Progreso, Yucatán — An estimated 30,000 local, national and international tourists descended on the malecon on Sunday.
They were lured by beautiful weather and uninhibited by a Monday-morning school bell for the kids.
It was a pleasant day for a stroll, with temperatures peaking at 30C/86F. This benefitted shops and restaurants, one merchant telling Diario de Yucatán that sales increased considerably compared to the previous Sunday.
“Now, every week more people are coming,” he said. He expects weekend crowds to average out at 60,000 before the end of August.
Keb Huchim and his family took a two-hour bus ride from Huhí just to enjoy the beach.
“It was worth coming out early. It has definitely been a perfect day, the family and especially the children had a lot of fun. We like the tranquility and security that exists in the port,” he said.
Police patrolled the malecon, a concrete pathway that runs alongside the beach. Luis Andrés Ayuso Carrillo, originally from Progreso, stated that he feels very comfortable seeing so many policemen around.
One officer said they also keep an eye on boats, making sure they don’t wander into areas set aside for bathers.
“This Sunday has been very good. I like to feel protected by the police, I think that makes it very different from the port of other places: its security. Another point is that in Progreso, we live a very familial environment, in which children can play in peace.”
Restaurants along the boardwalk looked almost full. The dishes most in demand were fried fish and ceviche, said one waiter.
Source: Diario de Yucatán
