Welcome to another of Mexico’s underrated beach towns. Up until recently, when snowbirds began to roost here in earnest, foreigners for the most part overlooked this Gulf Coast port. Families from the hot interior have vacation homes here and in the neighboring beach towns of the north coast such as Chelam, Chixculub, Telchac Puerto and and Dzilam de Bravo.
Progreso, which means “progress” in Spanish, has a lengthy pier that’s been expanded several times over the years, first to accommodate commercial shipping and more recently, cruise ships. Passengers spending the day in the area enjoy the long beach, fronted by a boardwalk malecón, hang out at one of the seafood eateries, or take an organized tour to the city of Merida or to area attractions.
Places to See and Activities Around Progreso
Take a birding tour of El Corchito mangroves, a few kilometers east of Progreso.
Visit colonies of pink flamingos at Chelem, a small town just west of Progreso.
Kayak through mangroves at nearby Chuburna.
Explore Catholic as well as Maya ruins at Xcambo archaeological site---whose name means “Place of Crabs and Crocodiles”--- near the town of Telchac Puerto
Visit the ruins of Dzibilchaltún, halfway to the city of Mérida; take your swimsuit and refresh yourself in its emerald green sinkhole.
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