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Cancun is already the number one destination for Americans going abroad this year, but it will become even more popular in the winter as the long-awaited Mayan train launches.
A scenic train that loops around the Yucatan Peninsula, connecting all the top attractions in the country’s Caribbean provinces? Yes please!
The train will revolutionize travel in the region and help visitors to Cancun reach lesser-known locations that were previously more difficult to reach.
If you are wondering where exactly you can go by train, we will take you 3 exciting Mayan train destinations that will soon be easier to reach from the city.
Bacalar
Bacalar is one of Mexico’s trendiest destinations right now, with millions of views on TikTok. It is a quaint town in the southern half of the state of Quintana Roo, away from the hustle and bustle of the resort areas and their riotous party scene.
It is the best choice to experience the Mexican Caribbean at its most authenticbecause it is known locally as a stronghold of Mayan culture, having been inhabited since pre-Columbian times, and was given the title of ‘Magic City’ in 2006 – long before the coveted designation was arbitrarily handed out.
To this day, major international luxury brands and luxury resorts have yet to consolidate their roots in the area, having been repeatedly foreclosed on by family-owned businesses and independently run boutique hotels.
When staying locally, tourists can choose from a host of wellness retreats, bordered by verdant jungle, on the shores of the landmark Lake Bacalar, or Lake of Seven Colors, which unlike the Mayan coast is not affected by the rising levels of sargassum.
Located 133 miles from Cancun, Bacalar will one day be an easy day trip from the city Tren Maya is being launched as it is just four stops away on the Chetumal Line, and the two and a half hour journey, often disrupted by heavy traffic, could be a much shorter train journey.
Izamal
Located 200 kilometers northwest and just 3 stops from the Cancun Terminal, on the scheduled Cancun-Merida line, Izamal is a colonial-era gem infamous for its yellow-tinged cityscape.
Originally a Mayan settlement, it was repopulated by European settlers in the 16th century.
They expelled the local population and built a new city from the rubble of the previous one The indigenous character of Izamal was not completely lostas ruins of Mayan pyramids and temples – the City of the Hills – have been preserved for posterity.
With its stone-carved Mayan churches, monastery with arcades and picturesque streets, Izamal is one of the most beautiful towns on the Yucatán Peninsula, and certainly in all of Mexico, because it was awarded the status of ‘Magic City’ in 2002.
The famous open atrium of the Franciscan Monastery of San Antonio de Padua, built atop an ancient Mayan acropolis in 1591, is in size only after that of Vatican City.
Merida
One stop after Izamal, Merida is the capital of the state of Yucatán – not to be confused with the wider peninsula – and a very fascinating historic city, claiming to be one of the first European settlements in all of the Americas.
Merida’s appeal lies in its rich heritage, including a 16th-century cathedral built with stones from surrounding Mayan ruins, and the oldest in mainland America, Italian and French architecture, and a unique cuisine, incorporating both native and post-American traditions are combined. Colombian elements.
We wouldn’t recommend visiting Merida as a day trip as it takes about three hours to get there from Cancun by train, but perhaps you could spend the night and explore at a more leisurely pace as there is certainly no shortage of incredible sights around the Old Town to admire.
Additionally, Merida has one of the highest levels of safety and quality of life indices throughout Latin America. It is often called the best city to live in Mexico, so you will have no problems getting around the city or staying overnight.
Learn more about the Mayan Train and other incredible cities you can visit from Cancun on the Mayan Train here.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
