Ha long Bay Vietnam

Ha Long Bay is in the Gulf of Tonkin and includes some 1,600 islands and islets, making spectacular seascape of limestone pillars. Because of their abrupt nature, most of the islands are uninhabited and unaffected by human presence. The great biological interest is situated in the Gulf of Tonkin.

 

The smaller islands are fenglin towers of 50m to 100m high. Many have vertical walls on all or most sides and these continue to evolve by rock falls and large slab failures. A distinctive feature of Ha Long Bay is the abundance of lakes within the larger limestone islands.

"Ha Long" means "Bay of Descending Dragons" (Chinese: 下龙湾; Xiàlóngwān), though prior to the 19th century this name was not recorded in any document or archive. When mentioning the present-day Quang Ninh Sea or Ha Long Bay, old historical books often referred to them by the names of An Bang, Luc Thuy or Van Don. Not until the late 19th century did the name of Ha Long Bay appear on a French Marine Map. The Hai Phong News, a French newspaper of the time, had an article, Dragon appears on Ha Long Bay, reporting the following story: In 1898 a sub-lieutenant named Lagredin, captaining the Avalanse reported seeing a huge sea snake on Ha Long Bay. This was also witnessed by many of the crews. Thus emerged the European image of the Asian dragon. Whether this appearance of a strange animal looking like a dragon resulted the name of Ha Long Bay is not known.

The Ha Long Bay archipelago is made up of 1969 islands, both settled and uninhabited. These can be accessed from various ports, though in the special case of Cat Ba you can also arrive either by car, motorbike or bus (via Haiphong) or combined bus/boat (from Hanoi via Halong City). 

Get in

There are a huge number of domestic connections, particularly to the ports of Halong City and Haiphong.

From Nanning in China's Guangxi province, the Nanning International Tourist Distribution Center (有爱南路10号(中华路口); Yǒuàinánlù shí hào (zhōnghuá lùkǒu); #10 You'ai Nanlu on the corner of Zhonghua Lu) provides daily buses to Halong City (170元, 8 hours) at 7:30AM.

By tour

There are many package tours from Hanoi, but these are best avoided and characterized by long and crowded bus rides, tourist-oriented rip-off trips on boats so slow you could swim faster (to get you to buy more food and drink on board), and other shady practices.

Get around

The islands can be accessed from various ports.

Ports

• Haiphong, a large historic port city at the mouth of the Red River that and the fourth largest city in Vietnam
• Halong City, spanning a portion of the northern part of the archipelago. Note that there are multiple ports within this town, in that at least one port exists that is wholly distinct from that of the tourist boat piers.
• Cai Rong, a small port serving the north-easterly part of the archipelago.

Airports

Helicopter trips can be taken from Gia Lam Airport in Hanoi.

Islands

• Ban Sen, a thickly forested, almost uninhabited island reachable by ferries to Quan Lan from Cai Rong.
• Cat Ba, the home of the endangered Cat Ba langur, a national park, numerous caves and the most popular destination in Ha Long Bay for tourists. It can either accessed by local bus and ferry from Hanoi's Lương Yên bus station (recommended), by tourist boat from Halong City (a five hour 'hard sell' ordeal; this is what the hordes of Hanoi package tourists do), or by local bus or ferry from Haiphong (less scenic).
• Quan Lạn, a historically significant outlying island with the beginnings of some tourism infrastructure and some beautiful beaches. Reachable by ferry from Cai Rong or also (reportedly) from Halong City.
• Van Don, a large island that is well inhabited, little visited by tourists and connected by road to the mainland near Cửa Ông.

Amalfi Coast - Italy Travel and Leisure

Stretching about 50km along the southern side of the Sorrentine Peninsula, most famous for the town of Sorrento, the Amalfi Coast (Costiera Amalfitana) is one of Europe’s most breathtaking. Cliffs terraced with scented lemon groves sheer down into sparkling seas; whitewashed villas cling precariously to unforgiving slopes while sea and sky merge in one vast blue horizon.

Overview

Like the rest of the region, the Amalfi Coast lies in a Mediterranean climate, featuring warm summers and mild winters. It is located on the relatively steep southern shore of the Sorrentine Peninsula, leaving little room for rural and agricultural territories.The only land route to the Amalfi Coast is the 40 kilometres (25 mi) long Strada Statale 163 which runs along the coastline from the town of Maiori in the east to Positano in the west. Thirteen municipalities are located on the Amalfi Coast, many of them centered around tourism.

The Amalfi Coast is known for its production of limoncello liqueur as the area is a known cultivator of lemons, known as sfusato amalfitano in Italian, which are grown in terraced gardens along the entire coast between February and October.Amalfi is also a known maker of a hand-made thick paper which is called bambagina. Other renowned local products are a particular kind of sardines (local Italian: alici) from Cetara, and the colorful handmade ceramics from Vietri.

Site: Costiera Amalfitana (Amafi Coast)

Location: Italy

Year Designated: 1997

Category: Cultural

Reason: This quintessentially Mediterranean landscape blends centuries of artistic and architectural accomplishments with one of nature’s perfect panoramas.

* * *

Italy's Amalfi Coast boasts a classic Mediterranean landscape, a sensual blend of both natural and cultural wonders. The breathtaking terrain includes dramatic coastline topography scattered with terraced vineyards, orchards, and pastures—often with enchanting views of the vibrant waters below.

Kind climate, abundant resources, and natural beauty have drawn people to this coast for many centuries, and the Greeks, Romans, Normans, Saracens, Arab-Sicilians, and many others have left their mark. Amalfi communities often cluster along cliffs, their terraces blending into the rock to add their own picturesque charm to the natural beauty of the coast. Upon closer inspection, towns like Amalfi and Ravello are home to many examples of artistic and architectural excellence—not a surprise, since this stretch of the Sorrento Peninsula has long attracted famous artists of all stripes.

Amalfi itself thrives as a picturesque tourist center but in the 11th and 12th centuries the city centered the Amalfi Maritime Republic and was a naval power to be reckoned with throughout the Mediterranean. Amalfi’s ports also saw extensive trade with North Africa, and the city retains cloisters of Arab-Sicilian architecture throughout, as well as the Arsenale—a partially preserved medieval shipyard from a glorious era.

 In Paestum, columned temples to Poseidon, Hera, and Athena stand in what was, from the seventh century B.C., the Greek city of Poseidonia. These breathtaking structures are among the best preserved of their kind to be found anywhere in the world.

Until the 1800s the coast’s steep terrain meant that overland access to the region was possible only by mule. While many oases of quiet can still be found here, particularly away from tourist centers, the Amalfi Coast has changed irreversibly since then. But echoes of far more distant eras remain, including ancient cathedrals, gardens, and Roman villas like Anacapri’s Villa di Damecuta, possibly built by Tiberius.

One of the most enjoyable things to do on the Amalfi Coast is to simply find a spot where you can soak it all in. Among the top locations is Monte Solaro, a B&B in Anacapri with stunning views of the twin bays Salerno and Naples.

How to Get There

Trains connect Naples with Sorrento and Salerno. Boats also run to many Amalfi Coast towns during the warmer months.

When to Visit

Consider visiting in the spring (May) or fall (September-October), when the crowds drawn to this world-renowned beauty spot are at their lowest.

How to Visit

There are many ways to experience the coast but none quite like an end-to-end drive of its precipitous, winding, coastal highway. The National Geographic Road Trip: Amalfi Coast, Italy offers one outstanding itinerary. For those who’d rather leave the driving to others, bus services run up and down the coast.

Thailand: Best Beaches in Phuket

Phuket. The mere whisper of the word evokes hair-trigger impressions from those who have been and, indeed, from those who have yet to go. Whether pro Phuket or con, the province is a dynamo and, Bangkok aside, the most popular tourist target in Thailand.

Deride the crass over-development and haphazard chaos of Patong, Phuket lures millions of package holiday partisans, moneyed globetrotters, backpacker beach bums, tireless wanderlusters and, indeed, all manner of traveller in between year in and year out. All for good reason too.

Phuket simply has it all. Affordable and a considerable 543 square km, the island has enough heft to herald both the promise of a Full Moon Party-like vibe if you so desire, or, for those in the serenity-now camp, the possibility of a pristine beach and chichi resort.

So whether you want to revel or relax, cavort or catnap, Phuket has a beach for you. With that in mind, discover our top picks in the peerless island province for Andaman Sea bliss.

 Kata Beach, Phuket, Thailand

Although Patong loosely translates as “forest festooned with banana leaves”, Phuket’s linchpin hive of activity hardly resonates with that kind of idyll anymore. It is what it is. Outside of the nightlife node our favourite beaches in Phuket include:

Kamala Beach

North of Patong, Kamala is a Muslim village in a pocket of Phuket free from major tourist developments. Some hotels, some remarkable seafood and other than the incessant hum of tuk-tuks, relatively quiet.

Kata Beach

Kata is a welcome departure from the island’s other seaside tourist spots. You can get in a good swim and the coral reef delivers a decent snorkel, with regular bus service to and from Phuket Town from dawn to dusk.

Mai Khao Beach

Discernible stretches of deserted sand make Mai Khao a go-to beach for privacy-seekers.

Nai Han Beach

Anchor the yacht and take a paradisal dip in warm, aquamarine waters: this is Nai Han in the dry season. Come in the wet season, however, and the waves chop like a hasty night market cook. The beach is just north of Promthep Cape.

Rawai Beach

Commune with Chao Ley sea gypsy culture and book a charter past the reefs. Rawai Beach is a rare gem.

Racha Yai Island

Racha Yai Island proves that some of the best beaches in Phuket are still in the province but not necessarily on the main island. This wee island 24 km southeast of Chalong pier on the east coast of Phuket is pure paradise, with a photogenic postcard beach to boot.

10 most beautiful places in the world to wake up in

Even if you’re not a morning person, opening your eyes in a fresh destination is guaranteed to give an extra kick to your spirits. And when you’re surrounded by lotus ponds, mountain-filled horizons, a symphony of fountains, or views of minarets, the sound of the alarm clock is the sweetest thing you’ll ever hear. Here are some of the world’s loveliest wake-up calls.

Maui, USA

 

As if the murmuring waves, frolicking whales, waterfalls and jungles outside your door weren’t enough to get you throwing back the covers, Maui also serves up some of Hawaii’s best vistas. Try out sunrise over the volcanic crater at Haleakalā National Park or from the spectacular road to Hana.
 

İstanbul, Turkey

There are few things more magical than getting up on a rooftop before dawn to listen to this city wake. As the mournful cries of the muezzins issuing the call to prayer weave over one another and the sky lightens behind the minarets, you’ll be working up an appetite for a sumptuous Turkish breakfast to fuel your perfect İstanbul day.
 

Queensland, Australia

The top corner of Australia basks in 300 days of sunshine a year, so there’s a fine chance of being greeted by a stunning blue sky when you open your eyes. Continue the theme with a trip into the forest to look for glowingly blue butterflies or a snorkel in brilliant blue seas.
 

Paris, France

Waking with your beloved in this grand romantic film set of a city still just can’t be beat. And whatever time you drag yourself from those tangled sheets, Paris will be looking its best (hell, even the streetlamps are picture-perfect). What will you share for breakfast? A baguette or a brulée?
 

Big Sur, USA

You’ll sleep so well in these laidback parts that it’s easy to wake up smiling – and if you’re here in fog season, dawn can be one golden glow. Keep yourself smirking with a pastry from the Big Sur bakery (with hummingbird floor show!) or a saunter through the redwood forest.
 

Mendoza, Argentina

You might be waking up slow here after an evening sampling the famous wines of this sophisticated desert city. But with fountains in just about every plaza, chances are you’ll be surfacing to the soothing sound of burbling water. (Make sure to have a glass by your bed!)
 

Mumbai, India

This brash, breakneck city shows another face at dawn. With the sun rising in a rosy, hazy bubble over the sea, it’s time to head to Sassoon Docks to see a fishing scene virtually unchanged for centuries (just don’t get in the way of the fisherfolk!). Cap off your morning with a stroll through Colaba to see the pastel Art Deco buildings take the light, and a spicy chai on Arthur Bunder Road.
 

Hong Kong, China

Waking up in Hong Kong can be any kind of beautiful you want it to be. Like it pacy? Kick yourself out of bed to join the buzzing streets and track down something fishy and spicy for breakfast. Like it lyrical? Start slow with dawn tai chi and a tram to the top of Victoria Peak to take in the early morning views.
 

Rocky Mountains, USA

Heady alpine air, adventure sports, majestic peaks looming on the skyline – a week or two here and you’ll be so fizzing with health you’ll fairly spring from the pillow. Ever hear of a Rocky Mountain high? You’re about to wake up to one.
 

Bali, Indonesia

It’s a crowded little paradise, but it’s still possible to find your own special corner to watch the rising sun paint the rice paddies pink and lavender. And there’s nothing quite so sweet as spending the morning lushing around with a lover amongst the lotus flowers of the island’s upmarket spas and resorts.

World's top 10 beach destinations

Beaches, bays and impressive coastlines beckon almost all Australian travellers. However, not everyone is wowed by the same waves, and everyone has their own idea of what their perfect beach might be. We have selected their top 10 best beaches in the world, taking into account the off-the-beaten-track beauties and the best-value beach hotel hotspots.


Cable Beach, Broome, Western Australia

Located 7km from Broome, Cable Beach is one of Australia's best beach destinations. Bordering the Indian Ocean, and surrounded by the vast inland wildernesses of Western Australia, Cable Beach has an atmospheric 'last outpost' feel, not to mention 22.5km of pure white sand and crystal clear turquoise water. Cable Beach is renowned for its sunsets, which can be enjoyed while riding a camel along the beach, or from the comfort of one of the many beachside restaurants. Check out Expedia's flight deals and recommended hotels.

Ao Nang Beach, Krabi, Thailand

Ao Nang is known as Thailand's best all-round beach destination, due to its central location in the Andaman Sea and magnificent scenery. Ao Nang beach is relatively untouched, and days can be spent relaxing by the shore or taking part in one of the many activities on offer, such as snorkelling, scuba diving and kayaking. The equally spectacular Railey Beach is only a 15-minute ferry ride away and is approximately two hours from Phuket. Check out Expedia's flight deals and recommended hotels.

Nha Trang Beach, Nha Trang, Vietnam

Nha Trang is known as Vietnam's ultimate 'traditional' seaside resort - a lively coastal town where travellers relax by day and party by night. Nha Trang Bay is considered among the world's most beautiful bays, and its signature beach is long and flat with golden sands and spectacular views of the surrounding mountains. It is also the gateway to a cluster of quieter islands which offer outstanding snorkelling and scuba diving trips. Check out Expedia's flight deals and recommended hotels.

Paradise Beach and others, Yasawa Island, Fiji

Yasawa Island is famous for its fine sand and exquisite beaches, including Paradise Beach and Champagne Beach. Its limestone caves also put the Island on the map when Brooke Shields gallivanted there in the 1980s blockbuster movie, The Blue Lagoon. Yasawa Island, the largest of about 20 volcanic islands in Fiji's Yasawa island archipelago, is renowned for its spectacular rugged scenery and palm-fringed white sandy beaches. Yasawa Island is the only island in this outlying archipelago with an airstrip. Check out Expedia's flight deals and recommended hotels.

Azeda Beach, Buzios, Brazil

Armacao dos Buzios (better known as Buzios) is a peninsula surrounded by 8km of islands and beaches, and made famous in the 1960s when film star Brigette Bardot passed through, drawing the attention of adventurous tourists around the world. The beach is now dotted with hip restaurants, bars and boutiques. Buzios' premier beach, Azeda Beach, is considered one of the prettiest in Brazil. The beach boasts a 300m stretch of fine white sand and crystal clear water. With waves virtually non-existent, it is perfect for snorkelling. Check out Expedia's flight deals and recommended hotels.

Lanikai Beach, Oahu, Hawaii

Located about 30 minutes' drive from Honolulu - in the town of Kailua - Lanikai Beach is a 500m stretch of powdered sugar sand, and a perfect spot for travellers seeking a quiet, remote location to relax. It is sheltered by a wide, protective offshore reef and has a clear view of the spectacular Na Mokulua islands, certainly living up to its translated name, 'heavenly sea'. Check out Expedia's flight deals and recommended hotels.

Isola Bella Beach, Taormina, Sicily, Italy

Located on the east coast of Sicily, with views of Mt Etna, and protected by the bay and mountains, Isola Bella Beach is without a doubt one of Sicily's most prized natural assets. Located close to Taormina, a quintessential Italian beach town that's popular with artists and celebrities, this pebbly beach offers extremely inviting crystal clear water to take a dip or snorkel in. Depending on the tide, beachgoers can walk to Isola Bella, the nature reserve on the tiny islet adjoining the beach. Check out Expedia's flight deals and recommended hotels.

Clifton Beach, Cape Town, South Africa

 
Actually four adjacent beaches separated by giant granite boulders, and set against the most spectacular backdrop of the majestic Twelve Apostles mountain range, Clifton Beach is considered one of Cape Town's 'glamour' spots - where the rich and famous live and beach-loving locals and tourists go to relax. Although sheltered from the prevailing Southeaster in the summer, the chilly Atlantic Ocean means a quick dip is all that is required to cool down from the baking sun. The best time of the day is just before sunset, as you can kick back to watch the sun set over the sea. Check out Expedia's flight deals and recommended hotels.

Seven Mile Beach, Negril, Jamaica

Located in the heart of the Caribbean Sea, the island of Jamaica has long been the playground of sun worshippers the world over. On its western shores - at Negril - is Seven Mile Beach. Close to scores of hotels that hug the shoreline, it is the longest continuous stretch of beach in Jamaica. At the end of the beach is a lighthouse with majestic views of the surrounding cliffs and spectacular rock formations. Check out Expedia's flight deals and recommended hotels.

Mughsayl Beach, Salahah, Oman

Salalah, in southern Oman, has a unique charm with its coconut groves and banana plantations growing right to the water's edge. It is also blessed with great beaches, popular for swimming and beach football. Mughsayl Beach is one of the most popular of Oman's 2700km of untouched sandy beaches. During rainy season the huge waves cause dramatic explosions of water through blowholes at one end of the beach - it's a sight to behold.

Puerto Morelos - Maxico

Puerto Morelos is a town in Quintana Roo on the Yucatan Peninsula, about 20km south of Cancun. It is both a fishing village and a resort and diving destination. It is located roughly halfway between Cancun and Playa del Carmen on the Caribbean coast of Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula. 

The pier in the center of town hosts snorkel and sport fishing boats while yachts dock in a man-made harbour just south of town. The village used to be the embarkation point for the car ferry to Cozumel, but that now leaves from Calica, a major port south of Playa del Carmen. 

About

If you’re looking to escape the crowds of the Riviera Maya, don’t miss Puerto Morelos, just 20 minutes south of Cancún.

It's the ideal location for those who want a quiet beach vacation away from the glitz, but with ample tourist amenities. The town has just two principal streets and you can walk from one end to the other in about 15 minutes.

You can get by with English, but Spanish is not superfluous. Most places accept US dollars but not credit cards. Almost all prices are quoted in Mexican pesos and it is generally cheaper to pay in pesos, than in US dollars.

The reef just off shore is part of the Great Mesoamerican Reef, the second largest reef system in the world and the largest in the Western Hemisphere. In 1998 the reef in front of Puerto Morelos became a protected National Marine Park, preserving its rich biodiversity and making this area one of the best preserved of the Great Mesoamerican Reef. Buildings in Puerto Morelos are limited to three stories by local bylaws, to preserve the village type of character.

There are two parts to Puerto Morelos, the former fishing village on the coast, now Hotels, Condominiums, Restaurants and Tourist shops, and the second part about 2 Km. inland and adjacent to Highway 307, on the western side, called La Colonia by locals. The inland portion is mainly single level dwellings for the local workers, as well as amenities such as small/local food stores, pharmacies, and several casual restaurants, serving simple fare such as tacos. 

 

 Beach at Puerto Morelos, in front of the Casita del Mar at the north end of town

Get there

By plane

The nearest major airport is in Cancún International Airport (IATA: CUN) (ICAO: MMUN). It is 20km away from Puerto Morelos and is Mexico's second busiest airport.

By car

Puerto Morelos is situated at the junction of Route 307 and a paved road to Leona Vicario in the interior of the Yucatan Peninsula. This recently paved road is the eastern terminus of La Ruta de los Cenotes, a network of minor roads that allows access to many cenotes in the interior. At Puerto Morelos, the beginning of this road network is marked by an archway. The waterfront is about 2km from Highway 307. Puerto Morelos is about 30km south of Cancun, 30km north of Playa del Carmen, and one hour north of Tulum.

By bus

Buses from Cancun and Playa del Carmen traverse Route 307, the coastal highway and the main highway into town:

• From Cancun airport take the Riviera/ADO bus to Playa del Carmen, hourly from 10:30. The bus departs from Terminal 2, east end (terminal faces north). Buy a ticket for Puerto Morelos just inside terminal or on bus. Ask the driver to stop at Puerto Morelos. Cost: 50 pesos as of 12/09

• From downtown Cancun (el centro) take the Riviera/ADO bus for Playa del Carmen from the bus terminal on Av. Tulum. Departs every 15 minutes. Buy your ticket at the station.

• From Playa del Carmen, take any ADO bus for Cancun from either bus station in Playa. Buy your ticket to Puerto Morelos at the station.

Cancún and Playa del Carmen buses arrive and depart from the highway, about 2km from town. Each side of the highway has its own small station and ticket office.

Frequent local buses travel between the highway/la colonia and the beach/el puerto for 4 pesos per person. Or take a taxi into town 22 - 25 pesos. If you decide to walk instead, ensure adequate insect repellent, as the road leads through a mosquito-infested mangrove swamp - and watch out for inquisitive crocodiles about half way, particularly on the northern side.

By private transfers

Private Transfers to Puerto Morelos start at $55 US each way for 2 people or $90 round trip.

• Airport Transfers from the Cancun International Airport Direct to your hotel.

Get around

There are many local taxis around, they gather at a taxi stand on the west side of the main square in Puerto Morelos. Bicycling is an excellent way to get around town, and they can be rented at a number of places in town. There is also a local car rental agency in the main town on the highway. Always make sure you find out the price of a taxi ride before you get in to avoid disagreements. At the car rental place you can bargain for a cheaper rate. 

 The Original Lighthouse at Puerto Morelos, Mexico in Feb. 2007. In 1967 the structure was tilted over in Hurricane Beulah. It has since survived Hurricanes Gilbert in 1987 and Wilma in 2005, but has not been knocked down. The new light house replacing this one is visible in the background.

 A quiet beach just north of the Puerto Morelos town square.

See

• Sit on the white sand beach in the shade of a thatched palapa

• Visit the Jardin Botanico just outside town and watch out for the spider monkeys.

• Birdwatching in the mangroves.

• Browse the various shops around the central square. 

Do

• Scuba Diving.PUERTO MORELOS offers a large variety of marine life on one of the most beautiful reefs in the world. The dives inside the reef can be from shallow up to dives where you can see large coral formations at greater depths. For more advanced divers there a few wrecks and the cenotes to explore. Also has easy access to various dive sites ranging from very easy to very challenging ones. For those who are looking for some relaxed diving there are some beautiful shallow reef formations in water of 40 feet/12 meters depth where you can dive among turtles, schools of colorful fish, eagle rays, and many species of crabs and lobsters only to name a few.For wreck lovers, there are two accesible wrecks near Puerto Moleros. The nearest is the C-56, a navy boat that has beautiful coral and which is home to very large pelagics at 60-90 feet/18-27 meters). For more experienced divers there's the Tulum which is at a depth of about 120 feet/36 meters.
• Swimming. Near the shore, water temperatures average about 27°C (80°F) year round. Freshwater swimming is available inland, at several cenotes. At cenotes that are not exposed to sunlight, temperatures are colder, and a partial wetsuit may be necessary for anything more than a brief dip.
• Reef Diving. The Mesoamerican Barrier Reef lies about 500 meters offshore. It is closer to the shore near Puerto Morelos than it is at most other points along the coast of Quintana Roo. Several dive shops and nearby resorts offering diving on the reef.
• Snorkeling. Guided trips by boat are offered to the reef. Snorkeling out to the reef from shore on your own is not permitted. To protect the reef against intentional and unintentional damage, you are only allowed onto the reef in the company of an accredited guide and wearing a life jacket. If you do go it alone, you risk being picked out of the water by park wardens who may just tell you off and take you back to the shore, but are within their rights to fine you. Note that these rules are not clearly signposted anywhere. A light wetsuit is welcome certain times of year.
• Cenotes. Cenotes are sinkholes in the native limestone that are filled with crystal-clear groundwater; some are large and deep, while others are small passages through a cave. Inland from Puerto Morelos, many cenotes are accessible along the road from P.M. to Central Vallarta, some with really good swimming in clear blue water; To take local transport to the cenotes take colectivo bus "jacinto kanek" from Puerto Morelos to the other side of the highway get off at pemex station (colonia zetina gasca) once there go to the main zocalo two blocks west of 7 eleven and take the bus heading to Leona Vicario, they leave Morelos at 7.00, 8.00, 9.00AM and return from Leona at 12.00,13.00,16.00,and 17.00PM you can get off at Boca del Puma, just past central vallarta at km16, which has nice trails through the forest and a cool snorkel through a cave passage, the owner Jesus will rent you a bicycle if you want to explore the nearby cenotes on your own. Snorkel in a cenote a few meters out in front of the Ojo de Agua hotel or the Puerto Morelos Reef, about 500-1000 meters from shore. You can rent equipment at the dive shops around town and swim there yourself, or book a boat trip outside the Casita del Mar (north end of town, on the beach) for USD22. Downtown operations offer trips for USD25.
• Walk on the boardwalk through the mangroves behind Ceiba del Mar resort (N end of town), and look at birds, fish and cool plants.
• Marina La Bonita (in Hotel Zoetry Paraiso de la Bonita, +52 9988728300 ext 8066, info@marinalabonita.com)- Offers high end catamaran sailing tours to Puerto Morelos, Punta Maroma, Cozumel, Cancun, Isla Mujeres and Isla Contoy. They also offer private deep sea fishing trips, snorkeling and scuba diving tours and PADI certified scuba diving training.
• Almost Heaven Adventures in Puerto Morelos, +52 9988710230 - Offer scuba diving, reef snorkeling, fishing trips and jungle tours. They also sell equipment. For those who want to try out scuba diving but are not certified, you can try a resort course and dive today. Night snorkeling trips and cenote diving are also popular.
• Jungle Spa, Calle de Las Reinas (Zona Urbana), ☎ 998 2089148 or Cell 044 998 1805424 (starseed@prodigy.net.mx). Make an appointment Tues, Wed, Thur, Fri and Sat. Reservations 10AM, 12PM, 2PM or 4PM. Limited time Sunday - 1.30PM and 3.30PM after Jungle Market. Closed Mondays. The spa is operated by non profit organization and directed by Sandra A. Dayton. The spa was created so that the Mayan women could benefit from the tourists coming to the area and provide for their families. They provide an authentic Mayan massage. 
• Aquanauts Dive Adventures (in Hotel Carmen Hacienda), Ave. Rafael E. Melgar (one block south of the town center), ☎ 998-206-9365. 8AM to 4PM. Offers scuba diving tours, PADI certification classes, snorkeling tours, and fishing. 
• The Little Mexican Cooking School (Cooking in Paradise), Avenida Rojo Gomez 768 (On the main avenue facing the beach), ☎ 52 998 2518060. 10AM-4PM. The cooking school offers a fun day of learning how to cook all your favourite Mexican foods and teaches you about the flavours and ingredients used in this fascinating cuisine. The school has classes during the week in CAsa CAribe (cat@puertomorelosliving.com) with an experienced local (English-speaking) chef, and students receive an apron and recipes to take home with their memories. USd90-130. 
• El Rey Polo Country Club (Horseback riding, polo and fourwheelers), Ruta de Cenotes 11.5km (On highway 308 turn right at Ruta de Cenotes, the club is 11.5 km down the road). An attraction in the middle of the jungle. A huge green polo field, club house with restaurant and bar surrounded by pristine tropical forest. Here you can take a trail ride on horse back take riding and polo lessons, hire a four wheeler to visit the cenotes or just relax at the bar. Regular polo matches are on the calendar and visitors are welcome to watch.  
• Diverspoint, Ave Javier Rojo Gomez #17 (Inside posada el Moro), ☎ +52 998 1893628 (info@diverspoint.com). 09.00 - 18.00. Offers diving, snorkeling and fishingtrips. Offers PADI certification training until Divemaster. Also rents bicycles and snorkeling gear.