Good to know

It’s a good idea to bring a small backpack, as plastic bags are no longer available in stores, so it could be very useful during your trips. Don’t forget your cell phone to connect it to your TV, which is a smart TV.

You can bring some pesos, but Canadian and American money are not recommended. Debit and credit cards are accepted in most local shops. You’ll get the best exchange rate of the day by using your card.

Travel Insurance

We suggest that you contact your travel insurance provider when you make your booking. Your travel insurance should cover the reimbursement of your flight and accommodation in case the current situation prevents you from enjoying your stay in Mexico. This could be due to changes in flight regulations or if you are required to return to your country because the government announces the closure of the border between Canada and Mexico, forcing you to shorten your stay involuntarily. Of course, we have no control over these events. We will do our best to help you find a solution to any potential arrival or departure issues.

Your insurance should also include reimbursement for your stay if you contract COVID before or during your trip.

Villas Armadillo does not provide any guarantees related to insurance, stay cancellations, liability, accidents, theft, or any other claims. We recommend you check with your home insurer, broker, employer, or credit card company to see what coverage they provide. Villas Puerto Morelos does not offer stay credits, but you may transfer your booking to a friend.

Transport

1. Taxis: It costs 30 pesos to go to Chedraui or SuperAki (grocery store) and 50 pesos to get to the beach.

2. Collectivo (Mexican bus): 10 pesos, and it can be taken on the main streets. Walk down to the corner of Joaquín Zetina Gasca for ruta 2, it is the most direct or at the corner of Timon for ruta 1. Ruta 2 is more direct. Just tell the driver where you’re going: Playa, SuperAki, Chedraui. When you return ask the driver to drop you at the corner of our street.

3. ADO: 40 pesos to get to Cancun, with several departures throughout the day.

4. Playa Express: It goes to the same destinations as ADO, but it stops anywhere on the highway. You can get off before reaching Centro Cancun, for example at Plaza Las Americas (the mega shopping mall), Croccocoon Zoo, etc. Just inform the driver before boarding.

5. To get to Playa del Carmen: The price is the same, but you’ll need to take the Playa Express bus near the PEMEX gas station on this side of Highway 307. When you want to return to Puerto Morelos, just say "Puerto Morelos," and they’ll take you back. Remember your street corner for your stop and tell the taxi driver or Collectivo driver, and they will drop you off there.

Beach

The beach is public.

To get there: There are two transport options: the Collectivo (Mexican bus) which costs 10 pesos per person and can be taken from the Oxxo parking lot or simply along the main streets, or a taxi for 30 pesos. Always ask for the fare before getting into a taxi.

There are several places that rent lounge chairs on the beach. Otherwise, many spots offer them for free if you order food or drinks. My Paradise Beach Club is our favorite spot, and they offer a 2-for-1 deal every day. There is also a great place nearby that offers massages, called Violeta Massage.

Explore diving in Puerto Morelos

Thanks to the work of local environmental activists, Puerto Morelos is home to the best preserved section of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef. This piece of the second largest barrier reef in the world is also closer to land in Puerto Morelos than anywhere else in Mexico.

Puerto Morelos is conveniently located between Cancun and Playa del Carmen, so you’ll have access to the amazing dive sites in both of these destinations as well as those of Cozumel and Isla Mujeres.

Green sea turtles, Loggerhead sea turtles, barracuda, eels and rays. Nurse sharks hang out in dark swim-throughs, and various species of crabs and lobsters scuttle along the bottom.

Money

To withdraw money, you can use the bank ATMs, or the one at Chedraui inside the grocery store, at the shop to your left at the end of the checkout counters. There’s also one at 7 Eleven and at the Pemex gas station along Highway 307.

A little tip: Sometimes ATMs may run out of cash or be closed, so don’t wait until you’re out of money to withdraw. As for the grocery store or official restaurants (not the ones on street corners...), I always pay with my credit card! Avoid paying in Canadian or U.S. dollars when you can; always use the local currency (in this case, the MEXICAN PESO).