Progreso is a port city in the Mexican state of Yucatán, located on the Gulf of Mexico in the northwest part of the state, about 20 minutes north of the state capital Mérida (the biggest city on the Yucatán Peninsula). As of the Mexican census of 2005, Progreso had an official population of 35,519 inhabitants, the fifth-largest community in the state. The city is also the municipal seat of the surrounding municipality of the same name. The municipality's area is 270.10 km² (104.29 sq mi), and its population at the census was 49,454 inhabitants. It includes Scorpion Reef with its five islets 130 km offshore (north) on the outer edge of Campeche Bank. Its largest other towns are Chicxulub, Campestre, Flamboyanes, and Chelem.

Progreso is a center for both the fishing industry and the container industry. All containers arrive in Progreso and are distributed to Yucatán, Campeche, and Quintana Roo. Progreso is also one of the newest ports for large cruise ships and an emerging balneario resort destination. Passengers disembark on a very long pier that juts out 6.5 km (4 miles) into the Gulf of Mexico. Passengers are taken to shore to visit Progreso, Mérida, or the Maya civilization archaeological sites of Chichen Itza, Uxmal and Dzibilchaltun.

During the months of July and August the beaches become home for thousands of, mostly local, tourists. Traditionally in these months, residents of Mérida leave the city and spend the summer in the cooler seaside environment. During these months, Progreso’s population swells to 150,000.

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Getting There…
It's usually least expensive to fly to Cancun, with direct flights daily from Canada and the US. Cancun is approximately. a 3.5 to 4-hour drive from Progreso. It's possible to fly to Merida, located 20 minutes away, but flights tend to be more expensive, depending on the time of year.