Progreso Mexico Cruise Port Excursions and Tourist Info

Visiting Progreso in Mexico's Yucatan is a great way to experience off-the-beaten path beach life (instead of amped up hyper-adrenaline fueled Cancun and Cozumel). In Progreso life is quieter, more authentic, and full of history.

Visitors to Progreso's cruise port will want to leave the ship for beach time, exploring Mayan ruins, or going deep into the jungle to find cenotes (swimming holes) and other hidden treasures of the Yucatan. With so much to explore, it's a shame cruise passengers only have one day to visit.

Having just spent a week in this area myself, I've got some great first-hand tips for your day in Progreso cruise port.

From what to expect at the Progreso Cruise Port to what's in store for you outside the town boundaries, your day ashore is going to be full of fun, sun and adventure.

Let's dive in.

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About Progreso Mexico Cruise Port

I bet you didn't know this, but there are two majorly fascinating things about the Progreso cruise port.

1) They hold the Guinness Record for World's Longest Pier, measuring in over 5 miles long!

That means you won't be walking from the ship to the beach. Shuttles, taxis and trucks were going back and forth across the (very long!) bridge all day long.

But, if you'd like - grab a taxi, which averages around $10 (according to a quick Google search), or hire a driver with a tour in mind for the day (more on that below).

The free shuttle goes from ship to shore every 20-30 minutes, but keep in mind there may be a wait for the shuttle with so many passengers coming and going from the ship.

2) The Progreso Cruise port sits just adjacent to the impact point of the Chicxulub Crater, where the dinosaur-ending asteroid hit.

So cool, I know! More on this below.

If you only have a minute to read, here's my suggestions for a visit to Progreso Cruise Port.

BEST MAYAN TOUR

Take a Tour to Uxmal and Chocostory

Experience a Mayan ceremony, sample bitter hot chocolate, and walk in the path of ancient civilizations around incredible stone Pyramids. Mayan lunch is typically included!

BOOK NOW

BEST WATER TOUR

Or, Visit an Incredible Hacienda and Cenote

Visit the ruins of an old plantation, take a swim through blue caves and gorgeous grottos, dine on Mayan cuisine and experience a hand truck ride!

BOOK NOW

An Ideal Day in Progreso Cruise Port

I suggest one of two things - stay put, or go on a tour. I'll cover both here, starting with the 'stay put' option. This just involves getting yourself off the ship and into town for beach time, shopping, and maybe lunch.

If you stay in port, DEFINITELY get off the ship. Don't be afraid! It's so touristy in Progreso that you'll feel fine walking around, albeit a bit hassled by the vendors.

Here's some things to consider if you stay in town:

1) Plan to shop.

There's a main drag of tourist and local shops to pop in and out of, over by Elasio's restaurant and bar near the start/end of the pier. You'll find good deals here.

There is a mercado to wander through (you can't miss it - big yellow building) full of more shops, but it caters to locals more than tourists.

It's called Francisco I Madero Mercado if you want to plug it in on the maps on your phone. This will lead you to a good shopping area.

There is another strip of vendors by the "I Love Progreso" sign where you can get decently priced souvenirs.

They all were selling in USD, but obviously they will also accept Mexican Pesos, if you have them.

You may feel overwhelmed by the vendors, but after having spent a week in the area, I can assure you it is very safe and everyone is just looking for the extra boost of sales from the influx of passengers when a ship is in town. The vendors are all quite friendly.

For the most part the areas you will be browsing shops in are open-air vendors so you can really just window shop until something catches your eye. Grab the price from the first vendor you see, and if it is reasonable there is not much need to haggle. I like to price shop a bit before purchasing, but everyone had good prices.

Most souvenirs were running $1 USD (for little alebrijes) to $5 for an embroidered wallet. Even cute tote bags ran about $5-7 USD.

Blouses and other embroidered items get spendy, but it's fun to browse the local clothing stores for inexpensive everyday wear.

2) Plan for beach and boardwalk time.

The Malecon de Progreso is the main artery along the beach and sand at the Progreso Mexico Cruise Port.

There is NO SHADE on the beach boardwalk, so plan to bring an umbrella and proper sun protection.

The beach boardwalk is a happening spot - walk past dozens of vendors, restaurants, and shops.

Pushy beach vendors will stop you every ten feet trying to get you to visit their palapas, which are thatched roof umbrella tables on the sand. You pay nothing to use the table and shade and you get to enjoy the beach.

Note that once you sit down souvenir vendors will assault you nonstop with items to purchase. They are an annoyance, but just wave them by.

There is typically a minimum fee for getting something to drink or eat at your chosen palapa, and they all more or less are affiliated with a restaurant on the opposite end of the boardwalk.

My recommendation is to find a place on the beach that you are comfortable with. We chose a place at the farther end of the boardwalk with a large, long palapa hut restaurant.

Find this long palapa hut!

You can't miss it if you walk down far enough. It provided ample shade and the food was excellent. It's called Los Mariscos de Chichi.

Cocktails even came with popsicles in them, how fun!

From the palapas, dunk in the water, play in the sand, enjoy a meal, and just relax.

Once you cool off in the water, grab your dinosaur fans and visit the incredibly fascinating Museo del Meteorito located just off the boardwalk by the restaurant, which details the story of the asteroid 65 million years ago that devastated the planet and it's dino life.

Bonus - there's great AC inside, and the tour is really informative and fun for all ages.

3) Get a massage.

Lastly, if you stay in town, there are dozens of vendors offering massages on the beach. They average $25 for 30 minutes. The operations looked above board, (nothing like what I experienced in Playa del Carmen), and they honestly looked pretty relaxing.

Go for it, and bring USD or Mexican Pesos for payment. Make sure someone in your party watches your stuff while you get massaged.

Or, Get Out of Town!

Tours and Shore Excursions from Progreso Cruise Port

For the adventuring type, you may be tempted to rent a car. I've done this in numerous cruise ports just for one day, but I don't recommend it in this case because there are so many wonderful and inexpensive tours or transportation options while you are in Progreso cruise port.

Renting a car just for the day will be a major hassle, and will potentially get very expensive (they often require added fees for insurance coverage in Mexico).

So, if you plan to get out of town, do a tour.

Frankly, half the ship is going to end up at Chitzen Itza. Don't do it. It's so overcrowded with tourists, you will feel like you went to Disney World.

Instead, try some of these amazing places for a tour*:

*Note when booking tours away from port if you have enough time for the excursion. Contact the tour companies to determine if pickup is available at the cruise port (Many options are only from Merida, but there are transportation options from Progreso to Merida), and others can be arranged however you wish!

Keep in mind the trip from Progreso to Merida is only about 30 minutes and can be done by taxi. Rome2Rio claims this trip costs $15-18 USD, but I have a hard time believing that. Keep this price in mind when you haggle at the pier.

Nearby Dino Stuff

There's a ton of cool sites and museums that kids will love like the (evening only, so not great for cruise passengers) Sendero Jurasico, which is a Jurrasic themed walk past animatronic dinosaurs (in a kitschy but fun way).

There's also the port town of Chicxulub a few minutes away with a great beach bar called Vistamar for drinks and seaside eats away from the crowds.

The town is otherwise dead, but this little haven feels like a nice hideaway that you get all to yourself (well, you and the locals).

This restaurant and "beach club" sits next to the Chicxulub pier with a big TREX statue and they lean into the theme a bit with their advertising.

There's a pool for dipping and the beach is just steps away. Kids can enjoy a little sand play by the table and the best part - no aggressive vendors trying to sell you stuff every five seconds!

Pro tip: If you don't plan on swimming and just want lunch with a view, skip the busy Progreso beach and take a taxi 10 minutes to this little hidden gem.

There's also the Meteorite Museum, which is a must do if you are on the Progreso boardwalk.

Izamal

Izamal - the Yellow Magical Town where you can take a horse and buggy ride around town and enjoy a nice lunch and shopping.

And if you must see Chitzen Itza, you may as well pair some other Yucateco culture with it.

Check out this particular option that includes a cenote swim and some time in both Izamal and Chitzen Itza:

Ek Balam

Ek Balam - a fascinating Mayan complex worshipping the jaguar, and nearby bee farms.

Pink Salt Flats and Xcambo Ruins

Go to see 'pink lakes' at the Xtampu salt flats and then to its neighboring Mayan ruins at Xcambo.

This is best visited by taxi. Hire a taxi at the port and have them drive you around for the day.

First visit the salt flats, then the ruins. The salt flats run $40MXN ($2 USD per person) and it takes only minutes to walk around. They will try to sell you a guided tour, but it really isn't necessary.

If you wonder, "why is it pink?" I got that answer for you - it's pink because of dying and decomposing algae. The algae blooms into the water, which seeps up from the bottom of the pools, and it blooms only three months of year.

When it starts to warm up and die off, that's when the color is at its most intense pink, in March, April and May. When the rainy season begins, this gets diluted.

The salt is a result of evaporating water leaving crystalized salt behind.

Expect to spend about 40 minutes in the car each way, plus 10 minutes at the salt flats and 25 minutes (max) at the ruins.

Xcambo Ruins

Merida

Visit Merida for its colonial palaces and mansions, anthropology museum, and loads of great shopping opportunities along the Paseo Montejo.

Take a street food tour or a Mexican cooking class, take in some museums, ride a horse and carriage, and see the sites.

Consider having lunch at the gorgeous Hacienda Teya, founded in 1683 and since turned into a lovely event space and restaurant. For an elevated Mexican experience this place can't be beat for culture and class (and the price really is affordable!). Learn more about this experience here.

Cenotes

Book a tour to go swimming in a cenote. There are a number of great options including Hacienda Mucuyche, where you can swim in caves, take a hand cart ride, enjoy a Mayan inspired lunch, and visit a centuries old plantation.

Puuc Route (Uxmal)

Visit Uxmal and Chocostory on the Puuc Route, where you'll see Chitzen Itza sized Mayan ruins without the crowds, and sample bitter hot chocolate and witness a Mayan ceremony in the jungle.

This route is great for families with a touch of adventurous spirit. Be prepared for a full on day of touring! Read more about the Puuc Route and my personal recommendations for the trip here.

Taking a tour will be the easiest way to see this area, but be sure to arrange pickup in Progreso or a convenient meeting point in Merida.

Dzibichaltun Ruins

Only about 20 minutes from Progreso, this is an easy visit for some Mayan culture and history.

Celestun Mangroves Tour

Visit the popular Celestun beach town and take a mangrove tour to see flamingos and other fascinating flora and fauna. Mangrove tours can be group boat trips, kayak tours, and more.

Many of these tours can be booked on site in Celestun, but as a cruise ship passenger you'll want to arrange for transportation too, so try booking through an outfitter in advance.

Overall Notes on Visiting Progreso Mexico Cruise Port

Don't stay on the ship! Get off and explore this great authentic place. See everything you can, indulge in all the flavors of the area, and get out of your comfort zone. It is extremely safe and a very exciting port to visit. Enjoy your trip and let me know if you have any questions!