Progreso, Yucatan, Mexico

Uxmal

lollygag — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 21:32:14 GMT

Uxmal Ruins out of Progreso

The Fantasy arrived in Progreso a little before 7:00 AM. The Ecstasy arrived 10 minutes later. Both ships unloaded and we made our way to a “brand new gift shoppy commercially area” This was all a little bit too touristy for us. Reps from each tour held up signs with there excursion. Lines formed slowly behind each representative. I had been concerned that we would not know what to do, but it was quite organized.

The excursion description had said we would leave at 7:15, but it was more like 7:45. There were both Fantasy and Ectasy cruisers on our excursion.

As we boarded a Mercedes tour bus we handed Umberto our tickets. Our steward had placed our Uxmal ruins tickets in an envelope in our stateroom the night before.

LUNCH: As we entered the bus we were handed our lunch , a plastic bag with a (crudely wrapped saran wrapped roll (about 2 inches in diameter, an awful looking banana, some type of corn rings, and a bottle of room temperature water) I tried to eat the banana and the corn rings. I didn’t see anyone on the bus eat the lunch. The water was good to wash your hands

BUS : The Mercedes tour bus was only a few years old. It was fairly clean. The restroom was locked. During the 2 hour drive several folks tried to open the door. Umberto later told us the restroom was for emergencies only. We didn’t understand that one bit. The drive was crazy. Lots of 2 lane road at 95 plus KM per hours. Our driver thought nothing of passing slower vehicles at crazy speeds, running off the road. If you are prone to motion sickness…beware!!! Umberto talked for about 45 minutes. It was hard to understand him, but we could pick out bits and pieces.

RESTROOMS: since the restrooms were locked on the bus. Everyone made a B-Line to the Ruins restrooms. The restroom were modern and clean.

UXMAL RUINS. Umberto walked us around the ruins for about an hour, giving us a few highlights, at several stops. I overheard several other tour leaders whose English was a little better. While hard to understand, Umberto was very passionate about his talk. We were given the 2^nd hour to explore the ruins on our own. It was very hot and ruins were very steep. Uxmal does have the highest and most original structures (pyrmids) of the Mayan ruins. We were all very hot and sweaty.

GIFT SHOPS & REFRESHMENTS There were several gifts shops and a restaurant. The shops were very expensive. A 20 oz cold Coke was $2.00.

We were supposed to meet back at the bus at 12:00 so that we could leave at 12:10. But almost everyone was back at the bus around 11:40 (all hoping we could board the Air Conditioned bus early) The bus driver was asleep on the locked bus, so we sat under a nearby tree.. The bus was opened around 11:55. We could have left by noon, but we did not leave until 12:30 because one of the ladies was very late. Her friend said that she was in the restroom/

Since we were over 20 minutes late leaving, the bus driver must have driven faster and crazier to make up for it. Some folks tried to sleep, but it was hard on the wild ride. The Air Conditioning could not keep up on the return trip. So we were all a sweaty mess,

When we arrived back at the ship, Umberto and Carlos asked for tips and held a basket out as we exited the bus. We were the last off and it did not look as though he had collected many tips.

I would recommend this trip for the historical value. We are not drinkers or partiers and this was our best option,

Beginning scuba diving in Cozumel

lass1959 — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:23:52 GMT

Has anyone been? Is it at Chankanaab Park?

Thanks in advance!

Help...not sure what shore excursions to book!

mjrich73 — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 03:36:22 GMT

We are a family of 4 - we have a 10 and 8 yr old. We would like to do a shore excursion in Progreso and in Cozumel. Can anyone give suggestion on what excursions are the best and which to stay away from. Thanks so much!

AutoProgresoTours and Combo Dzibilchaltún and Merida tour?

mjrich73 — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 02:49:27 GMT

Has anyone done this tour? How was it and do you know the combo price(can't find it on the website)?

Thanks!

REEF CLUB BEACH RESORT

SeaUonboard — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 21:54:07 GMT

Can anyone tell me about this resort and HOW you booked it?

Carnival site excursion is $77

Description: Relax in VIP style and make the most of your vacation on this all inclusive resort beach break with open bar, lunch and optional downtown drop off.

On this excursion you will:

Take a 40 minutes bus ride from the pier to the warm sands of the Reef Club Beach Resort.
Escape the everyday with approximately 2.5 hours of beachfront luxury in the Mexican sun.
Lounge by the pool, walk along the ocean and sip a margarita in a hammock.
Have access to the poolside bar, long stretch of beach, lounge chairs, umbrellas, showers, volleyball and spectacular beach club for kids.
Enjoy an unlimited open bar featuring beer and domestic drinks as well as water and sodas.
Eat traditional Yucatecan snacks under the Mayan palapa, including: Empanadas, Gorditas, salsa and more.
Head back to the pier, with an optional drop off at the local marketplace in downtown Progresso.
Experience the sights and sounds of Mexico as you explore the colorful stores of local artisans and shop for traditional Mexican handicrafts.
Browse at your leisure and then return to the ship by taxi.

This same excursion is offered through AutoProgreso (www.autoprogreso.com) it just states that the food and drink are included. This tour is $45. - $32 per person cheaper.

If you booked through AutoProgreso how long were you at the resort?

WiFi Internet availability on Progreso Resort Beach Break

WaveRider1224 — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 21:31:33 GMT

I have booked the Progreso Resort Beach Break shore excursion for an upcoming cruise.
Does anyone know if this hotel this is at has either free or low cost WiFi internet available ?

Excursions at Progreso

newcruise09 — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 15:56:07 GMT

2 questions:

1) What excursions to you recommend? The ruins or the beach or self-tour?

2) Do you book through Carnival or is there another site you trust?

Thanks! This is our first time there and looking forward to it and trying (of course) to do it as inexpensively as possible.

Book an excursion, or go off on our own?

mjrich73 — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 02:04:15 GMT

We are already doing an excusion in Cozumel (Nachi Cocum), and were thinking of maybe just doing our own thing in Progreso...if this safe? If you have done it, what are some things we should do? Any suggestions, comments would be greatly appreciated!!

crusing to progreso & cozumel...playa del carmen

dmann107 — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 14:04:12 GMT

i am cruising to progreso & cozumel the first week in august 2009. i would to visit playa del carmen. does anyone know of any tours to this location? or should i get a taxi? should i travel there from progreso or cozumel? thanks so much for any advice!!!!!!!

autoprogresso tours

nickandshannon — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 01:37:43 GMT

Has anyone had any problems getting back to the ship on time through the autoprogresso tours? I am thinking about using them because they are so much cheaper but I also want to make it back on time. Missing the boat is really not in my budget!

Lunch in Progresso

shellers — Mon, 18 May 2009 02:30:08 GMT

We are taking our first cruise in October and I was curious about places to eat in Progresso. I was able to find several suggestions for Cozumel and fun things to do for both Cozumel and Progresso, but haven't seen much on where to eat in Progresso. Since it will be our first time there and for only a day, I was looking for somewhere neat that could give the local food experience. Any suggestions are appreciated.

Thanks!

Uxmal....refreshments???

waterbaby — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 03:53:47 GMT

I've been to Progresso before, but this time we are going to Uxmal. Was wondering who has been recently and if there is someplace when you get there to get water or cold drink, or should we be sure to bring enough for the day..Hate to pack bottles of water if I don't have to. Can anyone please help me?? Thanks. Terri from Louisiana

beware of tour operators getting off the bus in Progresso

aggie86 — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 00:05:09 GMT

We were in Prgresso a week ago, I am just geting time to post this response to a worrible experience in Prgresso.

My husband, son 5 y/o and I were plannning to spend the day on the beach in Prgresso, we have been there before and had a great day, just hanging out, eating and playing with our son. My husbnd has ms and when he was getting off the bus he feel and sprained his ankle badly. Before we could get our act together we were approached by a man selling a day at a hotel, all inclusive, travel to and from, food and open bar for. We paid him $30 per person and our son was at no charge. We were concerned, the man told us everything was included, ask about 4 times just to confirn, he said the same guy would pick us up and bring us back in time to catch the bus to the boat.

Because my husband doesnt walk well to begin with and the fact that he just sprained his ankle, I guess we were caught off gaurd. I guess I didnt think he would be able to walk to the beach in Progresso.

We got to Sian Ka'an, its about a 30 minute drive, the whole time I told my husband I hope we werent getting screwed. We arrive, the water is beautiful, the hotel is older,not nice. A young man comes up to us and tell us we haev to pay $10 more to eat, the price we paid was only for snacks, I was more than upset, but my husband paid it anyway. The young guys response to my questions about what the salesperson told us is that he lied and shouldnt be telling people that. I told him I own a business and that I have to accept responsibility for my employess actions, that is part of being in business. He didnt care, just wanted the money.

So the drinks were less than good, beer in a plastic cup(no bottled beer), margaritas that were horrible, They did bring cokes for my son.

My son did enoy the pool.

The food is horrible, we are from Houston and we know good mexican food, this is food was not edible. Chips and salsa was good. I not sure what kind of meat they served us for the fajitas, we are used to eating at Taquerias, so see some crazy stuff, this was nasty.

We got ready to leave and whenwe got back to Prgresso, the taxi driver, who was suppose to be paid already, charged us $60. This is what upset me more than anything, we were told travel was included to and from, I asked over and over again before we paid and left Progresso.

This place is a rip off, They lie about everything Dont go,, please learn from our mistake.

I will say the beach was nice!, Better than progresso, but not worth the amt of money we paid, the principal is that they lied just to get us there.

Next time, we will just go to the beach in Progresso or do an excursion with Carnival

Dzibilchaltun Ruins

TweetySunr — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 17:30:38 GMT

We are going to go to the Dzibichaltun ruins in progress through autoprogresso and was wondering if anyone had done this before and how well they liked it?

Discover the Yucatan and the Mayan World

capicone — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 04:22:29 GMT

Has anyone done this excurssion before. Seems a little pricey.Not sure if it is worth.it.Thanks for any input.

Reef Club Beach Resort

mizzanet — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 05:38:26 GMT

I was wondering if anyone had any updated information on this tour that was once on autoprogreso.com, most of the posts that I read were from 2008, and earlier. Is there still a place off the pier that carries this same excursion?

Progreso Beach Is A Must Do

texaspepper — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 19:16:23 GMT

We sailed out of New Orleans July 6-11, 2009 on the Carnival Fantasy. Soon as you get off the ship in Progreso and get through the shopping area there you board the free bus ride to the town. When you get off the bus walk 1/2 block-turn left and walk one block. Ta Da! The beach. We rented a plastic beach lay down chair. $2 each. The first place has padded lay downs for $8. We took the next place for $2.00 as we were only staying 3-4 hours. Shopped for a massage. . .or should I say they shopped me. Got a 30 min (she said 45 min) for $10. It was good. We opted not to do the Corona Beach Party for $39.00 per person. Did not want to drink at 10:30am.

Went for a swim in the water. Refreshing. Read other posts about the beach saying . .dirty. . .brown water. No so. The water is shallow and sand is light brown on the bottom. Do go to the beach in Progreso. Very nice time.

what close to where the ship docks. $$$ bus ride

lollygag — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 03:08:40 GMT

What is available in walking distance of where the ship docks in Progreso?

Do you have to take a bus to both shopping and the beaches?

How much $$ is the bus?

Autoprogreso Tours to Uxmal?

briannejfl03 — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 03:28:53 GMT

Hi, does anyone have any information on Autoprogreso Tours to Uxmal? Or has anyone used Autoprogreso?

We are sailing on 6/8/09 on the Fantasy from New Orleans to Progresso and Cozumel. When I was looking at the excursions offered on our particular sailing--I was really disappointed with what was offered!

The Progreso excursions had nearly nothing--we wanted to go to Uxmal instead of Chichen Itza--but it's not offered. The ONLY excursion that I really wanted to go on was to Tulum while in Cozumel--again, it wasn't offered on our sailing. I'm trying to plan on doing our own thing--although, I've given up on Tulum b/c I'm pretty sure we won't have enough time. But, I want to visit ruins--so ANY and ALL info on Autoprogreso would be appreciated! (Their website has almost no information!)

Cruising this weekend ... ?'s about what 2 do in Yucatan

DebbyDee — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 23:49:21 GMT

Hello!!!

Our family (me, hubby, and 15-year-old boy/girl twins) will be cruising to Progreso/Cozumel in just a couple of days! Woo-hoo!!!

Our plans for Mexico include: shopping (silver jewelry for me!), a beach, and snorkeling. I am wondering where are the best places (between Progreso and Cozumel) to do these things? Here are my ?'s:

Is the shopping better in Cozumel or Progreso? (as I said, I am particularly interested in sliver jewelry)

Should I schedule our snorkeling excursion in Cozumel or Progreso? (which is better?)

Which port offers the better beach?

What IS there to do in Progreso?????

I would appreciate any suggestions!! Thanks in advance!!

Debbie

Excurions for 15 & 17 year old sons

pylant — Sat, 23 Feb 2008 05:39:43 GMT

What would you recommend to be fun and exciting for 15 & 17 year olds in Progresso? I am thinking maybe a jeep or dune buggy excurison but they can't drive so they think that would be boring.

Horseback riding and beach excursion

braves1 — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 21:09:06 GMT

Has anyone been on the horseback riding and beach excursion in Progresso booked through Carnival? If so, how was it? Was it through a pretty jungle, and was the beach nice? Also, was the ride along the beach through any water? Thanks for any help on this.

Braves1

Excursion with two 9 yr olds? Possibly Dune Buggy tour?

twnzmom — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 14:14:12 GMT

We'll be taking our two 9 yr olds to Progresso on the Fantasy end of June. I'm considering the dune buggy tour? Anyone with experience on it? Also, any other suggestions for excursions in Progreso besides the ruins tours?

beach massage - attire???

2girls — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 00:58:15 GMT

OK, this may seem like a crazy question, but I just have to ask. I have seen many people mention the $15 massages on the beach in Progresso. This sounds like heaven to me. However, whenever I have had a massage in the past, 1. it's been in a private, dark room and 2. I didn't wear much more than a sheet. I'm trying to figure out how this is going to work on a public beach.

Do they massage around your bathing suit? Should I wear a loose t-shirt they can reach under? Can someone please enlighten me?

shopping in progresso

2girls — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 19:27:15 GMT

We are going to progresso and cozumel next March. We were in Nassau last June and ran out of time before we got to shop for bargains. I am hoping to make up for that and shop in Progresso and spend the day at the beach in Cozumel. Is this realistic? Where is the best place to go? Looks like shopping is about 6 miles from port. Is that correct? Please help!