Progreso boasts the world's longest pier, which juts nearly five miles into the Gulf of Mexico and anchors to the oceanfront amidst a gorgeous beach with a promenade that itself stretches a mile. Standing sentry over it all is the 120-foot Faro de Progreso, an active lighthouse built in 1893. Progreso has a beach-town vibe, and the center is easily explored on foot. At the biological reserve of El Corchito, observe lush flora and fauna and take a dip in one of the Yucatán’s famous cenotes – collapsed caverns that created freshwater swimming holes. Beyond the sun and sand, it's Progreso's role as a gateway to renowned Mayan sites that truly makes it special. Within a two-hour drive are the ruins of Dzibilchaltun, Uxmal and Chichen Itza. Also nearby is the city of Mérida, the cultural capital of the Yucatán, filled with broad plazas, splendid colonial architecture and outstanding museums.
