Your Weekly Window Into Paradise

Friday April 17, 2026

What is the official "birthday" of Cancun,
celebrated every year in April?

Hola amigos! The high season may be over, but Puerto Morelos isn't slowing down.

This week is packed with firsts and favorites, starting with the town's first-ever Caribbean Craft Beer Festival at Parque Fundadores. We will be there enjoying tasty beers by the sea.

We’re also highlighting the Mr. and Miss NABBA bodybuilding competition, a thought-provoking new photography exhibition, and a massive free concert in Cancun to celebrate its 56th anniversary.

Plus, we’re featuring Just Snorkel, a local gem for small-group reef adventures, and sharing a favorite local treat to beat the heat.

Grab a cold drink and let’s dive in!

1. 🍺 Festival de la Cerveza del Caribe

Enjoy the full experience at the Caribbean Beer Festival! Discover new flavors, learn from experts, and take your passion for beer to the next level with exclusive tastings.

This is your chance to explore the best craft beers from the Caribbean region, meet passionate brewers, and expand your palate with carefully curated selections. Whether you’re a seasoned beer enthusiast or just beginning your craft beer journey, this festival offers something for everyone.

Festival Dates: April 17–19, 2026
Hours: 12:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Location: Parque Fundadores, Puerto Morelos
Admission: 250 MXN per day

2. 🏋️ Mr. and Miss NABBA Puerto Morelos 2026

This Saturday, April 18, Puerto Morelos hosts the Mr. and Miss NABBA Puerto Morelos 2026 competition, a spectacular showcase of bodybuilding and strength athletics.

Featuring both powerlifting and bodybuilding disciplines, this event brings together elite athletes from across the region to compete at the highest level.

Date: Saturday, April 18, 2026
Hours: Strongman Event 10:00 AM - Bodybuilding Event 3:00 PM

Location: César Martín Rosado Taxi Drivers Union Event Hall, Puerto Morelos
Admission: Free

3. 🪞 Espejito, Espejito – Photography Exhibition

Monday, April 20, marks the opening of the photography exhibition “Espejito, Espejito” (Mirror, Mirror) in Puerto Morelos.

This artistic project by renowned photographers Paula Love and Nadja Billard brings a fresh perspective to contemporary photography, inviting viewers to explore themes of reflection and self-discovery.

This is an exceptional opportunity to experience thought-provoking artistic work in an intimate gallery setting.

Exhibition Dates: April 20–30, 2026
Hours: 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM

Location: Puerto Morelos Cultural Center and Museum
Admission: Free

💎 BONUS PICK: Los Ángeles Azules – Cancún 56th Anniversary Concert

Cancún is buzzing with excitement for its 56th anniversary, and what better way to celebrate than with an unforgettable night to the beat of Los Ángeles Azules.

The Los Ángeles Azules’ legendary performances and timeless hits will have the entire Malécón Tajamar alive with energy and joy. Whether you’re a longtime fan or discovering them for the first time, this is an event you won’t want to miss.

Date: Sunday, April 19, 2026
Time: 9:00 PM

Location: Malécón Tajamar, Cancún
Admission: Free

Just Snorkel: Small-Group Reef Adventures With a True Local Touch

If you want to snorkel the Puerto Morelos reef without the crowds, the long waits, or the feeling that you are being rushed from one stop to the next, Just Snorkel has built its entire business around doing the opposite.

Family-owned and operated since 2009, this beachfront snorkel company focuses on small groups, fast beach departures, and a full two-site reef experience led by long-time local guides who know these waters intimately.

What makes Just Snorkel stand out is how personal the whole experience feels, and how guides like Crispí Bacon are specifically named in guest reviews for making families, first-timers, and small groups feel safe, welcome, and well cared for on the water.

Owner Mario has been running tours here for years. In fact their small team has over 60 years of combined experience guiding snorkeling and fishing trips right here in Puerto Morelos and on the Mesoamerican Reef.

Guests consistently mention the short boat ride, the calm conditions off Puerto Morelos, and the chance to see turtles, rays, coral gardens, and a surprising amount of marine life in just a couple of hours.

Because check-in is right on the beach inside Don Ernesto’s, you can go from arriving to being on the boat in just minutes, which is exactly the kind of convenience vacation days should have.

What People Are Saying:

"Our guide Alejandro was very nice and polite The corals and fish were beautiful. Our tour was a small group, just our family. Other boats around us seemed crowded. We felt like VIP."
— Igor T. (TripAdvisor)

"Looking for an excellent reef snorkel tour with a funny and easy going tour? “Crispy Bacon” (Crispin) from Just Snorkel is absolutely fantastic! Headquarters at Don Ernesto’s beach bar. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ recommend!"
— Gloria L. (Facebook)

"The best local snorkeling!!! Easy booking, quick easy boat ride to the reef where we swam with a guide and saw sea turtles, rays, sharks and tons of fish!! Highly recommend!"
— Kate B. (TripAdvisor)

 

"We went with Crispín, ‘El Bacon’ (or Crispy Bacon for friends) We could see everything: turtles, manta rays, cat shark, all kinds of fish and reefs. Super recommended!!"
— Lourdes S. (TripAdvisor)

Just Snorkel Info

Location: Av. Javier Rojo Gomez, Lote 15, Manzana 2, Supermanzana 2, Puerto Morelos, Mexico, 77580 (inside Don Ernesto’s on the beach)

Hours: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Phone: +52 998 104 5143

WhatsApp: +52 998 104 5143

Email: snorkelinginpuertomorelos @ gmail.com

Website: JustSnorkel.com

Services: Small-group reef snorkeling tours, two-site snorkel trips, beginner-friendly guided snorkeling, family-friendly tours, beach club and lunch upgrade options

Rating: 4.6 out of 5 on TripAdvisor (382 reviews)

👉 Insider Tip:

Because Just Snorkel is located in right inside Don Ernesto’s on the beach, this is one of the easiest snorkel outings in town to turn into a full beach day. After your reef trip, stay put for lunch, drinks, or a lazy post-snorkel afternoon with your feet in the sand instead of having to relocate somewhere else after the boat comes back.

Cool Down with a "Machacado". As April days get hotter, skip the ice cream and try a machacado.

Originating in Chetumal but found in local spots here, it’s a refreshing, icy dessert drink made with crushed fruit (mango, pineapple, watermelon, etc.), shaved ice, and condensed milk.

Get ready for cold drinks and ocean breezes in paradise. Puerto Morelos is hosting its first-ever Caribbean Beer Festival!

A Taste of the Coast

The 3-day festival kicks off on April 17, 2026, at 3:00 PM in the town’s historic center. Visitors can try over 120 styles of beer from more than 30 different breweries.

Tickets give you access to the event held near the town's famous leaning lighthouse. There will even be special brews created just for this big spring weekend.

Local favorite spots like Blue Morelos are also joining the party. They have a booth at the festival and have put together a special menu with items like Burrito Bruno, Taco Maya, and Camarón Embarazado.

Fun for the Whole Family

This event is about more than just grabbing a drink. It also features high-end food, live music, and activities for families to enjoy together by the water.

Organizers hope the festival helps these small breweries find new customers. It is a great way to show off local culture while helping the town's economy grow.

Festival de Cerveza de Caribe website

List of participating breweries

Puerto Morelos just got its first-ever bodybuilding competition, and it's free for everyone to attend.

The event, called "Señor y Señorita NABBA Puerto Morelos," takes place on Saturday, April 18, at the local Taxi Union Events Hall.

A Big-Name Organization Comes to a Small Town

NABBA is one of the oldest bodybuilding organizations in the world, founded in the United Kingdom in 1950.

Famous athletes like Arnold Schwarzenegger once competed under the NABBA name.

What Happens at the Event

Bodybuilding and strength competition for local and regional athletes.

The Bodybuilding Competition begins at 1:00 PM on Saturday. The bodybuilding segment features both men's and women's bodybuilding categories.

It also includes a "Strongest Man and Woman" challenge that begins at 9:00 AM and includes events like tire flips, deadlifts, and squats.

Why It Matters for Puerto Morelos

Events like this usually only happen in bigger cities like Cancun or Playa del Carmen. Bringing this competition to Puerto Morelos gives local athletes a home stage for the very first time.

Organizers hope this becomes an annual tradition in the community.

Looking for a cool adventure in Mexico away from the massive crowds?

Uxmal is a stunning ancient city that offers a quiet look at the incredible world of the Maya.

Ancient Wonders

This site is famous for its "Puuc" style of building. You will see detailed stone carvings and the unique Pyramid of the Magician. This pyramid has a special round shape that makes it stand out from other ruins.

Many buildings show off masks of Chaac, the Maya rain god. These carvings often look like trunks on an elephant.

It is much more peaceful here than at other famous spots like Chichén Itzá.

Tips for Your Visit

Uxmal is inland in Yucatán, about 85 km south of Mérida.

The drive from Puerto Morelos takes about four hours each way. You may want to stay overnight.

Most people start their trip early in the morning to beat the afternoon heat. You should also bring plenty of sunscreen and water.

Consider hiring a local guide to tell you the site’s history. They can help you imagine how people lived there over 1,000 years ago.

It is a long day trip, but the amazing views are worth the ride.

Sargassum season Is here, and Puerto Morelos Is not 100% ready.

More sargassum is coming. And Puerto Morelos is one of the more exposed towns on the coast due to it's location.

A Record-Breaking Season

Scientists warn that this could be a historically bad year for seaweed. They expect the amount of sargassum to be 75% higher than usual because of warmer ocean temperatures.

The heaviest waves of seaweed are expected to arrive in May and June. While officials want to put up floating barriers, bad weather has delayed the installation.

Quintana Roo's environmental agency, SEMA, has only installed 48% of the marine barriers planned for 2026.

Protecting the Beach

This seaweed is a big problem because it smells bad and drives tourists away. This hurts local businesses like restaurants and dive shops that need clean beaches to stay open.

When you see the crews cleaning the beach in the morning, it means the town is working hard to fight the "brown tide."

Hi, I’m Cosita 🐶

I’m about 4 months old, sweet, healthy, and very well-behaved. I’m gentle, affectionate, and I love being close to my people. I’ve already been spayed, and I’m ready to find my forever home 💕

I’m looking for a loving, responsible family who will give me lots of care and attention. In return, I’ll give you loyalty, cuddles, and a happy little tail that never stops wagging.

If you’d like to meet me, please send a message on Whatsapp to
+52 998 159 3774 

The Puerto Morelos Insider Events app now features 143 events across 31 venues in and around town.

Every day, new events are being submitted, and the community is actively using the app to discover what's happening.

Fresh Events to Check Out

Live Banda Music with Los Renovados Friday, April 17, 9:00 PM (Fonda Americana Grill ) The best Banda music! A night to sing, dance, and have an incredible time. Free admission!

Live Cumbia with Palo Santo Sunday, April 19, 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM (Diving Bar ) Enjoy dancing to the live Cumbia sounds of Palo Santo. Free admission.

International Dance Day 2026 Thursday, April 23, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM (Parque Fundadores ) Movement, expression, and art come together for a special evening where different dance disciplines will come to life. Free admission.

Micheladas 17th Anniversary Party Saturday, April 25, 12:00 PM (Micheladas del Semáforo ) It's going to be a HUGE PARTY with live music, special promotions, and surprises! Featuring LIVE BANDS: Cherry Lovers Band (rock/pop), Zapata (ska/rock), and Talla Musical (salsa/cumbia) with Resident DJ ARGENIS on the Roof. Free admission.

Theatrical Play: Puerto Morelos, A Story Between Sea and Jungle Saturday, April 25, 12:00 PM (Casa de la Cultura ) A theatrical play titled "Puerto Morelos, A Story Between Sea and Jungle." Free admission.

Keep the Calendar Growing

Have an event to share? Submit it here and help us build the most comprehensive event calendar for Puerto Morelos.

Browse all 140+ events: events.puertomorelosinsider.com

April 20, 1970. While the federal decree was signed later, popular culture marks this date as the anniversary because it was when the first construction began on the hotels and infrastructure that transformed a sandbar into a world-class destination