Is Puerto Morelos Safe? Crime Rates & Safety Report

Updated On November 7, 2023
Puerto Morelos, Mexico
Safety Index:
85
* Based on Research & Crime Data
User Sentiment:
76
* Rated 76 / 100 based on 10 user reviews.

Puerto Morelos is a town in Quintana Roo on the Yucatán Peninsula, about 20 km south of Cancún.

It is a fishing village, and a resort and diving destination.

The pier in the center of town hosts snorkel and sport fishing boats while yachts dock in a man-made harbor just south of town.

It’s an ideal location for a quiet beach vacation with ample tourist amenities.

The town has just two principal streets and you can walk from one end to the other in about 15 minutes.

Most places accept US dollars but not credit cards.

Tourists come here to spend time in natural beauty without all-inclusive proposals and quiet countryside life.

Warnings & Dangers in Puerto Morelos

Overall Risk

OVERALL RISK: LOW

In general, the Puerto Morelos area is quite safe. Police and government protect tourism in this region and contribute to its security. You should be afraid of the sudden showdowns of gangs and be careful with your values.

Transport & Taxis Risk

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW

Using taxis and buses in Puerto Morelos is quite safe. Be sure to take only certified services. Negotiate the price of a taxi before sat in the car. In public transport, be careful, there is a risk of pickpocketing.

Pickpockets Risk

PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM

Due to the fact that the area is quite a tourist, the risk of pickpocketing is high. You must carefully monitor your belongings, do not leave valuables unattended and keep especially important documents and things in the hotel safe.

Natural Disasters Risk

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM

The risk of flooding, earthquakes, or hurricanes is high enough in the Puerto Morelos area. It is necessary to check the news sources about this risk before visiting the city.

Mugging Risk

MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM

The risk of robbery can be high for travelers who keep large amounts of money with them. You must keep your valuables in a safe at the hotel. In public transport or in public stores, it is easy to become a victim of a robbery. Park your car only in protected parking.

Terrorism Risk

TERRORISM RISK: LOW

There is a minimal risk of terrorism in Puerto Morelos. The city area quite protected from terrorist interests and safety.

Scams Risk

SCAMS RISK: MEDIUM

There is little risk of fraud with tours and entrance fees for various entertainment. Be sure to buy them from trusted sources.

Women Travelers Risk

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW

Women travel alone through Puerto Morelos in daylight is absolutely safe. You should be aware in the night time and concern the normal level of caution.

So... How Safe Is Puerto Morelos Really?

Most of the Yucatan is very safe in general, and the Mexican government tries very hard to protect the tourism industry.

Puerto Morelos is no exception–it’s very safe. You’ll feel comfortable walking its streets at any time of day or night.

Be aware, the risk of petty theft does exist here, as it does nearly everywhere.

Travelers should be watchful, do not to leave their valuables unattended without fear of them getting snatched.

Normal use of common-sense principle here is the way to avoid troubles.

Tourists feel safe enough here, they even rent bicycles to go cycling around the area.

You will not feel dangerous here if you take the usual precautions.

Not to wander around the clubs at night, not to get drunk and not to shine with large sums of money – it is enough not to become a victim of a crime.

Women traveling alone may also feel protected; police work hard in the Puerto Morelos region.

Sometimes on the streets, there may be gunfights involving drug gangs.

They have rarely targeted do harm to tourists. But you need to be alert.

Check U.S. state department travel advisories for actual information about the situation in Puerto Morelos before your trip.

How Does Puerto Morelos Compare?

CitySafety Index
Puerto Morelos85
Mexico City45
Playa del Carmen69
Cabo San Lucas68
Acapulco63
Cancun71
Guadalajara62
Manama (Bahrain)54
Tianjin (China)67
Brussels (Belgium)60
Shanghai (China)66
Belize City (Belize)37
La Paz (Bolivia)52

Useful Information

Visas

Visas

No visas required for tourist proposals to enter Mexico for many countries of Europe, US citizens and so on. You should have a valid passport and a tourist permit. The maximum possible of stay is 180 days. For a longer stay or other options, you should visit the Mexican embassy.

Currency

Currency

The Mexican peso - is the official currency in Mexico. There are one hundred Mexican centavos to every peso. The symbol for the Mexican Peso is $, so you can see MX$ or MN$ in banks and exchange points.

Weather

Weather

Average temperatures are always high. The rainy season lasts from May to October. The best time to visit Puerto Morelos is from the end of November to April.

Airports

Airports

The easiest way to get to Puerto Morelos is from Cancun Airport, it is located 25 km from the city. Also, get into the city is possible from Cozumel Airport, getting then by water.

Travel Insurance

Travel Insurance

The medical travel insurance is required for travelers in any country as well as Mexico. On the border, any traveler may be asked by a customs officer to show insurance.

Click here to get an offer for travel insurance

Puerto Morelos Weather Averages (Temperatures)

Jan 24° C
Feb 24° C
Mar 26° C
Apr 27° C
May 28° C
Jun 29° C
Jul 29° C
Aug 29° C
Sep 29° C
Oct 27° C
Nov 26° C
Dec 25° C
Choose Temperature Unit

Average High/Low Temperature

Temperature / MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High
°C
272829303132323232302928
Low
°C
202022232526262525232221
High
°F
818284868890909090868482
Low
°F
686872737779797777737270

Mexico - Safety by City

CitySafety Index
Acapulco63
Aguascalientes80
Cabo San Lucas68
Cancun71
Chichen Itza70
Chihuahua40
Cozumel85
Cuernavaca65
Culiacan55
Durango75
Ensenada90
Guadalajara62
Guanajuato53
Hermosillo90
Huatulco85
Isla Holbox85
Isla Mujeres80
Ixtapa68
Juarez32
Leon68
Los Cabos80
Manzanillo68
Matamoros40
Merida78
Mexicali42
Mexico City45
Monterrey55
Morelia46
Nogales50
Nuevo Laredo40
Oaxaca74
Piedras Negras67
Playa del Carmen69
Puebla80
Puerto Morelos85
Puerto Vallarta70
Queretaro City63
Reynosa35
Saltillo70
San Luis Potosi80
San Miguel de Allende75
Sayulita90
Tijuana41
Tulum80
Valladolid90
Veracruz70
Zacatecas70
Zapopan70
Zihuatanejo70

Where to Next?

10 Reviews on Puerto Morelos

  1. D
    Doug S. says:

    Enjoy Puerto Morelos

    We spent a week at a rental home in P.M. last Winter. Also rented a car and traveled South to visit ruins in the area. Police presence heavy in all areas we traveled. We walked into the town in the evenings from our house and never once felt any sort of risk. There had been an assault on a Police Station in Playa Del Carmen the previous week but that was an isolated incident. Felt safer there than I do in many large American cities….common sense is a must and be vigilant of your surroundings. Avoid ANY offers for illicit items! We have been approached to purchase illegal drugs nearly every time we have traveled into Mexico.

  2. Police ARE the criminals

    First day in town my nieces apartment was robbed twice. A few days later four family members traveling to Ek Balum were pulled over by 7policemen with rifles who demanded money or jail in Cancun. An hour later were stopped by lone policeman who took the rest of their money. A day later family friends on way to airport in Cancun were pulled over on highway by police and robbed. This was our 3rd trip to Puerto Morelos and we have always loved it. Never again will we risk our lives being shaken down by armed policemen. Please take warnng!!!!

    1. A
      Anonymous says:

      So all and all your trip sounded awesome and I think the locals appreciated your generosity when they robbed you.

      1. When/What year did this happen?

        Well, that stinks! Not sure when this comment was made, but the Reply is hilarious. The stay sounds worse than a “Wham, bam, thank you ma’am”. As in, thanks for visiting, come again when you need to be accosted and paying to have it done! Yikes! Thank you for your review.

        If we do make the trip, do you think that our Credit Cards are safe? Serious question. Or did they take those too? I know that I was told that our U.S. pennies are not like by children, so to hand them at least a nickel, dime or quarter, as pennies just get thrown away. That was in February 2000, yep, I know, but that’s the one and only time we stayed a week there, other visits have been by cruise ship to Cozumel. Thanks!

    2. A
      Anonymous stayed at Cancun says:

      So Sorry to hear about your experience that’s terrible!
      We were warned about this at our hotel in Cancun when we went on vacation we rented a car and wanted to go see some of the other towns and ancient ruins but the hotel told us that dangerous people may try to stop you posing as police and they told us what to to if that occurred, so it’s possible that could have been the case for you but I don’t know I’m just passing on the information and I hope if you go back to Mexico you have a much better vacation.

  3. D
    David Bishop says:

    Very odd about the police and being robbed. In fact, hard to believe hearsay is really what it is. You were not there! I wrecked an SUV in Playa Del Carmen and everyone was great, especially the police and guy I hit. The ass was the rental agent who was American. We take in-laws who are in their 80’s, nephew and daughter. We have gone as a family for last 11 years until COVID hit. We shop Wal-Mart with thousands of Mexicans who always help me with my father in law who has trouble ambulating. Most gracious people in the western hemisphere. Safer than Cincinnati where I live and much safer than any city in America 200K plus population. Stay out of alleys at night and don’t try to buy drugs but If I have to tell you that your are too stupid to have a job, no passport and or money to travel to Mexico.

    1. Thank you. I was looking for a current review and your commenting on Covid helped me place the timing.

  4. k
    kathy P says:

    I have never had a bad experience traveling to Puerto Morales, and I have been 4 times. The only advice I have is to prepay for your transportation to your hotel round trip from the Cancun Airport website. You avoid the taxi scam, which can be part of the robbery complaint that I see in this blog. Random taxis also stick together to scam you on the fare, or take you to a place where you are scammed to buy something. Always use the hotel taxi, let them call for one, and the hotel airport transportation arrangements. Safe and much cheaper.

    1. Always happy in puerto

      I walk out of airport to public bus to puerto morales. Could not be better!! Then if you are going to remote fishing village part of puerto I get a cab for $2.00, or take that public bus for .50 cents. It could not be easier!! I don’t rent cars in Mexico! Only if you have a Mexican person you know to drive. But the bus goes everywhere, very easy. I speak close to no Spanish and survive nicely. Love Mexico and the people.

  5. Airport shuttle safe?

    I am considering an airport shuttle to/from Ojo de Agua. Do you think that’s safe enough for a lone female traveler?

Puerto Morelos Rated 3.8 / 5 based on 10 user reviews.

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