All About Progreso in Mexico (2025 Travel Guide)

One of the top questions about Mérida is whether it’s right on the coast. Since it isn’t, every local will quickly point you to Puerto Progreso – the nearest beach town.

Chances are that was one of my first questions, and I probably got the same answer – so I hopped in the car and zoomed the nearly straight 35 km (about 22 miles) in just over half an hour, with parking right at the beach.

The port of Progreso was founded by Don Juan Miguel Castro in 1872, and due to its strategic location is considered a natural gateway to connect Yucatán with the rest of the World by sea.

The city itself on the Emerald Coast is quite small, but there are plenty of things to do in the surrounding area.

The Beach of Progreso

We’re on the Gulf Coast here, so the sand isn’t as powdery and the water isn’t as turquoise as the Caribbean – but hey, the beach is still Progreso’s main selling point.

And because Progreso is so close to Mérida, it’s the locals’ favorite beach – perfect for a relaxed day trip. Many even own beach houses along its shore.

It is a quiet and tranquil place for most of the week, offering a relaxed atmosphere by the sea. However, on weekends, when many locals have time off, the town comes to life with bustling beaches and lively restaurants.

One of the first things I noticed on the beach are the seagulls. In Progreso, they often soar above the shore or gather near the pier, drawn by fishing boats and beachgoers. If you throw them a few breadcrumbs, you'll quickly make a lot of new friends.

Progreso is a beautiful place to enjoy the sea, attracting both locals and tourists. The coastline offers a mix of lively and peaceful spots, with soft sand, gentle waves, and warm water all year round, making it perfect for swimming and relaxation.

The town itself isn’t particularly exciting – most of the buzz is right along the beachfront and promenade. I’ve got to admit, I’ve walked the beach promenade several times – but I’ve barely gone more than a block or two beyond it.

Progreso’s Record-Breaking Pier

Progreso is a major arrival point in Mexico for tourist cruises from around the world. Something I only found out once I was there – the Progreso Pier is actually the longest pier in the world. It stretches about 6.5 kilometers (4 miles) out into the Gulf of Mexico.

Built between 1937 and 1941 and later extended in the 1980s, its length is necessary due to the region’s shallow waters. Today, it serves as a key port for both cargo ships and cruise liners, making Progreso an important hub for trade and tourism.

A Few Tips

As mentioned, Progreso on the Yucatán Peninsula is a popular stop for cruise ships, bringing a large number of tourists to the city when they dock. To avoid crowds, I’d recommend checking the cruise ship schedule before planning your visit.

Progreso is the only beach town that is really affected by crowds of cruise ship passengers. Weekends are the busiest and Sundays are especially crowded as families gather for the so-called "Domingo Familiar".

The beach offers few places with shade and these are occupied relatively quickly. If you want a place under palm trees, you should come early. The locals find shade under the pier that leads into the sea. There are also umbrellas and sunbeds available for a fee.

If you want to snorkel, you can, of course, but the water is not ideal. Due to the conditions in the Gulf of Mexico, the water is a bit murky and you don't have very good visibility underwater.

One more important note at the end: If you drive yourself, you should completely avoid alcohol, because the Mexican police have no sense of humor when it comes to controls.

Restaurants in Progreso – My Top Picks

The beautiful seafront of Progreso is lined with several restaurants but most of the restaurants on the Malecon closing by 8:00 pm. There are only a few restaurants that stay open late with music or dancing.

If you are looking for a tip: Crabster Seafood & Grill (Calle 19, No. 148a) is serving up seafood specialties and Western fare and is my #1 among Progreso's seafood restaurants.

Try a grilled lobster tail, a tasty octopus ceviche or a delicious tuna carpaccio. The restaurant is very centrally located on the Malecon and cannot really be overlooked. You’ll find more details on Crabster's Facebook page.

A place on the veranda is highly recommended. But it's also a favorite spot of street musicians, which means you'll probably be serenaded. By the way, don't you think, the view to the sea looks like a painting?

You can also find Crabster at Paseo 60 in Mérida. Fun Fact: Crabster, the restaurant Silver Fish, and Sanbravo Seafood & Steakhouse in Mérida all share the same owner.

Directly to the right of the pier on the beach (at the end of Calle 80) there is Eladio's Bar Progreso. Eladio's is a well-known restaurant chain and serves a wide variety of Yucatan specialties and seafood platters. If you are a vegetarian, you will also feel at home there.

The fish restaurant La Antigua, about 10 blocks east of the pier along the beach promenade, also has a really nice atmosphere – I’ve been there myself and liked how relaxed and friendly it felt.

Another tip: You’ll find La Antigua at the corner of Calle 21 and 60. It’s set back one row from the beach, so there’s no ocean view – you can get a first impression on La Antigua's Facebook page.

Here are a few more restaurant tips I’ve heard good things about – though I haven’t had the chance to try them myself yet:

• Mobula

  • Address: Calle 19 x 74

  • Cuisine: Mexican, Bar, Seafood

    
    

• Los Mariscos De Chichi

  • Address: Calle 80 #120

  • Cuisine: Seafood

    
    

• Almadía Progreso Yucatán

  • Address: Calle 19 #54

  • Cuisine: Mexican, Seafood

Progreso Farmers and Artisans Market

Two blocks southeast of the cruise port (roughly at the intersection of Calle 25 and Calle 78 by Pelicano's Restaurant) you'll find the lively Progreso Farmers and Artisans Market.

The market is usually open on Tuesdays from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. But you can also check the Progreso market's Facebook page to see if it's open when you're there. The market offers organic products, wood carvings, jewelry and much more.

Exploring the Emerald Coast Near Progreso

Progreso is the most famous port city on the Emerald Coast. Costa Esmeralda (in Spanish) is an informal name for a 98-kilometer stretch of coastline in northern Yucatán. It gets its name from the striking emerald hue of the sea along this scenic region.

Some interesting figures:

Reserva Ecologica El Corchito

Reserva Ecológica El Corchito is just outside of Progreso when you’re coming from Mérida – and I’ve visited more than once for a quick break from the city. It’s not huge, about 80 hectares.

If you take highway 261 from Mérida and turn right onto road 27 toward Chicxulub, there’s a parking lot about 200 meters in. That’s where the entrance is – and every time I’ve been there, I’ve been greeted by a bunch of curious little raccoons and coatis.

A short boat ride takes you through peaceful mangroves. I always enjoy spotting birds, iguanas, and the occasional small mammal along the way.

Once you arrive at the reserve area, you can swim in the cenotes, which are filled with cool freshwater from underground streams. There’s a wooden boardwalk above the water that winds through the trees.

The developed part of the reserve is not huge and can be explored within an hour. It is also an attractive venture for families with small children.

The entrance fee is 120 pesos for foreigners and 60 pesos for Mexican residents. You can pay by card or cash. You are not allowed to take any food or drink into the Reservat (some bags are checked). Safety vests are available on site.

Museo del Meteorito and the Jurassic Trail

You will also find the new and modern Museo del Meteorito right on Progreso's beach promenade. It is located directly on the beach promenade Malecón de Progreso, about seven blocks east of the pier.

Right next to Progreso – almost like a natural extension of it – is the small coastal town of Chicxulub. It’s quieter than Progreso, but definitely worth a stop, especially if you're traveling with kids.

One of the highlights here is the theme park Sandero Jurasico. Along the “Chicxulub Jurassic Trail,” you’ll find life-size dinosaurs like Velociraptors, Brachiosaurus, Triceratops and more – all motorized, some moving and roaring as you walk by.

How to Get to Progreso from Mérida?

Progreso is very easy to reach by car in half an hour from Mérida, the highway 261 leads there bolt upright. There is also a regular bus service from Mérida to Progreso via Auto Progreso that starts daily around 5:00 am.

The buses ("colectivos") depart from the station in Mérida, located on Calle 62 between Calle 65 and 67. An AutoProgreso ticket cost just about 25 pesos each way.