Progreso - Your Favorites?

[watercarving]

We will be in Progreso in a couple of weeks with Carnival.  Looking to either go to Uxmal or relax and see some authentic Mexico.  If you have been to Progreso how would you advise us?

 

1. Favorite restaurant(s) in Progreso?
2. Are the massages worth the $10-$20 cost?
3. Are the vendors that relentless?
4. Is it easy to use AutoProgreso to get to Merida, have fun in Merida, and get back to Progreso?
5. Would Uxmal be a better day than just hanging out and relaxing?

 

Trying to make our final decision.  Thanks!

 

[watercarving]

We are really leaning towards taking a relaxing day in the town of Progreso just to get a feel for it.  Never been there and it sounds fun to hang out in a more authentic Mexican town that a tourist port.  Here's a list of places we may try based on a lot of research off the web.  We are more interested in the local touch than the more "Americanized" ones.

 

1. Food
   1. Cheaper - More local?
      1. Sol y Mar - Calles 78 - Local, cheap, and highly rated
      2. Barlovento - Calles 80 - Local, affordable, ex-pats eat here
      3. Cochinita & Lechon El Naranjo - in Market.  Get the Cochinita (pork)
      4. Recommend food stalls in the market.  Fun and cheap. Recommended by several
   2. Recommended by an Expat
      1. Los Henequenes - Trip Advisor says ugh…
      2. Milk Bar - not local? Malecon and Calles 74
      3. Maya-ka - hammocks? - Malecon and Calles 74
2. Activities
   1. Progreso Bus Tour - $9?
   2. La Ria Kayak - Kayak Mangroves - Get Taxi
   3. El Corchito - Nature Reserve - Get Taxi
3. Shopping
   1. At port….may be the usual stuff
   2. Market in Progreso
   3. Bolom Balam - Leather store - Highly recommended, but not sure of prices. - Calles 80.
       

[WisRiver]

Food:

 

Cheap, local food will be in the market.  Sol y Mar and Barlovento are ex-pat hangouts when cruisers are not in town.  If you like drinking and eating with Canadians and Americans, these are places to go.   We like to go to Eladios, on the beach.  Locals as well as ex-pats like the botanas (snacks) that accompany drinks. 

 

If you have kids, El Corchito is a good option.  Not so sure if it works for adults. 

 

There will be numerous vendors in the Progreso area.  

 

Bolom Balam may have want you want, but you have to decide if you think the prices are reasonable.  The owner has been there for at least 8 years.    We think he offers good quality for the money.  Since we winter near Progreso, if there is a problem with a purchase at Bolom Balam, we can return to repair or exchange.  A cruiser may not be able to make a return. 

[watercarving]

Thanks for the information.  We are excited to get off the beaten path a little and just hang in a real town.  I know it's only for one day, but we really enjoy that type of experience when we get to have it.