OCEANFRONT ROMANTIC GETAWAY (#21240)

Description of the Puerto Morelos vacation condo rental

At the north end of our amazingly charming fishing village stands Casita Blanca, a small, family owned and run condominium which tastefully fits into our gorgeous surroundings. Our unit has one large bedroom with a double and two twin beds, a bathroom, a fully equipped kitchen (full fridge, microwave, coffee maker, blender, electric OJ squeezer, pots, pans, dishes, etc.) and living room with a fold out futon couch. We are completely air conditioned but during most seasons, with the ceilings fans on, the windows and large sliding glass doors open, it isn €™t even necessary. There €™s a television with a DVD player and a library of films and compilations of some favorite shows. We also have a wireless for those of you who travel with a laptop and want to stay in touch. We are totally wheelchair accessible and have a beach wheelchair that can be loaned to anyone in need. There €™s an on site restaurant, Tuna (right on the ocean) which serves breakfast, lunch and dinner (great ceviche and French fries) and has live music Friday and Saturday nights. We also have a car rental service on premises and can arrange for airport transportation. We can arrange for an excellent massage therapist for $30/hour who will come right to our unit as well as a chiropractor, if needed. Our cost covers twice a week maid service and an endless supply of drinking water.

Area Description

Puerto Morelos is the last standing fishing village on the Mayan Riviera. If you €™re looking for a big, generic resort area where you €™re not exactly sure which country you €™re in, we €™re not for you. Puerto Morelos has a town square (zocalo), a Catholic church (fresh fruit and vegetables are sold in front of it every Wednesday morning), a fisherman €™s co-op (catch of the day, every day), grocery store with all your staples, craft €™s market, a small walkway by the sea (malecon) and Mexican restaurants with views of the ocean. While maintaining its authenticity PM has opened its borders and heart to an international community. There is an English book store, Chinese and Italian restaurants, coffee shops and art galleries. Our town has been able to preserve its integrity because it is protected in many ways:
1) Federally protected mangroves (wetlands) that seriously inhibit development. Our town ranges from 3 to 4 blocks deep.
2) A barrier reef about 1 mile from shore which is part of the Mexican National Park keeps out big speed boats, jet skis and provides us with wonderful snorkeling and scuba. Because the waves break out on the reef we are provided with perfect kayaking and swimming waters (safe for children).
3) A working port at the South End of town.
4) An extensive marine biologist lab at the North end.
5) No buildings can be built more than 3 stories high.
Miraculously, Puerto Morelos has not only survived the overdevelopment of the Mayan Riviera but benefited from it. A marvelous feature which adds to the ease of vacationing in PM is that it €™s only 15 minutes from the Cancun airport. There are so many relatively short, inexpensive, direct flights into Cancun. In Puerto Morelos you can enjoy the best of the Yucatan without the hustle of Cancun or the traffic of Playa del Carmen.

The natural wonders of the state of Yucatan are innumerable and some of the most important and unusual are the cenotes (say-NOH-tays). There are over 3000 cenotes, with only 1400 actually studied and registered. One of them is just a short walk down our beach, in the ocean!! Cenotes are enigmatic and unique in the world and were once the only resource for fresh water in the local Yucatecan jungle and therefore considered sacred. Quintana Roo is probably best known for its Mayan ruins. There are numerous magnificent pyramids rather close to Puerto Morelos. My personal favorite is just north of Vallodolid and is called Ek Balam. It was built before Chichen Itza (around the same time Uxmal was constructed) and because it €™s relatively newly opened it is not over run with tourists. We also have great off shore snorkeling and scuba diving at either the barrier reef which is a mile off shore or closer, just a short swim from the beach. There are a number of awesome theme parks for kids of all ages, including Xel Ha and Xcaret. There are numerous golf courses. We have terrific fishing right outside our door and our beach is marvelous for walking as its flat and goes on for miles.