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Since its launch last year, the Mayan Train has revolutionized travel across the Yucatán Peninsula.
Mexico’s most popular destination, made up of resort towns like Cancun and Playa Del Carmen and iconic, world-famous landmarks like Chichen Itza and Tulum, is a region steeped in history most tourists are only just beginning to discover it.
After opening direct lines between Cancun and Merida, as well as Cancun and Tulum, it celebrates its one-year anniversary with the addition of 7 new incredible destinations!
From small, charming towns that have retained their authenticity during the 21st century development boom, to beautiful pyramids shrouded in mystery, here are all the new cultural gems you can discover this winter on the Mayan Train:
7 New Mayan Train Stations Opening Soon!
On December 15, the phased construction of the Mayan Train Railroad took place finally reached its completionmeaning that the last missing section (section 7), which includes the southeastern and southern lines, was put into service.
This is it confirmed by the newly elected Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, who has taken over the project since the departure of former President AMLO, who will soon attend an inauguration ceremony in Chetumal, the capital of Quintana Roo.
Chetumal, the overlooked capital of Quintana Roo, looks set to become a major transport hub for Maya Train passengers. offering direct links to both the northern end of the state, where Tulum, Playa, Cancun and the like are located, and to Escarcega, in the state of Campeche.
Trains to the southwest departure from Chetumal have planned stops in:
- Ichkabal
- Konunlich
- Nicholas Bravo
- Xpujil
- Calakmul
- Centenario
- Escarcega
This section of the railway has a length of 270 kilometers and significantly improves connectivity in the southern half of the Yucatan Peninsula, consisting of the southern half of Quintana Roo, southern Campeche and the states of Tabasco and Chiapas.
It used to be extremely difficult to get around the area without a car, even with ADO buses or other forms of local transport, due to delays, unreliability of bus companies and limited availability in general.
With the Mayan train, once arrived in Escarcega, tourists can change lines we travel further south to the states of Tabasco and Chiapas, all the way to Palenque, or north, along the coast of Campeche and finally to Yucatan (the state).
But what are some of the main attractions along the Southern Line that just opened?
Ichkabal
The ancient Maya first settled one of Mexico’s greatest historic sites, Ichkabal, around 400 BC, and it grew into an important cultural and trade center for the bygone civilization before being abandoned in the wake of the Spanish conquest.
Some pyramids in the vast, Protected zone of 37 miles can reach heights of up to 46 meters and are clearly visible above the jungle canopy, and within the main complex the central plaza is an attraction in itself, extending 300 meters.
Konunlich
An ancient Mayan center dating back to 200 BC, Konunlich is a lesser-known archaeological complex yet to be destroyed by mass tourism. covered with dense vegetation and overgrown trees, which only add to the mystique of the place.
However, unlike Chichen Itza, there is no large pyramid on site unless it has yet to be excavated; on the other hand, there are more than 200 mounds spread over 21 hectares, palaces on raised platforms, courtyards and even a system of cisterns for collecting rainwater.
Nicholas Bravo
Nicolas Bravo is an intermediate station on the Mayan Train Line and also serves the archaeological zone of Konunlich, as well as Dzinbanche and Kinichna, two equally fascinating Mayan settlements with majestic pyramids and millennia-old temples.
Nearby is the lesser-known Crocodilo Dorado Cenote, an open-air sinkhole filled with crystal clear, refreshing water that provides the perfect escape from the Yucatan heat, without the typical tourist crowds.
Xpujil
Xpujil, a small town located in the Yucatan jungle that has preserved its Mayan customs, is home to traditional restaurants, serving native, soulful food at affordable prices (check out Ma’alobkiin), and its own ancient ruins:
The Xpjuil archaeological site is one of the oldest of its kind and was founded some 1,724 years ago. Like other Mayan treasures in the area, it is dominated by monumental temple ruins, most of which have not yet seen a large influx of visitors.
Calakmul
Calakmul used to be a flourishing city, reaching its peak between 250 BC and 700 AD, and it remained inhabited throughout the centuries. it rivaled the mighty Tikal in importance until it was defeated by its neighbor in northern Guatemala.
Due to its remoteness and relative absence of tourism, it has now been reclaimed from the jungle, with grand plazas, ornate royal palaces and visually striking altars that blend almost effortlessly into the greenery around them.
Centenario
Centenario is a small municipality that serves as a gateway to the South Yucatanese nature: it is completely surrounded by forests and mangroves, and there are plenty of outdoor activities that will delight adventure lovers.
The most famous attraction in the area is Noh Laguna, easily reached from Centenario in less than half an hour’s drive, and a quiet, lagoon with turquoise water that feels even more pristine than the emerging Bacalar.
Escarcega
Escarcega, a laid-back, small town in the state of Campeche, will become the second busiest Mayan Train Station in Southern Yucatan after Chetumal due to its status as a transfer point for passengers and proximity to historical sites.
In the city there are an abundance of indigenous eateries to consider, from Asadero la Higuera to Taqueria City, and for the nature lovers it’s just outside the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage-listed park teeming with wildlife.
Discover other Mayan train destinations you can visit directly from Cancun here.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
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