#1 of 30 Things To Do in Pureto Morelos
Puerto Morelos
Puerto Morelos
~0.59 miles from Pureto Morelos city center
Hotels Close to Puerto Morelos
Puerto Morelos is a town and sea port in Quintana Roo, Mexico's easternmost state, on the Yucatán Peninsula. The town is at the southern end of the municipality of Benito Juárez in the northeast of the state, about 36 km south of the resort city of Cancún. The marine terminal at Puerto Morelos is equipped to handle containers and is the largest and most important sea port in the state of Quintana Roo.
Puerto Morelos is divided by a highway and a mangrove swamp into three sections. The section west of the highway is known as "Colonia Joaquin Zetina Gazca". The section east of the highway is called "Colonia Pescadores". The section on the coast east of the mangrove swamp is “Puerto” or “Antiguo (old) Puerto Morelos”. This original coastal fishing village is now a quiet, mixed-use neighborhood of private homes, hotels, condominiums, restaurants, and tourist shops. The second part is about 2 km. inland and adjacent to Highway 307, on the western side. The inland portion is mainly single level dwellings for local workers.
It has historically been the main port between the mainland of Yucatán and the Island of Cozumel, and an automobile ferry used to run from Puerto Morelos to Cozumel. The town is named after Independence leader José María Morelos.
Population of Puerto Morelos
Year Population
1980 672
1990 740
1995 829
2000 892
2005 1,097
Puerto Morelos has grown rapidly with the development of tourism and as of 2009 is estimated to be the home to some 15,000 people.[citation needed]. According to the results of the Census National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI) in 2005, while Puerto Morelos itself had only 1,097 inhabitants, Colonia Joaquin Zetina Gazca had a popluation of 6,629 people, that along with 108 people in the suburban Puerto Morelos creates a total population of 7,726 in 2005.
Resorts are abundant in the Puerto Morelos region along the Riviera Maya and attractions, such as the Crococun Crocodile Zoo, are also increasing in number.
One hundred meters off shore lies the Puerto Morelos portion of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System, designated as a National Marine Park due to local environmental activists.
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#2 of 30 Things To Do in Pureto Morelos
Downtown Puerto Morelos (Neighborhood)
Riviera Maya - North
~1.09 miles from Pureto Morelos city center
Hotels Close to Downtown Puerto Morelos
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#3 of 30 Things To Do in Pureto Morelos
Crococun Zoo
Riviera Maya - North
~2.89 miles from Pureto Morelos city center
Hotels Close to Crococun Zoo
You don't have to be a kid to enjoy Croco Cun Zoo, an animal park located on Highway 307, a few miles north of Puerto Morelos, but unless you have kids with you or you are a kid inside, you may not want to spend the US$20 entrance fee (US$12 for kids over 6) to do so. Your visit to the zoo consists of a 1.5 hour guided tour of the facilities. Your visit starts with a look at the parrots and then moves on to the crocodiles.
The park was primarily established as a crocodile farm 20 years previously. Its specific purpose was to farm bred crocodiles for commercial purposes. During the 1988 hurricane Gilbert which struck the area Crococun was practically destroyed however as they rebuilt the reserve it started to take more of a nature preserve shape then that of a farm. Noticing this ex-farm slowly drifted from a commercial venture to that of a conservationist project the owners decided that this was a good thing and changed the complete concept of the organization. It was no longer a commercial venture but rather more of a conservation preserve. Today the zoo acts as a means of promoting and protecting many of Mexico’s endangered species. Some of the species of crocs which are raised here are eventually released back to the wild as part of the zoos conservation project. Not only does the location foster area animals but it presents a vast selection of marine and plant conservation as well.
The zoo’s mission is to inspire and to educate people towards making intelligent choices when it comes to the environment and conservation of the various animals, the habitat and the creature’s natural environment. Their major goal is to increase the dwindling croc population while at the same time teaching the next generation of citizens why this
Species is important for our way of life. Instructions are provided so that people can see how these animals should be properly cared for. The zoo desires to eventually become the areas leader in the conservation and protection of the various local wild species found in the region.
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#4 of 30 Things To Do in Pureto Morelos
Downtown Maroma (Neighborhood)
Playa del Carmen
~8.85 miles from Pureto Morelos city center
Hotels Close to Downtown Maroma
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#5 of 30 Things To Do in Pureto Morelos
Tres Rios Ecopark
Playa del Carmen
~12.11 miles from Pureto Morelos city center
Hotels Close to Tres Rios Ecopark
This park, only 30 minutes away from the craziness of Cancun, offers horseback rides along the coast.
Attraction type: Nature reserve, Park, Amusement/theme park
Activities: Horseback Riding
info@tres-rios.com
Address: Carretera Cancun - Playa del Carmen Km. 40 Cancun
Mexico
Tel: 52 998 887 80 77
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#6 of 30 Things To Do in Pureto Morelos
Wet n' Wild (Parque Nizuc Waterpark)
Cancun
~13.56 miles from Pureto Morelos city center
Hotels Close to Wet n' Wild (Parque Nizuc Waterpark)
Wet'n'Wild Water World is a large water park situated in Cancun, Mexico, owned by Warner Village Theme Parks. The park is Mexico's largest waterpark and the third largest waterpark in the world. Wet'n'Wild Water World, or just Wet'n'Wild is located adjacent to Warner Bros. Movie World, a movie-related park also owned by Warner Village Theme Parks. While the park remains open all year, all pools and slides are heated during winter.
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#7 of 30 Things To Do in Pureto Morelos
Playa Del Carmen
Puerto Morelos
~16.29 miles from Pureto Morelos city center
Hotels Close to Playa Del Carmen
Experience the magic of Playa del Carmen.
Playa, as the locals call it, is a beach-side city located on the coast of the Caribbean Sea. You generally fly into Cancun airport then transfer to Playa, which is an hour's drive.
Playa del Carmen stretches from the beach west to highway 307 and beyond, however the tourist zone is the area along the coast. Most tourist buses pull into Playa turning off the highway at Benito Juarez Avenue and drive to the downtown bus station which is located right on 5th Avenue. The ferry docks to Cozumel are located close to the bus station as well. This is the busiest spot in all of Playa.
5th Avenue [Quinto Avenida] is the main street that runs parallel to the ocean. It's around 500 meters from the water. In between the water and 5th are hotels, Bed & Breakfasts, Inns, Rentals, Timeshares, and restaurants. It is commonly referred to as, "Playa del Carmen's Pedestrian Walkway".
Along 5th Avenue you will find numerous stores selling interesting items as well as restaurants and hotels. There are clothing stores selling the latest trends from Europe as well as Cuban Cigar and Rum stores. It is a vibrant atmosphere reminiscent of a carnival. We have seen live lions, fire breathers, giant boa constrictors and a cavalcade of characters parading down 5th.
There are also lots of bars along 5th making it a good place to party. The after hour clubs swing into action after 12:00. These clubs are located on the beach away from the majority of hotels and resorts because of the noise level.
Intersecting with 5th are streets that all lead to the beach. Along many of these streets are dive-shops, convenience stores, hotels, tour operators, Internet cafes, currency exchanges, and restaurants. All the beaches in Playa are open to the public.
Playa's beaches are nice. Along 5th, in the tourist zone the beaches are all clean white sand, not white powder. There is some coral but not much. The seaweed and other garbage is cleaned up every day. Within a short walk to almost any point on the Playa main beach is a bar/restaurant. There are also a number of snorkeling, dive and fishing boats ready to take you out.
The beaches closest to the ferry docks are the busiest and you have to walk either north or south to find seclusion. Outside the tourist zone the beaches are lined with jungle.
The restaurants along 5th are mostly Italian but there are American restaurants and Mexican restaurants that cook American style food with some Mexican dishes. Off 5th on any of the intersecting streets that head away from the beach you will start to find Mexican restaurants as well as numerous Italian cafes.
The farther away from 5th Avenue you go the cheaper things get. You also will find the best Mexican restaurants not far from 5th on 30th, which puts you in Mexican territory, out of the tourista zona. In fact, in-between 5th and 30th are all kinds of interesting stores selling everything you can think of, from live chickens to computers.
If you're there during the summer and have kids then this is the perfect place to get your school clothing. You will find all the latest trends here. The Mexicans are right on top of fashion.
There are lots of Europeans in Playa, mostly from Germany, Switzerland and Italy. Americans have always been going to Playa. More Canadians would go but for the outrageous airfares.
At night 5th Avenue comes alive. Couples, all dressed up, head out for dinner. The young girls are decked out in their new acquisitions, hair braided. International bohemians walk the strip, many know each other, and it's a friendly place.
Many Mexicans visit Playa for their vacations as well. Don't be surprised if the family across the hall are Mexicans. Just say Hola and you will have new friends.
There are banks, money exchanges, pharmacies all over the place. Playa is not that big and everything the vacationer might need is within the tourist zone. You can walk up 5th Avenue in about 45 minutes but the main strip is only around a kilometer long. After the main strip there are still hotels and stores but they are not as plentiful, however the area north of Constytiones is under development.
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#8 of 30 Things To Do in Pureto Morelos
El Rey Ruins (Zona Arqueologica El Rey)
Cancun
~16.79 miles from Pureto Morelos city center
Hotels Close to El Rey Ruins (Zona Arqueologica El Rey)
Zona Arqueológica El Rey is worth a visit and is closely situated in the resort area of Cancún. Here you can appreciate the vestiges of one of the most interesting and complete civilizations of America: The Mayans. These ruins are a window into the history of Mexico and are Cancún's largest archaeological site. This was an ancient city that had its splendor between the years 1250 and 1521 AD. Tours can be arranged through Cancún hotels and travel agencies. You'll hear an explanation of the structures and their historical significance in English, Spanish, French, German, Italian or Portuguese. You can get here by taxi or local bus.
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#9 of 30 Things To Do in Pureto Morelos
Playa Delfines
Cancun
~16.83 miles from Pureto Morelos city center
Hotels Close to Playa Delfines
Located near Ruinas del Rey at Km 20 where Boulevard Kukulcán curves into a hill, Playa Delfines is the final beach. Hotels have yet to dominate this small section of coastline, and there's an incredible lookout over the ocean; on a clear day you can see at least four shades of blue in the water, though swimming is treacherous unless one of the green flags is posted. Here you'll find plenty of sand (unlike many of the beaches that were hit by Hurricane Wilma) and surfers. It's one of the few places in Cancún where you can take surfing lessons. Although decent waves roll in during hurricane season, seldom do they hit "epic" status. At best, you might find choppy, inconsistent surf at Playa Delfines, Playa Chacmool, and City Beach. Those seeking more than just a ripple should avoid the northern beaches, where Isla Mujeres lies just off shore.
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#10 of 30 Things To Do in Pureto Morelos
Aquaworld
Cancun
~18.38 miles from Pureto Morelos city center
Hotels Close to Aquaworld
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#11 of 30 Things To Do in Pureto Morelos
Cancun Hotel Zone
Cancun
~18.83 miles from Pureto Morelos city center
Hotels Close to Cancun Hotel Zone
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#12 of 30 Things To Do in Pureto Morelos
Downtown Playa del Carmen (Neighborhood)
Riviera Maya
~19.02 miles from Pureto Morelos city center
Hotels Close to Downtown Playa del Carmen
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#13 of 30 Things To Do in Pureto Morelos
Playa Del Carmen
Riviera Maya
~19.19 miles from Pureto Morelos city center
Hotels Close to Playa Del Carmen
Experience the magic of Playa del Carmen.
Playa, as the locals call it, is a beach-side city located on the coast of the Caribbean Sea. You generally fly into Cancun airport then transfer to Playa, which is an hour's drive.
Playa del Carmen stretches from the beach west to highway 307 and beyond, however the tourist zone is the area along the coast. Most tourist buses pull into Playa turning off the highway at Benito Juarez Avenue and drive to the downtown bus station which is located right on 5th Avenue. The ferry docks to Cozumel are located close to the bus station as well. This is the busiest spot in all of Playa.
5th Avenue [Quinto Avenida] is the main street that runs parallel to the ocean. It's around 500 meters from the water. In between the water and 5th are hotels, Bed & Breakfasts, Inns, Rentals, Timeshares, and restaurants. It is commonly referred to as, "Playa del Carmen's Pedestrian Walkway".
Along 5th Avenue you will find numerous stores selling interesting items as well as restaurants and hotels. There are clothing stores selling the latest trends from Europe as well as Cuban Cigar and Rum stores. It is a vibrant atmosphere reminiscent of a carnival. We have seen live lions, fire breathers, giant boa constrictors and a cavalcade of characters parading down 5th.
There are also lots of bars along 5th making it a good place to party. The after hour clubs swing into action after 12:00. These clubs are located on the beach away from the majority of hotels and resorts because of the noise level.
Intersecting with 5th are streets that all lead to the beach. Along many of these streets are dive-shops, convenience stores, hotels, tour operators, Internet cafes, currency exchanges, and restaurants. All the beaches in Playa are open to the public.
Playa's beaches are nice. Along 5th, in the tourist zone the beaches are all clean white sand, not white powder. There is some coral but not much. The seaweed and other garbage is cleaned up every day. Within a short walk to almost any point on the Playa main beach is a bar/restaurant. There are also a number of snorkeling, dive and fishing boats ready to take you out.
The beaches closest to the ferry docks are the busiest and you have to walk either north or south to find seclusion. Outside the tourist zone the beaches are lined with jungle.
The restaurants along 5th are mostly Italian but there are American restaurants and Mexican restaurants that cook American style food with some Mexican dishes. Off 5th on any of the intersecting streets that head away from the beach you will start to find Mexican restaurants as well as numerous Italian cafes.
The farther away from 5th Avenue you go the cheaper things get. You also will find the best Mexican restaurants not far from 5th on 30th, which puts you in Mexican territory, out of the tourista zona. In fact, in-between 5th and 30th are all kinds of interesting stores selling everything you can think of, from live chickens to computers.
If you're there during the summer and have kids then this is the perfect place to get your school clothing. You will find all the latest trends here. The Mexicans are right on top of fashion.
There are lots of Europeans in Playa, mostly from Germany, Switzerland and Italy. Americans have always been going to Playa. More Canadians would go but for the outrageous airfares.
At night 5th Avenue comes alive. Couples, all dressed up, head out for dinner. The young girls are decked out in their new acquisitions, hair braided. International bohemians walk the strip, many know each other, and it's a friendly place.
Many Mexicans visit Playa for their vacations as well. Don't be surprised if the family across the hall are Mexicans. Just say Hola and you will have new friends.
There are banks, money exchanges, pharmacies all over the place. Playa is not that big and everything the vacationer might need is within the tourist zone. You can walk up 5th Avenue in about 45 minutes but the main strip is only around a kilometer long. After the main strip there are still hotels and stores but they are not as plentiful, however the area north of Constytiones is under development.
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#14 of 30 Things To Do in Pureto Morelos
Luxury Avenue
Cancun
~19.67 miles from Pureto Morelos city center
Hotels Close to Luxury Avenue
Luxury Avenue is a shoppers dream paradise with over 25 boutiques and a level of excellence unparalleled by other shopping areas.
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#15 of 30 Things To Do in Pureto Morelos
City Centre Cancun
Cancun
~19.78 miles from Pureto Morelos city center
Hotels Close to City Centre Cancun
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#16 of 30 Things To Do in Pureto Morelos
Xaman Ha Aviary
Riviera Maya
~19.79 miles from Pureto Morelos city center
Hotels Close to Xaman Ha Aviary
Xaman Ha Aviary is a wonderful natural habitat for some 60 species of tropical birds who populate the jungles of the Yucatan peninsula.
Here you can see roughly 200 individual birds living in harmony with one another, all within an open-air sanctuary that has paths and trails leading to the birds' preferred nesting areas. These birds live, eat, fly and reproduce within Xamana Ha's little Mexican jungle, and they intermingle with many of the non-winged species of Quintana Roo; like iguanas, butterflies, squirrels, and the turtles and fish found in the cenotes of the Riviera Maya and Yucatan.
Kids love this place! Xaman Ha is one of the only places where children are certain to see some of the most spectacularly colored birds of the jungle and hopefully develop a sense of repect for them and their natural habitat.
And Xaman Ha is a great find for adults too, and a unique opportunity to practice your photography skills. Both still and video cameras are allowed in Xaman Ha Aviary, and for those bird lovers who like to use a tripod to steady their camera, these are also allowed at no additional fee (unlike many of the Maya ruin sites of the peninsula).
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#17 of 30 Things To Do in Pureto Morelos
Punta Molas Lighthouse
Cozumel
~20.28 miles from Pureto Morelos city center
Hotels Close to Punta Molas Lighthouse
Punta Molas lighthouse is the end of the road if you go up the north road next to Mezcalitos (on the "other side" of the island). Remember that you can only get there by 4 wheel drive (wild tours doesn't even come this far north); so don't just go in a rental car or you will get stuck up here. It is the furthest of all the Cozumel Beaches.
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#18 of 30 Things To Do in Pureto Morelos
Yamil Lu'um
Cancun
~20.28 miles from Pureto Morelos city center
Hotels Close to Yamil Lu'um
Attraction type: Ancient ruins
Address: Blvd. Kukulcan
Km 12, Zona Hotelera Cancun
Mexico
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#19 of 30 Things To Do in Pureto Morelos
Isla de Pasion
Cozumel
~20.28 miles from Pureto Morelos city center
Hotels Close to Isla de Pasion
This tiny island just off Cozumel's northern coast is part of the state-sponsored wildlife refuge located in the Abrigo Bay. Almost no one visits this island and consequently the beaches are filled with birds and wildlife. Fishing is permitted but since there are no scheduled tours those interested in visiting must hire a boat. For the hearty hiker in search for an adventure there are trails leading from the North Punta Molas Road to the island. Contact the tourism board for more information.
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#20 of 30 Things To Do in Pureto Morelos
Acuario Interactivo (Interactive Aquarium)
La Isla Shopping Village Boulevard Kukulcan Cancun - 52 998 883 0411
~20.32 miles from Pureto Morelos city center
Hotels Close to Acuario Interactivo (Interactive Aquarium)
In the open-air section you can touch sea urchins, stingrays, sea turtles and conchs. Another section has an enormous pool where you can swim with dolphins. http://www.interactivedolphins.com/
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#21 of 30 Things To Do in Pureto Morelos
La Isla Shopping Mall
Cancun
~20.33 miles from Pureto Morelos city center
Hotels Close to La Isla Shopping Mall
La Isla Shopping mall has a variety of stores including Senor Frog's, Von Dutch, Cartier, Chanel, Plaza La Fiesta, Diesel, Bulgari, Reef, DKNY, Envy, Guess, Massimo, Nine West, QuickSilver, SOHO, United Colors of Benetton, Kodak Express, Tommy Hilfiger and much much more.
La Isla Shopping Mall also offers great dining including Chili's, Haagen Dazs, Hippos, Johnny Rockets, La Casa De Las Margaritas, La Madonna, Shokuni, and McDonalds. So if you want a nice clean place to do some shopping, pet some fish at the Interactive Aquarium or even swim with the dolphins, and get a bite to eat, I highly recommend La Isla Shopping Mall in Cancun, Quintana Roo, Mexico on Kukulcan Blvd.
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#22 of 30 Things To Do in Pureto Morelos
Downtown Xcaret (Neighborhood)
Riviera Maya
~20.48 miles from Pureto Morelos city center
Hotels Close to Downtown Xcaret
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#23 of 30 Things To Do in Pureto Morelos
Museo de Arte Popular Mexicano
Cancun
~21.99 miles from Pureto Morelos city center
Hotels Close to Museo de Arte Popular Mexicano
Attraction type: Art museum
http://www.museoartepopularmexicano.org/
Address: Blvd. Kukulcan Km 4
Hotel Zone Cancun
Mexico
Tel: 998 849 43 32
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#24 of 30 Things To Do in Pureto Morelos
Playa Tortuga
Cancun
~22.09 miles from Pureto Morelos city center
Hotels Close to Playa Tortuga
Traveler Description: This beach is lined with open-air cafes, restaurants and bars, making it a perfect place to scope out the crowd.
Attraction type: Beach
Activities: Dining
Address: Km 6.5 Cancun 77500
Mexico
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#25 of 30 Things To Do in Pureto Morelos
Playa Langosta
Cancun
~22.18 miles from Pureto Morelos city center
Hotels Close to Playa Langosta
Lying on the Pacific Northwest Coast, just south of Tamarindo, one of the most popular destinations on the North Pacific Coast of Costa Rica, is the exotic and sandy beach of Playa Langosta. Known for its amazing surfing and gorgeous beachfront bed and breakfasts that line the shore, Playa Langosta is ideal for those who want to have some fun while enjoying the stunning beauty of the area. A mostly rocky shoreline with small pockets of sandy beach, Playa Langosta is definitely worth visiting especially if you happen to be in the Tamarindo area.
A great beach for a quiet stroll, Playa Langosta at its southern end sits near the mouth of an estuary and has an excellent surf break here, attracting surfers from Tamarindo who prefer to surf amid some peace and quiet. However, be warned that Playa Langosta can get pretty crowded in the high season when tourists and locals come here to enjoy the area’s natural beauty.
Just 2.5 km from Tamarindo village, Playa Langosta is an excellent place to spend a peaceful day after being the very popular Tamarindo. Some 10 minutes away from the local airport in Tamarindo and around 50 minutes from the Daniel Oduber International Airport in Liberia. Also close to the Las Baulas National Park, come here between October and March to catch a glimpse of the leatherback turtles that nest in the area.
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#26 of 30 Things To Do in Pureto Morelos
Nautilus Diving and Training Center
Cancun
~22.21 miles from Pureto Morelos city center
Hotels Close to Nautilus Diving and Training Center
Traveler Description: Learn scuba diving in a pool here before venturing out into the open ocean.
Attraction type: Educational site
http://www.cancunscuba.com.
c_bluedive@hotmail.com
Address: Hotel Best Western Cancun Clipper Club
Kilometer 9.5 Hotel Zone Cancun 77500
Mexico
Tel: 52 998 884 0791
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#27 of 30 Things To Do in Pureto Morelos
Cancun Convention Center
Cancun
~22.32 miles from Pureto Morelos city center
Hotels Close to Cancun Convention Center
Cancun Convention center will be the premier choice for your next event. Located in the heart of Cancun's hotel zone, totally remodeled with its 13 column-free salons divisible in 37 spaces and sparkling 152,852 square feet of convention and exhibition areas.
Located in the heart of Cancun's hotel zone, totally remodeled with its 13 column-free salons divisible in 37 spaces and sparkling 152,852 square feet of convention and exhibition areas, we are sure that Cancun Center will be the ideal choice for your event.
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#28 of 30 Things To Do in Pureto Morelos
Plaza Caracol
Cancun
~22.38 miles from Pureto Morelos city center
Hotels Close to Plaza Caracol
Plaza Caracol (Snail Plaza), is an impressive structure which actually resembles a crystal snail. It is one of the original and most exclusive shopping centers in Cancún. The shops and entertainment here continue to be fashionable and enjoyable. Most boutiques here are both elegant and affordable. The restaurants are avant-garde and varied in their cooking. The famous and popular Italian restaurant Casa Ronaldi is housed here. Look for the end-of-season sales and walk around this immense place, where the most diverse shops on the island await you.
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#29 of 30 Things To Do in Pureto Morelos
Playa Las Perlas
Cancun
~22.62 miles from Pureto Morelos city center
Hotels Close to Playa Las Perlas
There's lots to do besides sunbathe at this beach and town 15 minutes south of Boca de Tomatlán. Framed in oak, coconut, and pink-flowering amapa trees, the brown-sand beach's name means "The Souls"; a graveyard was reportedly located here many years ago. Framing the 1-km-long (½-mi-long) beach are piles of smooth, strange rocks looking an awful lot like petrified elephant poo. Because of its very shallow waters, Las Animas is often referred to as la playa de los niños (children's beach), and it tends to fill up with families on weekends and holidays. They come by water taxi or as part of half- or full-day bay cruises. Five or six seafood eateries line the sand; a few will lend their clients volleyballs to use on sand courts out front. You can also rent Jet Skis, ride a banana boat, or soar up into the sky behind a speedboat while dangling from a colorful parachute. Facilities: Banana-boat rides, boating, Jet Skis, parasailing; food concessions.
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#30 of 30 Things To Do in Pureto Morelos
Puerto Juarez
Cancun
~22.69 miles from Pureto Morelos city center
Hotels Close to Puerto Juarez
Puerto Juárez is a town in Benito Juárez municipality, in the Mexican state of Quintana Roo.
It is in the north-east of the Yucatán Peninsula, on the shore of the Caribbean Sea, It is 2 km from Cancún. A regular ferry service runs to nearby Cancún and to Isla Mujeres.
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