Puerto Morelos on the Map
When Anne and I sat down to plan this trip months ago, we weren't looking for a brochure vacation. We didn't want a week of manicured lawns and swim-up bars where the only "local culture" is the nightly stage show. We wanted texture. We wanted grit and colour.
That was the deal-breaker for us: if we were going to Mexico, we had to actually be in Mexico.
That was the deal-breaker for us: if we were going to Mexico, we had to actually be in Mexico.
The Shot List
As a photographer, my brain is already framing shots before we’ve even left Hamilton. Puerto Morelos is a dream for street photography because it still operates as a functional town first and a tourist destination second.
The Street Vibe
This is where Anne comes in. While I’m hunting for light, she’s hunting for connection. She thrives on that specific hum of a town square in the evening. She wants to be where the local families hang out, not just the tourists.
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This trip isn't just about resting; it's about seeing. I’m ready to clean my lenses, and Anne is ready to get lost in the streets. We’re going to come back with full memory cards and full hearts.
As a photographer, my brain is already framing shots before we’ve even left Hamilton. Puerto Morelos is a dream for street photography because it still operates as a functional town first and a tourist destination second.
- The Fishermen: I’m obsessed with the idea of the morning catch at the pier. I want to be there at sunrise to capture the fishermen hauling in the nets, the weathered wood of the pangas (boats), and the pelicans waiting for scraps. The light hitting the water at 6:30 AM is going to be magic.
- The Textures: The "Leaning Lighthouse" is obviously iconic, but I’m more interested in the peeling paint on the side streets, the vibrant murals, and the contrast of harsh shadows against bright stucco walls. My camera bag is weighing more than my clothes suitcase, but it’s worth it.
The Street Vibe
This is where Anne comes in. While I’m hunting for light, she’s hunting for connection. She thrives on that specific hum of a town square in the evening. She wants to be where the local families hang out, not just the tourists.
- The Zócalo: We picked our spot specifically so we could walk to the main square every night. Anne is already talking about finding the best quesadilla and Marquisette cart and just people-watching—kids playing soccer, old men chatting on benches, the noise, the music.
- The Immersion: We aren't hiding in a resort. We want to hear the language, smell the cooking from the loncherías, and feel the rhythm of the place.
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This trip isn't just about resting; it's about seeing. I’m ready to clean my lenses, and Anne is ready to get lost in the streets. We’re going to come back with full memory cards and full hearts.
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