The record, with the exact figures
Guinness World Records lists the Progreso pier at 8,018.98 meters, a record credited to the Municipality of Progreso on July 1, 2023. The category is longest jetty/pier. That wording matters: it's sometimes called a "bridge," but it isn't one. A pier leaves the shore and ends out in the water.
According to Guinness, the pier is on the Gulf of Mexico and began operating in 1941.
Why it's so long
Yucatán's northern coast is very flat, and the seabed slopes down extremely gradually. Big ships need depth to dock, and at Progreso that depth is far from the beach. The solution was to build out to sea in stages as ships grew larger.
How the pier grew
Yucatán's tourism ministry (SEFOTUR) sums up its growth this way:
- 1937–1941: first phase of the main pier.
- 1984–1989: a remote terminal adds about five kilometers.
- 1993: the first recorded tourist ship arrivals.
- 2000: the formal cruise terminal opens.
- 2014: a 2.5 km alternate pier opens to ease cargo traffic.
Today Progreso is a stop on Western Caribbean cruise itineraries.
Progreso, Mérida's port
Progreso lies 36 km (22 miles) north of Mérida, according to the Yucatán state government, and opened as a port on July 1, 1871. Before that, Yucatán's main port was Sisal. Progreso, and later its pier, gave the state a sea outlet much closer to its capital.
How to see it
You can take in the pier from Progreso's boardwalk and beach: it disappears over the horizon. It's an active port area, so most of it is off-limits, and there's no official confirmation that you can walk its full length. Follow port instructions.
The tourist pier by the boardwalk is a separate structure meant for strolling.
Progreso from Mérida
Mary Tours' North Coast and Isla Columpios trip ends with a free afternoon in Progreso to eat on the boardwalk, walk the tourist pier or stay on the beach. There's also a private transfer to Isla Columpios and Progreso if you're traveling with your own group.
Mary Tours is on Calle 61 in Mérida's historic center; schedule and price are in the booking section.
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Length (Guinness) | 8,018.98 m |
| Record registered | July 1, 2023 |
| Category | Longest jetty/pier |
| In operation since | 1941 |
| Cruise terminal | Since 2000 |
| Distance from Mérida | 36 km north |
Fun facts
- The Progreso pier stretches more than eight kilometers.
- Progreso opened as a port on July 1, 1871, and the Guinness record was set on another July 1, in 2023.
- Before Progreso, Yucatán's main port was Sisal.
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
Frequently asked questions
How long is the Progreso pier?
8,018.98 meters, according to the 2023 Guinness World Records listing.
Is it the longest bridge in the world?
It's not a bridge. Guinness recognizes it as the world's longest jetty or pier.
Can you walk the whole pier?
Most of it is an active port area. There's no official confirmation of full pedestrian access; follow port instructions.
Why is it so long?
The seabed off Yucatán is very flat, and ships need deep water to dock.
