Progreso Beach
Mérida's closest beach—55-minute bus ride to calm Gulf waters and Mexico's longest pier
Overview
Progreso offers the easiest beach escape from Mérida, just 36 km north with buses departing every 15-20 minutes from Calle 62 for only 25-30 MXN ($1.50-2). The 55-minute ride delivers you to calm, shallow Gulf waters perfect for families, a 7 km pier (Mexico's longest—built to accommodate the shallow Gulf waters), and a malecón lined with seafood restaurants serving fresh catch of the day. The town transforms during winter months when Canadian snowbirds and Mexican families from Mérida escape the inland heat. Cruise ships dock at the pier several times weekly—check schedules to avoid crowded days. The beach itself stretches for miles in either direction, with the eastern beaches generally less developed.
Highlights
Practical Information
Half day to full day
30 MXN
Bus from Mérida (Calle 62) 25-30 MXN each way, departing every 15-20 minutes. Beach is free. Chair/umbrella rental ~50-100 MXN at beach clubs.
November through April for best weather. Avoid cruise ship days for fewer crowds (check schedules online). Weekdays less crowded than weekends. Morning arrival beats the heat.
More Day Trips Nearby
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Cenotes of Riviera Maya
Swim in sacred Maya sinkholes—from $6 budget gems at Puerto Morelos to world-class diving at Dos Ojos
Uxmal
Puuc Maya masterpiece—more intimate than Chichén Itzá with stunning evening light show
Celestún Biosphere Reserve
Thousands of pink flamingos in protected Gulf coast estuary—peak season November-March
Izamal
The Yellow City—colonial Pueblo Mágico with climbable Maya pyramids and horse-drawn carriages
Homún Cenote Route
Over 20 cenotes near Mérida—cave swimming, moto-taxi tours, and the unique Cuzamá horse-cart experience