Pacridge

TNT123 - I understand your comments about the trash in the area, as I have a house nearby, and on each visit I designate a trash clean up day to pick up around my house, my beach, and nearby. Each time I come, it's back to the same. Frustrating.

It may help for you to know two things about the area. The first is that throwing trash on the ground, rather in bins, is commonplace in this culture, they are raised doing it, and don't see that it is wrong and that there is a better way. Sometimes locals are astonished when they see me picking up garbage from the beach. Culturally, there is a different mindset about garbage, and so they don't know that gringos would be offended by seeing it. The second thing to be aware of is that there is no formal trash service out at the beach towns, no truck to come around on Tuesday and Friday and pick up your garbage, etc. Your garbage must be sorted and bagged and either taken to the dump, or you must flag down one of the old guys in beat up pick up trucks that ride around yelling "basura, basura" (trash) out their window. Both the dump and the guy trying to make a living charge 5 pesos (about .45 cents) per bag for accepting trash - this is an awful lot of money for someone who's average income is $12 per day - if they are able to find a job.

Not giving excuses, just understanding. I have a hard time with it too.

Everything you're saying is spot on.

They've started charging more by the weight of the bag in the last month or so. Those old guys in the basura trucks are weighed at the scales by "Bodega" now as they leave Progreso and head to the dump. Lately I've been charged an ave. of 10 pesos for a large bag.

The last couple of weeks the marines have been collecting trash along the inland waterway and beaches. They did this last year too, I got all excited and thought things were going to improve. No it's just something they do for the Mexican vacations of July and August. Think they do it during Sem. Santa (Easter) too.

After living here for the last two years I can tell you Progreso isn't for everyone. Cozumel this place isn't. As for the trash, yes it's an issue. I think they're starting to take it more serious. I live west of the pier, can see it from my windows and back deck. Their suppose to be building a new malecon down this way and in the past few months people have been cleaning the beach more regularly.

I'll second the rec. of uxmal for ruins. and trips out and around the area. look into the cenotes at Cuzama (sp?) Izmal or into Merdia. It truly is a jewel of a city.

As for the hookers, yes there are hookers here. When I first got here I was approached a few times but after a month or so that stopped. My friend who owns a hotel says the police are keeping the ladies from working the malecon and they pretty much have to work out of one or two bars. I really doubt you're going to find them unless that's what you're looking for. If not I can't imagine them bothering you esp. if you're with your spouse. Behavior like this doesn't fit Mayan culture at all.