. Contact us for her information.

Spa Services - Your hotel will have all kinds of spa services, but for a real local experience, try the Jungle Spa. Skilled local Mayan women will treat you at a price that is much, much lower than your hotel. Full treatments are offered on Wednesdays and Fridays. Appointments can be arranged other times. Spa is easy to get to by taxi or car. Website Here.

Martina who lives in Puerto Morelos offers Massage, Body, Facial and Esthetic Treatments. She will come to you. Contact her through her website.

Manicures and pedicures can be booked at Lety's or Aquarius, both on Avenue Ninos Heros north of the square. The staff at these small shops do not speak English, but they are very kind and welcome visitors.

Telephone - To call locally or back home, your best bet is to get a Ladatel Telmex card and use it in one of the many silver payphones around town. Local calls are about a peso a minute and long distance to the US or Canada is about 5 pesos a minute. The cards never expire. There are a variety of discount calling cards available, but we have never had any luck with them. More info here

Therapeutic Bodywork - El Centro de Mioterapia Correctiva (The Center for Corrective Myotherapy) brings the latest in therapeutic bodywork and corrective injury work to the Maya Riviera in Mexico. Through the healing quality of touch, they believe that the language of the body can be skillfully read and interpreted to assist its ability to self-heal. They practice the holistic approach, maintaining that all things are connected and address each session with the BODY - MIND - SPIRIT philosophy. Contact them through their website.

Tours - Former Puerto Morelos shrimp taco magnate Eric is now designing and conducting tours of our area. Small groups ensure a better experience than your hotel can offer. Reviews are very good. Website Here. The travel agency also books tours.

Travel Agency - Located around the corner from Cafe de Amancia. Offers tours plus car and bike rentals. Website Here.

Zoo - Crococun is just north of town on the east side of the highway. Kids will love it...and adults will too. Telephone: 998-850-3719