Your Weekly Window Into Paradise Friday August 14, 2026 |
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It is a busy week in Puerto Morelos, especially if you like music, food, and finding something new without overplanning your whole day.
This week’s picks include Borracho Bingo at Chilam Balam, a free national boxing class, and salsa in the square with La Maina.
We also spotlight Coxicoatl, a Pescadores spot that may not be on every expat’s radar yet, but is worth knowing if you like fresh tortillas, queso de bola, and a quiet place to work over coffee.
In local news, hurricane shelters are now officially pet-friendly, Tulum ruins just got cheaper for foreign visitors, and Mexico is getting help from Japan in the fight against this year’s record sargassum season.
As always, there are more events in the calendar, from live salsa and circus magic to jazz, blues, reggae, and a weekend food fair in Parque Fundadores.
See you out on the town! 😎 |
This Week’s Insider Picks |
1. 🍻 Borracho Bingo & BBQ
“Borracho” means drunk in Mexican slang, so yes, this is very much not your typical bingo night. Expect music, trivia, classic bingo, Texas-inspired food, creative shots, cold drinks, and cash prizes in the garden at Chilam Balam.
The night includes three rounds: Music Bingo, Western and Tex-Mex Trivia, and a final Blackout Bingo round. Holly Prentice of High Tide Society will lead the games, explain each round as you go, and keep things moving with plenty of playful twists and quick banter.
Every round includes a cash prize, and selected purchases between rounds can earn you extra Blackout Bingo cards for the final game. No bingo experience is needed, just come ready to follow along, laugh, play, and maybe win.
Food and drinks are sold separately, with a special menu inspired by Texas barbecue and Tex-Mex favorites, plus Chilam Balam’s regular menu available throughout the evening. CASH ONLY at the event.
Date: Saturday, August 15, 2026
2. 🥊 National Boxing Class “Puños de Transformación”
This Sunday morning, Puerto Morelos joins the national “Puños de Transformación” program with a free public boxing class built around movement, energy, and community.
The event includes boxing demonstrations and activities that highlight the best parts of sport: teamwork, perseverance, respect, and showing up with a little grit before most of town has finished its coffee.
Participation is free, but anyone who wants to join the class needs to register in advance. If you would rather just come watch the demos and cheer people on, that part is free too.
Date: Sunday, August 16, 2026
3. 💃 Puerto Morelos Baila: Salsa in the Square
Sunday night brings live salsa music and dancing to the heart of Puerto Morelos with another free community evening at Parque Fundadores.
La Maina will bring the live salsa sounds, so make plans, bring your best moves, and enjoy a lively night out with family, friends, and anyone who feels like dancing in the square.
This is the kind of easy local event that makes Sunday evening feel like Puerto Morelos at its best: music outside, neighbors gathering, and plenty of room to dance.
Date: Sunday, August 16, 2026 |
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Local Business Spotlight |
Coxicoatl Restaurante |
Fresh Tortillas, Queso de Bola, and an Easy Stop in Pescadores
If you mostly stick to the beach side or the main restaurant streets in Puerto Morelos, Coxicoatl may not be on your radar yet.
Located in Pescadores, near the highway and close to Bichos, this small local spot is in one of those neighborhoods that has plenty of good food hiding in plain sight, but does not always get discovered by visitors and local expats.
Coxicoatl serves breakfast, lunch, dinner, drinks, takeout, and delivery, with a menu built around grilled meats, fresh tortillas, coffee, chilaquiles, sopes, tacos, seafood, and several dishes that feature queso de bola. Be sure to try the homemade habanero salsa!
That queso de bola is part of what makes the menu stand out. You will find it in tacos with carne asada, sopes, chilaquiles, enchiladas, empanadas, eggs, and other dishes, adding a rich local twist to familiar Mexican comfort food.
With friendly service, reasonable prices, and fresh tortillas made to order, Coxicoatl feels like the kind of Puerto Morelos place worth a visit, especially if you like finding good local food before everyone else does.
What People Are Saying:
“Excellent place to stop for a bite. The sopes and tacos are so delicious. And the tortillas are made fresh to order. Friendly service too. Definitely recommend!”
“Absolutely delicious! This was such a sweet little spot.”
“Excellent service, they treated us with such warmth, the food was delicious, the combinations surprised me, the flavor is unmatched. Excellent, I recommend it 100%, it feels like home.”
“If you want coffee and good chilaquiles, roast beef sopes and roast beef tacos with bola cheese. Here’s the best place.”
👉 Insider Tip: This is also a good spot if you need to get a little work done. It is quiet, comfortable, and has the kind of relaxed atmosphere that makes it easy to focus, especially for digital nomads looking for a coffee-and-laptop stop outside the usual beach-side circuit. |
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Insider Tip: Whale Sharks |
While the season starts in May, the month of August is arguably the best time to see whale sharks.
Why? The plankton blooms are at their absolute thickest, meaning the sharks linger longer at the surface to feed.
Book your tour around the August full moon for the best chance of seeing massive gatherings. |
Local News |
If a hurricane hits Puerto Morelos, you no longer have to leave your dog or cat behind.
The state of Quintana Roo has made pet-friendly shelters an official part of its emergency plan.
A New State Rule
The state government released a guide that puts pets inside the same shelters used by people.
Animal welfare groups helped create it, and it applies to local governments, nonprofits, and pet owners.
Puerto Morelos Is Ready
The town already had pet-friendly shelter plans in place before the 2026 hurricane season.
Shelters are set up across the area, including spots in the town center with dedicated spaces for animals.
Be Prepared Now
Find your nearest shelter at coeproc.qroo.gob.mx before a storm warning is issued. Bring food, water, a leash, and any medications your pet needs. Read More... |
Visiting the famous Tulum ruins in Mexico now costs a lot less.
The Mexican government cut entry fees starting July 20, 2026, making it easier for travelers to explore this popular destination.
What You'll Pay
Foreign visitors will now pay 165 pesos (about $10) to enter both Tulum National Park and the Archaeological Zone together. Before the recent change it cost 515 pesos (about $30) per person.
Mexican citizens pay just 80 pesos for the same combined access, Monday through Saturday.
Parque del Jaguar is free for Mexican citizens and local residents. Foreign visitors pay 100 pesos, which is roughly six U.S. dollars.
Free Days and Free Entry
Sundays are a great deal... Mexican nationals can visit for free thanks to special Sunday exemptions.
Foreign residents of Mexico can also enter the Archaeological Zone free on Sundays.
Why the Change
Local business owners complained that the old fees were too high and were hurting tourism.
The government agreed, saying the overlapping charges were a burden on visitors, especially foreigners.
The new prices are meant to bring more tourists to Tulum and boost the local economy. Read More... |
The Ruta de los Cenotes in Puerto Morelos just got a major safety upgrade.
A Bigger, Smarter Network
The new cameras are spread across six locations along the route. Each spot has high-definition cameras, a rotating zoom camera, and license plate readers. They all connect to a 24/7 monitoring center in the city.
Who Paid for It
What It Means for You
The city now has 147 total cameras across 30 locations. If you drive or visit the Ruta de los Cenotes, you are likely within range of a camera.
City officials say the goal is faster emergency response and better safety for everyone on the road. Read More... |
 Image & list created by Ron Haugen |
Sargassum Report |
The Caribbean's worst seaweed season on record has a powerful new response.
Japan and Mexico have joined forces to tackle the massive sargassum problem hitting beaches across the Mexican Caribbean.
A Record-Breaking Problem
This year's sargassum season is far worse than normal. Already exceeding the 96,000 tons collected in 2025
World leaders will meet in Cancún on October 1 and 2 to share sargassum-fighting strategies. Other Caribbean countries are already watching Mexico's approach closely. Read More... |
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This week brings a full weekend in the town square, plenty of live music, food, dancing, circus magic, jazz, blues, and reggae.
Here are some of the recent events added to the calendar:
Latin Night with Son de Caney
“El Arrecife” Food Fair
Circo Imagine presents: Ensueños (Dreamscapes)
Enrique Fernandez 4Play
The Sad Dogs
Xibalba Roots Reggae
Have an event to share?
Submit it here and help us build the most comprehensive event calendar for Puerto Morelos. |