Ever since launching last year, the Maya Train has revolutionized travel across the Yucatan Peninsula.
Mexico’s most popular destination, comprising resort cities like Cancun and Playa Del Carmen and iconic, world-renowned landmarks like Chichen Itza and Tulum, is a region steeped in History that most tourists are only starting to discover.
Following the opening of direct lines between Cancun and Merida, as well as Cancun and Tulum, it is celebrating its one-year anniversary with the addition of 7 new incredible destinations!
From small, charming towns that have preserved their authenticity amid the development boom of the 21st century, to magnificent pyramids shrouded in mystery, here are all the new cultural gems you can explore on the Maya Train starting this winter:
7 New Maya Train Stations Opening Soon!
On December 15, the phased construction of the Maya Train railway finally reached its completion, meaning the last section missing (section 7), which includes the southeastern and southern lines, began operating.
This has been confirmed by newly-elected Mexican president Claudia Sheinbaum, who’s taken over the project since the departure of former president AMLO, who will soon be attending an inauguration ceremony in Chetumal, the capital of Quintana Roo.
The overlooked capital of Quintana Roo, Chetumal looks set to become a major transport hub for Maya Train passengers, providing direct links to both the northern end of the state, where Tulum, Playa, Cancun, and the like are located, and Escarcega, in the state of Campeche.
Southwest-bound trains departing from Chetumal have planned stops in:
- Ichkabal
- Konunlich
- Nicolas Bravo
- Xpujil
- Calakmul
- Centenario
- Escarcega
This section of the railway runs for 169 miles and greatly improves connectivity in the southern half of the Yucatan Peninsula, made up of the southern half of Quintana Roo, southern Campeche, and the states of Tabasco and Chiapas.
Previously, getting around the area without a car was extremely tricky, even with ADO buses or other forms of local transportation, due to the delays, unreliability of bus companies, and limited availability overall.
With the Maya Train, once reaching Escarcega, tourists will be able to switch lines traveling further south to the states of Tabasco and Chiapas, all the way to Palenque, or north, along the Campeche coast and finally into Yucatan (the state).
But what are some of the major attractions along the southern line that’s just opening?
Ichkabal
The Ancient Mayans first settled one of the largest historical sites in Mexico, Ichkabal, around 400 BC, and it went on to become an important cultural and trading center for the bygone civilization before being abandoned in the wake of the Spanish Conquest.
Some of the pyramids within the expansive, 37-mile protected zone can rise as high as 46 meters and are clearly visible above the jungle canopy, and within the main complex, the central plaza is an attraction in itself, with an extension of 300 meters.
Konunlich
An ancient Mayan hub dating back to the year 200 BC, Konunlich is a lesser-known archeological complex yet to be ruined by mass tourism, with structures covered in dense vegetation and overgrown trees, which only add to the site’s mystique.
Unlike Chichen Itza, however, there is not a large pyramid on-site unless it’s yet to be excavated; on the other hand, there are over 200 mounds spread across 21 acres, palaces on raised platforms, courtyards, and even a system of cisterns for rainwater collection.
Nicolas Bravo
An intermediate station on the Maya Train line, Nicolas Bravo also serves the archeological zone of Konunlich, as well as Dzinbanche and Kinichna, two equally fascinating Mayan settlements featuring majestic pyramids and millennia-old temples.
Nearby, the lesser-known Crocodilo Dorado Cenote is an open-air sinkhole filled with crystal-clear, refreshing waters that provide the perfect escape from that Yucatanese heat––without the typical tourist crowds.
Xpujil
A small town nestled in the Yucatanese jungle that has retained its Mayan customs, Xpujil is home to traditional restaurants, where you can eat native, soulful food at affordable prices (check out Ma’alobkiin), and its own ancient ruins:
The Xpjuil archeological site is one of the oldest of its kind, founded some 1,724 years ago, and similarly to other Mayan treasures in the area, it is dominated by monumental ruined temples, most of which haven’t yet seen an influx of visitors.
Calakmul
Formerly a thriving city, Calakmul reached its importance peak between 250 BC and 700 AD, and throughout the centuries it remained inhabited, it rivaled the mighty Tikal in importance, until it was defeated by its northern Guatemala neighbor.
Due to its remoteness and the relative absence of tourism, it’s now been reclaimed by the jungle, with large plazas, ornate royal palaces, and visually striking altars blending in almost effortlessly with the greenery around.
Centenario
Centenario is a minor municipality serving as the gateway to southern Yucatanese nature: it’s completely surrounded by forest and mangroves, and there are plenty of outdoor activities certain to appeal to adventure enthusiasts.
The best-known attraction in the vicinity is Noh Laguna, easily reached from Centenario in under a half-hour drive, and a tranquil, turquoise-water lagoon that feels even more unspoiled than the up-and-coming Bacalar.
Escarcega
A laid-back, small city in the state of Campeche, Escarcega is set to become the second-busiest Maya Train Station in Southern Yucatan after Chetumal due to its status as a transfer point for passengers and proximity to historical sites.
In town, there is a plethora of native-owned eateries to consider, from Asadero la Higuera to Taqueria City, and for the nature lovers out there, it lies just outside the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve, a UNESCO-listed park brimming with wildlife.
Discover other Maya Train destinations you can visit directly from Cancun here.
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