Photo: TSolange, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia CommonsBack to cruises
Overview
Progreso is a beach town on the north coast of Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula and the port for Mérida, the state capital. The water here is so shallow that the pier runs about 6.5 km (4 miles) out to sea; Guinness World Records lists it as the world's longest pier.
There is one cruise terminal, at the end of the pier, and every ship docks there. A free shuttle takes you into town. Pick your line below to see what to expect.
Country
Mexico (Yucatán)
Cruise port
One cruise terminal at the end of a pier about 6.5 km (4 miles) offshore
Getting to town
Free shuttle about every 20 minutes; a 10–20 minute ride to the Malecón area (walking the pier isn't allowed)
Distance to Mérida
About 18 miles: 40–50 minutes by road
Currency
Mexican peso (MXN); US dollars are accepted in many tourist spots
Language
Spanish; English is spoken at the terminal and in many tourist spots
Local time
Central Standard Time all year (no daylight saving)
Where your ship docks
Progreso has a single cruise terminal at the end of its long pier, so every cruise line docks in the same place.
Pick your cruise line:
Progreso Cruise TerminalYour pier
At the end of Progreso's long pier, about 6.5 km (4 miles) out to sea. It's the only cruise terminal in the port.
Used by:Carnival, Royal Caribbean, MSC, Norwegian, Disney
At or near the pier
Duty-free shops at the terminal
A tourist information desk
Authorized taxis
Free shuttle buses into Progreso about every 20 minutes
Getting to town
Free shuttle to the Malecón area in 10–20 minutes; you can't walk the pier
Excursions
Tour pickups meet at the terminal, next to the duty-free shops by the ship.
Photos
A cruise ship at the Progreso terminalPhoto: Whiskey5jda, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
A cruise ship at the Progreso terminalPhoto: Whiskey5jda, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The pier and the Malecón sign in ProgresoPhoto: TSolange, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The Malecón and the old pier at sunsetPhoto: TSolange, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Palm trees along Progreso's MalecónPhoto: J. Magno, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
A wooden pier off the MalecónPhoto: Андрей Бобровский, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
A fishing boat on Progreso beachPhoto: Bernard DUPONT, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Aguachile in ProgresoPhoto: Wotancito, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
A seafood cocktail in ProgresoPhoto: Wotancito, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Fresh coconuts for sale in ProgresoPhoto: lehnin78, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Top things to do
The Malecón and beachProgreso's seafront promenade runs along a long sandy beach, close to the shuttle stop.
MéridaThe Yucatán's colonial capital, with the Plaza Grande, its cathedral and the mansions of Paseo de Montejo, about 40–50 minutes away.
DzibilchaltúnThe closest Mayan site to the port, with the Temple of the Seven Dolls and a cenote.
Chichén ItzáThe famous pyramid of El Castillo. It's a long day: about 2 hours each way, so book a tour timed to your ship.
UxmalMayan ruins known for the Pyramid of the Magician.
Mayapán and cenotesA smaller Mayan city with painted murals, often paired with a cenote swim.
MisnébalamAn abandoned village outside Progreso, visited on ATV tours.
Best beaches
Progreso beachThe town beach in front of the Malecón, a short walk from where the shuttle drops you.
Beach clubsMany tours end with a break at a beach club near Progreso, with loungers, food and drinks.
What cruisers love
The world's longest pierThe shuttle ride out along the pier is a sight in itself.
Big Mayan sitesChichén Itzá, Uxmal and Dzibilchaltún are all within reach on a port day.
Easy beach timeThe Malecón and beach are right by the shuttle stop.
Mérida's colonial charmPlazas, churches and grand old mansions.
Food to try
MarquesitasA crisp rolled crepe, often filled with cheese and Nutella, sold from carts on the Malecón.
Aguachile and seafood cocktailsFresh shrimp and fish with lime and chile at the seafood restaurants.
Cochinita pibilThe Yucatán's slow-cooked achiote pork, in tacos or tortas.
Panuchos and salbutesSmall fried tortillas with toppings, a classic Yucatán snack.
Fresh coconutCold coconut water straight from the shell.
Popular Shore Excursions
Progreso tour pickups meet at the cruise terminal at the end of the pier. Jerrid books tours timed to your ship's hours.
Your pickup:
The closest Mayan site to the port, then time at a beach club.
Prices as of Oct 19, 2026, per person, subject to change.Excursion prices shown are the lowest public "from" prices we found for similar tours; final price depends on date and availability.
Want a tour added to your booking? Tap "Add this to my cruise" and Jerrid will check availability and confirm the pickup point for your pier.
The Temple of the Seven Dolls at DzibilchaltúnPhoto: Bruno Rijsman, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia CommonsCenote Xlacah at DzibilchaltúnPhoto: Bruno Rijsman, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia CommonsThe beach in ProgresoPhoto: DaLoetz, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Dzibilchaltún ruins and beach break
from $85 per personDuration:5 hours
Ride in air-conditioned transport to Dzibilchaltún, where a guide shows you the ruins, including the Temple of the Seven Dolls. Then relax with a break at a private beach club before returning to the ship.
What's included
Air-conditioned transport
Guide at Dzibilchaltún
Beach-club break
What to bring
Comfortable shoes
Swimwear and a towel
Sunscreen and a hat
Small US bills for tips
Meeting point
Pickup is just outside the duty-free stores next to your ship.
The Temple of Kukulcán at MayapánPhoto: Bernard DUPONT, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia CommonsMayapán's main pyramidPhoto: Arian Zwegers, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia CommonsA painted mural at MayapánPhoto: Globetrotteur17, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Mayapán ruins and cenote swim
from $149 per personDuration:5 hours
Spend about an hour exploring the ruins of Mayapán with an English-speaking guide, then about two hours at a cenote, with time to swim in the cool, clear water.
What's included
Pickup at the cruise terminal
Air-conditioned transport
English-speaking guide
Snacks and bottled water
What to bring
Swimwear and a towel
Cash for entrance fees (not included)
Comfortable shoes
Small US bills for tips
Meeting point
Progreso tour pickups meet at the cruise terminal at the end of the pier. Jerrid books tours timed to your ship's hours.
El Castillo, the Temple of Kukulcán, at Chichén ItzáPhoto: Kirt Edblom, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia CommonsThe Great Ball Court at Chichén ItzáPhoto: xiquinhosilva, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia CommonsThe Temple of the Jaguars at Chichén ItzáPhoto: xiquinhosilva, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Chichén Itzá small-group tour
from $214 per personDuration:7 hours
A small group of up to eight travelers heads from the port to Chichén Itzá with an English-speaking guide. See El Castillo (the Temple of Kukulcán), the Great Ball Court, the Sacred Cenote and the Observatory. It's a long drive each way, and the tour is timed to your ship.
What's included
Cruise-port pickup
English-speaking guided tour
Snacks
Small group, up to 8 travelers
What to bring
Comfortable walking shoes
Hat, sunscreen and water
Small US bills for tips (not included)
Meeting point
Progreso tour pickups meet at the cruise terminal at the end of the pier. Jerrid books tours timed to your ship's hours.
The Pyramid of the Magician at UxmalPhoto: Gary Todd, CC0, via Wikimedia CommonsThe Great Pyramid at UxmalPhoto: Codas, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Uxmal ruins, all inclusive
from $250 per personDuration:6.5 hours
Travel from the port to Uxmal, one of the Yucatán's great Mayan cities, known for the rounded Pyramid of the Magician and its carved stone buildings.
What's included
Round-trip transport from the port
Guided visit to Uxmal
What to bring
Comfortable walking shoes
Hat, sunscreen and water
Small US bills for tips
Meeting point
Progreso tour pickups meet at the cruise terminal at the end of the pier. Jerrid books tours timed to your ship's hours.
The Plaza Grande in MéridaPhoto: Sharon Hahn Darlin, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia CommonsA mansion on Paseo de Montejo in MéridaPhoto: Gildardo Sánchez, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia CommonsThe Mérida sign with the cathedral behind itPhoto: eileenmak, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Mérida city tour and shopping
from $175 per personDuration:6 hours
Ride from the port into Mérida, the Yucatán's colonial capital, for guided sightseeing around the city, then free time to shop before heading back to the ship.
What's included
Pickup at the port
Guided city sightseeing
Shopping time
What to bring
Comfortable walking shoes
Pesos or a card for shopping
Small US bills for tips
Meeting point
Progreso tour pickups meet at the cruise terminal at the end of the pier. Jerrid books tours timed to your ship's hours.
ATV ride to the Misnébalam ghost townAn abandoned building in MisnébalamPhoto: Inri, CC0, via Wikimedia CommonsA road through MisnébalamPhoto: Inri, CC0, via Wikimedia CommonsRuins of old houses in MisnébalamPhoto: Inri, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
Misnébalam ghost town ATV ride and beach club
from $175 per personDuration:3–5 hours
Gear up and ride an ATV with a guide through the countryside to Misnébalam, an abandoned village outside Progreso. Afterward you can add all-inclusive time at a beach club before returning to the ship. Riders must be 18 or older.
What's included
Pickup
ATV and gear
Guide
Optional all-inclusive beach-club access
What to bring
Closed-toe shoes
Clothes that can get dusty
Sunglasses and sunscreen
Swimwear for the beach club
Meeting point
Progreso tour pickups meet at the cruise terminal at the end of the pier. Jerrid books tours timed to your ship's hours.
Paddleboarding on the Gulf coast at Celestún, YucatánMangroves on the coast near Progreso
Paddleboard in the Progreso mangroves
from $85 per personDuration:2 hours
Learn to paddleboard with an instructor in the calm, shallow water of Progreso's mangroves, gliding through channels and tunnels and watching for wildlife. The tour depends on the weather, so confirm the timing with your ship's hours.
What's included
Paddleboarding instruction
Board, paddle and leash
Guided mangrove route
What to bring
Swimwear and quick-dry clothes
Sunscreen and a hat
Water shoes
Meeting point
Progreso tour pickups meet at the cruise terminal at the end of the pier. Jerrid books tours timed to your ship's hours.
A snack cart on the Malecón in ProgresoPhoto: apes_abroad, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia CommonsA marquesita on the MalecónPhoto: Sharon Hahn Darlin, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia CommonsThe Progreso sign on the Malecón at sunsetPhoto: Sharon Hahn Darlin, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Progreso street food and local flavors tour
from $71 per personDuration:3 hours
A small-group food walk around Progreso's waterfront. Taste local snacks and fresh seafood, have lunch and drinks, and learn about Yucatán food along the way. Groups are capped at eight.
What's included
Guide
Local snacks and fresh seafood
Lunch and drinks
Small group, up to 8 people
What to bring
An appetite
Comfortable shoes
Small US bills for tips
Meeting point
Progreso tour pickups meet at the cruise terminal at the end of the pier. Jerrid books tours timed to your ship's hours.
