Millions of people know the monarch butterfly's famous journey to central Mexico.

But scientists have just discovered something surprising... these beautiful orange-and-black butterflies are also living and breeding along Mexico's Caribbean coast.

A Secret Route

A group called Alas Mayas spent six years tracking monarchs traveling through Florida, the Bahamas, and Cuba before landing in the Yucatán Peninsula.

This Caribbean route was completely unknown to scientists until now.

More Than Just Visiting

These butterflies are not just passing through. Researchers found eggs, caterpillars, and chrysalises in places like Isla Mujeres, Holbox, and Cozumel, meaning monarchs are completing their full life cycle there.

How You Can Help

Residents can report monarch sightings using the iNaturalist app or Alas Mayas social media pages. About 200 people have already submitted observations, with Quintana Roo leading all other states.

Planting native flowers and milkweed in your yard also makes a big difference. Every small action helps protect one of nature's most amazing migrations.

The Maya Train is running again between Cancun and Playa del Carmen.

If you live in or visit Puerto Morelos, this is big news because the train stops right in your backyard.

What You Need to Know About the Station

The Puerto Morelos station is not in the town center, so plan extra time to get into town. 

Unlike Cancun and PDC, there is no shuttle service to the Puerto Morelos station. So arrange a ride with a local taxi or Uber. 

Schedule and Tickets

There are four daily trips total, with southbound trains leaving Cancun at 6:45 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Northbound trains leave Playa del Carmen at 7:47 a.m. and noon.

Current fare tables list the Puerto Morelos to Playa del Carmen trip at about 105.50 pesos in regular tourist class and 127 pesos in premier class for non-resident travelers. Be sure check trenmaya.gob.mx for current ticket prices before you book.

Is It Worth the Trip?

The train is a great budget option for a day trip to Playa del Carmen... just plan carefully. With only two morning departures, you need to make sure you can get back home.

For a day trip you need to come back by ADO bus or collectivo. Or stay overnight so you can enjoy yourself, and take the morning Maya Train back to Puerto Morelos.

Puerto Morelos collected nearly 246 million pesos in revenue, but many residents are still dodging potholes and waiting weeks for broken streetlights to get fixed.

But if you have driven down a potholed street or waited weeks for a broken streetlight to get fixed, you might be wondering the same thing everyone else is: where is all that money going?

How the Money Comes In

The biggest chunk of local revenue comes from property taxes, bringing in more than 75 million pesos. The rest comes from federal funds, permits, beach fees, fines, and other charges.

City officials say the money goes toward public works, security, and city services. The municipal president says her administration has handled the funds with transparency and responsibility.

The Problem

The pier finally got repaired and Parque Fundadores got new lighting and free WiFi.

But residents continue to point to ongoing deficiencies in pothole repair, street lighting, urban maintenance, mobility, and security, despite the revenue figures.

Residents are also asking for more detailed data on contracts, suppliers, and completed works.

You can help. If something in your neighborhood needs fixing, call the city's complaint line at 998-389-7989.

This summer's sargassum season is shaping up to be one of the worst on record for Quintana Roo, with officials projecting a record year for 2026.

Sargassum began arriving on Quintana Roo beaches in January 2026, months earlier than the historical April-May window, demolishing the assumption that winter is the safe season.

Hotels Are Feeling It

Hotels across the region are struggling to fill rooms. Some towns like Tulum have seen occupancy drop to just 15%, the lowest ever recorded. 

Puerto Morelos is feeling it too. Hotel Association reports show occupancy at 56.6% for July 2026, compared with 70.7% in July 2025.

The municipality has also thrown serious resources at the problem. Puerto Morelos has deployed anti-sargassum barriers as part of its coastal protection strategy. Municipal and Navy crews are supporting beach cleanup operations in Puerto Morelos.

A New Idea: Turn the Problem Into a Product

The federal government is trying a different approach in Puerto Morelos. On July 27, Semarnat published the declaration of a Polo de Desarrollo de Economía Circular para el Bienestar in Puerto Morelos.

The project is intended to attract circular-economy investment, including possible future uses that could turn sargassum into useful products.