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First Time Reader? ......here is the background to this series of blogs:
http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/lobo/9/1233502800/tpod.html

Mexico: 23 Destinations to Spend the Winter Months

Puerto Morelos, Quintana Roo
no. 23 of 23 destinations (this is not a ranking)

Puerto Morelos – Living the Dream
Part 1 of 1
(Date of visit - January 26, 2009 - blog written December 30, 2009)

So Playa del Carmen is too busy and touristic for you and we won't even talk about Cancun, where does that leave you on the Riviera Maya?

May I suggest Puerto Morelos located between Playa del Carmen and Cancun?

Known as "La Joya del Caribe" or the “Jewel of the Caribbean” this small fishing village could just be the destination to live the quiet life on the beautiful beaches of the Caribbean and in the context of small town life . 

If the beach was beautiful in Carmen del Playa it is much more so here in Puerto Morelos. The soft white sable sand just invites the visitor to come and romp on the wide expanse of beach and to jump into the crystal clear waters of the Caribbean Sea. We practically had the beach to ourselves in the late afternoon. That makes for poor people watching but if you yearn for peace and quiet this beach would be more to your liking.

Puerto Morelos is certainly easy to reach because it is only about 25 minutes south of Cancun airport. We travelled here from Playa del Carmen on a public bus service that runs frequently between Playa del Carmen and Cancun. The trip took about half an hour.

The small town atmosphere would be conducive to getting to know other expats as well as the locals.

Considering how Puerto Morelos is off the beaten path (but not by far) it is somewhat isolated from the massive tourist industry that is so evident in the massive cookie cutter resorts that have sprung up all along the Mayan Riviera . Attracted by the spectacular beaches, the beautiful water and the impeccable weather that prevails here most of the time, it is not surprising that the Riviera Maya is one of Mexico’s greatest tourist destinations.

None of that excess is found in Puerto Morelos as the small town very much maintains its Mexican character. That is not to say that it is untouched by tourism but it is in measured tones not inclined to draw the “seven day all-inclusive tourist”.

Expat life here would be less expensive as in neighbouring Cancun or Playa del Carmen. The pace may be slower and more deliberate as the main activities here would be walking on the beach, swimming, snorkelling or diving on the beautiful reef that is 500 meters offshore and enjoying small town life. By the way, the coral reef must be spectacular because it has been named a National Marine Park. When more action is the order of the day there is always the bus ride into Cancun or Playa del Carmen that beckons .

Come to think of it, that doesn’t sound bad.

On the other hand if you are going to live here it would be best to have something to occupy your time other than lying under a coconut tree.

That is the choice Robert and Joanne Birce of Calgary, Alberta made seven years ago. They are the owners of Alma Libre, billed as one of the best new and used English bookstores in Mexico or as Robert and Joanne call it “the little book store in paradise”.

They have been travelling to Mexico for the past 15 years and have fallen in love with the country. Looking for a way to spend part of the year in Mexico they bought the Alma Libre Book store seven years ago and have not looked back since.

Located right in the middle of Puerto Morelos (Avenue Tulum #3) the Alma Libre is a magnet for tourist and expats alike. Robert and Joanne are most welcoming and provide a personal touch making a visit a memorable experience . Of course it helped that we were Canadian and most interested in hearing their story of how they were able to realize their dream of living in Mexico a part of the year.

It has been almost a year since we were at Alma Libre and our visit has undoubtedly been forgotten but nevertheless – here is wishing HAPPY NEW YEAR” to Robert and Joanne and may you continue to live your dream of the good expat life in Mexico for many more years to come.

If you are planning to go to Puerto Morelos check out their website as it is full of information not only about the books but also about Puerto Morelos.

Of particular interest are the links to “Home Rentals” and “Houses for Sale” as well as to the “Newsletter” that they publish.

If there are “local experts” in Puerto Morelos it has to be Robert and Joanna.

You can reach them through their website:

http://www .almalibrebooks.com/

For additional information about Puerto Morelos:

http://www.visitpuertomorelos.com/

To those of you who are celebrating the new year on January 1, 2010 – HAPPY NEW YEAR!

(this blog was written December 30, 2009)

Finally where were we on January 1, ------- ???

2008 – Kailua-Kona, the largest city the Big Island, Hawaii

2009 – Ajijic, Mexico – located on the shores of Lago Chapala

2010 – Victoria, British Columbia planning for the next trip
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Feedback: travelswithlobo@yahoo.com
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Coming Soon:

Puerto Morelos was Destination 23 of 23: Is This the End?