Chicxulub Puerto is a small Gulf coast town east of Progreso. Travelers often type it as “Chixulub,” but the local spelling is Chicxulub Puerto.
It is not a polished beach resort and it is not the place to come for a packed day of attractions. Its value is quieter: a local pier, simple seafood, calm coastal streets, pale Gulf water, and the strange fact that this little port sits near the center of one of the most important impact stories on earth.
Go if you want a slower beach stop near Mérida or Progreso. Skip it if you only have one day on the coast and want the most restaurants, beach clubs, and easy transport. In that case, Progreso will usually be easier.
Backup planMérida to Chicxulub Pueblo and Chicxulub Puerto: All Transport OptionsQuick answer: is Chicxulub Puerto worth visiting?
Yes, Chicxulub Puerto is worth visiting if you want a quieter Yucatán beach town near Mérida, especially if you are already going to Progreso or staying along the Emerald Coast.
It is especially good for:
- Travelers staying in Progreso who want a nearby change of scene
- Families looking for a simple beach stop
- People interested in the Chicxulub crater story
- Slow travelers with a rental car
- Budget travelers who do not need beach clubs
- Photographers looking for small-town coastal details
It is less ideal for:
- Travelers with only one free beach day
- Visitors who want lots of restaurants and services
- People expecting Caribbean-style water
- Anyone relying on easy late-night transport
- Travelers who prefer polished resort comfort
For most first-time visitors, Progreso is the easier beach base. Chicxulub Puerto is better as a quieter side trip.
Where is Chicxulub Puerto?
Chicxulub Puerto is on the Gulf of Mexico, east of Progreso and north of Mérida. It belongs to the coastal municipality of Progreso, not to Chicxulub Pueblo inland.
This matters because there are two places travelers often confuse:
- Chicxulub Puerto: the coastal beach town near Progreso
- Chicxulub Pueblo: the inland town south of the coast
For beach, pier, seafood, and crater-themed monuments, you want Chicxulub Puerto.
Chicxulub Puerto or Progreso: which should you choose?
Progreso is easier. Chicxulub Puerto is quieter.
Choose Progreso if you want:
- The easiest beach day from Mérida
- More restaurants and services
- A larger malecón
- Better bus access
- Beach clubs and more day-trip infrastructure
- The Museo del Meteorito nearby
Choose Chicxulub Puerto if you want:
- A smaller local beach town
- A quieter pier and beachfront
- A short side trip from Progreso
- A coastal stop connected to the Chicxulub crater story
- A slower afternoon rather than a busy beach day
A practical plan is to use Progreso as the base and add Chicxulub Puerto for a quieter hour or two.
The beach at Chicxulub Puerto
The beach is simple and local. Expect Gulf coast water, fishing boats, sandy stretches broken by houses and small access points, and a quieter feel than central Progreso.
This is not the Caribbean. The water is usually softer in color, the sand can be mixed with shell fragments, and conditions change with wind, season, and recent storms. After nortes or rough weather, the sea may look cloudier and the beach may have more seaweed, branches, or natural debris.
Go early if you want cooler weather and easier parking. Late afternoon also works well if you are going for a walk rather than a full swim day.
The pier and town center
The pier is the easiest point of reference in Chicxulub Puerto. It is a simple place for a walk, photos, sea breeze, and a quick look at the coast.
Around the center, you may find small restaurants, local shops, snacks, and crater-themed signs or monuments. Do not expect a big tourist strip. The town is better for a low-pressure visit than for a full schedule.
Bring cash in small bills. Smaller places may not take cards, and even when they do, signal or payment systems can be inconsistent.
Chicxulub and the meteorite crater
Chicxulub is known worldwide because of the Chicxulub impact crater, the buried crater linked to the asteroid impact associated with the end of the dinosaurs.
That does not mean you can stand on the beach and see a crater rim. You cannot. The crater is buried under layers of sediment and extends under land and sea. Chicxulub Puerto’s connection is geographic and historical, not visual in the way a volcano or canyon is visual.
For most travelers, the crater story is best understood in two ways:
- Visit Chicxulub Puerto for the place, the pier, and the local monuments.
- Visit the Museo del Meteorito in Progreso if you want a more structured explanation with exhibits.
This is a good pairing for families. Children often enjoy the meteorite and dinosaur angle, while adults get a more unusual layer of Yucatán history beyond beaches and ruins.
Museo del Meteorito in Progreso
The Meteorite Museum is not in Chicxulub Puerto. It is in Progreso, near the malecón area.
That is useful because it makes a simple route from Mérida:
Mérida → Progreso → Museo del Meteorito → Chicxulub Puerto → beach lunch or sunset
Check current hours and ticket prices before going, especially around holidays and school vacation periods. Museum schedules on the coast can change for maintenance, events, and seasonal programming.
If you are traveling with children, this is one of the easier cultural add-ons to a beach day. It gives the day structure without requiring a long inland drive.
How to get to Chicxulub Puerto from Mérida
By rental car
A rental car is the easiest option. Drive north toward Progreso, then continue east along the coast to Chicxulub Puerto.
This gives you control over the return, which matters if you stay for sunset or lunch. It also lets you combine Chicxulub Puerto with Chelem, Chuburná, Progreso, or the east-coast route toward Xcambó and Telchac Puerto.
Parking is usually street-based near the pier and beach access points. On weekends and holidays, arrive earlier and avoid blocking driveways or narrow residential streets.
By private driver
A private driver works well if you want to visit Progreso, the Meteorite Museum, Chicxulub Puerto, and maybe one more coastal stop without renting a car.
This is a good option for families, older travelers, small groups, or anyone who wants a simple day from Mérida without worrying about return transport.
For a custom beach-and-crater day, Yucatán Guide can help compare rental car, private driver, and route options through Human Trip Support or the Trip Plan & Booking Portal.
By bus, colectivo, taxi, or rideshare
Public transport is possible, but less clean than simply going to Progreso.
The practical route is usually:
- Take a bus or colectivo from Mérida to Progreso.
- From Progreso, take a taxi or local ride east to Chicxulub Puerto.
- Arrange your return before it gets late.
Do not assume rideshare availability will be easy for the return from Chicxulub Puerto. It may work, but it is less dependable than in central Mérida or Progreso.
If you are on a tight schedule, use a car, taxi, or driver.
How long to spend
For most visitors, 1–3 hours is enough for Chicxulub Puerto itself.
A good short visit looks like this:
- Walk the pier
- Take photos near the letters or monuments
- Have a drink, snack, or seafood lunch
- Spend a little time on the beach
- Continue to Progreso or return to Mérida
If you want a slower beach day, plan a half day. Bring shade, water, and cash. The midday sun can be rough, especially from March to September.
Best time to visit
The most comfortable months are usually November through March, when the air is cooler and the coast feels easier.
April and May can be very hot. Summer brings more local travel, school holidays, humidity, and stronger afternoon heat. Rainy season can still be pleasant, but check the weather and be flexible.
Weekdays are quieter. Sundays, Semana Santa, summer holidays, and long weekends bring more local movement along the coast.
Go early if you want cooler weather and fewer people. Go late afternoon if you want a gentler walk and softer light.
Swimming and beach safety
Chicxulub Puerto can be fine for swimming when the sea is calm, but conditions vary. Check the water before entering, especially with children.
Basic beach advice applies:
- Watch for rocks, shells, and uneven spots near shore.
- Avoid swimming far out.
- Be careful after storms or strong nortes.
- Bring water shoes if your feet are sensitive.
- Do not leave valuables unattended on the beach.
There are areas where the beach is narrow or affected by coastal erosion. If one access point is not comfortable, walk farther along or consider returning to Progreso, where services are easier.
Food and drink
Chicxulub Puerto has local food options, especially seafood, snacks, and simple coastal restaurants. It does not have the same density of restaurants as Progreso.
For a relaxed plan, eat in Chicxulub if you find a place that looks open and comfortable. For more choice, eat in Progreso before or after your visit.
Bring cash. Smaller coastal businesses may not accept cards.
What to combine with Chicxulub Puerto
Progreso
Progreso is the easiest pairing. It has the malecón, beach restaurants, the Meteorite Museum, shops, and more reliable transport.
If this is your first beach day from Mérida, start in Progreso and use Chicxulub Puerto as a quieter add-on.
Museo del Meteorito
This is the most natural cultural pairing. Visit the museum first, then go to Chicxulub Puerto to connect the story with the place.
This works especially well for families.
Chelem and Chuburná
If you have a car and want a broader coastal day, you can explore west of Progreso as well. Chelem and Chuburná have a different feel, with quiet streets, beach houses, and local restaurants.
This is better for slow travelers than for people trying to see everything in one afternoon.
Xcambó and the east coast
With a rental car or driver, Chicxulub Puerto can be part of a longer east-coast route toward Xcambó, Laguna Rosada, Telchac Puerto, and the Emerald Coast.
This works best as a full-day trip. Do not attempt it by public transport unless you are comfortable with slow connections and uncertainty.
Simple half-day itinerary from Mérida
Option 1: easy beach and crater day
- Leave Mérida in the morning
- Visit the Meteorite Museum in Progreso
- Walk the Progreso malecón
- Take a taxi or drive to Chicxulub Puerto
- Walk the pier and have lunch or a drink
- Return to Mérida before evening traffic
This is the cleanest version for most travelers.
Option 2: slower coastal afternoon
- Leave Mérida after lunch
- Go straight to Chicxulub Puerto
- Walk the pier and beach
- Stay for late afternoon light
- Eat in Progreso on the way back
This is better if you already know Progreso or want a quieter coastal stop.
Option 3: full coastal route with a car
- Mérida
- Progreso
- Chicxulub Puerto
- Xcambó
- Telchac Puerto
- Return to Mérida
This is a longer day. Start early, bring water, and avoid overloading the schedule in the hottest months.
Practical tips before you go
Bring cash, sunscreen, water, a hat, and a towel if you plan to swim.
Do not build the whole day around Chicxulub Puerto alone unless you specifically want a quiet beach day. It works better as part of a Progreso coastal plan.
If using public transport, arrange your return before you relax too much into the afternoon. If using a driver, ask them to wait or schedule a clear pickup time.
For families, pair the beach with the Meteorite Museum rather than trying to make the town itself carry the whole day.
Final take
Chicxulub Puerto is not a grand destination, and that is part of its appeal. It is a small Yucatán beach town with a pier, local food, Gulf water, and a story much larger than the place itself.
Visit if you are already going to Progreso, if you have a car, or if the crater history interests you. Keep expectations grounded. Come for a walk, a slow lunch, a bit of beach time, and the quiet feeling of a working coastal town.
If you are short on time, make Progreso your main stop and add Chicxulub Puerto only if the day still has room.
