IS PROGRESO WORTH VISITING & FUN THINGS TO DO IN PROGRESO.
We visited Progreso sort of by accident during our trip around the Yucatan Peninsular. I’d been searching for somewhere on the beach that looked more laid back, more authentic and just “less Tulum.”
I wasn’t too sure what to expect of Progreso, there’s little written about it and photos online are a bit hit and miss.
We decided to investigate it, taking the plunge to spend Christmas at an end of the road beach town. Progreso turned out to be just what we needed, the perfect laid back foil to Tulum’s excess.
We loved it so much that we extended our stay there.
Read on to find out more about whether Progreso is worth visiting and the best things to do in Progreso, Mexico.
Don’t have time to read the full post?
Short of time? Here are our top picks for Progreso😊
Tours 🎫
Accommodation 🏨
- BUDGET: Hotel Maria’s Nicte Ha or Hostel Aabilo’ob
- MID-RANGE: Playa Linda or beach villa with a private pool
Is Progreso worth visiting?
If you’re looking for a very laid back beach resort in the Yucatan Peninsular, Progreso is a really good choice. It is not an upmarket resort, but it has an authentic feeling as many Mexicans visit here to spend a day at the beach.
The beach is the star of the show, with a 6km long stretch of sand and mostly calm water and a promenade running parallel. The town itself is buzzy, a bit chaotic and wild. Whilst the beach is family friendly, but bustling and with a bit of a party vibe. Progreso is not quaint, nor is it a cliche pretty resort, but it is gritty, fun and has an underlying “feel good” vibe.
Progreso is also known for three more things. It’s a dog friendly beach so popular with pooch owners. The seafood is fabulous. And it has the world longest pier – 7km+. So if you like any of those things, you’re in for a treat.
How much time do you need in Progreso
Progreso is a small town, but one you can easily while away quite a few days in without really noticing.
Each day gently melts away into the next one, lulled by margaritas and the sound of the ocean. If you’re a real beach bum, and happy to amble about the same promenade many times, then you could easily lose a week to Progreso.
Especially when the weather is good. However, if you’re likely to want something a bit more scintillating after a few days and you want to to visit other attractions in the area, then we suggest limiting your visit to two or three days maximum.
Can you take a day trip to Progreso from Merida?
If your time is short and you just want to briefly visit the beach, you can actually take a really easy day trip to Progreso from Merida.
It’s fairly easy to get to Progreso for the day, either via public transport or driving. Buses run from Merida every ten to fifteen minutes throughout the day and take around 45 minutes. Find out more about how to get to Progreso below.
Can you swim in Progreso?
Progreso has miles of sandy beaches and yes you can swim in Progreso. In my experience, the sea wasn’t quite as clear as in other beaches, for example on Holbox. But it was still very pleasant to swim in Progreso.
Fun things to do in Progreso Mexico
Progreso is really all about the beach, it’s far less about “things to do” and far more about letting the sun and sound of reggaeton lull you into a deep relaxation!
That said, there are some great fun things to do in Progreso. Here are our favorites.
1/ Visit the beach
The star of the show in Progreso is undoubtedly the beach. Progreso boasts one of the longest beaches in Mexico, with a continuous stretch of sandy coastline extending for approximately 6.5 kilometers (about 4 miles). T
he beach in Progreso is known for its gradual slope and calm waters, making it a popular destination for swimming, sunbathing, and various water activities.
The beach is completely public access, so you can pop your towel down anywhere you like and enjoy your day. If you’d prefer an umbrella, there are many beach bars that will rent chairs and umbrellas so long as you’re buying drinks.
They are generally quite reasonably priced and don’t charge a fee for the chairs. But, note these are chairs and not sun loungers.
If you prefer to take your own drinks and food, the Mexican way is to grab drinks from local supermarkets along the beach. You’ll see lots of people drinking Micheladas, tomato juice and beer, in large cups. The supermarkets sell polystyrene cool boxes and ice, so you can set yourself up nicely for the day.
2 /Laze in a beach club
If you prefer something a bit more upmarket, there is a beach club in Progreso. Silcer Beach club is found to the East of the beach here.
Food and drink prices are a little higher than elsewhere in Progreso, and you have to pay to get it. But you can enjoy the pool and lounge chairs, as well as other facilities.
3/ Walk the Promenade with a Marquesita
Our favorite pastime in Progreso was to walk the promenade- the town’s iconic Malecon. Whether day or night, there’s something happening. Wander along and browse the various stalls, or grab a Marquesita to eat.
This is a Yucatan staple, a crepe filled with salty cheese and sometimes Nutella (an odd combo but absolutely delicious.)
If you want to get a bit active during your time in Progreso, then the promenade makes an excellent morning run. There are many joggers out as the sun rises. There’s also an outdoor gym on the beach.
4/ Partake in happy hour
Walk along the promenade at sunset and you’ll find numerous bars offering happy hours. This is the perfect opportunity to try an ice cold margarita as you watch the sun go down over the beach.
5/ Enjoy seafood
With 6km of sea, it would be madness to come to Progreso and not try some of the famous fish and sea food.
The places along the beach front promenade are more upscale, some a little generic. But if you get away from the main drag you can find some wonderful seafood restaurants serving up fresh fish with the spiciest salsa and ice cold beers. We recommend Restaurante Los Cocos II.
6/ Visit a nature reserve and cenote
Reserva Ecologica El Corchito is a small nature reserve on the outskirts of Progreso. A great way to spend a few hours away from the beach.
Getting there is also an adventure, park up or walk to the car park and a little boat will take you to the reserve. This is included in your ticket price of 120 Pesos.
In the nature reserve you’ll find racoons and other animals, some walking trails and cenotes to swim in.
How to get to Progeso from Merida
Getting to Progreso from Mérida, the capital city of the Yucatán state in Mexico, is relatively straightforward. Progreso is situated about 36 kilometers (approximately 22 miles) north of Mérida. You can travel to Progreso from further afield, such as a Valladolid, but you’ll have to go via Merida.
Renting a car and driving is an option, you can expect the drive to take between 30 and 40 minutes – but it can be more if traffic coming out of Merida is bad.
Bus from Merida to Progreso
Another very reliable and easy option is to take a public bus. The bus runs regularly, around every 10 to 15 minutes throughout the day. The journey takes approximately 45 minutes depending on traffic out of Merida.
The bus stop in Merida can be found here towards the south of the centre of Merida. You don’t need to book ahead, just turn up to grab a ticket and hop on board. The kiosks marked “taquilla” sell tickets. You can expect to pay 25 Pesos ($2) each way – choose either one way or a return, either way it costs the same.
The bus is quite basic, but comfortable. You can expect rudimentary aircon, but no bathrooms. Luggage is taken onto the bus, rather than placed underneath in storage and seats are allocated on a first come first served basis.
To return to Merida, you can take the bus from the bus station in the centre of Progreso – found here.
Best time of year to visit Progreso
The best time to visit Progreso, Mexico, depends on your preferences for weather, crowd levels, and specific activities. Generally, Progreso experiences a tropical climate with distinct wet and dry seasons.
The period from November to April offers the most pleasant weather, characterized by warm temperatures and lower humidity. Daytime temperatures range from the mid-70s to mid-80s Fahrenheit (24-30°C).
From December to February is the peak season, with many international and Mexican tourists flocking to the coast. The Christmas Holidays and carnival time (February) are the busiest times in Progreso.
Note, if you visit at Christmas, you can expect most of the restaurants and bars in Progreso to remain open. Apart from a few small shops being closed, it feels much like a normal day – just more jovial!
Where to stay in Progreso
Progreso has a good range of accommodation, but we recommend booking early during the busy seasons to avoid disappointment.
It isn’t such a large resort as others in this area of Mexico and things can get booked up quickly. Check out Booking.Com, Airbnb and Vrbo for the best deals in Progreso.
Here are some of our recommendations for places to stay in Progreso.
BUDGET:
One excellent budget option in Progreso is Hotel Maria’s Nicte Ha. We based ourselves at this incredibly clean hotel a few blocks back from the beach. The hospitality is excellent and it has wonderful facilities for a 2 star property.
If you have a smaller budget, then consider Hostel Aabilo’ob which is close to the beach and offers dorm style accommodation.
MID-RANGE:
Playa Linda is one of the most popular mid-range hotels in Progreso. It offers three star accommodation in a beach front location for a very reasonable price. Guests particularly love the location and cleanliness of the property.
For a larger group of family, there are a number of rental properties in Progreso close to the beach. This condo sleeps a family and offers a beach front location. Booking.com also offers a similar beach villa with a private pool for up to six people.
Where to next in the Yucatan?
- Cancun – beaches & food
- Tulum – beaches, yoga and nightlife
- Holbox – island paradise
- Bacalar – paddle boarding and relaxing
- Celestun – flamingos & laid back beach
- Progreso – fun beach town
- Sian Ka’an – nature reserve
- Merida – gastronomic city & culture
- Campeche – glamorous historical city
- Valladolid – history & culture
Written by Emma
Wine Lover. Yogi. Hiker. Writer.
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