Transfer or tour: the difference
A tour comes with a guide, a fixed schedule and almost everything paid for. A transfer is just the day's transportation: the van, the driver and traveler insurance. You decide how long to stay at each stop, where to eat and what to book.
A transfer suits families or groups who want their own pace, people who already know the area, or anyone traveling with small children or older relatives who need breaks. If you'd prefer someone to explain what you're seeing and handle everything, the North Coast and Isla Columpios tour is the better choice.
The day's three stops
- Isla Columpios, off Chuburná Puerto. The state tourism guide describes it as a group of islets you explore by boat or kayak. You hire the boat at the harbor; it isn't included in the transfer.
- The Chuburná dunes, mounds of white sand shaped by the wind. Chuburná is about 16 kilometers west of Progreso.
- Puerto Progreso, to eat on the boardwalk, stroll and stay on the beach as long as you like.
At each stop the driver parks and waits.
Progreso: Mérida's seaport
Progreso is 36 kilometers north of Mérida and is Yucatán's main deep-water port, according to the state government. It opened on July 1, 1871, because Mérida needed a closer port; before that, the peninsula's trade went through Sisal. Today it's the nearest beach to the capital and the port of call for cruise ships visiting Yucatán.
Its pier is listed by Guinness World Records as one of the longest in the world; we have a separate guide about that record.
What you pay along the way
The transfer includes an air-conditioned van, a driver and traveler insurance. You pay separately for:
- The boat to Isla Columpios.
- Food and drinks.
- Tips and any entry fees.
The transfer is priced per van, not per person; current rates and vehicle sizes are in the catalogue on this page. Bookings from here are for groups of 4 or more.
Tips
- Bring cash for the boat and lunch.
- Swimsuit on, a hat, water and biodegradable sunscreen.
- Ask at the harbor about sea conditions before hiring the boat.
- Agree on rough timings for each stop with the driver so you're back when you want.
Fun facts
- Progreso was founded because Mérida needed a port closer than Sisal.
- Progreso is Yucatán's main deep-water port.
- Isla Columpios can only be reached by boat or kayak.
Related tours
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 · 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
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
Does the transfer include the boat to Isla Columpios?
No. It includes an air-conditioned van, a driver and traveler insurance; you hire the boat in Chuburná.
How far is Progreso from Mérida?
About 36 kilometers north, roughly half an hour by road.
Is the price per person?
No, it's per van. The catalogue shows the price and capacity of each vehicle.
Is there a guide on the transfer?
No. It's private transportation with a driver; if you want a guide, the North Coast tour is a better fit.
When did the port of Progreso open?
On July 1, 1871, according to the Yucatán government.
