You can now take an $18 train from Cancun to these 3 incredible destinations

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It’s been a minute since the Mayan Train launched, but if you’ve been waiting to book your Yucatan Peninsula train adventure, probably because those rip-off ‘tourist prices’ were too high, we have some excellent news for you.

Blame it on the lower than usual number of passengers, or simply Quintana Roo’s renewed interest in promoting the Mayan Train as a product, but they now delete the gringo reimbursements in full and relaunching the service with much cheaper rates.

Yes, you no longer have to pay 30% more than locals to travel on the exact same train simply because you carry a US passport, plus there will be many more daily departures from now on.

Straight from Cancun airport, there are now 3 incredible Mexican Caribbean destinations you can visit from just $18, which we’ll get to shortly. First, let’s take a look at what has changed:

A quiet relaunch

Instead of having multiple ticket levels and making foreigners spend more money than they should because apparently that used to be the policy south of the border, the Mayan Train now has a single uniform train fare for visitors.

It’s called Turista MéxicoAnd it actually means a saving of up to 30% compared to the original ‘foreign rate’. It applies to everyone, including Mexicans who do not live in one of the five states along the route.

Part of the reason why the Mayan Train didn’t quite take off as developers initially thought was high prices for short-distance routes and limited schedules.

Although the European-style AC-powered train is far superior to those decades-old ADO shuttles, it didn’t stand a chance against the most popular mode of transportation on the Yucatan Peninsula, especially with the low bus fares and many daily departures.

An ADO bus ticket between Cancun and Merida ranges from MXN$501 to MXN$920 (US$29–$53), depending on how early you book and the level of service.

Quick pause to remind you that before you fly abroad this season, whether Mexico or elsewhere, make sure you are aware of any travel warnings in effect at your destination on the Travel Advisories page.

Here is the new Mayan Train schedule

The old Mayan Train fare for foreigners on this particular route could be as high as MXN$1,300 ($73.94) during peak season, and considering there were usually only one or two trains per day, getting an ADO was a no-brainer.

Now the new train fare for passengers traveling to Merida starts at a much more acceptable MXN amount of $547 ($27), which is pretty much in line with that of the bus. If you get out early it will only cost you $18.

As for updated schedules, the Mayan Train has now done so 20 daily services across the 965 mile networkand another 12 (total of 32) are expected to be added by the end of the year. The Cancun-Merida line, perhaps the most popular, will now have six daily trains.

Here is the updated schedule from Cancun to Merida:

• 7:00 am
• 9:18 am
• 10:45 am
• 1:05 PM
• 3:20 PM
• 4:22 pm

If you’re wondering where exactly to go from Cancun now that tickets are dirt cheap, here’s: 3 of the most sought after destinations:

Top 3 destinations to visit from Cancun on the new, cheaper Mayan Train

Chichen Itza

Chichén Itzá, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, is now a short 1.5-hour train ride from Cancun, and with tickets costing an average of MXN$351 (the cheapest fare on the Merida Line costs just US$18), there’s no excuse to miss it this time.

The vast archaeological zone is known for its ascending step pyramidthe ancient temple of Kukulcan, one of the best preserved and most important Mayan structures to have survived into modern times.

There are also Mayan ball courts, ceremonial altars and palatial buildings that were once off-limits to ordinary people like us. You are welcome to explore the site in depth, as long as you are respectful, do not enter the no-go zones and do not attempt to climb pyramids where this is not allowed.

Merida

The cultural capital of the Yucatan Peninsula, Merida, is a feasible 3.5-hour train ride (US$27) west of Cancun, and it’s a much-needed infusion of culture and Old World charm into your otherwise boring, all-inclusive poolside brunch.

No judgement, we’ve all been here, but if you fancy something more than just margaritas and sea views, Merida offers stone churches, some of the oldest ever to have stood on the American continentcobbled streets that resemble Europe, and vibrant street markets that have yet to give in to the rapidly spreading dollarization of the Mexican Caribbean.

Plus, it happens to be one of the safest cities in all of Mexico. According to the U.S. Department of State, the country is currently at Level 1, a status it shares with traditionally low-risk destinations such as Switzerland and Iceland.

We know, crazy, right? None of the usual gang smut, corrupt law enforcement or pickpocketing. Our safety index currently ranks Merida at a very safe 85/100!

San Francisco de Campeche

Slightly more unusual than Merida, yet similar in atmosphere, San Francisco de Campeche is notable for its nearly intact colonial core, with cobbled streets, ornate churches and traditional canteens in abundance, and imposing city walls.

It’s only two hours to get there from Merida, and tickets cost about $17 (from Cancun it is significantly more expensive).

Campeche is one of only two cities in the Americas where its colonial fortifications remain virtually untouched. The other is Quebec City, in Canada.

Parts of the Campeche walls, once used to repel pirates and other attackers, are now open to visitors, such as Puerta de Tierra, which you can climb for epic views of the coast, and a pair of bastions: Baluarte de la Soledad (now housing a museum) and Baluarte de San Carlos (a terrace viewpoint).

Which of these epic 3 Mexican-Caribbean spots will you go for? Take this quiz and find your perfect match!

Vinicius Costa

Vini, our senior head writer at Travel Off Path, has over 60 countries to his name (and is currently weaving stories from Paris!), and a knack for turning off-the-beaten-path experiences into informative stories that will have you packing your bags.