EZ4U2CY

It really depends on what you are looking for.

Holy Guacamole has a rope swing and a cliff jump.

Hole Enchilada - Open / has a cliff jump and a platform jump.

Hole Enchilada - Cavern / has a small jump from the stairs, but the Cenote in itself is spectacular with amazing stalactites on the ceiling and under the water. So a better snorkel.

We got back to the port with time to spare, so was able to do a little shopping too.

They have great TripAdvisor reviews from other cruisers, so they got back!

Local companies depend on cruise guests and it is imperative to get their clients back.

Dzibilchaltun has temples and structures (but no pyramids). It really depends on what you are looking for.

If you look at their Website they have a page for SHORE EXCURSIONS and a page for TOURS.

Got to the Shore Excursions Page ... those are the ones that were designed for cruisers.|

RUINS / PYRAMIDS - There are numerous sites within traveling distance from Progreso:

Xcambo - 35 minutes and easily accessible by taxi or local guide. This is a very small ruin site with 2 small pyramids and a few other smaller structures.

Dzibilchaltun - 35 minutes. This is a medium sized site with temples, various structures and a surface pond-like cenote. There are no pyramids at this site. Air-conditioned museum, restaurant and gift shop on site. You are not permitted to carry bags onto this site unless they are fully-transparent. Lockers are available. Available by taxi, through cruise ship and by local companies.

Mayapan - 1 hour drive. This is a medium-sized site with Pyramids, Structures and ancient Maya observatory. You are still permitted to climb the pyramids here !! This is a less crowded site and sometimes you have it all t yourself ! Available through YucatanCenote .com

Uxmal - 1.5 hour dive. This is a large site with incredible details and a variety of Pyramids and structures. Most of the structures you are permitted to climb, however the main Pyramid is corded off. This is a popular site and there is a good chance that you will be sharing it with tour buses. Available through your cruise ship, YucatanCenote .com and Lawsons Excursions.

Chichen-Itza - 2 hour drive (by bus) or 1.45 (by car). Considering the driving distance to this site, it would probably be wise to take a ship excursion. This is a very popular site and one of the Wonders of the World and, as such, you will be sharing the site with bus loads of tourists and vendors. Available through cruise ship.

Not a concern. You get back 1-1.5 hours before the ship leaves. The private companies depend upon tourism, especially from cruise ships. If you look on TripAdvisor at the company, you will see many reviews from happy cruisers.

My husband, son and I fished with them in May 2017. Legit, friendly, fun, and very good new equipment.

They pick you up at the cruise shuttle terminal in Progreso, take you fishing, only 5 minutes away, then take you to a restaurant where they will fry up your catch for lunch. We have gone out with them a total of 3 times in the past 2 years. I believe that there are current TripAdvisor reviews and they recently received an award of excellence. Enjoy!

Uxmal is about 1hr 30 minutes away and accessible by 2-lane highway (no tolls).

Chichen Itza is about 1hr 45min-2 hours away. Note that the 4 lane highway to Chichen Itza is a TOLL road, so I would assume that the Taxi driver may also charge you for the tolls. I think about $15-$20 USD for tolls.

When paying for the taxi driver, consider that he is not only driving you 4 hours, but also waiting around for you at the site. I am not sure what the cost would be - but be generous with your tip.

There may be a language barrier if you do not know Spanish. Perhaps, google translate your instructions on paper and hand it over to the taxi driver so that he understands that you need him to drive you back to Progreso.

If you want a private tour to Uxmal, contact YucatanCenote .com Eco-Aventuras and ask for a Custom Uxmal tour. They use private cars for groups of 1-3 and private vans for larger groups.

I realize that this is an old thread. I am fairly new to cruise critic and just had to respond.. in case someone would like to know in the future.

Yes, there is some truly amazing Cenote snorkeling available through a private local tour company from the port of Progreso called YucatanCenote.com Eco-Aventuras. I have gone out with them three times already, to different Cenotes each time. Very unique and very authentic. They do not take you to the commercialized Cenotes, they take you to the natural beauties out there. They told me that there are an estimated 6000 Cenotes in Yucatan. They supplied us with masks, snorkels and life jackets. The equipment was good and clean, however I did bring my own snorkel. No fins provided and really not required anyway. Had fun and will go again.

Yes you can do Pyramids, Cenote and Lunch through a company called YucatanCenote.com We have done it several times. We visited Mayapan ruins and the other time we visited Uxmal ruins... both times with an amazing Cenote and lunch. It can be done from the port of Progreso.

Cenote Xlacah at Dzibilchaltun is a surface Cenote (similar to a pond) and, as such, is exposed to the natural elements of the weather. In the rainy season the Cenote may not be as clear and beautiful as the rest of the year.

I've been to Progreso several times. I have visited Dzibilchaltun and I have gone on other shore excursions.

If you are looking for cavern Cenotes that are always crystal clear and not subject to the natural elements, may I recommend going on an excursion with YucatanCenote.com Eco-Aventuras. The Cenotes that they take you to are perfect, year round. . and they will do a pyramid/cenote combo tour too.

They now have 231 Five Star Reviews on TripAdvisor! I have gone out with this company three times already and was never disappointed. Amazing and authentic off the beaten path private Adventures. Go for it!

Cuban cigars in Progreso. Go to the Cuba shop. They go to Cuba every other month to stock up on fresh, quality Cuban cigars. These are the real thing. Located 1.5 blocks from the beach in Progreso... about 5 doors down from the corner of Calle 80 and Calle 21. Yellow front store with Made in Cuba on the front.

I would recommend a Private shore excursion with the Cenote specialists .. YucatanCenote.com Eco-Aventuras. They have no age or group size restrictions and, as it is private, it is perfect for a grad class. I have gone on different excursions with them. Cenote only as well as a Pyramid/Cenote combo. Their tours includes a delicious meal, beverages and all admissions.

CAR RENTALS - Reserve in advance!

As the cars are usually stored 1/2 hour from Progreso, it is important to reserve ahead of time so that the car will be waiting for you upon arrival.

- Mayan Fast Wheels = MayanRentACar .com

- Yucatan Vacations Car Rental = YucatanVacations .com

- Roger Rent-a-Car = emilio_crespo4@hotmail.com................ THEY HAVE ONE JEEP

Your pier is 4 miles long. There are Free ship to shore shuttles running all day and $10 Taxi rides. The free shuttles will drop you off at one of two random stops in Progreso - either the covered shuttle terminal, which is 3 blocks from the Free beach; or the tented artisans market which is 1 block from the Free beach.

FISHING in the Ria/Lagoon of Progreso

- Top-water fishing with an American B.A.S.S. Pro fisherman for Speckled Sea Trout, Snook and Tarpon. Contact Randy at Progreso Yucatan Mexico Fishing Tours / YucatanSnook .com. He will pick you up at the shuttle terminal . . so convenient! Fish with Randy in the morning and have the afternoon free for beach, shopping, massages or sipping margaritas under a palapa - advance reservation only.

Dzibilchaltun is about 30 minutes from Progreso. You can take a taxi from Progreso if you want. There is a surface cenote swimming hole there, with a shallow end and a deep end. Note that you are not permitted to bring bags or backpacks into Dzibilchaltun unless they are fully transparent. They do have lockers where you can store your stuff.

A few months back I went on a Young Adventurer excursion with a company called YucatanCenote.com Eco-Aventuras Shore Excursions. They are a private local company who have designed a series of 3 different young adventurous family-friendly excursions. Pyramids, Cenotes and delicious meal. Because it is all private, you are on your own schedule and not that of everyone else.

Cenote X'Batun is in a jungle like setting with rock cliffs on one side and a valley on the other side. I would recommend water shoes at this Cenote. There are shallow spots where you can wade and it gets deeper at a few other spots. No jumping areas really at this Cenote.

Cenote Kankirixche has brand new stairs down into the Cenote with a viewing spot half way down the stairs. The depths ranges from 3 feet to 65 feet. This is a cavern Cenote with a large opening that allows for natural sunlight. There is a beautiful underwater (and above ceiling) galleries of stalactites, stalagmites and columns. Very pretty Cenote. Climb on the rocks at the far right of the Cenote where you can jump into the depths.

I went on a Cenote and Maya Ruin day with a company called YucatanCenote.com Eco-Aventuras. They specialize in Cenotes and will do a cenote only day or a combo cenote/ruin day. We had a blast!

Two ways to do a DIY to Merida.

1. Take the Free ship to shore shuttle from the ship to the AutoProgreso "covered building" bus terminal. The public buses are only 1/2 block past the Auto Progreso building, across the street. You cannot miss it. You can actually see it from the AutoProgreso building.

2. Take a Taxi from the ship off the pier and ask to go to Merida. There are plenty of Taxis and Taxi vans. available.

If you never went to Merida before, ask the taxi to go down Paseo de Montejo (the main road with the mansions) and to drop you off at Plaza Grande at the Cathedral. That is where its all happening.

It will take approx. 45 minutes.

RUINS / PYRAMIDS - There are numerous sites within traveling distance from Progreso:

Xcambo - 35 minutes and easily accessible by taxi or local guide. This is a small ruin site with 2 pyramids and a few other smaller structures.

Dzibilchaltun - 35 minutes and easily accessible by taxi or local guide. This is a medium sized site with temples, various structures and a surface cenote. There are no pyramids at this site. Air-conditioned museum, restaurant and gift shop on site. You are not permitted to carry bags onto this site unless they are fully-transparent. Lockers are available.

Mayapan - 1 hour drive. You can hire a local tour company, such as YucatanCenote Eco-Aventuras / YucatanCenote .com (advance reservation only) to take you to this site. This is a medium-sized site with Pyramids, Structures and ancient Maya observatory. You are still permitted to climb the pyramids here !! This is a less crowded site and sometimes you have it all t yourself !

Uxmal - 1.5 hour dive. You can hire a local tour company such as Lawsons Excursions or YucatanCenote .com Eco-Aventuras (both advance reservation only and you have to specifically request Uxmal) or take a Carnival excursion to this site. This is a large site with incredible details and a variety of Pyramids and structures. Most of the structures you are permitted to climb, however the main Pyramid is corded off. This is a popular site and there is a good chance that you will be sharing it with tour buses.

Chichen-Itza - 2 hour drive (by bus) or 1.45 (by car). Considering the driving distance to this site, it would probably be wise to take a Carnival excursion. This is a very popular site and one of the Wonders of the World and, as such, you will be sharing the site with bus loads of tourists and vendors.

BEACHES - The only beach actually “in” Progreso is free. Loungers, Jet-skis, banana boats, and sea kayaks are available to rent. The coast along Progreso is all sand and there are NO reefs in or near Progreso. If you are looking for ocean snorkeling, I would recommend doing that in Cozumel. There are a few all-inclusive and pay-as-you-go beaches within 10-40 minutes from Progreso that are offered by Carnival or other local tour operators:

- Silcer Club = 10 min

- Sian Ka’n = 15 min

- Technotel = 35 min

- Reef Club = 35 min

I hope that this post will provide you with an overview of expectations when visiting the port of Progreso. First thing you need to note is that Progreso is not overly commercialized or touristized as in many other ports. Progreso has been able to retain its identity as a Mexican fishing port. You will truly feel that you are in a different country.

GET OFF THE SHIP - Your pier is 4 miles long. There are Free ship to shore shuttles running all day and $10 Taxi rides. The free shuttles will drop you off at one of two random stops in Progreso - either the covered shuttle terminal, which is 3 blocks from the Free beach; or the tented artisans market which is 1 block from the Free beach.

BEACHES - The only beach actually “in” Progreso is free. Loungers, Jet-skis, banana boats, and sea kayaks are available to rent. The coast along Progreso is all sand and there are NO reefs in or near Progreso. If you are looking for ocean snorkeling, I would recommend doing that in Cozumel. There are a few all-inclusive and pay-as-you-go beaches within 10-40 minutes from Progreso that are offered by Carnival or other local tour operators:

- Silcer Club = 10 min

- Sian Ka’n = 15 min

- Technotel = 35 min

- Reef Club = 35 min

SHOPPING is plentiful and both USD and MxPesos is honored on cruise days. If you pay in USD, there is a chance that your change will be in Pesos, so bring small bills. Taxes are always included in the price. Feel free to barter prices, however be reasonable and respectful as this is the main income for many of the people.

Authentic hand carved wooden pieces can be found at the Artisan market. Martin will create masterpieces as you watch - - authentic!

Good quality leather pieces and authentic Mayan textiles can be found at The Leather Store Bolom Balam store. A portion of all proceeds of sale is donated towards school supplies for the local poor.

DONATE TO THE LESS-FORTUNATE - The Leather Store Bolom Balam will accept donations of new and gently used school supplies, toys, shoes, backpacks etc.which will be distributed to the Maya poor. Contacts are Richard or Erick. Location: 3 doors down from the corner of Calle 80 and Calle 21 (on Calle 80) and only 1 block from the beach. (Red dot on map attached).

MASSAGES - pamper yourself to an inexpensive massage, either on the beach, in a tent-like setting, or in an air-conditioned room for approximately $15-$25 USD. You will be glad that you did! Massage locations are on the map attached.

LOCAL SIGHTSEEING - sightseeing double-decker buses will take you around the fishing village of Progreso for about $5. Hitch a ride at each shuttle station & at the statue at the entrance to the free beach.

RESTAURANTS are plenty. Local Mexican and expat owned. Most restaurants are Yucatecan cuisine and have bilingual menus and staff (on cruise days). Some serve meals/drinks under shade palapas on the beach. Look for 2 for 1 deals, Free tequila shots, $1 Beers and $10 buckets of beers. If you are hankering more “familiar food”, there is a Dominos Pizza (1/2 block from the beach) and Subway (across from the beach). Want to fancy it up? try MayaKa or Crabsters restaurants directly across from the beach. Remember, as in most ports, the restaurants closer to the beach are more expensive than ones a block or two away from the beach. If you are looking for cheap authentic eats, I would recommend visiting the Farmers Market - the big Green Building about 3 blocks from the beach (see map attached).

MANGROVE KAYAKING - La Ria Kayak and Padleboard is only 5 mintues away and is a bargain at $15-$20 USD. Single and double kayaks available. A quaint and affordable on-site restaurant specializes in fish, shrimp and tacos. Hop into a Taxi, ask for “La Ria Kayak”.

EL CORCHITO NATURE RESERVE - is about 5 minutes from Progreso. This is a small nature reserve where you can stroll the paths, swim in mangrove water springs, picnic in the shade and enjoy the local wildlife of raccoon, coati, and birds. Note that these are “surface mangrove springs” (NOT to be confused with the cavern Cenotes that Yucatan is famous for.). Note that during Easter and the summer months, El Corchito may be crowded with local vacationers. Hop into a Taxi and ask for“El Corchito”.

SCOOTER / ATV RENTALS - There are limited scooter and ATV rentals located on the main road Calle 80 just outside of the shuttle terminal of the artisans market, a block of the beach . . one at La Corona de Pancho Villa restaurant, and the other across the street a few doors down near the Dominos Pizza. (See blue dots on map)

Enjoy - - Progreso - so much to experience !