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The Maya train has brought about a revolution in the journey in the Mexican Caribbean since the launch in 2023, making it easier for tourists to visit Cancun to visit in the Resort City less well -known, more cultural destinations Along the coast or the interior Yucatán.
In other words, it has given travelers more autonomy to plan their own journey independently of travel agencies, with their rigid routes and too expensive private transfers:
The temples in Tulum, the pyramids of Chichén Itzá, and the historic city of Mérida are now a short, safe train ride for most.
That is already exciting in itself, but what if we told you the long -lost dream of a Mayan World Tourism Initiative in several countries, about which we had already reported in 2022, does the drawing board finally seem to leave?
They have been in the making for years, but The Maya train is officially Are extensive past Mexico To reach both Belize and Guatemala, two sister -based nations have an equally rich old heritage:
Mexican authorities confirm that the Maya train extends to Belize and Guatemala
As confirmed by Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum herself, the TREN Maya will add 186 miles of tracesExpanding the neighboring countries of Belize and Guatemala, for a total network of 1104.7 miles.
The plans were only announced on January 29 and Sheinbaum stated that it “will be delivered in phases”, so it’s not something that we have to expect before the end of this year or perhaps even the next one.
We are all too familiar with all the setbacks that the Maya train has passed prior to the launch, let alone two extra countries that have not been connected by the railway for decades – but just like the train ultimately in the tracks Mexico hit, shall In the Midden -American Council.
How do we know that? Good, There is an appetite To happen:
Sheinbaum has already met the president of Guatemala, Bernardo Arévalo and the Prime Minister of Belize, John Briceño, who himself offered the plans for an expansion, and the project has received the green light.
There is a lot of We do not yet know at this early stage, so it makes no sense to assume how many tickets will cost, and which destinations will be maintained, but we Doing knows that A first phase of construction is planned.
What do we know about the extension of the Maya train so far?
The initial phases of the extension will add the addition of Just over 4 miles of traces To the west of Chetumal, currently the southernest station of the Maya train, which crosses the Hondo River that acts as the natural border between Mexico and Belize.
This must be done in no time, although the authorities have been smart this time not to make daring promises, given the many delays they had in the past – hope that the environmental activists did not raise any further problems.
The second Phase, on the other hand considerably more ambitiousBecause it will lead to traces that are laid over the entire territory of Belize and reached the Guatemalions border, just to the east of Tikal, a hugely popular cultural place for Mayan World enthusiasts.
Finally, the third phase, which takes place entirely in Guatemala, would connect Tikal to the city of Flores, where there is an international airport.
With feasibility studies, we cannot give you an estimate of when the project will be completed.
But hey, it looks promising!
What to see in Belize as soon as the Maya train is launched
Although it is undoubtedly the most famous, Mexico is not the only nation To claim to age-old Maya monuments, where Belize is such an example.
A small country just south of Mexico, with a short coastline on the Caribbean and full of historical locations, Belize is the home of CaracolOne of the largest Maya cities of ancient times that survived in the modern era, once a large urban center with more than 100,000 inhabitants.
The Caana pyramid remains the tallest building in Belize, and there are many Meso-American structures and Balhoven in an almost perfect condition.
When approaching Xunantunich, near the border of Guatemalteek, tourists will find countless temples that contain elegant stucco and a centrally located, sky-high El Castillo-pyramid.
Let’s not forget Altun HA, near a lively city of Belize and only 6 miles inland from the Turquoise Caribbean Shoreline, in the past A trade hub during the Maya classical period And best known for its impressive temple of the brickwork altars.
What about Guatemala?
In a densely wooded Guatemala, the most important attraction is Tikal, already confirmed as a stop in the extension of Maya train.
How can’t it be?
An abandoned Maya settlement that could be seen under the Most historically important of the bygone civilizationIt is essentially an open-air museum littered with pyramids, complicated cuts and palace-flanked roads.
El Mirador, considerably more remote than Tikal, deep in the jungle, would be the second most popular Maya site of Guatemala, with a monumental, overgrown pyramid whose crown is visible above the tree canopy.
Other remarkable archaeological zones on the Guatemalions side of the border are Yaxhá, A picturesque lake on the lake of templesQuiriguá, distinguished for his sculpted stone temples.
This site is unique to its complicated Stelae, who are high stone engravings that represent important events in the history of Maya.
Quiriguá is also the home of a number of impressive pyramids and temples, and for those looking for a crowd-free jewel where Maya-Ceremonies are held to this day, Iximché should not be circumvented.
The cross-border Maya train is No reality yetBut you can already travel from Cancun to a large number of incredible destinations on the Yucatán peninsula in Mexico, including Mérida, one of the oldest cities in America, and the recently opened Ichkabal Ruins, near Bacalar-Larger, even than Chichén Itzá !
Read more here.
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