Latin America
Related: About this forum3 Exciting Destinations Travelers Will Be Able To Visit From Cancun On The New Maya Train
Posted on Last updated: October 8, 2023
Last Updated 42 seconds ago
Cancun is already the number one destination for Americans going abroad this year, but it is set to become even more popular in winter when the long-anticipated Maya Train launches.
A scenic train going on a loop around the Yucatan Peninsula, linking all of the top attractions in the Caribbean provinces of the country? Yes please!
The train will revolutionize travel in the region and help Cancun visitors reach lesser-known locations that were previously harder to get to.
In case youre wondering where exactly you can go with the train, we bring you 3 exciting Maya Train destinations that will soon be easier to reach from the city.
Bacalar
One of Mexicos trendiest destinations right now, having amassed millions of views on TikTok, Bacalar is a quaint town in the Southern half of the Quintana Roo state, away from the hustle and bustle of the resort zones and their riotous party scene.
More:
https://www.traveloffpath.com/3-destinations-travelers-will-be-able-to-visit-from-cancun-on-the-new-maya-train/
Bacalar, Mexico
Ichkabal ruins near Bacalar
Izamal, Mexico
Kinich Kak Moo Pyramid near Izamal
Merida, Mexico
Vogon_Glory
(9,590 posts)Last edited Mon Oct 9, 2023, 08:35 PM - Edit history (1)
The rail journey should prove more comfortable than it used to be.
My parents took the train to the Yucatán back in the late 1950s. At one point they had to load their auto onto a flatcar because there wasnt a passable road to Merida back then.
That might seem rugged to todays pampered travelers, but the narrow-gauge trains were worse. Those rail lines werent built to a high engineering standard, the route was twistier, the passenger coaches were ancient, unairconditioned and slow. Very slow. It took a long time to get from here to there and the Yucatán used to be one of the most impoverished parts of Mexico.
The railways were once steam-powered but were later dieselization. Steam lingered on the narrow gauge until the 1960s, but eventually the surviving narrow-gauge lines were dieselized too.
The narrow gauge is gone but a few relics might survive.
Two of the former Unidos de Yucatán steam locomotives were acquired by Disney and ran at Disney World in Florida.
al bupp
(2,357 posts)It is a beautiful city the people with rich history.
The people are very nice (muy simpática). The city is pretty "tranquillo", certainly compared to Cancun. The great ancient Mayan center of Uxmal is not far, and much less crowded than Chichen Itza.
It's also near many truly wonderful cenotes, natural underground pools of crystal clear blue-tinted fresh water:
https://www.gob.mx/inpi/articulos/cenotes-un-paraiso-bajo-el-agua#:~:text=Cenote%20es%20un%20t%C3%A9rmino%20que,de%20comuni%C3%B3n%20con%20los%20dioses.