Traveling The Yucatan By Maya Train (Tips + Itinerary)

The Maya Train is a brand new rail service that makes getting across the Yucatan Peninsula simpler than it’s ever been.

This long-time talked-about mission is lastly coming to fruition in 2023. Set to begin operations on December 1, 2023, the Maya Train will enable vacationers to discover Yucatan Peninsula in a brand new method.

Not solely will the prepare make it simpler to journey between already-popular vacationer locations equivalent to Cancun, Tulum, and Chichen Itza, however it should additionally cease at many less-visited locations that are actually simpler to succeed in — together with pristine seashores and cultural cities.

The high-speed prepare will simply have you ever chopping your journey time in half ensuring you get essentially the most out of your days in Mexico.

Here are some suggestions for touring on the Maya Train in addition to a urged itinerary of a number of the finest locations to go to alongside your journey. Vamos!

The Route

The prepare route is 1,554 kilometers lengthy and passes by way of 34 stops, 20 stations, 7 close by airports, and 26 archaeological zones.

If you’re questioning for those who’ll be in a time crunch at your vacation spot, just like cruises, you don’t have to fret. It has 42 trains on the tracks and goes by way of 5 totally different Mexican states: Tabasco, Chiapas, Campeche, Yucatán, and Quintana Roo. All permitting you to hop on and hop off everytime you need.

The railway named after the Mayan civilization connects vacationer hotspots within the Caribbean with the lesser-known, historic Mayan websites. While not with out controversy, now that the railway is right here it guarantees to be essentially the most handy transportation possibility within the Yucatan Peninsula.

It begins in Palenque, a metropolis in Chiapas, and goes northeast in the direction of Cancún in Quintana Roo, utilizing three routes that encircle the peninsula.

To make a full loop across the Yucatan you can begin from wherever. Fly into Cancun, fly out of Chiapas, vice-versa, or take the entire route round (that’s, as soon as all the development phases are completed).

The Caribbean route will present transportation from Cancun to the southernmost a part of Quintana Roo, making stops at Puerto Morelos, Playa Del Carmen, Tulum, and lastly Bacalar. This will certainly grow to be the preferred route because it takes you alongside the coast and is an effective way to loosen up and benefit from the Caribbean solar.

The Gulf route will journey from Cancun to Merida, together with a go to to the traditional ruins of Chichen Itza earlier than persevering with south to Campeche. This route is a wonderful selection for individuals who get pleasure from exploring the world’s historical past and wish to uncover the hidden methods of the Mayans.

The Jungle route is constructed to attach the southern a part of Quintana Roo with Southern Campeche state, making a cease on the well-known Calakmul Mayan ruins website. This route is extra about journey than sightseeing, as it should take you thru a number of the most distant and breathtakingly stunning locations on the peninsula.

Like wherever, some stations are going to be extra standard than others. Currently the preferred locations are Cancun, Tulum, Merida, Chichen Itza, Palenque, and Chiapas.

Buying Tickets

Getting tickets is straightforward, breezy, and delightful.

To buy tickets for the prepare, you’ve got two choices. You should purchase them at any prepare station alongside the route, or you should use their app and web site.

Although the ticket costs haven’t been introduced but, they may differ relying on the kind of passenger. Like many locations overseas, the worth differs between nationwide vacationers, worldwide vacationers, native passengers, and seniors, amongst others.

10-Day Itinerary for Yucatan by Maya Train

For an ideal introduction to the Yucatan, you should use this 10-day itinerary as your template. All key stops are reachable by Maya Train.

It’s simple to plan your personal Mexican vacation independently with out the necessity to purchase an costly organized journey with a tour company. The Maya Train can maintain all of your transportation, whereas particular day excursions might be booked on-line so as to add some enjoyable actions to your journey (we’ll be linking to a number of advisable ones right here).

Day 1: Fly into Cancun and take the ferry to Isla Mujeres

Cancun has grow to be one of the vital standard vacationer locations in Mexico and Latin America. This additionally makes it the best entry level into the Yucatan with many worldwide flights touchdown in Cancun.

Once you land I’d head on to Puerto Juarez the place you possibly can take the ferry throughout to Isla Mujeres. Cancun might be enjoyable, nevertheless it’s excessive tourism at its finest and Isla Mujeres shall be a pleasant change of tempo. You would possibly wish to expertise this Catamaran Cruise from Cancun to Isla Mujeres.

Isla Mujeres is a small, lush island surrounded by stunning seashores, vibrant coral reefs, and colourful marine life. Spend the day snorkeling off the coast and exploring what this stunning paradise has to supply.

Day 2: Take the Maya Train to Tulum

Today you’ll be taking the Maya Train from the Cancun station down south to Tulum. Usually, this takes 2 1/2 hours by bus however with the high-speed prepare, you’ll be there lots quicker.

Make positive to absorb the attractive Caribbean views alongside the best way. Once you arrive, discover the Tulum Centro, hire a motorbike and trip round city, and ensure to go to the well-known Tulum Ruins.

Day 3: Explore Tulum’s seashore city and close by cenotes

Tulum is house to a number of the most stunning seashores on this planet. Spend your mornings enjoyable on the shore with a cup of espresso. In the afternoons take a day journey to go to close by cenotes, the crystal-clear swimming holes which are a must-visit on this space of Mexico.

Day 4: Travel to Merida

Now it’s time to take the Maya Train from Tulum again up north to Merida. Make positive to absorb all the websites and sounds alongside the best way and prepare for some superb experiences in Merida.

Merida is stuffed with colonial structure, museums, and outside markets. Spend the day exploring the town and consuming a number of the finest meals Mexico has to supply. Try the standard Yucatan dish, cochinita pibil.

Day 5: Explore Chichen Itza

Today you’ll be taking the Maya Train to one of the vital well-known Mayan ruins in all of Mexico – Chichen Itza. This world marvel is a must-see when on the Yucatan Peninsula and today shall be yours to discover it.

Take your time strolling across the grounds, absorbing all of the historical past and marvel of what this civilization was capable of create so a few years in the past. Don’t overlook to go to El Castillo temple for top-of-the-line views within the space. For one of the best expertise, get pleasure from easy accessibility to Chichen Itza.

Day 6: Travel to Campeche and go to Edzna

Take the Maya Train from Chichen Itza down south to Campeche, the place you’ll discover the archaeological website of Edzna. This website is way much less visited than Chichen Itza and is a good alternative to discover Mayan historical past with out all the crowds.

Day 7: Take a ship journey in Palenque

On day seven, you’ll be taking the Maya Train from Campeche all the best way up north to Palenque.

Palenque is a small city with breathtaking views and a number of the most spectacular Mayan ruins within the area. Once you arrive, take a ship journey on the Usamacinta River to discover a number of the ruins and discover the jungle.

Day 8: Explore Palenque and the close by Waterfalls

Spend day eight exploring the ruins of Palenque. Make positive to take a strolling tour with a information to get extra details about this fascinating civilization — having a information convey the ruins to life actually provides to the expertise.

For one thing totally different, go on an tour to go to the close by waterfalls the place you possibly can swim in crystal-clear waters and discover the Mexican jungle.

Day 9: Travel to Chiapas and discover its colonial cities

On day 9, head to your final cease in Chiapas. You received’t be capable of do that part by prepare, and the bus from Planque to San Cristóbal de las Casas takes about eight hours, however you should still discover it value including this extension to your itinerary. Chiapas is likely one of the most stunning states in Mexico with its lush inexperienced forests and heritage cities.

Spend your time exploring cities equivalent to San Cristóbal de las Casas and Tuxtla Gutierrez and visiting the close by Sumidero Canyon.

If you like to not add this section as a result of it’s additional away, you possibly can spend an additional day in Palenque as an alternative.

Day 10: Say Goodbye

On day 10, it’s time to say goodbye to this stunning place. Catch a flight out of Chiapas or, due to the ultra-fast Maya prepare, you can also make it again in time to Cancun if wanted.

Hidden gems

Cancun, Tulum, and Chichen Itza are among the many most famous locations worldwide as a consequence of their accessibility and established vacationer infrastructure. But top-of-the-line issues concerning the Maya Train is with the ability to uncover the hidden gems of Yucatan.

From the great thing about Holbox Island to the colourful colonial metropolis of Merida, you’ll discover so many fantastic locations which are off the crushed path and value exploring and the prepare will aid you get there with ease and luxury.

Here are a few of my favourite lesser-known locations:

Bacalar

Bacalar is one in all Mexico’s hidden gems and is well worth the journey when you’ve got the time. This stunning lake city is house to a number of the clearest water in all of Mexico with a rainbow of colours reflecting off its floor. It’s an ideal spot for kayaking, swimming, or simply taking all of it in.

Bacalar is positioned on the border between Quintana Roo and Yucatan and might be reached by way of the Maya Train.

Nuevo Xcan

This tiny city is a good place to expertise the native tradition. You’ll discover conventional meals, music, and artwork in Nuevo Xcan that may’t be discovered wherever else.

It’s positioned off the crushed path however might be reached from Palenque by taking the Maya Train. It’s well worth the journey to get right here and discover this distinctive city.

Izamal

Izamal is commonly referred to as the yellow city or Pueblo de Amarillo. This stunning city is crammed with colourful buildings and cobblestone streets. It’s an ideal place to go to for its tradition, historical past, meals, and structure.

Izamal is correct subsequent to Merida and might be reached by taking the Maya Train. Lots of people go right here on day journeys from Merida and elsewhere, nevertheless it’s a very nice city value staying an evening in as nicely when you’ve got the time out there.