Saturday, April 13, 2024

Costa Maya vs Progresso: Which Port Will Be Best?

cruise port in progreso yucatan mexico

If you read on less accurate port reviews that you can walk from the cruise terminal to the city of Progreso, be aware that it is a 4-mile long walk in the sweltering Mexican sun. However, the city of Progreso has attractions which can be enjoyed on foot. When you arrive into town, you’ll be dropped off at a bus station. Keep in mind that the last bus leaves an hour before the ship departs — so be sure to get back to the bus station at least an hour an a half before your ship departs. Where is the shuttle pickup to go down the Progreso Pier and into town?

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Have you done the Caribbean and you’re looking for something new? Are you looking for a beautiful and relaxing getaway to Mexico? If you have booked a tour, then your tour guide will meet you at the terminal buildings. Excursions to the area are available through the cruise line or you can arrange private tours yourself. For those interested in Mexican history and architecture, Merida has a lot to offer. The city was founded in 1542 — about 235 years before the United States.

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Cruise visitors will only find a few shops in Progreso, but there a few convenient places to buy local souvenirs and regional crafts. The cruise port in Progreso has a pleasant ambiance, the area is neat and well kept. For the most part, Progreso is safe but advisable to use caution in crowded areas. The local population tends to be good-natured, polite, helpful and speak English reasonably well. For those cruising with families, there are a quite few fun things to do. Cruise passengers with disabilities or with walking difficulties will not find it too challenging to wander around in Progreso on your own.

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There is a duty-free shopping area at the terminal, as well as quite a few other vendors where you can purchase souvenirs, including Mexico’s famed vanilla and silver products . There is a variety of other merchandise, restrooms, restaurants, bars, and even a pool with in-water seating to enjoy a drink. There are a number of excursions offered through the cruise line that will offer trips to nearby cenotes from Progreso. The trips will include transportation and usually have lunch as well. Grab a Drink or Souvenir at the PortWhile the pier in Progreso is long, you don’t have to go far for something to do.

Progreso Excursions

While some cruise ports may sit offshore and tender passengers into the port, other ports are simply docks that sit just a few hundred feet from the shore. Thanks to Progreso’s famously long pier, visitors can hop off the ship and onto a free shuttle that will take them into the city. Smaller Mayan ruins are located at Xcambo, Uxmal, Mayapan and especially Dzibilchaltun, which is only 12 miles from the port. Shore excursions to these ruins sometimes include a beach break. Otherwise, most of the activities with the Progreso area involve cruise ship excursions.

Crowning the tip of Mexico’s Yucatan peninsula and lined with palm-fringed white sand beaches, the charming town of Progreso is a popular stop for cruise ships. Let’s explore the top things to do during your stop at the tropical cruise destination of Progreso, Mexico. To ease the transportation needs of cruise travelers, Progreso offers a convenient shuttle bus service within the port area. The shuttle buses are readily available upon disembarking from the cruise ship and offer a hassle-free way to navigate the surroundings. These buses are typically operated by authorized local tour operators or the port authority itself, ensuring reliable and safe transportation for visitors.

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The ruins are about 98 miles or a nearly two-hour drive from the port. Because of its western location, it is more likely a port of call for cruises that begin in Gulf of Mexico ports such as Galveston and New Orleans instead of cruises that begin in Florida. So, it’s better to know how late can you add someone to your carnival cruise trip.

Local Food Specialties in Puerto Progreso

Both Costa Maya and Progreso serve as gateways to Mayan ruins, although each offers access to different archaeological sites. Considered sacred to the Mayans, the underground pools, known as cenotes, offer a refreshing way to spend the tropical afternoon not far from Progreso. Walking amidst the ruins, one can almost hear the echoes of ancient rituals and ceremonies.

Ultimate Mexico Cruise Guide - Royal Caribbean Blog

Ultimate Mexico Cruise Guide.

Posted: Wed, 21 Sep 2022 07:00:00 GMT [source]

cruise port in progreso yucatan mexico

One of the most popular shore excursions is the "Progreso Sightseeing Tour". This tourist bus line travels along the entire town, leaving from the outdoor arts and crafts market (where the free bus shuttle drops cruise tourists off). Discover the beauty of Progreso, a charming port city on the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico. Relax on the expansive sandy beaches, explore the ancient Mayan ruins of Uxmal or Chichen Itza, or take a dip in the refreshing cenotes. Visit the colorful colonial town of Merida, indulge in authentic Yucatecan cuisine, or immerse yourself in the local culture at the bustling markets. Progreso offers a perfect blend of history, natural wonders, and warm hospitality.

The crater, 90 miles in diameter, is hidden underneath the surface and not visible to the human eye. The single impact over 66 million years ago decimated the dinosaurs. This crater seems to be the only reason tourists (mostly scientists) visit the small village.

You will be able to rent a jet ski, kayak or go kiteboarding. If you are in need of a massage, just look for one of the many tents set up along the beach. The beach is just a five minute walk from where the shuttle bus drops you off. Pop-up stalls will appear when ships are in port at the town market. You will be able to get tacos, burritos and enchiladas that are authentically Mexican. The more upscale restaurants are along the beachfront Malecon.

But Costa Maya is more focused on beach and resort activities. With both amazing beaches and a close proximity to enchanting ancient Mayan ruins, Progreso is a port of call that should be on everyone’s list of stops. Throw in some amazing Mexican style dining and a bit of fiesta and you have a destination that just can’t be beat. Located in a private beach house overlooking the turquoise blue sea, this intensive cooking and cocktail making class gives you plenty of time to enjoy the fruits of your education. This beach club (of sorts) is a great spot to spend an afternoon and evening. Located east of the main Progreso beach, this beach bar is quiet and much more affordable than food and drink in town.

You'll notice a lot of businesses have dinosaurs as their logo around town. Located on Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, Progreso provides an entryway to some of the most well-known Mayan historical sites, including Chichen Itza (100 miles away) and Uxmal (71 miles). The region is also famed for its flamingos and there are more than 2,000 smaller and lesser-known Mayan sites here, too. Xcambo is only minutes away and a tour to Dzibilichaltun (16 miles away) includes a visit to a cenote (a watering hole) where you can swim. The market is known for its vibrant atmosphere and friendly vendors who are always willing to share stories about their creations. For those looking to explore beyond the market, Calle 80 (80th Street) is another must-visit destination for shopping enthusiasts.

ATMs are available near the cruise port area for convenient access to cash if needed. Whether you prefer upscale dining experiences or casual street food adventures, Progreso offers a wide range of culinary delights guaranteed to satisfy any craving. Located just 20 miles north of Mérida, the capital city of Yucatán state, Progreso boasts a convenient cruise port that facilitates easy access for passengers disembarking from their ships.

Chacchoben is located approximately an hour away from Costa Maya’s cruise port. And it offers a less excavated experience compared to more renowned sites like Tulum, Coba, Chichen Itza, and Uxmal. The only ATM is at the bank in the town itself, about a 5-minute walk from where the free bus shuttle drops cruisers off (but most taxis, vendors and guides will happily accept U.S dollars). Please be aware that the market where the free bus shuttle drops cruisers off is NOT the authentic town market, but a tourist replica. The real mercado is around the corner, housed in a slightly decaying, grandiose turquoise building.

You can watch people playing volleyball on the beach, check out vendor’s tables alongside the walkway, duck into a restaurant for a beer or snack, or just take in the sights and sounds of Mexico. Our advice is to bring lots of small bills as you’ll need them. If you can’t find a price you like, don’t be afraid to ask for a lower one or walk away. Right alongside the beach is a nice walkway — a malencon in Spanish-speaking countries — that lets you walk the beach and head into the sand where you want. It will be difficult to find a cruise traveler that has been in Key West whom will not have anything but words of praise for this Port of Call. Ocho Rios is the Editor's favorite Cruise Port in Jamaica close to many highlights, attractions and many hidden gems of the Island.

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