If you are interested in the cost-breakdown of our 2 week family trip through the Yucatan, read about it here!  

*This post may contain affiliate links in which I would earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Read my full disclosure here.  

Location

Real Mayab Hotel & Bungalows is located close to the small town of Kaua, Mexico and is approximately 20 kms from Chichen Itza and 21.5 kms from Valladolid.

The middle point (A) is where the Real Mayab Hotel & Bungalows is located, the left point B by the town of Piste is Chichen Itza and the point B on the right is Valladolid.  

Valladolid is a great, colonial gem to visit close-by as well!  If you would rather stay in the town of Valladolid, read my review of the hotel we stayed at and what you cannot miss in Valladolid!

Real Mayab Hotel & Bungalows was a great place to stay overnight and we enjoyed just walking the large gardens (with some animals to see!) and enjoying the tropical weather!  Read about the beachfront port town of Progreso and why you must visit here!

Our Room

The room was quite simple. Ours was mostly concrete with basic furnishings. It did have a fridge, small tv and a/c. The bathroom was a good size and had a big shower! I actually liked the simplicity of the coloured concrete in the shower although it was quite slippery when wet. So be careful after a shower! Our toddler slipped and got a good smack on the head. My Mom had a room in the main building up above reception. Her room was tiled and definitely had a more finished look so I am guessing the hotel is maybe gradually updating the rooms. Maybe the bungalows are getting tile work as well! We didn’t really care much though since we were in there just to sleep!

Watch my video below to see the room, grounds, and pool area!

The Hotel Grounds & Pool

The Real Mayab Hotel & Bungalows’ grounds were beautiful!!! There was lots of room to stroll around and the place was quiet besides the chirping birds (and maybe my kids running, yelling everywhere!).

My littlest loved watching the 3 or 4 turtles swimming around a little pond and basking on logs!

There is also a large cage with several peacocks! Another cage down the trail appeared to be empty.

The pool deck was large and had plenty of lounge chairs. Watch your step, there are a few spots where the wood is rotting and getting soft. A little upkeep is needed. But overall it was fine. Those spots were mostly on the end (the stairs weren’t in the best shape) and off on the side where the kiddos weren’t really going. It’s convenient to have the restaurant up there and be overlooking it all. The pool was cold! But the kids didn’t care!

Restaurant

The food was good but the restaurant hours seemed a little sporadic! You may want to double check with the workers what hours it is open so you don’t end up with no food!!!

We went into town (Kaua) for supper just to check the place out. There only seemed to be a handful of restaurants on the main drag, so we settled on one with a moat and bridge. The moat/pond was in front so you had to cross over a bridge to get into the restaurant which was open air on the outside. It had a great ambience and was romantic looking, that is why we stopped. The chips and salsa were delicious as always! I had a shrimp pasta that I really enjoyed, and hubby liked the fajitas but I wouldn’t suggest the burgers! That’s what the kids ordered of course and hubby had to have a bite and said they weren’t very good. So, stick with Mexican food or pasta!

The kids enjoyed running along the bridge and watching the goldfish and ducks in the pond! So that entertaining factor was a good perk!

Overall Impression

When we arrived, there were very few guests around. Being such a big complex, it almost felt abandoned in a way. However, it became much busier closer to dark and by morning the parking lot was quite full.  So, I feel this hotel is mostly a place to stay on the way to somewhere else, like it was for us! To me this seemed sad and almost a waste! The Real Mayab Hotel & Bungalows looked like it was built to host large events and groups and have stuff happening. But there wasn’t. That being said, if you’re traveling with a large group of people and want to have the place mostly to yourselves (and be close to the famous Chichen Itza Mayan ruins) this would be it! It also was a great price and the grounds were awesome for the kids!

We paid around $80 CAD (about $60 USD) when we went.  The prices were similiar on several sites, however I booked on since they had the added perk of getting a free night every 10 nts (so about 10% savings).

Check prices on | |

Lost Earrings!

One negative was that I had left some diamond stud earrings (an anniversary gift … oops) on the nightstand by our bed. I called the hotel, they talked to the cleaner on duty that day, but were told nothing was found. I even stopped in at the hotel on our way back (a week later) just to take a look and ask again. They let me in our old room so I could look around in case they fell on the floor but no such luck! I don’t want to assume anything, (and I’m definitely not putting the blame on the hotel!) but I’m guessing someone has a new pair of earrings!! I know for a fact I had left them on that nightstand the night before we checked out!! So, I recommend not leaving those small earrings anywhere except safely in your luggage. They’re definitely an easy item to forget!

Overall, I definitely recommend the Real Mayab Hotel & Bungalows for the beautiful grounds, pool, and large suntanning deck! It is also in an awesome location close to Chichen Itza and a good price for the budget conscious family – or anyone!  And, you might want to consider checking out one of my favorite beach towns – Progreso!  It is about a two hour drive from Real Mayab Hotel & Bungalows!

If you visit this hotel, let me know your thoughts in the comments!

Take care,

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The post Review of: Real Mayab Hotel & Bungalows (close to Chichen Itza) appeared first on Rachel Matthews.

Valladolid is a quaint colonial town in the Yucatan peninsula (and Yucatan state!) of Mexico.  Luckily, we stopped overnight during our two week family vacation since it was roughly half-way between our previous stop (Merida) and our last, Puerto Aventuras.

Having researched beforehand, I knew there was a cenote in Valladolid (though I had no idea how stunning it really was), an impressive cathedral, and a hotel with an underground cave pool.  If I would’ve known how quaint this little town was, I would have stayed longer!

Sadly, we had less than 24 hours, but still managed to see some of the area highlights!

Conveniently, Valladolid is almost smack in the middle between the historical Yucatan capital of Merida, and the tourist hotspot of Cancun.  Approximately 2 hours drive (150 kms give or take) from each city.

*This post may contain affiliate links in which I would earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Read my full disclosure here.  

Keep reading to find out:

• Where to Stay in Valladolid
• Must See Attractions
• Other Places to Visit close to Valladolid

Where to Stay in Valladolid

Originally, I had wanted to stay at Hotel Zenti’k Project which has a hot, underground, cave pool!  But then, to my dismay, I found out it was adults only. Why they didn’t want my boundless-energy-filled munchkins is beyond me! (That was sarcasm by the way…haha).

Instead, we picked a hotel close to the central park (Francisco Canton Rosado Park) so we could easily walk to the town sights.  La Aurora Hotel Colonial is what I decided on due to its location, pool, and the fact there were ‘hot tubs‘ on the rooftop!  Read my full review on La Aurora Hotel Colonial here.

Click here for my post on “How my Family of 5 took a 2 Week Mexico Vacation for $7000 CAD during Christmas Break!”

Must-See Attractions in Valladolid:

1. Francisco Canton Rosado Park
2.  San Gervasio Cathedral
3. Cenote Zací
4. Candelaria Park (Parque Candelaria)
5. Calzada de los Frailes
6.  San Bernardino of Sienna Convent

The above sights are some of the things you really should not miss if you visit Valladolid! Unfortunately, we were not able to get to all of them in our short stay.  But we were impressed with what we did see.

It really is hard to move quickly when you’re dragging 3 kids around!

Francisco Canton Rosado Park / San Gervasio Cathedral

Most Latin American towns and cities contain a square with a church in the center of town.  Likewise, in Valladolid, the central park is called Francisco Canton Rosado Park.

Overlooking the park, you will find San Gervasio Cathedral, an artisan market, several restaurants and shops, an open air food court, as well as Casa de Los Venados which contains over 3000+ paintings in a private home.

The open air food court on the main square in Valladolid, Mexico

San Gervasio Cathedral in Valladolid, Mexico

Coincidentally, we saw a chocolate shop on the square’s corner which looked very similar to the one we had visited in Merida. Well, turns out they are sister shops! Great quality chocolate everything can be found there! If you are a chocolate lover like me, you won’t want to miss it! I highly recommend the chocolate covered coffee beans!

The main square of Valladolid, Mexico

Later, in Francisco Canton Rosado Park (or the main square as I have been calling it!), we chanced upon a Quinceanera at the cathedral and a Mayan dance performance in the park.

A Quinceanera is simply a girl’s huge 15th birthday celebration!  In Latino culture, this coming-of-age party is usually as extravagant as most weddings.

So, don’t panic if you see something that looks like a huge wedding party with a teenager for a bride!

Quinceanera in San Gervasio Cathedral in Valladolid, Mexico

Cenote Zací

Surprisingly, this tropical oasis of a cenote was beautiful, tranqil, and much larger than I had imagined.  Oddly, the few accounts I had read about Cenote Zaci (located in the center of town) had made it seem worth-a-visit but not as amazing as it really was! The ultramarine blue hued cenote can be easily found about 2 or 3 blocks east of Francisco Rosado Park starting from San Gervasio Cathedral.

Cost: 60 pesos (about $4 CAD, around $3 USD) per adult, kids 5+ are half price, while kids under 5 are FREE

Candelaria Park

It wasn’t until an hour before leaving Valladolid that we discovered cute, little, Parque Candelaria (Candelaria Park).

Funnily, the park was directly across the road (and through a pedestrian-only street) from our hotel!  If I had realized how serene and pretty it was, we may have gone there sooner!  I had read the best pizza in town was located on the square (only a block from where we were staying).  Unfortunately, it turned out that the famous Italian restaurant was closed – they only open for supper!

However, there was a cute little café only a couple doors down where we enjoyed fresh sandwiches along with the quiet and beauty of this charming spot.  And the kids loved the playground!  It was relaxing for all and I couldn’t get enough of the perfect, pretty, buildings surrounding the Park!

What We Missed

Without enough time, we didn’t make it down the Calzada de los Frailes or to the Convent of San Bernardino, unfortunately.  But, both places are on the bucket list for next time!  If you visit, leave me a comment and let me know your thoughts!

Other Places of Interest Close to Valladolid

• Cenote Xcanche
• Ek Balam Mayan Ruins
•  Cenote Maya Native Park
•  Cenote X’Keken and Samula

That wraps up what to see in Valladolid!

Don’t miss the central square with it’s chocolate shop, food court, San Gervasio Cathedral and markets.  Take a dip in beautiful cenote Zaci, continue sight-seeing with a walk down Calzada de los Frailes to the Convent de San Bernardino.  To finish off the day, have supper and relax in Candelaria Park!

Have you visited Valladolid?  Did I miss any amazing places?  Let me know in the comments below!

Take care,

The post What to See in Valladolid appeared first on Rachel Matthews.

When choosing a hotel to stay at in Valladolid, I based my decision off of two factors…location and rooftop hot tubs! So, we reserved a room at La Aurora Hotel Colonial for our 1 night stay after visiting Progreso and Mérida on route to Puerto Aventuras.

*This post may contain affiliate links in which I would earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Read my full disclosure here.

Location

Parking was tight! But once we were parked, we explored the sights on foot. After all, being only a few blocks from the main square made it easy to navigate around and see most of the must-see attractions Valladolid has to offer.  La Aurora Hotel Colonial was only 2 blocks away from the central park, about 5 blocks from cenote zaci, and 1 block from another cute little park with the prettiest painted houses and shops (Candelaria Park).  The location was perfect for exploring!

Colonial Ambience & Pool

I instantly loved the colonial style of the hotel with its colourful tile floors and courtyard arrangement with all rooms surrounding the pool in the middle. There was two stories of hotel rooms along with a rooftop deck.

The tile, colonial architecture of the hotel, and rooftop patio were all lovely. And of course, the kids couldn’t wait to get in the courtyard pool!

Rooms

Our room was fairly simple but clean and had everything we needed. The room we had (#3) had a tile shower but no bathtub. Not sure if all rooms have showers only but if you are wanting a bathtub you may want to ask first! Of course there was a tv and air conditioning which is a must for my hubby!

Rooftop Deck & Breakfast

The rooftop deck was awesome! There were lounge chairs, a couple different seating areas, and breakfast was also served up there in the mornings. Fresh fruit, juice, coffee and the pancakes were all great and service was surprisingly fast! Unfortunately the rooftop “hot tubs” were actually cold! They might be nice during the day when the hot sun is beating though!   Unfortunately, we didn’t have time for that. We had things to see and I wanted to get a feel of the town before moving on to the next location.

The rooftop deck also offered a view of the top of the cathedral san Gervasio!

*tip: one of the best Italian restaurants in town is only a block away through the little pedestrian only street (that you can see from the hotel entrance) and in Candelaria Park. It was open only for supper when we were there. However, there was a little cafe/coffee place that had some tasty sandwiches and coffee for lunch!

Click here to book your stay at La Aurora Hotel Colonial

  This link is via hotels.com which will give you a great price and once you collect 10 hotel stays, get a night free!  I booked all our hotels (at a great price!) through hotels.com during our 2 week Yucatan itinerary and scored a free stay in no time !  I really enjoyed La Aurora Hotel Colonial with it’s uniqueness, charm, and perfect location!

Don’t forget to read about what you must see in Valladolid! Don’t miss the cenote right in town, the central square, cathedral, and colourful little Candelaria park especially if you have kids!

If Valladolid is on your bucket list, you would also love Mérida! Don’t miss reading about our stay and adventures in that gorgeous, colonial city! (coming soon!)

Take care

The post La Aurora Hotel Colonial Review – Valladolid, Mexico appeared first on Rachel Matthews.

When we just had two kids, we could still get away with a all-inclusive at a decent price.  But now that we have a family of 5, it is so much more expensive to find resorts without spending a mini fortune.  Most all-inclusive resorts, or even hotels for that matter, don’t allow five in one room.  This causes a dilemma if your kids are little!  Unless you are willing to splurge on two rooms and really don’t like your husband that much.   Then, it could be a blessing in disguise…depends how you look at it!  Haha!  Well, I actually love my husband heaps and really enjoy spending time with him, so the separate room thing doesn’t work for us.  And that is why we have been vacationing outside resorts…for cheaper!

*This post may contain affiliate links in which I would earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Read my full disclosure here.  

Normally, travel is very expensive over holidays!!!  I cringe when I look at prices over Christmas break, when I know they are half the cost only a month later.  But, many of us suck it up and shell out the dough knowing it’s the only time possible to escape the cold!  Well, that’s my case.  My hubby works in the oilfield.  Which means he has to work like a slave while the ground is frozen (aka winter, which happens to be most of the year!).  Thus, his only certain days off are around the holidays.  Meanwhile, I dread the cold winter and spend half of it conniving and planning on ways that we can get outta here!  Preferably somewhere hot, tropical and full of beaches and fruity cocktails…coconut shrimp is always a plus too!

Spending less money while staying off resorts does not mean sacrificing on fun, quality, or safety either.  As much as I want to get away, I am thrifty (my sister-in-laws words…though I know she really meant ‘cheap’)!  When I looked at all-inclusive vacations from our home in Canada over Christmas, they all were starting around $12,000!!!  I definitely did not want to spend that kind of money and only get a week away!  So, I made my own itinerary.  Finding budget destinations, and taking our family of 5 on adventures is right up my alley.  And the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico fit the bill.  So what does it cost to travel the Yucatan?  Here is the complete cost breakdown of my family’s 2 week Mexico vacation!

Read about our Cheap Family Vacation to Progreso (the longest stop on our journey)!

Flight Costs (from Canada to Cancun!)

Momondo has great prices and this is where I bought our flights to Cancun.  Just to be sure I’m getting the best deal; I always check skyscanner and a few other travel websites before booking.  Be aware:  if you are Canadian, many website prices are in USD!

Flight Costs for 2 adults, 2 children, and infant on lap:      $ 88 for infant, $634.84 for each kid, $765.84 each adult = $ 2889.36 Total

Baggage Costs: $60 + $35.99 = $ 95.99*

Airport Parking:  FREE since the parking lot was full and we had to park in overflow!  Otherwise this often costs around $80/week.  

Taxi to airport after over-night at Grandpa’s:      $45.10 + $10 tip to the 2^nd taxi I called = $55.10 Total **

Total Cost of flights and everything to do with getting to and from airport: $ 3040.45 CAD

*I should have only paid for one piece of luggage ($30)each way as it is a perk of having the Aerogold Visa credit card.  I was charged for both pieces on the way there, and extra on the way back since it was converted from Mexican pesos.

**Both taxi’s showed up at the same time.  It had been booked the night before but they said they were running late and not sure when my taxi would come…I couldn’t wait!  We had a plane to catch!

Transportation Costs in the Yucatan

I actually used 3500 airMiles to rent a car from Alamo.  So, the cost of the rental was just for the mandatory third party liability (TPL) insurance.  We were supposed to get a large car, and like usual, Alamo tried to give us a smaller car than what we had reserved.  I complained since there was no way we were going to fit our 3 kid’s car seats and all our luggage so luckily we were given a SUV for no extra charge!  Score!

Fuel:      $ 74.63 + 62.24  = $136.87

Rental Car: 3500 airMiles + $10.50 admin fee + $651.16 for mandatory TPL insurance = $ 661.66

Toll roads: about $40

Parking:  about $8 to the gentlemen that were hanging around to find us a space and “watch” our vehicle around the holidays when parking was scarce.

Total transportation costs: $ 846.53*

*If we would have paid for the rental car without using airmiles, it would have cost us about $400 more for a car. 

Accomodation Costs for 2 Weeks Stay in Mexico

For our family 2 week Mexican vacation, we used a combination of hotels and vacation rentals.  I used AirBnB to book our 7 night stay in Progreso but usually look on VRBO as well when searching for a vacation home.  Having extra room for little ones to play and take naps is so nice!  For booking hotels, use Hotels.com!  The prices are great, and once you book 10 nights, you get one Free!!!  It is an awesome perk.  Especially since I booked 8 nights on Hotels.com just from this one vacation!

Tip: We had to get a hotel on our flight home.  In order to keep costs minimal, I always search for an airport vicinity hotel that offers a free airport shuttle and, if the flight isn’t too early, free breakfast!

Cancun Hotel – 1 nt: $ 104.02

Kaua Hotel – 1 nt: $ 108.15

Progreso AirBnB – 7 nts: $526.20*

Merida Hotel – 2 nts: $ 139.04

Valladolid Hotel – 1 nt: $ 55.16

Puerto Aventuras Condo – 2 nts: $233.46*

Hotel overnight on flight home: $ 62.03

Total accommodation costs for our family of 5 for 2 weeks was: $ 1228.06

*We shared our Progreso AirBnB and Puerto Aventuras Condo with my mom and friend.  So, the prices listed are our share of the cost.

Food Costs in the Yucatan

We could have cut down our eating costs if we had cooked more. But, I don’t love cooking, so we only bought groceries for making breakfast and 2 other meals along with drinks and snacks while we stayed a week in Progreso.  Plus, we enjoy food way too much to cheap out.  I had plenty of shrimp, tacos, mojitos, and pina coladas.  Believe me, no one was on a diet!

Food/drink in airports: $ 49.76 (way there) + $106.56 (way back) = $ 156.32*

Meals at Restaurants: $1490.74

Groceries: $138.53

Total Food/Drink costs for our family of 5 while on our Mexican vacation:  $ 1785.59

Note:  When we stayed in Progreso, we could have a family meal with fancy pina coladas and drinks for the kids on the beach often for around $35.  However, the restaurants in Puerto Aventuras cost around double or more for a meal!  So, we were paying more like $80 or so for supper!  If you really wanted to eat cheaply, I would suggest going to the local market, or going off the tourist path, a few blocks in from the beach to get cheaper, local restaurants.

*If you can help it, avoid eating in Cancun airport and paying the high prices!!!  (It cost $45 just for a small thin crust pizza and a sandwich!  Hubby had to spend another $18 to get some pasta with meatballs)

Attraction/ Activity Costs

Most of our activities consisted of hanging out at the beach (the kid’s favourite spot!), walking around the towns we visited, and eating.  We had a blast (except when the kids were whining) and didn’t have to spend much on tours!

Bus tour of Progreso : about $4 for each of us adults, free for kids = $8 total

Cenote Zaci in Valladolid: about $4 each (60 pesos) for adults, half price for 1 kid and the other 2 were free  = $10

Total spent for activities/attractions was about $18 during our 2 week trip on the Yucatan peninsula (which includes the Yucatan state, and Quintana Roo state).

What We Spent Shopping in the Yucatan

Don’t hesitate to barter in Mexico!  Prices can be hugely inflated for us tourists!  Last year, in Playa Del Carmen, my little man had lost his hat so I went to buy another and the seller wanted $80!  I ended up getting him down to $15.  Because realistically, it was just a cloth hat to keep the sun off his head.  Nothing special about it!  The more trips we take, the less souvenirs we come home with.  As much as I love to shop, I’m slowly realizing we should only buy what we REALLY LIKE or will actually use!

3 Dresses for baby girl: $26

3 T-shirts for boys: $25

Sunglasses for Hubby: $8

2 Superhero beach towels: $17

3 sand bucket sets: $9

Our total spent on shopping was around $85 and it was pretty much all on the kids!  Funny how that happens!  We bought everything in Progreso and Merida, which are not tourist hot-spots, so we got good deals.  Souvenirs were definitely more expensive in Puerto Aventuras, which is in the Mayan Riviera (aka tourist central!).

What it Cost for 2 Weeks Travel in the Yucatan

Our Grand Total was $7003.63 for two weeks of beaches, exploring, and family fun on the Yucatan Peninsula!   And that’s without missing a cent…a Canadian cent!  If you are American, this same vacation would have cost you about $5300 (based on exchange rate at time of writing).  This cost included all the transportation to, from, and during our trip as well as food (tips included), accommodations and activities!  Pretty good, eh?! Or, go when its not a holiday and make it even cheaper! Are you ready to book your trip yet???!!

I hope by showing you the cost breakdown of our 2 week family vacation to the Yucatan, you will be encouraged to travel with your family!  Be adventuresome.  Your kids will learn so much by seeing other countries!  Here is proof that you can go at Christmas time for much less than $12,000 per week!

I hope this article gave you some insight on what it costs to travel the Yucatan.  Areas such as Playa Del Carmen, Tulum, and other areas that are well-known tourist zones are usually going to cost more than less known towns.  Do you have any cost saving travel ideas?  I would love to hear them!  Please share away in the comments!  I am always looking for new budget destinations for family vacations!  The cheaper you make them, the more often you can go, right?!  Not sure if my hubby would agree…

Please pin and share!  Thanks! <3

Other Articles you May Like:

7 Reasons you Must Visit Progreso, Mexico

What to See in Valladolid

The post What it Costs to Travel the Yucatan – with a Family of 5! appeared first on Rachel Matthews.

*This post may contain affiliate links in which I would earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Read my full disclosure here.

Progreso Beach with a Malecon!

I love the beach. The sand. The palm trees.  The warmth and sunshine.  And in Progreso, you can find the beach right in town! In fact, there is a seaside street or “Malecon” in Spanish, that is lined with fabulous restaurants and shops.  The restaurants even have palapas (little thatch-roofed huts) on the beach and will serve you there!  Read my 6 day itinerary on Progreso for more info on Progreso beach and the malecon!

Progreso Beach and the Malecon in Progreso, Mexico                RachelMatthews.ca 2018

Perfect Size and Easy Location

Having grown up in a small town, I like places that aren’t overly big.  And for vacations, I especially like towns that are walkable yet still large enough to have a variety of restaurants, shops, and everything you would need.  We found Progreso fit the bill for all these things.  It truly was the perfect size.  The whole main downtown and malecon area are walkable and could be covered in an afternoon.  Plus, the traffic wasn’t crazy like the neighboring city of Merida.  It was nice to be able to cross the street with the kids, knowing the drivers weren’t trying to run you over!

Although Progreso is not really a big tourist center, it is still easy and cheap to get to.  Nearby Merida has an airport only half hour or so away and Cancun (with often cheaper flights) is about a 4 hour drive.

Amazing Food

The best guacamole ever comes from a restaurant on the malecon called “Carabelas”.  Never have I cared much for avocados, but guacamole is a whole different story if it is made right.  And this stuff I could eat with a spoon!  But, if you happen not to be a guac fan, there are plenty of other food choices both on the malecon and throughout town.  Pretty much everything we had was amazing!  Full of flavor, and fresh.  My mouth is almost drooling now as I’m writing and thinking about the coconut shrimp, tacos, enchiladas, nachos, and of course the drinks we had throughout our stay!

You won’t find any starbucks, mcdonalds or other chain restaurants here (except a Domino’s pizza).  But, I don’t think you will miss them.  There are plenty of local options with dishes packed full of flavor.  And if you happen to tire of Mexican cuisine, there are other choices.  We tried many different places and you can read all about our experiences at each here (article coming soon).

Close to Attractions

Location, location, location.  Maybe this is so cliché, but it is true.  Most of us don’t want to go on a vacation to be stuck in the middle of nowhere.  Even though you may not have heard of Progreso, doesn’t mean it isn’t worth a visit.  Actually, this place is easy to get to and it is close to so much!  There are countless cenotes, various mayan ruins, haciendas, beaches, wildlife and the large colonial city of Merida all close by.  We could have stayed in Progreso for months without running out of sites to see.

Budget friendly

When I say budget friendly, I am comparing with Canadian standards (and for my neighbors in the States, the prices would be even better!  Lucky you guys!). When we went over Christmas 2017, our Canadian dollar (CAD) was worth about 14 pesos.  Based on that exchange, the 2 bedroom apartment we rented off airBNB cost around $70 CAD/night (probably close to $55 USD/night).  A typical meal for my husband, two little boys, and I with drinks usually cost around the $350-$400 peso range or anywhere from $25 – $30 CAD.  And that included two alcoholic drinks!  In the cold north, that would have been at least an $80 meal!  We had a few cheaper meals but splurged as well, so that is only the average price.  If you are really wanting to stretch your dollar, the tacos in the market were $13 pesos each (less than $1 CAD)!  Depending on your appetite, you could probably have a meal on 3 or 4 bucks.

Read How Much it Costs to Travel the Yucatan for a full cost breakdown!

Or Checkout my Review of 2 Awesome Family Airbnb’s we stayed at in Progreso!

The shopping was mostly inexpensive as well.  We only bought a couple things, but they all were a good deal.  Our kids’ shirts as well as a tank top cost around $7 each, while I paid roughly $15 for a beautiful dress for our baby girl.  On the other hand, toys seemed to be high priced.  Since we were in Progreso for Christmas, we wanted to buy some sort of toy for the kids.  It cost about $20 or so for an airplane set with little men and cars that was dollar store quality.  The boys had half the pieces broken on day one!

My cutie with the pretty little dress we got for around $15 CAD!

Safe

The Yucatan is the safest state in Mexico and the close-by city of Merida is the safest large city in Mexico.  Violent crime is very low in Merida and the city was actually included as one of the top 50 safest cities in the world.  Progreso’s crime stats are most likely included in the stats for Merida since it is so close.  So you can feel at peace knowing it is most likely safer than your own hometown.

Relaxed Environment

No one wants to go away just to be stressed!  Another thing to love about this Mexican gulf town is the low-key, laid back lifestyle.  It is truly tranquil.  No one is in a rush and none of the salespeople are pushy.  Locals are friendly and really love kids.    On days when a cruise ship is in port, there is a little more happening.  The artisan market opens up, and there are considerably more tourists walking the streets and beach.  But it is large enough, I still wouldn’t call it crowded.

Now that you have all the reasons to visit Progreso laid out before you, why not plan your trip now?!  Need more info?  Checkout my Cheap Family Vacation to Progreso, Mexico!

Have any comments or questions?  Leave them below!  I would love to hear your thoughts or help if I can. 

Take care,

Stopping in Valladolid or Chichen Itza (between Cancun and Progreso)???  You may be interested in these other posts!

What to See in Valladolid

Hotel Review in Valladolid: La Aurora Hotel Colonial

Real Mayab Hotel Review (close to Chichen Itza)

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The post 7 Reasons You Should Visit Progreso, Mexico appeared first on Rachel Matthews.