The Fishing Pier Is Back, and It Was Worth the Wait

After storm damage from Hurricane Zeta in 2020 and a two-phase reconstruction project, Puerto Morelos' historic fishing pier has reopened in full.

A Storm, Then Years of Waiting

Hurricane Zeta slammed into the northern Quintana Roo coast in October 2020, and the pier took a serious hit. What followed was years of deterioration, with sections becoming unsafe and increasingly hard to use for the fishermen and boat operators who depend on it every day.

Because the pier is on federally regulated maritime property, the project required the necessary federal authorizations before construction could begin.

Construction officially started in August 2024.

Built in Two Phases

The rebuild happened in two stages. The first phase replaced the most damaged section of the pier for about 6.7 million pesos. Mayor Blanca Merari Tziu Muñoz and Quintana Roo Governor Mara Lezama cut the ribbon on that section in March 2025.

The second phase completed the remaining section of the pier for about 3.8 million pesos. Mayor Tziu Muñoz inaugurated the completed pier on September 10, 2026, one day before presenting her second annual government report.

What Was Actually Built

Workers replaced damaged sections with new regional hardwood piles and decking, including 40-centimeter-diameter pilings. New beams, supports, cross-bracing, and wooden decking were installed throughout, with materials chosen specifically to hold up in a saltwater environment.

A citizen oversight committee was formed in April 2026 to monitor the project.

Your Hotel Bill Paid for This

The project was financed through Puerto Morelos' environmental sanitation fund, which is supported by hospitality-sector contributions. The fund is meant to finance environmental work and public infrastructure tied to tourism impacts. This pier project was actually the first major public works project completed using money from that fund, which makes it a landmark moment for how Puerto Morelos manages visitor-generated revenue.

More Than a Pretty Waterfront

The pier stands near Puerto Morelos' leaning lighthouse, whose tilted appearance dates to Hurricane Beulah in 1967. Together, the two structures define the town's waterfront identity.

Local fishing families and nautical service operators rely on the pier for daily work and tourism-related activity. The inauguration included remarks from local fishing representatives.

The pier's reconstruction was completed after a multi-year recovery and rebuild process.