I went on a family cruise and we docked at Progresso. While my husband, adult sons, and I went on a ruin and cenote tour, my brothers and their families just took a cab into Merida. They had a kid about 10 offer to show them around for five American dollars. He called himself Dan. My brothers enjoyed the tour and food, but their favorite part was Dan. He was a great little entrepreneur who even convinced them they were hot and thirsty and need to buy a coke and make sure to include him in it! My brothers decided they didn't really care for cruising (I don't know how we can be related), but they were extremely happy to have that experience in Merida.
We are lucky enough to have use of my parents house in Mérida, and we try and get down there at least twice a year. When you were on Paseo de Montejo, you were just a block away from that house. I highly recommend that anyone who can goes to visit Mérida. It’s a beautiful town with lovely people and lots of things to do!
The best reason to visit Progreso is that it is the jump off spot for a shore excursion to Chichen Itza. Now that is a trip worth taking! We got rained on while seeing the Observatory but the rain was warm and we just laughed. We also got rained on while visiting Tulum on another cruise.
Oh man, what a treat it would be to run across a Goya exhibit in Merida. That absolutely would have made the trip for me. He was a mind-blowingly dark painter, especially the stuff he did after being left deaf by an illness and mentally exhausted by warfare.
Did you notice that the town next to Progreso was called Chicxulub? You were standing close to Ground Zero, for the landing zone for a 6 mile Asteroid, 66 million years ago.
Those Goya pictures are etchings. They are created by using a stylus to scratch on a copper plate coated with wax then you use acid to etched into the metal that is not covered in wax. You then take the plate and coat the plate with ink and wipe the ink off with only the ink in the etched surface stays and then you use a press to transfer the ink onto the paper.
Merida is one of myost favourite places in the world, I used to spend a few weeks there every year and have many friends there. You never tire of it, and there is so much to see both in the city and out. For Maya Ruins I would suggest Uxmal if they offer a ship tour, one of the most beautiful sets of ruins.
Happy Saturday Tony & Jenny. I have 2 friends that have lived in Progresso & went to Merida all the time. They absolutely adored being there for almost three years. But, were missing their kiddos. So they came back to Canada just before Christmas 2024. Thanks for showing the areas you went to. That monument area and it's carvings are beyond amazing!!!! 👏👏 When I was in Mexico. I sure noticed those HUGE flags all the time. Nice to see IMO. 👍👍
My wife and l cruised around 25 times until she got sick. We have not cruised since 2015. Your videos are excellent and make us feel we are back cruising again. They are the best, thanks Toni
Great video for people coming into Progreso and Merida. We moved to Merida from the US about two years ago. The people are friendly and humble and it's the second safest city in the America's, behind Quebec City. The cathedral you went into is the oldest mainland church in the Americas. I haven't verified it myself, but we were told by a local that the cathedral has a cenote underneath and the Father blesses the water to use in ceremonies. Entering Merida you passed the new headquarters building of the Tran Maya and the Great Museum of the Mayan World, both were in the video. There was a large mall with an inside ice skating rink just before you get to the Costco which has a cenote in the parking lot! Plus one of three Texas Roadhouses in Mexico. Come back and visit sometimes!
Thanks Tony, it really is nice to go with you on these cruises, and especially the excursions. Very informative. The area is beautiful. I love the cathedral sounds :)
We did a bus ride (scary interesting) walking tour of Merida and the guide was very informative showing us the different housing with elaborate courtyards. The town courtyard was so awesome. I haven’t seen a better one anywhere. The history of the beautiful cathedral was interesting.
Merida looked beautiful! AND..... I just learned that Goya is not just a food section in the Grocery Store! Wow! Who knew??!! Tony thank you so much for sharing.🙂
Hi Tony, I’m happy that you got the opportunity to visit Merida from Puerto Progreso port, there is really not much to see and do in Puerto Progreso. I love Merida, it has a lot of History and beautiful places to see. Thank you for showing people a different view of Mexico 😁👏🏻👏🏻
Tony...I so appreciate this...I reallt really really love your tours...this was wonderful...thank you for the gift of culture and travel...it was super.
Thanks Tony. We were supposed to go to Progresso in June of 2024, but thanks to TS Alberto, it was cancelled and replaced with a second day at Cozumel. Maybe one day I'll get there. Have a great year.
Go see this when in Progresso; Dzibilchaltun Ruins are located near the colonial city of Merida, Yucatan. Dzibilchaltun was a large settlement and still occupied when the Spanish arrived
Ahhh I love Goya (the artist)! I saw his black paintings in Madrid at the Museo del Prado (an absolute must when in Madrid imo) and was just blown away! Another great video, thanks Tony 🌴
We just did the same tour and ate at the same restaurant on Tuesday! I enjoyed re-experiencing it with your vlog. We enjoyed every minute. Looks like you had a bit more free time than we did. I hope we get to go back someday. Such a gorgeous city. I felt like I was in Europe. It was fun navigating those teeny streets in a big tour bus, huh? Taking turns was interesting 🙂We loved the Cathedral as well. The tour was a great value as well. Only $35 each. Highly recommend!
I was in Progresso the day after you. I really wished I seen your video before I went. I will be looking forward to visiting Progresso now. Thanks Tony.
Back in the 1990’s I drove charter motor coach. I drove for a lot of trips to Washington D.C. (Before 9/11) Step-on guides were supposed to be licensed by D.C. to guide tours. Perfect! At least they all have the same script! I was in graduate school in seminary and knew (still know) a thing or two about church history. On our way up to the National Cathedral, the step-on guide told the 8th graders on my coach that the National Cathedral was run by the Episcopal church (correct). But then he said, “Episcopal means everyone.” WRONG! I gently pulled him aside and told him that he is incorrect. Unlucky for me, one month later, I had the exact same step-on guide who told the same inexcusable story! Friends, don’t trust anything that a guide tells you. It might be fun, but also incorrect. (Unless they have the credentials!)
We did a very similar excursion to this when our boys were young and the history was wonderful, especially when we were home schooling the boys. I really enjoyed the tour.
Tony, thanks to your Margaritaville Islander videos, I signed up for their email offers and received a “Heros and government worker” discount offer. We were able to book an Islander 5 day cruise paying just the taxes and fees with 0 cruise fare. Thanks you and great videos.
Hey Tony Tampa here. Thanks for the video, and I will be flying into Merida for 10 days in April. Can't wait. I have been researching for months to make the best of my trip, and it is really a beautiful Mayan/Colonial city. I plan a day trip to Chichen Itza, and swim in a couple of cenotes while I'm in the area. I sailed the MASI in August and had a blast. Thanks again.
Very interesting port stop. I've never been there but if it shows up on one of my cruises I will be sure to get out and explore. Great getting to see Goyas and for free. A whole lot of history. Thanks for showing all this. As always thank you for all you do.
Thanks for this video Tony. We spent 5 weeks in Merida last year…such an interesting city, lots of culture, history and great local food. Unlike other parts of Mexico. If you ever go back, there are excursions to Uxmal ( Mayan ruins) and cenotes which are swim holes that are just beautiful . Also try the Sopa de Lima which is a lemon soup and a dessert from carts waffle cone, Nutella and Gouda cheese. Really different foods. Thanks and have a great week!❤️🇨🇦
We too got ripped off by the tour guide when we went to Phuket with RCI. The guide did not even follow the itinerary and took us to places that were not on the itinerary where they hope to earn commissions. We had already been to these places on a previous trip, so we made sure this time around we chose something different. So we have decided no more shore excursions at Phuket
Hey Tony catching up on your videos we went to Cozamel n Yucan, Progresso back in June on Grandeur of the Seas I love Cozamel!! N the kids loved Yucatán n the ruins excursion we took. Thanks for sharing I might have to look into Margaritaville Islander !!
In 2016 in a Carnival Cruise we stopped at Progreso and toured Marida. We absolutely loved it. It was a taste of Marida and as a group, we did the square, Cathedral, had lunch at some restaurant and stopped at a bunch of the little shops tasting authentic drinks and snacks. One was a bakery with fantastic pastries that we were able to purchase and bring back to the ship.
Some of the hotels in Merida (like the "Hotel Colon") have steam piped in to the showers through special valves openable near the floor. Kind of like a sauna, but not really. Very relaxing and supposedly medicinal in some respects.
I have taken that same tour. I like both Progresso and Merida. My favorite is the Mayan ruins in Uxmal. I liked it even more than Chichen Itza and that was great.
We have done Progresso several times. We love going to the Uxmal Mayan ruins. They are awesome. We booked our own tours with Lawson Yucatán tours every time. They were great. I like this port better than Costa Maya for sure.
you commented that Merida was a "huge city". I went on my honeymoon in 1985 and Merida was a quiet stop on the way to Cancun. Now back then Cancun was barely a destination point. There were no crowds and taxi's gladly took you to down town (which was uncrowded and safe). Our stop in Merida was of a quaint small mexican villiage. They made a lot of clothes to the best of my memory. No one spoke English. It was very small.
We’re going down the dock. Did they have any of those guys with the you know the bikes and the carts attached to it?? because you said the pier was 5 miles long and my husband and I have a hard time walking long distances but thank you for taking us along with you on your excursion and tell Jenny I said hi❤🌹🛳️🦩⚓️
In March, we are taking the Margaritaville with a stop in Progreso and have been trying to decide on which excursion to do. Thanks for putting this excursion on our list.😀
Thank you Tony for sharing your tour. Looks like a good tour if I am in that area. Your Towel Animal Kingdom is expanding 😊 Safe and Happy Cruising 🛳 🌊 ⚓️ Blessings and Peace 🕊 🙏 ✝️
That's so interesting! I've always wondered what it looks like to those arriving here on a cruise ship, especially those that have never been here. I live in the north of Merida, it is a beautiful city
More more info about Mexican travel check out his book - amzn.to/3PxDcH8
I went on a family cruise and we docked at Progresso. While my husband, adult sons, and I went on a ruin and cenote tour, my brothers and their families just took a cab into Merida. They had a kid about 10 offer to show them around for five American dollars. He called himself Dan. My brothers enjoyed the tour and food, but their favorite part was Dan. He was a great little entrepreneur who even convinced them they were hot and thirsty and need to buy a coke and make sure to include him in it! My brothers decided they didn't really care for cruising (I don't know how we can be related), but they were extremely happy to have that experience in Merida.
We are lucky enough to have use of my parents house in Mérida, and we try and get down there at least twice a year. When you were on Paseo de Montejo, you were just a block away from that house.
I highly recommend that anyone who can goes to visit Mérida. It’s a beautiful town with lovely people and lots of things to do!
The best reason to visit Progreso is that it is the jump off spot for a shore excursion to Chichen Itza. Now that is a trip worth taking! We got rained on while seeing the Observatory but the rain was warm and we just laughed. We also got rained on while visiting Tulum on another cruise.
Oh man, what a treat it would be to run across a Goya exhibit in Merida. That absolutely would have made the trip for me. He was a mind-blowingly dark painter, especially the stuff he did after being left deaf by an illness and mentally exhausted by warfare.
Did you notice that the town next to Progreso was called Chicxulub? You were standing close to Ground Zero, for the landing zone for a 6 mile Asteroid, 66 million years ago.
Those Goya pictures are etchings. They are created by using a stylus to scratch on a copper plate coated with wax then you use acid to etched into the metal that is not covered in wax. You then take the plate and coat the plate with ink and wipe the ink off with only the ink in the etched surface stays and then you use a press to transfer the ink onto the paper.
That incredible old house and the ancient cathedral!! , you are so lucky to be there. Mexico is beautiful. Thanks for sharing.
Merida is one of myost favourite places in the world, I used to spend a few weeks there every year and have many friends there. You never tire of it, and there is so much to see both in the city and out. For Maya Ruins I would suggest Uxmal if they offer a ship tour, one of the most beautiful sets of ruins.
Happy Saturday Tony & Jenny.
I have 2 friends that have lived in Progresso & went to Merida all the time. They absolutely adored being there for almost three years. But, were missing their kiddos. So they came back to Canada just before Christmas 2024.
Thanks for showing the areas you went to. That monument area and it's carvings are beyond amazing!!!! 👏👏
When I was in Mexico. I sure noticed those HUGE flags all the time. Nice to see IMO. 👍👍
My wife and l cruised around 25 times until she got sick. We have not cruised since 2015. Your videos are excellent and make us feel we are back cruising again. They are the best, thanks Toni
Wow that was a very cool video and you "Progressoed" so well through it! 👍👍
Great video for people coming into Progreso and Merida. We moved to Merida from the US about two years ago. The people are friendly and humble and it's the second safest city in the America's, behind Quebec City. The cathedral you went into is the oldest mainland church in the Americas. I haven't verified it myself, but we were told by a local that the cathedral has a cenote underneath and the Father blesses the water to use in ceremonies. Entering Merida you passed the new headquarters building of the Tran Maya and the Great Museum of the Mayan World, both were in the video. There was a large mall with an inside ice skating rink just before you get to the Costco which has a cenote in the parking lot! Plus one of three Texas Roadhouses in Mexico. Come back and visit sometimes!
Thanks Tony, it really is nice to go with you on these cruises, and especially the excursions. Very informative. The area is beautiful. I love the cathedral sounds :)
We did a bus ride (scary interesting) walking tour of Merida and the guide was very informative showing us the different housing with elaborate courtyards. The town courtyard was so awesome. I haven’t seen a better one anywhere. The history of the beautiful cathedral was interesting.
Makes me want to go! Thank you for the tour!
We took a Carnival cruise to Progreso and ended up not getting off the ship. Now I wish we had! Thanks for sharing Tony, excellent job.
Glad you saw the art and the beautiful cathedral ❤
Merida looked beautiful! AND..... I just learned that Goya is not just a food section in the Grocery Store! Wow! Who knew??!! Tony thank you so much for sharing.🙂
Hi Tony, I’m happy that you got the opportunity to visit Merida from Puerto Progreso port, there is really not much to see and do in Puerto Progreso. I love Merida, it has a lot of History and beautiful places to see. Thank you for showing people a different view of Mexico 😁👏🏻👏🏻
Tony...I so appreciate this...I reallt really really love your tours...this was wonderful...thank you for the gift of culture and travel...it was super.
Thank you for bringing us along, Tony! Your lunch has made me hungry. I love the stories and the history!
Thanks Tony. We were supposed to go to Progresso in June of 2024, but thanks to TS Alberto, it was cancelled and replaced with a second day at Cozumel. Maybe one day I'll get there. Have a great year.
It was nice to see another destination in Mexico than the same old ones!😊
Love your tour vlogs!! Keep ‘em coming! You are a great host.
Tony really enjoyed the excursions as always thank you for taking us with you. 😊
Wow. New cruise port goals! Thanks, Tony
Cool history lesson, thank you for sharing, that's awesome, never even heard of that port.
Go see this when in Progresso; Dzibilchaltun Ruins are located near the colonial city of Merida, Yucatan. Dzibilchaltun was a large settlement and still occupied when the Spanish arrived
Thank you, Tony. I am glad you enjoyed your cruise on Margaritaville at Sea. Fins Up!
That was a really good shore excursion. Merida is really beautiful.
The universe is conspiring me to move to Merida. I was just looking up expat areas there! Great video as always, cheers from Philly.
Great video Tony!
That was a very interesting and engaging report. I'd now like to visit Progreso and Merida.
Sure wish I could do that
Thanks for sharing
Its the only way I will ever see this stuff.
Cheers Mate
Ahhh I love Goya (the artist)! I saw his black paintings in Madrid at the Museo del Prado (an absolute must when in Madrid imo) and was just blown away! Another great video, thanks Tony 🌴
Great video! Thanks for sharing.
We took the dune buggy tour in Progresso. It was the best! Mayan ruins, beach, and salt making. The tour guide was very funny too!
Merida is a beautiful city. Progreso is an underrated port.
We just did the same tour and ate at the same restaurant on Tuesday! I enjoyed re-experiencing it with your vlog. We enjoyed every minute. Looks like you had a bit more free time than we did. I hope we get to go back someday. Such a gorgeous city. I felt like I was in Europe. It was fun navigating those teeny streets in a big tour bus, huh? Taking turns was interesting 🙂We loved the Cathedral as well. The tour was a great value as well. Only $35 each. Highly recommend!
I was in Progresso the day after you. I really wished I seen your video before I went. I will be looking forward to visiting Progresso now. Thanks Tony.
This was a really good tour to watch. I would go on this for sure. Thanks for showing it.
I’ve been on that tour. It was very informative and visiting the cathedral was awesome.
Tony, I love all the information! I’ve been to Progresso several times, never beyond the port. Thanks Tony from the future! 😂❤🛳️
Back in the 1990’s I drove charter motor coach. I drove for a lot of trips to Washington D.C. (Before 9/11) Step-on guides were supposed to be licensed by D.C. to guide tours. Perfect! At least they all have the same script! I was in graduate school in seminary and knew (still know) a thing or two about church history. On our way up to the National Cathedral, the step-on guide told the 8th graders on my coach that the National Cathedral was run by the Episcopal church (correct). But then he said, “Episcopal means everyone.” WRONG! I gently pulled him aside and told him that he is incorrect. Unlucky for me, one month later, I had the exact same step-on guide who told the same inexcusable story!
Friends, don’t trust anything that a guide tells you. It might be fun, but also incorrect. (Unless they have the credentials!)
another very well done video thanks Tony
Anyone else really like the "Tony from the edit" cut aways?
That was a entertaining excursion....Thanks Tony!!
Interesting place. Will have to check it out on a future cruise. Thanks for sharing. Love your excursion videos!
Thank you, Tony! God bless
We did a very similar excursion to this when our boys were young and the history was wonderful, especially when we were home schooling the boys. I really enjoyed the tour.
Fascinating! Thanks for showing us, Tony. 🤠✌🏼
Thanks for sharing !
Looked like a fun excurtion. Appreciate the documentation Tony!
Tony, thanks to your Margaritaville Islander videos, I signed up for their email offers and received a “Heros and government worker” discount offer. We were able to book an Islander 5 day cruise paying just the taxes and fees with 0 cruise fare. Thanks you and great videos.
Thanks for sharing - looks like a great excursion!
Hey Tony Tampa here. Thanks for the video, and I will be flying into Merida for 10 days in April. Can't wait. I have been researching for months to make the best of my trip, and it is really a beautiful Mayan/Colonial city. I plan a day trip to Chichen Itza, and swim in a couple of cenotes while I'm in the area. I sailed the MASI in August and had a blast. Thanks again.
Very interesting port stop. I've never been there but if it shows up on one of my cruises I will be sure to get out and explore. Great getting to see Goyas and for free. A whole lot of history. Thanks for showing all this. As always thank you for all you do.
Really enjoyed this segment as I never heard of Progresso.
Thanks for sharing. I have never been to this port. Looked interesting.
Thanks for this video Tony. We spent 5 weeks in Merida last year…such an interesting city, lots of culture, history and great local food. Unlike other parts of Mexico. If you ever go back, there are excursions to Uxmal ( Mayan ruins) and cenotes which are swim holes that are just beautiful . Also try the Sopa de Lima which is a lemon soup and a dessert from carts waffle cone, Nutella and Gouda cheese. Really different foods. Thanks and have a great week!❤️🇨🇦
Loved my visit in Merida
We too got ripped off by the tour guide when we went to Phuket with RCI. The guide did not even follow the itinerary and took us to places that were not on the itinerary where they hope to earn commissions. We had already been to these places on a previous trip, so we made sure this time around we chose something different. So we have decided no more shore excursions at Phuket
Another very interesting excursion, thanks for sharing!
Hey Tony catching up on your videos we went to Cozamel n Yucan, Progresso back in June on Grandeur of the Seas I love Cozamel!! N the kids loved Yucatán n the ruins excursion we took. Thanks for sharing I might have to look into Margaritaville Islander !!
Oh cool, a look at a port I haven't visited yet.
Since the pier is so long, how do you get from the ship all the way to the shore? Are there shuttles?
Shuttles
Thank you for tour play by play.
Very well done Tony. Mexico has many nice ports and cities.
In 2016 in a Carnival Cruise we stopped at Progreso and toured Marida. We absolutely loved it.
It was a taste of Marida and as a group, we did the square, Cathedral, had lunch at some restaurant and stopped at a bunch of the little shops tasting authentic drinks and snacks. One was a bakery with fantastic pastries that we were able to purchase and bring back to the ship.
What a treat. I spent 3 weeks including Semana Santa in Merida in 2000. Such a lovely vibrant city
You're a great marketing machine😊. Loved it!
Some of the hotels in Merida (like the "Hotel Colon") have steam piped in to the showers through special valves openable near the floor. Kind of like a sauna, but not really. Very relaxing and supposedly medicinal in some respects.
I have taken that same tour. I like both Progresso and Merida. My favorite is the Mayan ruins in Uxmal. I liked it even more than Chichen Itza and that was great.
How long does it take to get to the ruins?
We have done Progresso several times. We love going to the Uxmal Mayan ruins. They are awesome. We booked our own tours with Lawson Yucatán tours every time. They were great. I like this port better than Costa Maya for sure.
@@blissfuljoy6049 Takes about an hour.
the only time i have been there, we just went into A shopping place at the end of the 5 mile pier. next time i am doing an Excursion. thanks Tony
City center in Merida is pretty with that big church. Good food there too.
nice video tour!
My wife and I were on the Disney Magic that same day you were there !
Hi Tony 😊great video!!
Good tour and overall good video.
What a fabulous opportunity to see the Goyas in a tiny Mexican port like Progreso. Thanks for sharing, Tony. Yucatan is a fascinating place to visit.
wow just to see goyas etchings amazing! the faded glory of the building reminiscent of cuba
Chichén Itzá is 2.5 hours away. If time permits.
I have a friend who retired there. They love it.
Great video, Tony! My wife is going to Progreso in November. 🚢🚢🚢
Actually love to shop there!
Very cool cultural excursion. Thanks for sharing.
Great video
you commented that Merida was a "huge city". I went on my honeymoon in 1985 and Merida was a quiet stop on the way to Cancun. Now back then Cancun was barely a destination point. There were no crowds and taxi's gladly took you to down town (which was uncrowded and safe). Our stop in Merida was of a quaint small mexican villiage. They made a lot of clothes to the best of my memory. No one spoke English. It was very small.
We have been to Progresso and Merida several times, (love them both), not while cruising though. One of these days we will cruise into that port.
We’re going down the dock. Did they have any of those guys with the you know the bikes and the carts attached to it?? because you said the pier was 5 miles long and my husband and I have a hard time walking long distances but thank you for taking us along with you on your excursion and tell Jenny I said hi❤🌹🛳️🦩⚓️
You have to walk all the way through the duty free to the shuttle to town.
Loved the excursion! Have never been to Merida!
Always fun to excurt with Tony.
Love walking into the cathedrals in Mexico. Puerto Vallarta has my favorite one.
Loved the word play
OMG! That first
Goya sketch…you know the one Tony! 😂😂😂😂
You were so lucky to be able to see the Goya exhibit!
In March, we are taking the Margaritaville with a stop in Progreso and have been trying to decide on which excursion to do. Thanks for putting this excursion on our list.😀
The design on the cover of the menu is a famous art
Thank you Tony for sharing your tour. Looks like a good tour if I am in that area.
Your Towel Animal Kingdom is expanding 😊
Safe and Happy Cruising
🛳 🌊 ⚓️
Blessings and Peace 🕊 🙏 ✝️
That's so interesting! I've always wondered what it looks like to those arriving here on a cruise ship, especially those that have never been here. I live in the north of Merida, it is a beautiful city