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Some small shopkeepers might speak broken English, but for the most part you won’t have any trouble getting around. Beaches are usually a hub of activity with cruise ship passengers, locals, and visitors from Merida all converging to enjoy the beauty. Many restaurants offer loungers and umbrellas on the beach that you can use for free as long as you order food or drinks.
Tours Excursions Transportation:
Two cruise ships cancel their stay in Progreso - The Yucatan Times
Two cruise ships cancel their stay in Progreso.
Posted: Mon, 13 Nov 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]
It’s a massive sinkhole that results from water eroding the limestone bedrock. The result is a huge pit that fills in with crystal clear freshwater from underground rivers. Cenotes aren’t just beautiful, they offer a once-in-a-lifetime experience to swim in some of the most amazing surroundings you can imagine.
Cruises to Progreso
Progreso sits on the northern edge of the Yucatan Peninsula. That location makes it one of the closest ports of call for places like Galveston, New Orleans, and Mobile. Instead of a cruise line sailing a day, visiting Cozumel, and then sailing back home, Progreso adds another port that passengers can visit. Smaller Mayan ruins are located at Xcambo, Uxmal, Mayapan and especially Dzibilchaltun, which is only 12 miles from the port. Shore excursions to these ruins sometimes include a beach break. This ancient city, which was first built around 900 A.D., is a UNESCO World Heritage site and the second most-visited archaeological site in Mexico.
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Local buses depart to Mérida every 10 to 15 minutes and cost around $21 Mexican pesos (less than US$1) each way. MeridaIf you’re a fan of history, then a trip to Merida is just the thing. The city of roughly 1 million was founded by the Spanish in the 1500s and is just about 30 minutes from Progreso. From museums to old Spanish architecture (including ancient churches) to food, Merida is a fascinating city with a lot to see. It's a 15-minute bus ride to the town proper where some cruisers complain of being hassled. And Progreso has a great, easy-to-reach beach -- a vast, clean, stretch of white sand on the Gulf of Mexico's so-called Costa Esmeralda.
The terminal at the Progreso Cruise Port serves as the gateway to the town of Progreso and its surrounding attractions. As noted above, this isn’t one of those contemporary mega terminals but a more rustic one. The terminal’s design provides easy access to transportation options, including taxi stands and tour operators, and there are some souvenir shops.
See the Mayan Ruins at Dzibilchaltun
Progreso is the gateway to the Mayan ruins, with Chichen Itza being the largest and most popular in the Yucatan. The ruins are two hours one way from Progreso, so make sure you have enough time in port before venturing to these ruins. The next closest ruin is Uxmal, but it is still an hour and a half to get there from Progreso. However, as in any major tourist cruise port, English is widely spoken. The city of Mérida is an exception, which is around 26.8 miles (43.2 km) south of Progreso and can be reached by bus in approximately 1 hour.
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Relax on the expansive sandy beaches, explore the ancient Mayan ruins of Uxmal or Chichen Itza, or take a dip in the refreshing cenotes. Visit the colorful colonial town of Merida, indulge in authentic Yucatecan cuisine, or immerse yourself in the local culture at the bustling markets. Progreso offers a perfect blend of history, natural wonders, and warm hospitality. Progreso is best known for having the world's longest pier (raised in the sea structure supported by piles or pillars).
Interestingly though, the city actually predates the colonial era. You can hire a kayak from La Ria Progreso so that you can spend the day at your own pace on the water. As you gently make your way through the still mangrove landscape, try and see how many tropical birds and plants you can see. Take a guided tour around the area to swim around and explore the freshwater sinkholes that pockmark the bottom of the water. Take a boat ride through the dense mangrove forests that surround the area before all of a sudden you see the nature reserve come into view.
You will work side by side with her in her own kitchen as she teaches you how to make traditional Yucatecan dishes from scratch (menu may vary).Once all the dishes a... A little ways off the touristy streets, La Plaza de Progreso is an inexpensive venue for a variety of household items, toys and clothes. If you have booked a tour, then your tour guide will meet you at the terminal buildings.
In terms of tourist information, the local tourism office is an excellent resource for obtaining maps, brochures, and advice on the best things to do in Progreso. They can provide detailed information about popular attractions such as Dzibilchaltún, Izamal, Mayapán, Mérida Cathedral, Government Palace, Palacio Canton in Mérida, Uxmal, and Chichén Itzá. Pop-up stalls will appear when ships are in port at the town market. You will be able to get tacos, burritos and enchiladas that are authentically Mexican. The more upscale restaurants are along the beachfront Malecon.
That said, expect it to feel like there are a lot of people in port when you visit if you stick to the tourist areas like the beach and boardwalk. However, just a couple of blocks off the main hot spots and you can see that it’s a fairly quiet town. Pharmacies in Progreso are easily accessible and provide convenience for cruise travelers seeking medical assistance or over-the-counter medications. When in need, there are several reputable pharmacies within close proximity to the cruise port. These establishments offer a wide range of pharmaceutical products.
However, it’s always helpful to learn a few basic Spanish phrases to enhance your travel experience and interact with locals more effectively. The nearby Biosphere Reserve offers hiking trails that wind through mangrove forests and lead to stunning cenotes (natural sinkholes). These cenotes are ideal for swimming or snorkeling amidst crystal-clear waters teeming with colorful marine life.
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