Progreso to Dzibilchaltun by taxi?

[JodyLynnCO]

Hi - taking our first cruise in May and one stop will be Progreso. We are considering going to Dzibilchaltun and rest of time around town as our time in port is 7am -4pm and not sure about the long cruise ship tours.

 

I have seen posting that you can take a taxi to the ruins and it is reasonable as not far away but none of our party have much experience traveling through Mexico - 6 people seems like a lot for a taxi - is there another option? And how do we get back from the ruins to Progreso after spending an hour or two there? Is there transportation there you can arrange back or do you need to arrange round trip and is that reliable?

 

Thanks.

[DEL67]

I have not been to Progresso for a few years, but unless something has changed, you can get a taxi mini-van right on the dock. The taxi will take you to Dzibilchaltun, leave you at the entrance and wait for you in the parking lot to take you back. Just walk though the shop area to the "street" and tell the dispatcher what you want.

 

One suggestion. Hire one of the English speaking guides at the ruins. Their commentary adds a lot and they used to be reasonable (maybe $25?)

[Fat Boy]

Hi - taking our first cruise in May and one stop will be Progreso. We are considering going to Dzibilchaltun and rest of time around town as our time in port is 7am -4pm and not sure about the long cruise ship tours.

 

I have seen posting that you can take a taxi to the ruins and it is reasonable as not far away but none of our party have much experience traveling through Mexico - 6 people seems like a lot for a taxi - is there another option? And how do we get back from the ruins to Progreso after spending an hour or two there? Is there transportation there you can arrange back or do you need to arrange round trip and is that reliable?

 

Thanks.

 

We just did this last month... As you're coming through the market at the pier, look for the AutoProgreso sign. You can hire a private cab for $60 or a private "wagon" for $80. That "wagon" was a 17 passenger full-size van (like an airport shuttle). There were 6 of us, so there was plenty of space.

 

As was mentioned, AutoProgreso they will take you to Dzibilchaltun (about a 30 minute ride), wait in the parking lot, then drive you back. That $80 covers two hours at the ruins (plus an hour for the round-trip). If you want to stay longer, it's another $10/hour... Just let the driver know.

 

They don't expect to be paid until you get back to the pier. They will take you straight back to the ship, or you can have them drop you off downtown (like we did), then catch the free shuttle (also offered by AutoProgresso) back to the ship after you've lunched and shopped.

 

I was a little apprehensive about this arrangement at first, but it was probably as good as I could have hoped. We saved a LOT of money doing it this way. If we knew we could fit another 11 people in the van, we might have even found another group from the boat and split the costs!

[dev219]

We just did this last month... As you're coming through the market at the pier, look for the AutoProgreso sign. You can hire a private cab for $60 or a private "wagon" for $80. That "wagon" was a 17 passenger full-size van (like an airport shuttle). There were 6 of us, so there was plenty of space.

 

Did the 6 of you split the $80 or was it $80 per person? I am planning for a family of 4..

 

As was mentioned, AutoProgreso they will take you to Dzibilchaltun (about a 30 minute ride), wait in the parking lot, then drive you back. That $80 covers two hours at the ruins (plus an hour for the round-trip). If you want to stay longer, it's another $10/hour... Just let the driver know.

 

What is the "entrance fee" per person once at the gates of Dzibilchaltun?

They don't expect to be paid until you get back to the pier. They will take you straight back to the ship, or you can have them drop you off downtown (like we did), then catch the free shuttle (also offered by AutoProgresso) back to the ship after you've lunched and shopped.

 

I was a little apprehensive about this arrangement at first, but it was probably as good as I could have hoped. We saved a LOT of money doing it this way. If we knew we could fit another 11 people in the van, we might have even found another group from the boat and split the costs!

 

Thanks for the info,

Dev

[Fat Boy]

Thanks for the info,

 

Did the 6 of you split the $80 or was it $80 per person? I am planning for a family of 4..

 

What is the "entrance fee" per person once at the gates of Dzibilchaltun?

 

The $80 covered the van, no matter how many people we put in it. We split it 6 ways. With a $10 tip for the driver, it came out to $15/person.

 

There was also an entrance fee for Dzibilchaltun. I think it was $7/person. I did up the math, and it would have been cheaper if I had exchanged dollars for pesos.

 

There is an additional $4 fee if you wish to videotape anything (pictures are free). I understand this is a fee directly from the Mexican government and applies to all ruins, national monuments, and heritage sights.

[angelkisses]

Thanks for posting the information about transportation. We have a group going next January and may try to go here. Then again, I really want to enjoy one of those beachside massages. Do you think I will have time for it all?

[Fat Boy]

We waited an hour after the opened the gates to get off the boat, hoping to avoid the rush of folks doing the ship sponsored tours. I don't think it really made a difference, so next time we'll be getting out the door as early as we can.

 

We spent two hours at Dzibilchaltun (plus half an hour in each direction). I would have liked to do another hour there, but I was worried I wouldn't have time for all the other stuff I wanted to do. Turns out we could have.

 

After Dzibilchaltun, we had the driver drop us off downtown. We walked up and down the beach shopping for a couple hours, then had lunch at one of the many beachfront huts. We did some more shopping (way more than we should have), and then headed back to the bus pickup spot. We were going to do the double-decker bus tour (the tour and the pier shuttles pick up at the same place. We noticed that the line for the shuttles was huge, and panic set in, so we got in line and skipped the tour. That was a mistake because the line moved really fast (loading and sending off two busses at a time). From the time we got in line to the time we loaded up was maybe five or six minutes. That gave us about an hour and a half to shop at the shops on the pier at the ships.

 

If you're looking to visit Dzibilchaltun, get back to town, have lunch on the beach, and get a 30 or 45 minute massage, you should be fine so long as you don't spend too much time shopping. If you stop at every sidewalk vendor, you won't have time for the massage.

[Fat Boy]

I tried adding this to my last post, but apparently, there's a 15 minute time limit on editing your posts.

 

If I had it to do all over again, this would be my schedule (assuming in port from 7:00AM to 4:00PM)..

7:00 - In line to disembark

7:30 - Disembarked and at the AutoProgreso booth (it literally took three minutes to book and be escorted out to the van)

8:00 to 11:00 - Dzibilchaltun

11:30 - Dropped off downtown at the bus stop.

11:30 - 12:15 - Double-decker bus tour (I hear it takes about half an hour, but you might have to wait for it to come around to pick you up)

12:15 - Wander up the beach, shopping.

12:30 - Stop in for lunch at whatever hut catches your eye (unfortunately, you'll have plenty of opportunities for table-side shopping, too)

1:30 - A little more shopping as you find an open air masseuse.

2:30 - Head back to the shuttle pickup. This gives you an hour to wait for the shuttle and finish up any shopping out by the ships.

[JodyLynnCO]

Thanks for all of the info. Sounds like this is much easier to do than we thought. It is just so easy to get overly concerned about getting back to the ship on time or being lost in a strange town!

 

Thanks!

[mexboat]

Thanks for all of the info. Sounds like this is much easier to do than we thought. It is just so easy to get overly concerned about getting back to the ship on time or being lost in a strange town!

 

Thanks!

 

I think there is a misunderstanding about the service to dzibilchaltun. Autoprogreso do have a booth and do make the tour to the mayan site BUT their tours start by 9.30 to 10 and they start from the stop downtown progreso. By the description it's been explained we are talking about taking taxi (or van) to do this tour, taking a taxi is faster than waiting for the time of the tour with autoprogreso, taxi tour start from the pier and you can ask the driver to drop you off downtown to have a massage and shopping before getting back to the ship, anyway make sure to talk with autoprogreso representative at their booth and then with the taxi booth before buying.

[sweetd27601]

Hi Fat Boy...

 

You sound like you know your way around and I was wondering if you noticed if any of the taxis or vans that go to the ruins were wheelchair accessible? My husband is in a power wheelchair and we would love to go to one of the ruins if we can...thanks for your help!

 

donna

[mexboat]

Donna: Unfortunatly there is not taxis nor van with lifts for wheelchairs. Most of the time people fold theirs, get on the bus/taxi/van take their tour and do the same on their way back. I understand that some wheelchairs models can be folded or users can walk little distances to step up the transports, but others don't and stays at the cruise terminal. Hope it helps you to picture your visit!

[sweetd27601]

Thanks for the info...sounds like my husband might not get to see much of Progresso :(

I read that Progresso has the world's longest pier...we are booked on the Carnival Fantasy and I understand that when you get off the ship, a shuttle bus will take you down the pier to the terminal before you go on into Progresso...does anyone know if the shuttle busses are wheelchair accessible? If he could get to the town, we could just walk/roll around town on our own.

[mexboat]

Thanks for the info...sounds like my husband might not get to see much of Progresso :(

I read that Progresso has the world's longest pier...we are booked on the Carnival Fantasy and I understand that when you get off the ship, a shuttle bus will take you down the pier to the terminal before you go on into Progresso...does anyone know if the shuttle busses are wheelchair accessible? If he could get to the town, we could just walk/roll around town on our own.

 

When you get off the ship you have to walk along the pier to get the shops market area (there are about 20 stores, 2 bars and a duty free), then is the parking lot where you get the free shuttle bus to downtown Progreso which is 4 mile away (10 mins ride), there is no van/bus/taxi with lifts for wheelchairs, if your husband has no problem with foldin the wheelchair the bus or any transport you choose can put it into the trunk and take you both down Progreso. If you decide to stay at the Cruise Terminal you will have shops and bars to stroll around.

[sweetd27601]

Thanks for all your info mexboat...my DH cannot stand at all, so, he said he could just roll the four miles down the pier to get into town if he has to :) nothin keeps him down for long, whatever we decide to do, I know we will have some much needed R & R.

[SyddyShores]

they do have tours of this ruin...thats what i did the last time i went to progresso (last august) and it was really cool...the shuttle bus picks yoou up at the terminal and takes you there...you also dont have to stay in a group you just kinda wander around it was really nice...one sugestion i would make would be apply a ton of sunscreen and bring it with. my family and i ended up so so sunburned!