Discover Puerto Morelos: Gastronomic Delights Spur Tourism Boom

The start of the year has seen a significant increase in tourism in Puerto Morelos. To maintain this momentum and avoid potential downturns in the coming months, the municipality is actively organizing events and activities. The goal is to ensure a steady stream of tourists. Raúl Guadarrama, the municipal tourism secretary, highlighted several food festivals that have already taken place. These include the Mexican Caribbean Parrillero Festival, which is set for March 29 at the Jaguar Cave on the Route of the Cenotes. The Taco Festival was also held on February 15 in the main square, La Ventana del Mar. Additionally, the Crafts, Cultural, and Gastronomic Pavilion takes place every month at Founders Park.

The year began with an impressive 84-85% hotel occupancy rate, a positive sign for both international and national tourism. Events have been held almost every month since the start of the year, including an open water tournament and the first frisbee tournament in Puerto Morelos. These events have attracted a significant number of tourists, particularly to the Route of the Cenotes. The majority of tourists are from the United States, followed by Canada and Europe, specifically London and Madrid. There is also a significant number of domestic tourists.

Guadarrama also mentioned the recent opening of a 113-meter long pier. This development is crucial for revitalizing the local economy as it is used by fishermen and tourism service providers. These services include snorkeling and fishing. It is estimated that over 3,000 people use the pier daily for water activities, dining at local restaurants, or simply taking a leisurely stroll and snapping photos.

As for the sargasso seaweed issue, Guadarrama stated that preventive measures, such as the installation of nets, have been put in place. Public service workers are also tasked with daily collection of the seaweed that washes up on the shores. The impact of the sargasso is expected to be minimal this year.