AIR
The international airport at Merida is only 45 minutes away and is serviced by Mexican and American airlines on a daily basis. Direct flights to Mexico City, Cancun, Miami and Houston are available.
BUS
Great first class bus service is available throughout Mexico and from the USA border . Cost is low and service and comfort great.
CAR
One can drive to Progreso and the Yucatan through southern Texas along the Gulf coast or by autoroute to Mexico city and then east to Vera Cruz and then Merida. The drive is safe but very long. About 4 , 8 hour days from the Texas border.
BOAT
Cruise ships from Cape Canavaral Florida, Miami and Galveston stop at Progreso on almost a daily basis. They then continue to a port near Cancun and often to Belize in central America.
CAR /FERRY
As of September 2004 it is exected that a car ferry will run weekly from Tampa Bay ,Florida to Progreso and from Houston to Progreso. Travel time on this cruise ship will be about 34 and 28 hours respectively. Excellent services and accommodations are included at a very reasonable price.
Yucatan Express Cruises
The Yucatan Express cruise ship with ferry facilities is the way travel between Progreso Yucatan, Mexico and Tampa, Florida.
The Yucatan Express is an immaculately clean, smartly decorated small cruise ship that has a capacity for 1,000 passengers It is staffed by a crew of 120 happy, professional people, whose main goal in life seems to be to please the passengers for the 34-36 -hour crossing.
Traveling from Tampa passengers board the ship Friday at 2 pm. Leaving Progreso yopu board on Sunday at 3 pm. It is similar to boarding an airplane at the airport: check your ticket, check your luggage and pass immigration.
Four buffet-style meals are served daily - three meals and a midnight snack. The friendly, professional wait staff make each meal a pleasure!
Each morning, a sheet of daily activities is delivered to your cabin. Activities include napkin folding, cocktail mixing, yoga, Spanish and English classes, making roses from ribbons, how to bet and play in the casinos.
Evening entertainment is provided by the Yucatan Express Quartet, an excellent group of musicians and the Ray Kennedy Singers, a group of four, that sounds like a group of 14.
The Casino opens an hour out of port and at 11 AM on the day at sea.
Frequently Asked Questions regarding the Tampa/progreso ferry
How much does the trip cost?
It depends on what you want. Options are: cruise only, cruise/hotel vacation, taking your vehicle, one way, round trip, etc.
What is the cheapest cost?
The cheapest cabin is $289 (double) or $329 (single) US round trip, which includes the cabin (without bathroom), meal voucher and port taxes. Immaculately clean bathrooms are close by and are similar to those in a club with a shower room and toilets.
How much does it cost to take a car?
$289 US roundtrip plus $15 US tax plus insurance. Prices are figured by height; this is for a 6-foot tall vehicle.
How much is the insurance for the US?
There is no one answer. Factors include: the year and model of the car, time you need to be insured and the amount you want to be insured for. Get on-line at http://www.segurousa.com for an estimate, fill out the forms and buy the insurance. It is in Spanish, with an English option.
Do I have to buy a meal voucher?
Yes. $99 for 14 meals round trip, $49.50 one way.
How long does the trip take?
34-36 hours one way.
The first trip next season.
October 22.
Houston to Progreso ferry
Maya King Superferries, with offices in Houston, plans a new ferry operation this year. The Inter-American Development Bank extended credit of $300 million US to cover first year operating losses, while the route becomes established.
The Maya King route plans to follow Houston to Progreso to Puerto Morales to Puerto Cortez in Honduras. With four ports, it is expected to be successful in attracting passengers. This ferry will also be capable of carrying buses and cargo trucks, as well as cars.
Ticket prices are estimated to start at $300 US from Houston to Puerto Cortez for a passenger and $600 with an automobile.
The 28 hour trip from Houston to Progreso would cost $140 US per passenger