A Tale of Two Towns: Port vs. Colonia in Puerto Morelos
For anyone who’s spent more than a few days in Puerto Morelos, you quickly realize this isn't just one town. It’s a place with a split personality, separated not just by two kilometers of protected mangrove and the Federal Highway, but by two entirely different rhythms of life.
We’ve been spending the last few days enjoying the "unfiltered cadence" of the streets—the gritty, beautiful realities of daily existence. To understand Puerto Morelos, you have to understand the line between the Port and the Colonia.
The Port: The Seaside Soul
The Port (or Antiguo Puerto Morelos) is the postcard. It’s the leaning lighthouse, the boutique cafes, and the scent of salt air. This is the original fishing village, though today it feels more like a quiet sanctuary for those looking to escape the high-rise madness of Cancun.
La Colonia: The Heartbeat
Cross the highway into Colonia Joaquín Zetina Gazca, and the atmosphere shifts instantly. The air is thicker with the smell of roasting pollo asado and the sound of multi-generational life. This is where the town actually breathes.
Puerto Morelos by the Numbers (2026 Estimates)
While official census data can be slow to catch up to the rapid growth of the Riviera Maya, local trends and municipal data give us a clear picture of how much this "hidden gem" has grown.
Note: The entire municipality, including the inland jungle towns like Leona Vicario, now sits at over 31,000 people.
My Take
There’s a temptation for travelers to stay glued to the beach it seems, never venturing past the mangrove. But if you want the "soul" of Puerto Morelos, you have to cross that bridge. The Port gives you the gorgeous sunrise, but the Colonia gives you the story.
We’ve been spending the last few days enjoying the "unfiltered cadence" of the streets—the gritty, beautiful realities of daily existence. To understand Puerto Morelos, you have to understand the line between the Port and the Colonia.
The Port: The Seaside Soul
The Port (or Antiguo Puerto Morelos) is the postcard. It’s the leaning lighthouse, the boutique cafes, and the scent of salt air. This is the original fishing village, though today it feels more like a quiet sanctuary for those looking to escape the high-rise madness of Cancun.
- The Vibe: Artistic, slow-paced, and international. It’s where you’ll find the "digital nomads" and retirees sipping espresso next to local fishermen mending nets.
- The Population: Small and seasonal. Only about 3,000 to 4,000 people call the Port side "home" year-round. Most of the structures here are vacation rentals or hotels, meaning the population can double in the winter months but feels like a ghost town during a humid September afternoon.
La Colonia: The Heartbeat
Cross the highway into Colonia Joaquín Zetina Gazca, and the atmosphere shifts instantly. The air is thicker with the smell of roasting pollo asado and the sound of multi-generational life. This is where the town actually breathes.
- The Vibe: Gritty, authentic, and vibrant. This is the Mexico we love to spend time in and photograph—the pop-up food stalls, the kids playing soccer and basketball in the park, and the collective energy of a community that isn't built for tourists, but for itself.
- The Population: This is where the numbers are. Roughly 16,000 to 17,000 people live in the Colonia. It’s the engine of the municipality, housing the workers, the shop owners, and the families who keep the entire region running.
Puerto Morelos by the Numbers (2026 Estimates)
While official census data can be slow to catch up to the rapid growth of the Riviera Maya, local trends and municipal data give us a clear picture of how much this "hidden gem" has grown.
- Permanent Residents: Port Side (~3,500) vs. La Colonia (~16,500) — Total Town: ~20,000
- Atmosphere: Port Side (Tourist/Expat) vs. La Colonia (Local/Working Class) — Total Town: Mixed
- Primary Housing: Port Side (Condos & Airbnbs) vs. La Colonia (Single-level homes)
- Growth Rate: Port Side (Low/Limited Space) vs. La Colonia (High/Rapid Expansion) — Total Town: Significant
Note: The entire municipality, including the inland jungle towns like Leona Vicario, now sits at over 31,000 people.
My Take
There’s a temptation for travelers to stay glued to the beach it seems, never venturing past the mangrove. But if you want the "soul" of Puerto Morelos, you have to cross that bridge. The Port gives you the gorgeous sunrise, but the Colonia gives you the story.
I’ll be spending the next few months digging deeper into the backstreets of the Colonia as well as the Port vibe with my camera, looking for those moments that define these place.
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