Kite Festival Fills Playa Sol in Puerto Morelos With Color and Marine Life

Puerto Morelos, Quintana Roo — The sky over Playa Sol filled with color during the first “Vamos a Volar, Vida Marina” kite festival, drawing local families and visitors for a day of recreation, sports and environmental awareness.

The event was led by Mayor Blanca Merari Tziu Muñoz, who handed out prizes to the winners of the kite contest and a recreational and sports rally. Organizers said the festival aimed to create new family-friendly spaces, promote physical activity and strengthen efforts to protect Puerto Morelos’ natural resources.

The kite competition was one of the main attractions, with participants of all ages showing off designs inspired by marine life. Contestants were encouraged to use recycled materials, and entries were judged on creativity, design and flight performance.

Gabriel Iván Ceballos Crespo took first place with “Pulpo Rojo” (Red Octopus) and a prize of 1,500 pesos. Alexis Paat finished second with “Mantarraya Negra” (Black Manta Ray) and won 750 pesos, while Jesús Eduardo Canul Crespo placed third with “Pulpo Morado” (Purple Octopus) and received 500 pesos.

The festival also featured a recreational and sports rally with swimming, sack races and rope exercises, designed to encourage teamwork and family bonding. The Pérez family won first place and 2,000 pesos, followed by the Hernández family in second with 1,500 pesos and the Reyes family in third with 1,000 pesos.

Tziu Muñoz said the festival offers a new type of community gathering and could become a local tradition. She also noted that events like this help boost the local economy by drawing families and visitors who shop and dine at businesses in Puerto Morelos.

Karina Vázquez Díaz, the city’s Sustainable Tourism secretary, said the festival seeks to expand the experiences Puerto Morelos offers and promote responsible, family-oriented tourism. She urged residents and visitors to care for the beaches and reef and respect natural areas. A sea turtle nesting zone was also visible at the site during the event.

Along with the competitions, the day included zumba sessions and an exhibition of giant kites. The inaugural festival adds an activity that combines entertainment, sport and environmental education, while strengthening family ties and broadening Puerto Morelos’ tourism offerings.