3 Exciting Destinations Travelers Will Be Able To Visit From Cancun On The New Maya Train

[Judi Lynn]

Posted on Last updated: October 8, 2023

Last Updated 42 seconds ago


Cancun is already the number one destination for Americans going abroad this year, but it is set to become even more popular in winter when the long-anticipated Maya Train launches.

A scenic train going on a loop around the Yucatan Peninsula, linking all of the top attractions in the Caribbean provinces of the country? Yes please!

The train will revolutionize travel in the region and help Cancun visitors reach lesser-known locations that were previously harder to get to.

In case you’re wondering where exactly you can go with the train, we bring you 3 exciting Maya Train destinations that will soon be easier to reach from the city.

Bacalar
One of Mexico’s trendiest destinations right now, having amassed millions of views on TikTok, Bacalar is a quaint town in the Southern half of the Quintana Roo state, away from the hustle and bustle of the resort zones and their riotous party scene.

More:
https://www.traveloffpath.com/3-destinations-travelers-will-be-able-to-visit-from-cancun-on-the-new-maya-train/



Bacalar, Mexico







Ichkabal ruins near Bacalar




Izamal, Mexico



Kinich Kak Moo Pyramid near Izamal




Merida, Mexico

[Vogon_Glory]

1. Re: The New Maya Train

Last edited Mon Oct 9, 2023, 09:35 PM - Edit history (1)

The rail journey should prove more comfortable than it used to be.

My parents took the train to the Yucatán back in the late 1950’s. At one point they had to load their auto onto a flatcar because there wasn’t a passable road to Merida back then.

That might seem rugged to today’s pampered travelers, but the narrow-gauge trains were worse. Those rail lines weren’t built to a high engineering standard, the route was twistier, the passenger coaches were ancient, unairconditioned and slow. Very slow. It took a long time to get from here to there and the Yucatán used to be one of the most impoverished parts of Mexico.

The railways were once steam-powered but were later dieselization. Steam lingered on the narrow gauge until the 1960’s, but eventually the surviving narrow-gauge lines were dieselized too.

The narrow gauge is gone but a few relics might survive.

Two of the former Unidos de Yucatán steam locomotives were acquired by Disney and ran at Disney World in Florida.

[al bupp]

2. I heartily recommend going to Merida

It is a beautiful city the people with rich history.
The people are very nice (muy simpática). The city is pretty "tranquillo", certainly compared to Cancun. The great ancient Mayan center of Uxmal is not far, and much less crowded than Chichen Itza.

It's also near many truly wonderful cenotes, natural underground pools of crystal clear blue-tinted fresh water:
https://www.gob.mx/inpi/articulos/cenotes-un-paraiso-bajo-el-agua#:~:text=Cenote%20es%20un%20t%C3%A9rmino%20que,de%20comuni%C3%B3n%20con%20los%20dioses.