4 to 5 hours ashore
Progreso beach
- Ride the free shuttle down the pier.
- Walk the malecón and swim at the beach.
Rather book it? A short Mérida city tour.
Progreso shore excursions
The cruise port for Mexico's Yucatán: a gateway to Chichén Itzá, colonial Mérida, and swimming in cenotes.
Getting ashoreShips dock at the end of one of the world's longest piers, about 4 miles out to sea. A free shuttle bus runs along it to the terminal and the town's seafront promenade.
Progreso port day essentials
read this before you book
Which pier you're at
The long pierShips dock at the end of a pier about 4 miles long. You can't walk it; a free shuttle bus runs to town in about 10 to 15 minutes.
Progreso townThe shuttle stops near the beach and the malecón (seafront promenade), lined with restaurants.
Mérida, the colonial city most people visit, is about 30 minutes inland.
Taxis
Taxis and tour vans wait where the shuttle stops. For Mérida or the ruins, most cruisers book a tour.
Money
Mexican pesos. US dollars are accepted near the shuttle stop and along the malecón; change may come back in pesos.
Language
Spanish. English is spoken at the shops and restaurants that serve cruise visitors.
Back on board
All-aboard is usually 30 minutes before sailing; your ship's daily planner has the exact time. Allow time for the shuttle back along the pier, and the line for it late in the day.
Last checked November 2026. Prices change; confirm before you pay.
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Plan your day in Progreso
pick by your time ashore
6 to 8 hours ashore
Mérida
- Drive about 30 minutes to Mérida.
- See the Plaza Grande, the cathedral and Paseo de Montejo.
Rather book it? A Mérida tour, often with Dzibilchaltún ruins.
9 hours or more
Uxmal or Chichén Itzá
- Chichén Itzá is over 2 hours each way; Uxmal is a little closer.
- Only go on a long call.
Rather book it? A ruins tour that guarantees your return to the ship.
Times are approximate. Whatever you choose, plan to be back at the pier an hour before all-aboard. Compare tours for each idea below.
Compare Progreso tours
Start times and meeting points vary by tour. Check them against your ship's schedule before you book.
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Progreso tours from GetYourGuide
GetYourGuide's own search results for Progreso, in GetYourGuide's order. Check each tour's start time and meeting point against your ship's schedule.
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Progreso tours from Shore Excursions Group
Shore Excursions Group sells tours built around cruise ship schedules, backed by their guarantee to get you back to the ship. Their tours aren't listed on this page; browse them on their site.
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Scout's notes on Progreso
Short port days
Progreso's beach and seafront promenade are right where the pier shuttle drops you off. The Mayan site of Dzibilchaltún, with its swimmable cenote, is about half an hour away.
Long port days
Chichén Itzá, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, is the big draw, but it's roughly two hours each way. The colonial city of Mérida is about 40 minutes away, and many tours pair it with a cenote swim or a visit to a hacienda.
Getting back on time
Allow time for the shuttle along the pier on the way back, since lines can build when several ships are in. Chichén Itzá makes for a long day, so book it only on a full port call, ideally with a return-to-ship guarantee.
the pier shuttle line builds when ships arrive
From fellow cruisers
Tips from people who've been, read by us before they go up.
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