Construction has begun on what will become one of the most important transportation hubs for travelers to the Mexican Caribbean.
The Maya Train terminal at Cancun International Airport should be ready in December completely and within six months the train should transport travelers seamlessly to Cancun and other vacation destinations in the region.
Everyone aboard the Mayan train
The ambitious Maya Train program will connect most of the tourist centers in the Mexican Caribbean with Yucatan and other areas to make more of the region accessible to travelers from around the world.
A 1.6 kilometer line will likely be the busiest and most appreciated by visitors to Cancun, as it will connect Cancun International Airport and the main rail line.
Known as the epicenter of tourism in the Mexican Caribbean, it will streamline visitors’ transportation needs and provide a more sustainable way to travel between the tourist zone and the airport.
It is one of the emblematic construction and redevelopment projects of the government of Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador.
Ultimately, the Mayan Train will connect to Merida to the west and Puerto Morelos, Playa del Carmen, Tulum and Bacalar to the south. It will also extend further west into the eastern part of Chiapas state.
It will be administered by the Mexican Armed Forces.
Delays on Highway 180-D
For those visiting Cancun and other vacation destinations over the next six months, traffic along Highway 180-D will be a bit tricky as construction continues.
The construction company carrying out the work is also taking the opportunity to improve the road for local visitors at the same time as the train construction is completed.
The most time-consuming part of the project is the construction of a bridge, which will take six months.
During the project, engineers opted to keep the road open to visitors to the Mexican Caribbean.
Travelers can expect that there will be occasional lane reductions and lower speeds than normal to protect workers on the project from accidents.
The work in the meantime is sure to cause some headaches and delays for travelers trying to get to and from the airport for their flights.
However, in the long run it will be a great benefit for visitors who come to the seaside resort for a holiday.
Tulum airport connection
The new Mayan Train is also expected to connect to the new Tulum International Airport in Tulum, which opens in December.
It makes traveling north to locations such as Cancun, Puerto Morelos and Playa del Carmen much easier for travelers to Tulum.
According to local officials, several US airlines, such as Delta Airlines and Spirit Airlines, have registered their intention to fly to the new airport in Tulum.
Tips for travelers
It may be a headache right now, but construction along Highway 180-D to Cancun International Airport will actually provide convenience and options for vacation travelers to the Mexican Caribbean.
Until roadworks are completed, travelers should allow some extra time to get to and from the airport so that necessary flight connections can be made in a timely manner.
The Mayan Train will ultimately make it easy to fly into the local airports in the area and create an easy and accessible way to explore the entire region without having to drive long distances.
Mexican President López Obrador’s ambitious project is sure to change the way tourists think about traveling and visiting day trip locations throughout the Mexican Caribbean region and beyond.
Exact prices for fares and other ticket costs were not disclosed.
