Sometimes adventure is not WHAT you visit, pyramids, churches, mercados, etc. but WHO you meet along the way. Join the TORTAS as we venture out from our home in Bacalar along the Costa Maya to explore parts unknown (at least to us).
To celebrate a Torta birthday this week, we visited the pueblo of Puerto Morelos nestled between Cancun and Playa del Carmen. Little did we know that this cozy fishing village is an exploding tourist town and expatriate destination.
Guatemalan boys walking the beach looking for tourist pesos.
Something lacking in the far reaches of southern Mexico that we call home, is an English language bookstore. What a surprise to find Alma Libre Bookstore.
Rob and Joanne Birce
Not only are Rob and Joanne long time residents of this sleepy little town, Rob went to school with our friend and fellow Bacalar resident, Mitch! We were immediately family and Joanne told us all the best places to eat in Puerto Morelos.
Visit their website for all things Puerto Morelos.
At Joanne’s recommendation we dined at La Sirena and met the owner Anthony Chalas from my home state of New Jersey. Greek food in Mexico, yum!
Great artwork for a photo op.
Caribbean sea turtle mural.
On our two day tour of Puerto Morelos, we got to visit the local mercado and meet Ann Trépanier, French Canadian and artist extraordinaire.
Making art from recycled plastic. My kinda gal!
Ann makes “fabric” from heating together layered plastic bags. She is passionate about the environment and the changes she sees in her precious little town due to unregulated tourism.
I wish I’d bought all her bags. Contact her at welovepuertomorelos@yahoo.com
There was one more astonishing encounter with a restaurant manager, but that is a story for another day. Travel in Mexico is full of opportunities. Do venture out of the all-inclusive hotel compounds. Not only will you meet lovely Mexican people and fellow fearless travelers but expats from around the world who live, love and fight to protect Mexico’s resources. Do tell them “hello” from
DOS TORTAS
the adventures of dos tortas 
I LOVE Puerto Morelos! Happened to discover it years ago … can’t wait to go back. Love your photos and blog post. Merry merry to you both 🙂
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Thanks Lori, we had a blast. Good Italian pastries too.
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Merry, Merry to you both from me.
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Awww looking forward to visiting and painting with you!
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We visited Puerto Morelos a couple of times while living in Playa del Carmen (nice easy and cheap ADO bus ride!) What a great little time. The bookstore is a real gem — we just wished it was open year-round!
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We had a lovely time. I guess our timing was right as far as the bookstore goes. Lucky us!
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It is closed when the owners return to Canada during the summer. I think that means it is open for 6 months of the year.
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What a great little *town*. D’oh! 🙂
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Beautiful! I’m envious.
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Oh Karen, you must come for a visit.
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It most certainly is the people. On my recent visit to Mazatlán, I visited many beautiful places but it is the people that live on most in my heart (including 80+ year old Emilio who, when he learned I was Emilie, said it was a clear sign we belonged together and I should take him to the US.)
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Hahaha sounds like a match made in heaven. The two Emilio’s/as.
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Your pictures look great! I think it is so true that it’s about who you meet along the way. I recently traveled to the Caribbean and met so many cool people! Check out my recap at https://courtneylivin.wordpress.com/2016/12/31/caribbean-princess-cruise/ 🙂
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