All about Progreso on the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico

Puerto Progreso is a port city in Yucatán near to Mérida, located on the Emerald Coast. The city of Progreso itself is quite small, but there are also plenty of things to do in the surrounding area.

The port of Progreso was founded by Don Juan Miguel Castro in 1872, and due to its strategic location - just 22 miles (36 km) away from Mérida - is considered a natural gateway to connect Yucatán with the rest of the World by sea.

The beach

Just 30 minutes from Mérida, Progreso is the favorite beach of the Yucatecans due to its proximity to the city and in addition to the fact that some people have a beach house along the coast. That makes it a perfect place to take a beach day trip from Mérida.

Progreso 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 you notice 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 to its inviting beaches. 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.

However, the town itself is not particularly interesting, as most of the activity takes place along the beachfront promenade and on the shore, where visitors enjoy the relaxed coastal atmosphere.

The Progreso Pier

Progreso is a major arrival point for tourist cruises from around the world. The Progreso Pier - the longest in the world - stretches approximately 6.5 kilometers (4 miles) into the Gulf of Mexico (or Gulf of America?).

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, it's a good idea to check the cruise ship schedule before planning your visit.

But 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

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 our #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 can find more information on the Crabster 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?

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, which is about 10 blocks from the pier if you walk east along the beach promenade, also has a very nice atmosphere.

You'll find La Antigua at the intersection of Calle 21 and 60. It's in the second row, so it doesn't have a view of the beach. You can get a first impression on the Facebook page of La Antigua.

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.

The Emerald Coast

Progreso is the most famous port city on the Emerald Coast. 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

The Reserva Ecologica El Corchito nature reserve is located - coming from Mérida - directly in front of Progreso. It is about 80 hectares in size and has three cenotes and two shallow waterholes that are ideal for children.

If you come to Progreso on highway 261 and then turn right onto road 27 towards Chicxulub, after 200m there is a parking lot and the entrance to the reserve. Near the entrance, you will usually be greeted by many curious animals.

You can take a boat trip through the mangroves and observe birds, lizards and other small mammals. You can also swim in the cenotes, which are fed by underground freshwater streams. A path made of wooden planks winds its way through the mangroves above the water.

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 Reserbvat (some bags are checked). Safety vests are available on site.

Museo & theme park

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 an extension of Progreso, is Chicxulub. There is also a great attraction for kids, the theme park Sandero Jurasico.

On the "Chicxulub Jurassic Trail" there are life-size dinosaurs (Velociraptor, Brachiosaurus, Triceratops and many others) that are moved by motors and also make sounds.

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.