Mexico’s Maya Train: A New Era in Yucatan Peninsula Tourism
In an exciting development for the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico has inaugurated the first segment of a groundbreaking tourist train project set to connect the region’s splendid resorts and archaeological wonders. President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador presided over the inauguration ceremony of the Maya Train, a monumental $20 billion undertaking that is set to revolutionize tourism in the region.
The Maya Train, once completed in its entirety by February, will encompass an impressive 950-mile rail network, forming a rough loop around the Yucatan Peninsula. The newly opened rail segment runs between the colonial city of Campeche on the Gulf coast and the beloved tourist hotspot of Cancun. This initial phase represents approximately one-third of the ambitious project.
Travelers embarking on the train journey between Campeche and Cancun can expect a scenic ride lasting around 5 1/2 hours, with an average speed of 50 miles per hour. The line will offer two trains per day in each direction, making stops at notable destinations like the colonial gem Merida and the captivating archaeological site of Chichen Itza, among others.
Ticket sales for the Maya Train have already commenced, featuring first-class and tourist-class options. Discussions have also revolved around offering lower fares for Mexican residents, although specific pricing details were not available at the time of writing. For example, a first-class ticket for the Cancun to Merida route is priced at approximately $68.
The ambitious rail project is poised to eventually connect Cancun with other sought-after tourist destinations such as Playa del Carmen and Tulum, as well as significant archaeological sites like Calakmul and Palenque.
President Lopez Obrador expressed his enthusiasm for the project, stating that “there are no public works projects like this in the world,” and highlighting the impressive speed at which it has been executed.
However, the Maya Train is not without controversy. Some sections of the planned railway will traverse the jungle and pass over sensitive cave systems filled with relics. Environmentalists have raised concerns about the potential impact on these caves along the coastline, some of which contain ancient human remains.
As Mexico embarks on this ambitious venture to enhance tourism connectivity on the Yucatan Peninsula, it remains a subject of both excitement and debate, with the promise of boosting the region’s travel offerings while addressing environmental concerns.