Puerto Progreso Yucatan – Things to Do

There is a small but very active community of expats living in Progreso Mexico and many live in the community year round. They have created a fantastic inclusive community that has art classes, Spanish lessons, music events, fundraisers for the local school children and much more. There is a Women’s expat group and a Men’s groups that you can get involved in to learn more about the community.

Retiring to Mexico is pretty easy the rules and regulations along with the necessary financial requirements are not terribly stringent and most Canadian and Americans can afford to retire to Mexico on a limited pension income from Social Security or Canada Pension. Progreso, Mexico may not be the prettiest town but it has everything you need and with its close proximity to the beach and to the major city of Merida you couldn’t ask for a better place to retire to on a limited budget.

Do you want to live or retire to  Progreso Mexico – It is much easier than you may think.

Flights to Progreso Mexico?

There are no flights to Progreso but it is only a 40-minute drive or so from the airport in Merida and it is convenient to Merida for shopping and entertainment. This area of the Yucatan is a mecca for cenotes which are the underground waters, and rivers considered by the Maya to be sacred. The emerald green waters of the Gulf of Mexico provide breezes that cool down the relentless heat of the peninsula.

Weather in Progreso Yucatan

The Yucatan is known for its very hot and humid climate and Progreso temperatures will average around 30 degrees with high humidity. Merida has also been known to be the hottest place on the planet in some months. It is particularly warm in the spring months of March through to May. If you love heat you will love Progreso.

Pros and Cons of Living in Mexico

Progreso Mexico Beaches

Progreso has a great Malecon or walkway on the beachside of the town which has undergone considerable improvements in the past few years. The beach itself is very long with soft white sand and the water is safe for swimming. You can sit out along the beach and enjoy drinks brought to you by waiters from the Malecon restaurants and bars and just people watch. There are chairs tables and umbrellas set out for guests along the beach and a good selection of restaurants from which to grab snacks and meals.

Progreso Pier

Progreso likes to boast that it has the longest pier in the world. Built with reinforced concrete, the pier juts out into the Gulf of Mexico for a distance of 6.5 km and looks more like a bridge.  The advantage of this massively long pier is that the cruise ships can come into the Yucatan coast and dock here to offload passengers who want to visit the area. The Yucatan coast is very shallow and just not deep enough to accommodate either cargo or cruise vessels.

If you are on a cruise to Progreso and the Yucatan you will disembark at the end of the pier and be bused into town. At the town end of the pier, you will find taxis and tours waiting for you and on the pier, before you get back on board the boat you will find a duty free store.  

As a cruise passenger to Progreso, you may just pass out of the town on your way to some of the other more Caribbean delights of the Yucatan. If you do stay in town you will probably walk up the main street of Progreso where you will find the Malecon along the shoreline and further up a selection of great little restaurants and bars. Travelling up the main street of Progreso you will spot the market to your left and on the right-hand side just before you reach the next row of shows and bars you will see an open air craft/artisan market.

Progreso can be a little disappointing to tourists, it is not a pretty town to explore. It needs a good clean up and a paint job with lots of flowers before it could ever be considered pretty. It is a friendly place though with cheap beer and lots of great food. Take your time – go sit on the beach and have a great cocktail and enjoy your restful day in Progreso.

Beach communities of the Yucatan Progreso and area

On the west side of the Yucatan Peninsula on the “Flamingo Coast” or as it is becoming known the “Yucatan Riviera” is a string of small fishing communities.  Beginning at Chuburna and running east on Highway (Carreterra) 27 for about 50 kilometres to Santa Clara, these small villages do vary considerably in size and available services such as or banking or shopping. These are fantastic places to retire to or live as an ex-pat in Mexico in an affordable location.

Progreso is pretty much a straight drive to Merida on the newer highway, and it takes around 20 to 30 minutes to get there.  In 2012, 476 foreigners obtained their permanent residence cards in the Yucatan. In the early part of 2013, that number increased by 30%. The city of Merida on the Yucatan Peninsula increased its population of ex-pats quite dramatically. Guesstimates state that there are probably over 3000 plus ex-pats living in Merida, Progreso and the coastal areas, some live here year-round others come in as “snowbirds” and stay for 5-7 months.

Booking.com

Progreso Beaches

Progreso is the largest of the beach towns and has a population of a little over 50,000 and is the state’s main port. It hosts cruise ships twice a week at the “longest pier in the world” and has a growing community of ex-pats with a guess at around 800 split between snowbirds spending up to 7 months a year and those who live there full-time. The weather in Progreso Yucatan tends to be the hottest in April and May and temperatures have reached up to 45 degrees. The Nortes or north winds come in around October to December and they cool the area considerably to around an average of 20 degrees – lol so cold.

The Malecon which runs along the coast is becoming better and better each year with restaurants and shops opening up and growing along the area.  Not a particularly pretty town, yet, Progreso does have the advantages of a taxis and collectivos that make it easy to get around without the need for a car.  With a yearly average high temperature of 83 F and an average low of 73 F and if you live near the beaches permanent breezes Progreso can be very pleasant.

Living in Progreso Mexico as an ex-pat from the US or Canada

Many ex-pats and immigrants have chosen to live in Progreso as it has pretty much all the modern conveniences.  Lots of banks and bank branches, ATM’s are abundant and there is shopping from the market and other larger stores. Within the main boundaries of what might be considered downtown Progreso, you can buy anything from tourist gifts to pool supplies. There is an ATM or bank on virtually every street.  The main medical centre is in Progreso and there are plenty of speciality stores from Farmacias to Zapaterias.

The Malecon (Calle 19) has been rebuilt and expanded over the years and you will find lots of tourist style knick-knacks and t-shirts to buy.  Running one way (west) on Calle 19, the Malecon is occasionally closed to traffic when there is a special event or holiday but generally speaking it is open.  Sit on the beach under a palapa and you will have waiters serving you cervezas, limonade or the local beer Leon Negra.

Try some Xtabentum a liquorice flavoured Maya drink and of course Margaritas at 2 for $5 are a lovely refreshing way to relax under the sun. Keep in mind though Progreso is not a glamorous tourist location like Cancun or Playa del Carmen it is a Mexican beach town but you can get a full-body massage right on the beach for $10 and there are plenty of restaurants to choose from offering everything from authentic Yucatecan food to French cuisine, pizza, beer and hamburguesas. Here you will receive several botanas at no charge (botanas are appetizers) when you drop into a restaurant for a meal or drinks. There’s lots of street food in Mexico to try as well so hit up some of those street vendors and enjoy the authentic food of the Yucatan.

If you stroll off the Malecon down Calle 80 you will find a selection of shops, ATM’s, banks and artisans.  Further down the Calle is a small Artisans market that is open on cruise ship days, further up the street you will find the farmer’s market, where you can find a good variety of inexpensive seasonal fruits and vegetables. 

Check out Bolam Bolam which is run by an ex-pat Richard and helps support Mayan children and their educational goals.  You will find some wonderful leather goods and textiles in the store and a portion of the profits goes to the Apoyo Program which helps kids with school expenses.  Further up the street drop into Barolovento which is a great ex-pats hang out and you can get a nice cold cerveza and check out the for sale signs in Yucatan Real Estate’s window right next door.

Cost of Living in Progreso Mexico

If you’re looking for an affordable, real Mexican fishing and beach community, this is it. Progreso is not yet a pretty town and it has put off more than its fair share of cruisers, but it is a real Mexican town.  There is poverty, run-down buildings sorely in need a  coat of paint (or complete restoration), there is a lot of garbage around and quite a few free-range dogs.  However, more and more tourist dollars are being invested in the town and over the next 10 years, it promises to become an even better place for locals, ex-pats, snowbirds and tourists.

Because it is not the Riviera Maya there are plenty of bargains to be had in the property market. Beach lots can go for as low as $10,000 US and there are many houses for sale at under $100,000 if you want to live in the real Mexico.  Gated communities are rare here but there are a few high-end colonial-style homes begging for rehabilitation and lots of houses in the $150,000 range.

There are a few good restaurants in Progreso:  Don’t forget to tip the waiters well since they usually only work for tips.  Keep in mind many of the tried and true close for the season which means between May and September they will not be around.  One of our favourites for Steak Tacos Mr. Pincanha seems to do this keep an eye on them on Facebook to check when they are open.

Milkbar Av. Malecon Entre 72 y 74, Progreso, Mexico

This is a small American family-run cafe in the middle of the Malecon that serves a variety of Mexican and American dishes, plus a selection of incredible juices and smoothies (even healthy vegetable and fruit combinations). There are outdoor and indoor seating and a play area for the kids. The pricing is more affordable compared to the other restaurants on the strip and the staff speak both English and Spanish. All in all, a nice comfortable place to relax and enjoy the view of the ocean.

Eladio’s Av. Malecon S/N | Calle 80, Centro, Progreso 97320, Mexico

Beautiful view of the ocean, right on the beach. There is a children’s slide and a swimming pool for the patrons.  Lots of free botanas and the Mexican beer is cold and refreshing.  Prices are pretty standard and the wait staff occasionally speak English or want to practice their English.

The Naked Frog Calle 23entre76 Y 78 Col. Centro, Progreso 97320, Mexico

Mango margaritas, the best fish and chips in Progreso and other delicious dishes like coconut shrimp make The Naked Frog very popular with both ex-pats and locals. Serving some great local shrimp and ceviches. A few blocks from the Malecón, well worth the walk from the seafront.

 Barlovento Calle80 No. 109 x21 y 23, Progreso, Mexico

Great atmosphere, really good food made from scratch, cheap drinks and good service. Favoured by the local ex-pats you can hang out at Barlovento and meet lots of folks with great stories and advice about living in the Yucatan.

Progreso is not for everyone it doesn’t come close to matching the Caribbean side from Cancun down to Tulum for nightlife and luxurious beach resorts. Progreso, however, better reflects the authenticity of the “real” Mexico. Service isn’t always polished. Not everyone speaks English but the folks here are pleased when you try your Spanish and will help you all they can.

You’ll see poverty, too. But hospitality here comes with a smile and an eagerness to please.  There are small inexpensive hotels and hostels here but no Holiday Inns or all-inclusive Marriott Hotels, there are also lots of private home rentals that are available year-round.

Shopping in Progreso

There are lots of options for groceries and food in this area.  You can order home-cooked meals, pies and even handmade sausages alongside the usual grocery store goods.  However, food shopping in the Yucatan can be somewhat tricky to find things or certain ingredients you may have used all the time and home.

There are a few Farmer’s Markets, the Slow Food Market held in Merida Norte every Saturday morning (and now Weds evenings as well)  is a fantastic place to pick up all kinds of fresh fruits, vegetables, lettuces and organic eggs and meats from lamb to duck are also available.  There are wonderful tamales, freshly baked bread, pies and cookies and much more.  Several ex-pats have tables here and sell everything from lasagnas to smoked salmon and pulled pork. 

A Farmer’s Market is held in between Chelem and Chuburna on Mondays at Natural Thangs Nursery and hosts a growing assortment of vendors with wonderful fresh arugula and other veggies, bread, pickles, fantastic quiches and incredible kombuchas available from a great selection of vendors.

With everything from fabulous breakfast burritos to gorgeous paintings, the Market is a great Chelem get to together.  In Chicxulub there is the Muelle Market held every other Thursday from 9-12 noon from January until the end of March. and again has a great selection of arts and crafts plus tamales, bread, cakes, cheeses and much more.  Both are well worth dropping by to check out and you will probably meet tons of ex-pats shopping and touching base with each other.

Various vendors and contacts for food, catering and personal chefs:

Merida Food Hunt FB page an amazing resource for all those questions about where to get spices, herbs, meats and various other items.

Eterno Kombucha:  Rae Ann does fantastic quiches, kombuchas and a variety of pickles and fermented veggies

Merida Epicure FB page anything to do with food you will find here, from restaurant reviews to cooking classes

Natural Thangs Farmer’s Market:  takes place every Monday morning, except during the off seasons which is generally from the end of May until September

Muelle Market:  Chixulub

Slow Food Market Yucatan:  Saturdays in Merida from 9 to 1 and Weds from 6 to 9.

Thai Bistro:  We finally have authentic Thai take out at the beach, place your order online via Facebook and then arrange a pickup time.  Great fresh food.

Anita – The Sausage Lady:  Currently Anita is building a new shop and preparation spot at the Beach and her products will be available at the local markets Natural Thangs, Muelle and the Gypsy Market.  Sometimes you can drop by her house and pick up as well.  Anita makes fantastic Italian sausage, bratwurst, salami and much more.

Eeka Boo’s Gourmet Eatery  –  a classically trained chef from FL, moved to Progreso, Erica does private parties, meal planning and prep, baking, wine dinners, catering & cooking classes.

Virginia Jans: Menu includes: Chicken Pot Pie, Sheperd’s Pie, Greek Meat Pie, Lasagna, Meatballs, Mac n Cheese, plus Cinnamon Buns, 3 different cookies and Fudge Brownies!

Rancho Haltun Xiki is a working farm located in Yucatan, Mexico. They Provide organic produce and meat products. lamb; mutton; turkey; chicken; duck; duck eggs; chicken eggs

There are lots of ex-pats offering services in Chelem. Contact Alison for a great haircut she’s on Facebook you can find her contact information on Yucatan Beach Friends Facebook, if you need some help with a car there’s Marina in Progreso you can contact her  Progreso Autocare 999-233-5853 Calle 94x35y37, don’t forget to get to the Market at Natural Thangs they have a great plant nursery and an awesome market you just can’t miss. Must not forget the best Cenote Tours ever with Yucatan Cenote Eco-Adventures.

If you are thinking of coming to live in Progreso here is a comment that was left on the article by Steven John who lives in Progreso…

I thought I would add some comments for those Americans and Canadians who are considering a change in their life. It has gotten very expensive to live in the USA and Canada. I knew this back in 2012 when I started research on where would I like to be living in the near future. Ended up buying a beachfront condo back in 2012 for 96,000 US dollars which included the attorneys’ fees. Seemed reasonable and affordable. I now live in Progreso fulltime as of August 2017. The weather during the summer is pretty humid and hot which is not much different from where I lived in South Central Texas before. But when it is extremely cold in the USA during the winter it is “perfecto” here in the Yucatan.

If you like Mayan history this is the place to be. Chichén Itzá pyramid is about 2 hours away, Cancun is fours away and my favourite Mayan pyramid, Uxmal, is 50 miles South. Incredible cenotes are here. The Yucatecan “comida” or food is great.

Tequila and Mezcal is a great value. Cigarettes are about $2.00 US or 44 pesos. The comments you have read about the occasional trash is true and probably is my # issue I have but if you can look beyond that and see what is here you soon forget it.
The sidewalks need repair in a lot of the city but they do not spend money on that.

A plus is that my property tax on a $100,000 US dollar beachfront condo is less than $50 US dollars a year. Texas is 2.5% of the value. You do not need a car as the bus service is excellent and runs non stop. And it is cheap. Currently, about .70 pesos which is less than $1 US dollar. I can take the bus to the capital just south of Progreso for 22 pesos or about 1.10 US dollars.

In 2017 realtor dot com listed Merida as the #5 most popular place for foreigners to retire to. In fact, it was the only city in Mexico on that list!

I know enough Spanish and frankly with Google’s free translator on my smartphone it is fun to engage the locals. They really do like the “Gringos” and if you tip them well or even buy a few beers for them you will have a friend for life. But I will say that you have to watch what you do when transacting business in Mexico. They will always try to charge you more for something than what the locals buy it for so if it feels uncomfortable you are better to simply say thanks and walk away. Then if they really want your business they will come back and negotiate. They have not got the concept of putting your prices on the merchandise as Costco or Walmart does

And the businesses who have no prices on their merchandise is telling you something because there is no way a person can remember over 1000 items in their store as far as prices go. And for serious shopping, I take a local who speaks English and Spanish and pay him to deal with it and he always gets a better price.

If you like Casinos then you will like Merida. And if you are a single man and want to meet a nice “cantina” woman well that is there too for a price. Everything is about money in Mexico and there is a lot of poverty but in my six years of putting roots down in the Yucatan, I have never seen a “local” complain or ask for government help. In Mexico either you work or you go hungry. There is not much of a poverty program or welfare like in the USA. They hustle here for every peso they can earn.

On Sundays, you can walk around Progreso and see and smell BBQ chicken being prepared or hot homemade tamales. It is the Mexican culture at its best. Despite the negative news you may hear on TV about Mexico, I have never had a single problem here. Something you may not know is that it is illegal to have a firearm here. I have never seen anyone hit someone and if you do that you both end up in jail and it expensive to get out of jail. Have hardly ever seen any car accidents. They are cautious drivers here and do drive very slow:)

Sunday is considered “family day” and that is the only day the streets will be quiet. They work six days a week here. I have travelled to Puerta Vallarta, Puebla, Monterrey, Tampico, Veracruz, Villahermosa, Ciudad Del Carmen, Campeche, Palenque, San Cristobal De Las Casas, Chiapas as well as Cancun, Playa Del Carmen, Tulum, Valladolid and Cozumel and I still like it the best here.

It is the people and the fact that Progreso is “not” like the Riviera Maya that makes this such a nice place. If I had to choose a second place to live it would be Puebla up about 7000 feet in the mountains. Cool-weather with two volcanoes.

Me gusta Mexico…

If you want to know more about moving and retiring to Merida hop over to Mexico Cassie’s website. Cassie and the family moved to Merida around a year or so ago and she has tons of information on her blog about what to see and do in the Yucatan.

For more information here are a few articles for you to check out: