About 100 years ago, the area boomed as a primary shipping port for hardwood and chicle, being exported to the United States and Europe. Today, it is a charming seaport town best known for its excellent seafood restaurants and quaint craft shops. 

Slightly south of the port town, the Barrera Marin Botanical Garden cares for more than 60 acres of pristine jungle with over 400 species of plants and trees, marshland vegetation, tropical birds, beautiful flowers and medicinal plants. Other places of interest include a Post Classic Mayan Archeological site and a replica of a chicle harvesting camp.

Water sports is not all that Puerto Morelos has to offer.  There are small tour companies and individuals that specialize in personalized tours to local area cenotes or jungle tours to uncharted ruins.  For horse lovers there are a couple of horseback riding trails just five minutes south of town on the highway.  

Children of all ages would enjoy an hour tour through the local crocodile and reptile zoo or a tranquil stroll through the Botanical Gardens to see various indigenous birds and animals.  Other temporary residents (we don't call them tourists in Puerto Morelos) like using the town as a jumping off point to visit the various mayan ruin sites that dot the coast and inland in the Yucatan peninsula.  

There is even one local ruin that is just starting to attract interest from local Archeologists.  They are looking for private funding to excavate the site so they offer small private tours to help fund their works.  Ask around for Lilia and Billy if you are interested.