Ramón Villeda Morales International Airport of San Pedro Sula is located west of the city.

The areas surrounding the city include various plantations producing products such as palm oil, bananas, and vegetables.

Besides agriculture, the inhabitants of El Progreso also devote themselves to cattle ranching and to the production and trade of textiles.

Given El Progreso's location as a crossroads several fast food franchises have been established in the city to satisfy the demands of travellers.

Additionally, a new, modern mall from the Honduran "Plaza" chain of shopping centres has been constructed on the outskirts of the city.

The mall, named Megaplaza, officially opened in the winter of 2007, and features a large food court with a vast array of Honduran and American fast food companies, several cell phone stores, an arcade, and department stores including Carrion, the largest in Central America.

During cyclones or torrential rains it has a tendency to grow excessively, therefore causing damages to the cities where it runs.