👉 Puerto Juárez

Puerto Juarez is a small area that is part of the municipality of Benito Juarez and in which the city of Cancun is located. This small area is less than 2 km from Cancun and although it is not a very commercialized tourist area, it has a great importance and influence: It is the main point of maritime transportation to Isla Mujeres.

Likewise, this small area keeps an important history, has quiet beaches, its main economic source is fishing and has its reef barrier and a small archaeological site. So make yourself comfortable, because right now we are going to tell you about this incredible place in the Riviera Maya.

History of Puerto Juarez

Although it may not seem like an important place, Puerto Juarez was the pioneer and responsible for receiving the first inhabitants of the city of Cancun in 1970. This small area witnessed the arrival of the first brigades of workers who settled here.

The ease of access gave it the fame of being a point of maritime communication between fishing communities of Isla Mujeres and that is how this place began to have the colorful life and maritime importance it has today.

Puerto Juárez received its name by presidential decree in the year 1879 and that is when its history began, since it was at that time that the federal government headed by General Porfirio Díaz ordered the construction of a series of lighthouses to protect the coastal and passenger ships that covered the maritime routes of the Mexican Caribbean from the fierce reefs of the coast of Quintana Roo, thus initiating the colonization of the previously unexplored territory of Quintana Roo.

At the beginning of the 20th century, an American adventurer named John Adams arrived in Puerto Juarez and from there he set off to the until then unexplored jungle of Quintana Roo where he discovered a gum that the natives used to chew and found that by adding different flavors it was a gasoline that would change some social customs of the world until then known, yes …with a genuine and 100 percent Mexican product: “Chicle”.

It was also a port of call between the maritime routes that linked Merida-Progreso with Isla Mujeres, Cozumel and the then called Payo Obispo (today Chetumal).

The docks of Puerto Juárez saw a parade of political exiles and renegade thieves from the Porfiriato and later dates, to gambusinos searching for precious woods and hidden archaeological treasures, it was an important customs office where the supplies and equipment required by the men working in the white gold that was transformed into the exploitation of gum, raw material to supply along with cigarettes and chocolates to the allied soldiers during World War II, arrived; The U.S. Navy ships that brought the necessary construction machinery to build the strategic airport of Cozumel during the Second World War passed through Puerto Juárez.

By 1954, Puerto Juárez was connected by land with the neighboring town of Valladolid, Yucatán when the last stage of the highway that we know today as Matamoros-Puerto Juárez was completed, thus fulfilling the commitment of the then President of the Republic, Don Adolfo Ruiz Cortínez, to unite the national territory in his memorable Plan of the March to the Sea, from Puerto Juárez also started the land connection with the South of the then territory of Quintana Roo with the Puerto Juárez-Reforma Agraria highway.

Puerto Juarez gave shelter to the brigades of engineers and construction workers that began the work of what we now know as Cancun and as if that were not enough, the first irregular human settlements that were born in those times were known as “Colonia Puerto Juarez”, or simply “the Colony”; of course, this was before some poet of nomenclature came up with the idea of baptizing everything as regions, blocks, lots and so on, instead of streets and numbers as the civilized world requires.

Puerto Juárez shelters a good part of the state’s fishing fleet with the necessary infrastructure to process the production of flake, lobster and shrimp that leave from this point to different destinations in the world.

In Puerto Juárez is located a naval base of the Mexican Navy and there is the headquarters of the Port Captaincy of the Ministry of Communications and Transportation.

When the decree creating the State of Quintana Roo was issued, our municipality was called Benito Juárez with the municipal seat in Cancún, Puerto Juárez being within the limits of the municipality.

Even a few years ago, foreign bus routes arriving to our tourist destination had Puerto Juarez as their last terminal.

Puerto Juarez, as you can see, has a history and all this comes to mention, because it is strange that officially for the urban nomenclature of the municipality, Puerto Juarez does not exist as such, but some bureaucrat with an entangled desk came up with the idea of renaming it with the bombastic name of Region 86.

Without realizing that Puerto Juarez is the ‘mater’ community of Cancun. And so with the stroke of a pen they erased a population and a name that has a history intimately linked to that of our state.

If all of us who live in this city know that Puerto Juarez exists and not the glamorous region 86! Puerto Juarez is one of the oldest human settlements in mainland Quintana Roo and deserves to be valued and respected as such, giving it the historical status it deserves, we will remember that lies become half-truths by force of repetition.

Puerto Juarez today

Nowadays, Puerto Juarez is a very quiet place that has a few hotels, restaurants, vacation homes and a lot of tour operators to Isla Mujeres.

It is also still the preferred point for traveling to Isla Mujeres and even for transporting vehicles and heavy loads.

It should be noted that its hotels are usually 5 star, luxury and all inclusive, but unlike Cancun hotels, here tranquility is the companion of all travelers.

How to get to Puerto Juarez?

Puerto Juarez is not very far from the city of Cancun and in fact, there are many public transportation routes that can take you here.

Although each case will depend a lot on where you are: If you are at the Cancun airport, the best option to get to Puerto Juarez is the private transportation service.

This is a service that you can book online up to a week before your flight and the day of your trip, the company will be waiting for you at the Cancun airport.

Of course, if you are looking to spend as little as possible then you can choose to take the ADO bus to downtown Cancun. Once in downtown Cancun, you can take a public transportation to Puerto Juarez and all that would cost about 120.00 MXN per person.

Puerto Juarez Ferry

The overseas marine terminal in Puerto Juarez is the busiest terminal in the entire municipality of Benito Juarez. This terminal starts operations every day from 5 am and finishes the last transfer to Isla Mujeres at 11:30 pm.

Generally its maritime transportation services to Isla Mujeres depart every 30 minutes and the costs will depend a lot if you are a crazy person, national or foreigner.

Next, we will present you the Puerto Juarez ferry schedules.

It should be noted that the overseas company reserves the right to cancel transfers in case of bad weather.

Hotels in Puerto Juarez

In spite of being a quiet and small place, Puerto Juarez has several hotels and vacation rentals. They are few, and that is exactly what gives us the magic of having beaches that are not too crowded. Do you want to know which are these hotels? Say no more and get to know them right now.

• Amanecer Turquesa
• Arrecife Apartments
• Aruma
• Bahia Chac Chi – Adults Only
• Bahia Tolok
• Cabanas Maria Del Mar
• Cande’s Apartments
• Caribbean Turquesa Residence
• Caribean Jireh 3
• Casa Alkimia Oceanfront
• Casa Wandy
• Casitas Arcoiris
• Coralito Malecon Luxury Studio
• Cuxos Hotel Beachfront
• Estrella del Mar
• Flamingo Apartment
• Goleta Aparment
• Hotel Belmar
• Hotel Beló Isla Mujeres
• Hotel Berny
• Lunamar
• Maria’s Kan Kin
• Mi alegria Studio
• Mia Reef Isla Mujeres Cancun All Inclusive Resort
• Na Balam Hotel
• Nautibeach Beach Front Condos in North Beach
• Nomads Hotel & Beachclub
• Ocean Drive Hotel
• Ocean-View Oasis on Playa Norte with Resort Amenities
• Oceanfront Isla Mujeres Estate with Infinity Pool

Restaurants in Puerto Juarez

The gastronomy of Puerto Juarez is undoubtedly from the sea and of course, you will find many places to eat from seafood to fish, from the classic ceviche, to clams, oysters and not to mention the lobsters.

And not all restaurants are expensive, in fact there are several that are very economical and right now we will list them for you.

• Aldos Puerto Cancun
• Manyée Puerto Cancun
• KETCHUP
• Champ & Tartine
• Montemar Steakhouse & Seafoood
• Por Mis Costillas
• Punta del Este
• Cenacolo Puerto Cancún
• Hiromi
• Buffalo Wild Wings
• Sushitto ya
• Restaurante Zaytun
• Modern Mexican Kitchen in Cancún
• Cabo cabo
• Corazon de Mexico
• MeroToro Cancún
• Distrito Gourmet Puerto Cancún
• Restaurant Marbella
• La Pizzarra Puerto Cancun

What to do in Puerto Juarez

We already know a little of the history of Puerto Juarez, but what are the things to do here? The list is very small really, but hopefully you will love it. Remember that this is a quiet place. So let’s see what things to do..,

El meco

El meco is a small Mayan archaeological site in Puerto Juarez, it has an entrance fee of 55.00 MXN and is a very quiet place. It has several ruins that take us on a little trip to the past and of course, unlike the ruins of Chichen Itza: Here it will not be full of people.

Pirate ship tour

Very close to the overseas terminal, you can find the pirate ship of Captain Hook’s company. So if you are looking for something to do in the afternoon or at night, this is an excellent option: A ride on the Caribbean Sea, on a replica of a Spanish galleon, with a show and a spectacular dinner.

Tour to Isla Mujeres

From this place you can find several tour operators to Isla Mujeres. So if you just want to see the most emblematic places of the island and enjoy the sea, all in one day. The tour can be a very good option.

Taste the gastronomy

The gastronomy of Puerto Juarez is mainly made up of seafood, but with the difference that most of it is fresh produce. Let’s remember that this small destination is a fishing village. So imagine enjoying a fried fish fresh from the sea.

Conclusion

Puerto Juarez unlike other destinations in the Riviera Maya offers tranquility, calm and privacy. So if this is your vacation idea, don’t hesitate any longer: Book your hotel, book your transfer and come and enjoy this beautiful place in Mexico.