Yucatan, Mexico - The Tren Maya is Mexico’s newest railway, running through the Yucatán Peninsula like a long silver thread. Much has been said about the cost overruns, the delays, even the army’s role in building sections of the track. But once you step on board, it feels less like politics and more like possibility.
I boarded in Mérida, heading east toward Cancún. The train wasn’t full — mostly Mexican travelers, hardly any tourists. That may change with time, but for now it feels like a journey still waiting to be discovered. Buses remain faster and often cheaper, but the train offers something else: comfort, space, and a steady view of jungle and villages sliding past the windows.
The trains are modern, with Mayan-inspired ornaments on the cars. Inside, they are comfortable, with large windows, and the ride is smooth — almost like a Swiss commuter train. Tickets are affordable, especially in low season, and locals pay even less — a way to make sure the train belongs to the region, not just to visitors.
The route links Palenque, Campeche, Mérida, Valladolid, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, and Cancún. A pity, though, that many stations sit far outside the cities, leaving passengers to connect by shuttle buses. They are inexpensive, but add another step to the trip.
Arriving at the station near Cancún Airport was almost surreal — a vast terminal. The scale feels excessive, almost as if the station was designed to impress more than to serve.
I’ve also heard of the Chepe Express, crossing the Copper Canyon in Chihuahua. An old and legendary route with breathtaking views — the kind that makes your heart stop. That is history, and one I would like to experience too.
Nevertheless, I hope the Tren Maya will attract more interest and begin carving out its own story — one that truly connects people.