Progreso

Progreso is a Gulf coast port in Yucatán, about 40 minutes from Mérida. Go for a beach afternoon, a seafood lunch and a walk out on the pier.

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Progreso is a port on the Gulf of Mexico coast of Yucatán state, in southeastern Mexico. Mérida, the state capital, is about 40 minutes away, which makes a day trip practical. The seafront has the long pier, seafood restaurants facing the water and sandy beaches.

Go for a beach afternoon, a seafood lunch and a walk out on the pier. Flamingo stops and Maya sites are within reach, so the coast pairs with a half-day outing. Pick one plan for the day rather than trying to cover the whole coast. Stay overnight if you want slower evenings and early walks on the sand. The drier months, roughly November to April, suit a beach trip, but wind can change conditions on any day, so check before you swim.

Progreso in five

Take the bus or a taxi from MéridaBuses and shared vans link Mérida and Progreso in about 40 to 60 minutes and run frequently. A taxi or rental car is easier if you plan to stop at Xcambó or the coastal towns.
Walk the malecón at golden hourThe seafront promenade and the very long pier define the town's skyline. Go in the late afternoon, when the heat eases and the pier fills with fishers and families.
Eat seafood lunch, not breakfastMost seaside restaurants hit their stride from midday, serving fish, ceviche and shrimp. Ask about the day's catch and avoid empty places with menus aimed only at cruise passengers.
Check the wind before you commit to swimmingWinter northern fronts called nortes bring cooler, choppy days, usually November to February. Summers are calm and hot, with warm, shallow, cloudy water.
Add Chicxulub, Xcambó or CelestúnSmall side trips along the coast reach a Maya site and a flamingo estuary. The estuary is across the peninsula, so choose one direction per day.Celestún

Things to do in Progreso

See all attractions in Progreso

Sight · ProgresoCathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexicali

Sight · ProgresoCerro El Centinela

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to ProgresoPut the places you like in Progreso on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Airport: Mérida (MID), about 45 to 60 min by road
Getting there: Bus or van from Mérida, rental car or taxi
Getting around: Walking along the malecón; taxi to nearby beaches
Best base: Near the malecón for a first night
Time needed: A day trip, or 1 to 2 nights

Weather by month

Rainy days
Days with storms

Best
Good
Mixed

JanuaryPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh26°Low21°Nortes, windy
FebruaryClear4 rainy daysHigh28°Low22°Dry, breezy
MarchClear3 rainy daysHigh29°Low23°Dry, warm
AprilClear3 rainy daysHigh31°Low24°Hot, calm sea
MayClear5 rainy daysHigh32°Low25°Very hot
JuneRain14 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh31°Low25°Rains begin
JulyPartly cloudy12 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh31°Low25°Hot, humid
AugustRain16 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh31°Low26°Hot, humid
SeptemberRain17 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh31°Low26°Storm risk
OctoberRain15 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh29°Low25°Hurricane risk
NovemberPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh27°Low24°Nortes begin
DecemberPartly cloudy7 rainy daysHigh27°Low22°Cool, windy

Average daily high and low in Progreso, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Progreso

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 30°
Humidity: 77%
Wind: 14 km/h
Chance of rain: 43%

Progreso

02:36 PM

Monday, November 2

GMT-6

Today28°24°43%Monday: Clear. High 28°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 43%.
Tue28°24°57%Tuesday: Clear. High 28°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 57%.
Wed28°24°31%Wednesday: Clear. High 28°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 31%.
Thu28°24°24%Thursday: Partly cloudy. High 28°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 24%.
Fri28°24°28%Friday: Clear. High 28°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 28%.
Sat29°24°27%Saturday: Clear. High 29°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 27%.
Sun29°24°41%Sunday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 41%.

Updated 12:20 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 18.81 MXN

Amount

Converted to

MXN · Mexican Peso

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

Day trips by train

Méridaabout 40 to 60 min by busColonial plazas, markets and the center of Yucatán.Read the guide
Celestúnabout 1 hour 30 min by carFlamingos, mangroves and a quiet beach on the west coast.Read the guide
Chicxulub and Xcambóabout 20 to 30 min by carSmall Gulf coast stops: a beach town named for the impact crater and a coastal Maya site.

Before you go to Progreso

Rental car from MéridaFor Xcambó, Celestún and beachesCompare cars

Seafront staysSmall hotels, houses and apartmentsCheck availability

eSIM for YucatánMaps and rides on the Gulf coastRead the guide

Travel insurance for MexicoBeach days, heat and hurricane delaysRead the guide

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Rules for Progreso, checked

Many nationalities enter Mexico without a visa. You receive a tourist permit (FMM) on arrival. Confirm your status at gob.mx/sre before you book.Source
Declare cash above the legal limit on the customs form. Check the current amount with SAT (sat.gob.mx) before you travel.Source
Dial 911 for police, fire or an ambulance anywhere in Mexico.
Tipping waiters and taxi drivers is customary. Check the bill first, since some restaurants add a service charge.

Plan around Progreso

All of Mexico

Beaches, colonial cities, ruins and highlands

Read the guide Mérida

The colonial base 40 minutes inland

Read the guide Celestún

Flamingos and mangrove boat trips

Read the guide Yucatán Peninsula

Colonial cities, cenotes and the coast

Read the guide Getting around Mexico

Buses, vans and rental cars

Read the guide

Progreso FAQ

Is Progreso worth visiting?

As a beach-and-seafood day trip from Mérida, yes. It is a working port, not a resort, so the water is shallow and the town is simple. Stay a night only if you want sunsets and quiet.

How do you get from Mérida to Progreso?

By bus or van in under an hour from Mérida, or by taxi or rental car. Services run frequently during the day, so there is rarely a need to book a seat ahead.

Is Progreso beach good for swimming?

The water is warm and shallow, with a gentle slope, so it suits wading and families. It is not clear turquoise like the Caribbean coast, and winter fronts can make the sea rough.

What is the best time to go to Progreso?

February to April is dry, warm and calm. Summer is hot with afternoon storms. Late summer to early autumn carries hurricane risk, and winter northern fronts bring wind and cooler days.

Should I stay in Progreso or Mérida?

Mérida for food, museums and nightlife, with Progreso as a day trip. Stay in Progreso if you plan several beach days and prefer a quiet shore over city streets.