WomanWillSail

Yes. 

Remind to all that the place is called Progreso with one S. Progresso is a soup. 

May is the hottest time of the year here (temps are currently in high 30's and low 40's (celsius of course) so keep that in mind. A/C and or water are a must as the sun is killer.

Personally 5 hours or more on the bus (there is construction on the highway now because of the Mayan Train being built along the highway) is far too much time getting there and back. I would recommend visiting another site like Uxmal and if Chichen is really on your bucket list, zip down to Merida and stay for a week and spend a goodly amount of time at Chichen to really get what the site is all about.

Just to chime in albeit late, Progreso has the longest pier in the world. It is federal property and no one can walk on it or even drive on it. The Sec of Defense is now charged with supervising access and all traffic on the pier. Shuttle buses and taxis and (some) private tour companies can drive out to where the cruise ships arrive and pick up folks.

https://www.amusingplanet.com/2015/10/progreso-pier-worlds-longest.html

The shops on the pier are right there by the ship. Not too much walking, maybe 5 minutes once you are off the ship.

Light-hearted my butt. It was a rude comment and this is so typical: brushing off any offense as something the other person "read" into it. Hopefully you will never leave the ship so those of us who like it don't have to lay eyes on you

Getting a private tour might be an option. Many local operators will customise a trip for you.

If you are talking about Eladio's, the bar with live music right at the end of the street on the water, yes it is open.

On 10/24/2019 at 9:12 PM, stobe1 said:

Progrosso, as we call it -- if you aren't going to do a ruins tour, just stay on the ship and enjoy the emptiness of it.  

Some people are so rude.

You can now book tours ahead of time with local providers who will pick you up (and drop you off) on the pier/ship-side and so you won't have to wait for the shuttle and listen to their sales pitch. 

There are not.

Carnival stops at Progreso so you can have a look at the Mayan culture and/or Merida city. Progreso itself is not worth much of a stop. But the chance to go inland makes it interesting, if that is your thing.

The AutoProgreso shuttle will drop you off at one of TWO places: the bus terminal (their bus terminal) and a market selling junk in a parking lot. At the latter, there are lots of hawkers selling tours. You get what you pay for: some of these are just taxi vans and not in the best condition.

I have found that the kids really enjoy the iguanas at Uxmal, which keeps them entertained while the older people listen to a guide explaining the history of the Mayans. The cenote swim is also always popular.

I would suggest  private tour and everyone can go, including the wheelchair! Uxmal is a good choice as it has ramps for wheelchair access around much of the site. Don't waste time in Progreso, get out and see stuff.

On 1/31/2019 at 2:25 PM, badwolf1009 said:

I was just wondering what to do about a camera?  I'm torn between getting a really good point and shoot or a waterproof rugged one.  Any camera I brought would probably get pretty wet right?  Photography is a hobby of mine, but I don't want to bring my good expensive gear.  I also want to get good photos.  Are there any lockers or anything by the cenotes to put a camera in before you go into the water?  I don't have a phone that takes good pictures, they're pretty poor quality.

You should bring a good camera if you are a photography buff. You will regret not having a camera at the places you will visit, especially the Mayapan archeological site and the cenote. At the cenote, you can swim and leave the camera within site if you are in the water, and take photos from the edge. Definitely bring it.

Cinco Soles has good vanilla in Cozumel. Vanilla is not from this area so they bring it in because people associate travel to Mexico with vanilla, still, after all these years. You can get better quality vanilla at any Whole Foods or similar in the US or Canada.

Many restaurants along the beach that also offer service under the beach palapas. Best restaurant in Progreso at the moment is Crabster.

You can grab a cab right off the ship, at the pier and then won't have to take the pesky shuttle into Progreso. Avoid the lineups and the sales pitch. Tell the cab driver you want to go to Dzibilchaltun and that you want him to wait for you there and get the price before hand. He can then take you back to the shuttle drop off point where you can shop a little or see the beach before heading back on to the ship with the free shuttle.

The beaches are never as nice as at Cozumel because Progreso is on the Gulf of Mexico and Coz is in the Caribbean.

There is an excellent liquor store in Merida, La Europea in the City Center mall that specializes in wine and liquor. Not a beer store but an excellent place to buy quality tequilas or mezcal.

Take a tour that combines the ruins with the nearby cenote. Taxi is not recommended.

Not sure which cenote they will take you. There is a group of cenotes called Santa Barbara where there are 3 cenotes and the travel between them is by horse/mule-drawn rail platform.

Dzibilchaltun is a smaller site, but close and not so much driving. Uxmal is the best Mayan site on the peninsula in the opinion of many. Both have accessible area and both have areas where one can hang back.

You will need to take the free shuttle into port (Progreso) and the shuttle company is also AutoProgreso. They will take you to their ticket booth and away you go. Easy peasy.