What Isla Columpios is (and why it isn't really an island)
The Yucatán government's tourism guide describes Isla Columpios as a small group of islets. In practice it's a set of sandbanks and mangroves off Chuburná Puerto, where the sea forms shallow natural pools. Swings and hammocks are set right in the water, and there are no hotels or big restaurants, which is exactly what makes it special.
Yucatán's tourism department suggests exploring it by boat or kayak. On the Mary Tours trip you reach it by boat from Chuburná's sheltered harbor, with entry included.
Chuburná, a port with a past
Chuburná is a port in the municipality of Progreso, about 16 kilometers west of the town of Progreso, according to the state government. Today it's known as a quiet summer getaway, but it has history: for a long time it supplied fish to Mérida, and in 1663 it was named a coastal lookout post along with Chicxulub, to warn of approaching enemy ships. There are Maya remains in the surrounding area.
Its mangroves and waterways also make it a nature-tourism spot: the state lists it for kayaking, boat rides, sport fishing and cycling.
The dunes and the mangroves
After the sandbanks, the tour stops at the Chuburná dunes, mounds of white sand shaped by the wind and usually empty of people. Dunes protect the coast from erosion and storms, and they support plants that hold the sand in place, so stick to the paths and don't pull up vegetation.
Around Isla Columpios, the mangroves are full of birds. Binoculars or a phone with good zoom are worth bringing.
An afternoon in Progreso
The day ends in Puerto Progreso, Yucatán's deep-water port, half an hour from Mérida. The afternoon is free: eat on the boardwalk, walk by the pier or stay on the beach. The Progreso pier is listed by Guinness World Records as one of the longest in the world; we have a separate guide about that record.
Lunch isn't included on this tour, so bring cash for the boardwalk.
Tips for the day
- Wear your swimsuit from the start.
- Biodegradable sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses: there's no shade on the sandbanks.
- A waterproof phone pouch: you may get splashed on the boat.
- Cash for lunch in Progreso.
- Don't leave trash on the islets or dunes: there's no garbage collection.
Fun facts
- Chuburná was named a coastal lookout post in 1663 to watch for incoming ships.
- At Isla Columpios, swings and hammocks are set directly in the sea.
- Yucatán's coastal dunes protect towns from erosion and storms.
Related tours
Beach · 8 h
North Coast and Isla Columpios
Wooden swings driven straight into the sea
from $1,250 MXN per person
See itinerary
10:00 AM – 6:00 PM · daily
- 10:00 AM Departure from the office — An hour and a quarter to the Chuburná harbour, where the boat leaves from.
- 11:30 AM Isla Columpios — Turquoise water barely past your knees, swings and hammocks over the sea, and mangrove all around full of birds.
- 1:00 PM Chuburná dunes — White sand mounds shaped by the wind, with nobody around. Good for walking and for photos.
- 2:30 PM Puerto Progreso — Free afternoon: eat on the seafront, walk the pier or stay on the beach.
- 5:30 PM Back to Mérida — Half an hour back, arriving around six.
Included: Transport, Certified guide, Boat and Isla Columpios entry
Not included: Food, Drinks
Transfers · 9.5 h
Transfer to Isla Columpios and Progreso
We drive you to the coast, wait for you and bring you back
from $2,550 MXN per vehicle
Beach · 9.5 h
Sisal: kayak, flamingos and beach
A magic town that is still a fishing port
from $1,500 MXN per person
See itinerary
8:00 AM – 5:30 PM · daily
- 8:00 AM Departure from the office — An hour and a half on the road to the port.
- 10:00 AM Kayaking in the coastal wetland — A paddle by kayak or flat-bottomed boat through the mangrove, with birdwatching — pink flamingos included — and a dip in a freshwater spring.
- 11:45 AM Sisal beach — Over four hours free. There are seafood places along the shore and palapas you can rent for shade.
- 4:00 PM Back to Mérida — An hour and a half back.
Included: Transport, Kayaking in the coastal wetlands, Free time on the beach
Not included: Food, Drinks, Palapa rental
Frequently asked questions
How do you get to Isla Columpios?
Only by boat or kayak from Chuburná Puerto. On the Mary Tours trip, the boat and entry are included.
How far is Isla Columpios from Mérida?
Chuburná harbor is a little over an hour's drive from Mérida.
Is Isla Columpios a real island?
Not exactly: it's a group of islets, sandbanks and mangroves off the coast, with very shallow water.
Does the tour include lunch?
No. It includes transportation, a certified guide, the boat and entry to Isla Columpios. Lunch in Progreso is on your own.
Do I need to swim?
On the sandbanks the water is usually knee-deep, but always keep an eye on kids and the waves.
