The Mexican Government announced the Mayan Train project proceeding as planned, with a target launch date set for 2023. Despite some setbacks recently, including the temporary suspension of construction in key areas, Cancun will soon be connected by rail to numerous other hotspots in the Yucatan Peninsula.
The Mayan Train is a 1500 kilometer long intercity train that has been planned for a several years. It is Mexico’s largest attempt to simplify travel across its sparsely populated Yucatan Peninsula, which comprises three of Mexico’s most popular states: the Yucatan, Quintana Roo and Campeche. Highways in Mexico offer access to a number of cities and destinations off the beaten path, the country has never invested heavily in railway infrastructure, like its North American counterparts, until recently. Although its main goal is boosting tourism in less-visited areas, the Tren Maya will also massively improve connectivity for locals.
Beginning in Palenque, in the non-Yucatan state of Chiapas, it will travel northeast-bound towards Cancun, encircling the whole historical peninsula. On its East Coast route, the train will call at Chetumal, Tulum, Playa del Carmen and Puerto Morelos, offering easy access to all the main tourist destinations in Mexico’s Riviera Maya.
On the Peninsula’s North and West Coast, visitors will be able to travel by rail to Nuevo Xcan, Valladolid, the famous pre-Columbian city of Chichen Itza, Izamal, the historical Merida, home to Mexico’s oldest cathedral, and San Francisco de Campeche. In the Southern line, destinations include Boca del Cerro, El Triunfo, Escarcega, Xpujil and Bacalar.
Even though Obrador’s statements are reassuring, and he seems adamant the remaining tracks will be laid in time for a launch next year, a settlement to the ongoing legal dispute is yet to be reached. Earlier this year, a Yucatan judge ruled that no more tracks should be laid on the fifth section until further environmental evaluations are carried out.
This stretch is perhaps one of the most important on the rail map, as it connects Tulum, famous for its Mayan ruins, to the paradise beaches of Playa del Carmen, running for roughly 37 miles. Additionally, until the section is completed, Cancun is virtually cut off from the Southern Riviera Maya, as all trains bound for Chetumal will call at Tulum.
As air travel descends into chaos, following reports of staffing constraints at airports, more and more travelers are turning to alternative transportation as a means to avoid being affected by the increasingly common flight delays. Train travel is one such alternative, with ridership in parts of America now up 25% compared to last year’s figures.
It is no surprise, then, that Mexico is eager on investing on its own rail infrastructure. More Tren Maya updates can be found on the Mexican Government’s website and at our partners’ The Cancun Sun, another Off Path Enterprises production specialized in Cancun/ Riviera Maya news.
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