Chuburná Puerto has quietly become one of the easiest coastal escapes from Mérida for travelers who want shallow, crystal-clear water without committing to a full beach-club day. The draw is not one single island, but a cluster of small, locally managed shallow-water stops around the mangroves and the Refugio Pesquero Gilberto, with names like Isla Columpios, Isla Pirata, Isla Paraíso, Isla Agua Azul, Isla Escondida, Playa La Carbonera, and the Dzul-Ha spring appearing across local tour menus.
What are the “islands” of Chuburná?
The word isla here can be a little misleading if you are imagining an offshore Caribbean island with hotels and docks. In Chuburná, many of the “islands” are shallow sand-and-water areas, palapa platforms, swing photo spots, and mangrove-side rest areas run by local boat operators or fishing families.
This is part of the charm. You step out of a small lancha into knee-to-waist-deep water, leave your shoes under a palapa, and spend a couple of hours floating, kayaking, taking photos on swings, eating ceviche, or just sitting in the warm Gulf breeze.
The main islands and stops to know
Isla Columpios is the name most visitors recognize first. It is known for swings in the water, palapas, hammocks, calm shallows, and easy photo spots. Local operators advertise boat tours to Isla Columpios along with La Carbonera, Dzul-Ha, and picnic-style experiences.
Isla Pirata is another popular shallow-water setup, especially for families and groups who want a playful, photo-friendly stop with swings and palapas. It is one of the better options if you are traveling with children or want a relaxed stop that feels designed for a casual beach day.
Isla Paraíso, Isla Agua Azul, and Isla Escondida follow the same relaxed formula: clear water, rustic shade, shallow swimming, and a slower pace than the busier Progreso malecón. They are good options when Isla Columpios is full or when a boat captain recommends a quieter stop based on tide, wind, and crowd levels.
Playa La Carbonera is more of a wild beach-and-sandbar extension than a palapa island. It is often included in longer tours from Chuburná and is one of the prettiest places in the area for clear water and open-sea photos.
Manantial Dzul-Ha is a coastal spring among the mangroves. Some longer experiences include it with kayaking, La Carbonera, and Isla Columpios, making it a better fit for visitors who want nature and swimming rather than only the swing-photo stop.
Boat prices and tour formats
The basic shared boat trip is usually the easiest way to visit. Public listings and local operator pages commonly show entry-level tours from around $250 MXN per person, with many basic visits lasting roughly 2 to 3 hours. Some operators advertise kayak-inclusive tours in the $250 to $350 MXN range, while private picnic or extended nature packages can cost several thousand pesos per group depending on inclusions.
Expect three broad options:
| Tour type | Typical length | Typical price signal | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic lancha crossing | 2–3 hours | Around $200–$300 MXN per person | Quick swim, photos, families |
| Lancha + kayak | Around 3 hours | Around $250–$350 MXN per person | Mangroves, active travelers |
| Private picnic / extended route | 3–5 hours | Around $3,000–$6,000 MXN per group | Couples, groups, special occasions |
Prices can change by season, group size, weekday/weekend demand, and what is included, so treat $250 MXN as a useful starting point rather than a fixed official fare. Bring cash, confirm the duration before boarding, and ask whether your price includes palapa use, kayaks, life jackets, and time at more than one stop.
Where boats leave from
Most Chuburná island trips depart from the Refugio Pesquero Gilberto, also called the Puerto de Abrigo or Puerto Gilberto, in Chuburná Puerto.
When you arrive, look for boat operators, signs for Isla Columpios or other named islands, and small local tourism stands. On weekends and holidays, it is better to message ahead because the most photogenic palapa areas can fill up.
How to get there from Mérida
From Mérida, drive north on the Mérida–Progreso highway, then take the turnoff toward Chelem and continue west along the coast to Chuburná Puerto. Once in town, navigate to the Puerto de Abrigo / Refugio Pesquero Gilberto for the lanchas.
Plan on about 50 to 60 minutes by car from central Mérida, depending on traffic and where you start. Chuburná Puerto is roughly 25 minutes west of Progreso, making it easy to combine with lunch on the coast.
Getting there without a car
Without a car, the simplest plan is to take a bus or colectivo from Mérida to Progreso, then continue by taxi to Chuburná Puerto. This is very doable for flexible travelers, but the return leg is the part to plan carefully: ask your driver to return for you, save a taxi contact, or arrange pickup with your boat operator.
For families with children, older travelers, or anyone carrying coolers and towels, a rental car or private driver will make the day much smoother.
Suggested half-day plan
Leave Mérida by 8:30 am and aim to arrive in Chuburná before the strongest midday sun. Book or choose a lancha at the Refugio Pesquero Gilberto, then spend 2 to 3 hours at Isla Columpios, Isla Pirata, Isla Paraíso, or the island your operator recommends that day.
After the boat trip, have lunch in Chuburná, Chelem, or Progreso. If you still have energy, combine the day with the Progreso malecón, Pig Beach in Yucalpetén, or El Corchito near Progreso.
Who will love it
This is a strong choice for families because the water is usually shallow and calm in the protected areas, though children still need supervision and life jackets on the boat. It is also excellent for couples who want a pretty photo stop, groups of friends looking for an easy beach day, and visitors who have already seen Progreso and want something more local.
It may not suit travelers looking for luxury service, quiet solitude on peak weekends, deep snorkeling, or a long sandy beach with full restaurant infrastructure. The beauty of Chuburná’s islands is rustic and simple.
What to bring
Bring pesos in cash, reef-safe sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, towels, water shoes or sandals that can get wet, drinking water, and a dry bag for your phone. A waterproof phone pouch is useful because many of the best photos are taken while standing in the water.
Most operators provide or require life jackets for the boat ride, but it is still worth asking before you pay. If you have small children, ask ahead about child-size life jackets.
Food, drinks, and facilities
Some palapa areas sell simple drinks, snacks, ceviche, beer, or micheladas, while other trips are more basic. Longer picnic packages may include ceviche, fruit, fresh water, kayaks, and a prepared palapa setup.
Do not assume there will be bathrooms on the island itself. Use facilities before boarding, pack out your trash, and avoid leaving food scraps around the mangroves.
Best time to visit
The most comfortable months are generally from November to April, when the weather is milder and there is less rain. For photos, go in the morning when the water is brightest and the heat is still manageable.
Weekdays are calmer than Saturdays, Sundays, Semana Santa, and summer vacation. If wind is strong, ask your operator whether the water will still be clear at your chosen stop.
Practical tips before you go
Confirm your price, route, and length of stay before stepping into the boat. Ask whether you are going only to Isla Columpios or whether the trip includes Isla Pájaros, mangroves, kayaks, La Carbonera, Dzul-Ha, or another island. Operators often have similar-sounding packages, and the difference between a quick crossing and a longer nature route matters.
Take cash because card payments are not guaranteed. Keep expectations flexible: tides, wind, crowds, and water clarity can change the captain’s recommendation. The best island that day may not be the one you saw on Instagram.
Is it worth the trip from Mérida?
Yes, especially if you want an easy, affordable coastal outing with very photogenic water. Chuburná’s islands are not polished resort experiences, and that is the point. They are local, shallow, breezy, and relaxed — the kind of place where a $250 MXN boat ride can turn into one of the most memorable half-days of a Yucatán trip.