Travel Guide Progreso

Located 36 kilometres away, Progreso is both the port and the beach of Merida. On weekends, the population of Mérida rushes to this seaside resort which becomes a ghost town during the week. The water, an unreal green, is tinged with a range of azure tones when the sand is disturbed by the meeting of the waters of the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico. Progreso was built around 1870 to replace Sisal, the old port of Merida. The slope from the land to the sea is so gentle that a 5-kilometre pier had to be built to allow large ships and cruise ships to moor. Progreso is not worth a day trip, but it's nice to have lunch or dinner there and walk along the Malecón and its beach. After the stifling heat of Merida, the sea breeze is a welcome luxury. On the other side of the estuary is Yucalpetén, which some Meridanos prefer. Many villas have been built there. Nevertheless, this destination is not of great interest to foreigners. The beach of Progreso offers a much nicer atmosphere. Off the coast, 30 kilometres away, are the magnificent semi-desert reefs of Alacranes, recommended for diving.