The Beach at Progreso, Mexico

Progreso, Mexico Information
Tom Ogg

Language and Currency
What is Progreso Like?
What is the Weather Like?
Where Does the Ship Dock?
Where is the Shopping?
What is There to Buy?
What is There To Do?
Is There Anything of a “Don’t Miss Quality?
Are There Any Great Restaurants or Bars?

Progreso Port Reviews

Language and Currency

The official language of Progreso is Spanish and the currency is the Mexican Peso. Limited English is spoken and the dollar is widely accepted (watch the exchange rates)

What is Progreso like?

Typical Ocean Front Restaurant in Progreso

Progreso, once a sleepy fishing village is growing with its new found fame as a Mayan port of call for many cruise ships. It offers great beaches and is the gateway to some of the Yucatan's best sights.

What is the weather like?

Progreso is blessed with year round great weather. Progreso's winter weather is part of its new found growth as it is nearly perfect.

Where does the ship dock?

Docked at One of the World's Longest Piers

Progreso boasts one of the world's longest piers. Ships dock at the end of the pier and then take a shuttle (or a taxi cab for $5) to the the foot of the pier and then into town. Progreso is about 18 miles north of the town of Merida on the Yucatan Peninsula.

The Cruise Ship Terminal in Progreso

Where is the shopping?

Shopping Opportunities at the Progreso Cruise Terminal

First of all, there are a number of tourist shops right inside the cruise terminal selling all sorts of souvenirs and necessities. There is reasonable shopping in sleepy Progresso, with more shopping to be had in the nearby town of Merida (about 20 to 30 minutes by taxi)

Progreso Crafts Market

Be sure to visit the crafts market right where the shuttle lets you off and you will also find some shops on the streets of Progreso.

Fruit at the Progreso Market

The local market (across from the crafts market is w3ell worth exploring and is very colorful)

What is there to buy?

Local arts and crafts, wood carvings, blankets, onyx carvings and collectibles, Mayan artifacts (almost all replicas) clothing, and much much more.

What is there to do?

Looking at the Progreso Pier from the Beach

Exploring Progreso is a wonderful experience as it is still somewhat rustic and quaint and Progreso's beaches are world class with palapa restaurants popping up everywhere. By all means be sure to take a taxi into Merida (Note: vans leave approximately every 5-minutes from the town square for Merida that only cost $1 each direction. Simply walk inland up the street between the local market and the crafts market about 4 blocks. You will see the vans on your left.) if shopping is in your sights. Also, Progreso is the jumping off point for tours to Uxmal and Chichen-Itza, two of the Yucatan's most popular Mayan ruins. The Malecon Beach right in town is a wonderful place to spend the day if you do not want to leave Progreso and just want to enjoy the wonderful weather and ocean.

Progreso Sightseeing Tour Bus

One of the best bargains in Progreso is the local "Sightseeing Tour" bus that takes you on a tour of the entire town of Progreso for a measly $2. The bus leaves from right in front of the crafts market where the shuttle drops you off and I would suggest that you take it right away so you can get oriented to Progreso's beaches, restaurants, markets, plaza and shopping opportunities.

Is there anything of “Don’t Miss” quality?

Yes, I would give the local market a "don't miss" rating as it is still authentic and colorful and serves the entire region.

Are there any great restaurants or bars?

There are several excellent restaurants on the Malecon directly across from the beach. Enjoy!

Check out the shore excursions available in Progresso.
Progresso Shore Excursions

Progreso Port Reviews
(Click on the Review you are Interested in Reading)

Rex Ungericht; Shopping and the Mayan Ruyans
Gary Baily; Uxmel and Merida Shopping 
Stephanie Sandberg; Shopping Tours
Annemarie Young: Shopping in Progreso and a Merida Tour
Lynne Davies; Exploring Progresso and Day at the Beach
Bob McGorkic; Shopping Around Town
Cyndee: Merida On Your Own
Pam Hoffman; Tour of Merida
Lorne Torres; Dzibilchaltun & Rodeo show
Joe Ciardiello; Tour of Ruins 
Charlotte Calicchio; Shopping, Beach & Altamar Beach Club
John Gawne; Exploring Progresso on Your Own 
Ed Nagler; Exploring the Town on Our Own
Michele Dalton; Exploring Progresso on Your Own
Greg Wilkinson; Main Town and Beach 
Andy Akers; Dzibilchaltun Ruins

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