For those adventurous travelers heading to Mexico, there’s exciting news: the Mexican Government has announced a new train route that will connect Cancun to Oaxaca, passing through eight different states.
Since its inception, the Maya Train has been a hit among tourists, especially those who love exploring off-the-beaten-path destinations. It has made it easier and more affordable to visit hidden gems around the Yucatán Peninsula. By the end of the year, travelers will be able to journey from Cancun to the Mexican Pacific without needing to fly.
According to Reportur, the Maya Train, which currently travels around the Yucatán Peninsula, will soon connect with the new Interoceanic Train. This new route will allow passengers to travel from the Gulf of Mexico to the Pacific Ocean. Although these are separate projects, they will link up at Palenque in Chiapas by the end of 2024, enabling seamless travel from Cancun to either coast.
Recently, Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador and President-elect Claudia Sheinbaum took a ride on the Interoceanic Train to oversee its progress. The train is already partially operational.
Currently, the secondary ‘Isthmus’ route runs from Coatzacoalcos in Veracruz to Salina Cruz in Oaxaca. Once the Maya Train link is active, passengers can switch to the Interoceanic Train in Palenque, traveling to destinations like Dos Bocas in Tabasco, Coatzacoalcos in Veracruz, and Salina Cruz in Oaxaca.
Construction will resume in October when the new administration takes over. Although additional stops haven’t been announced yet, the complete route might include the following stops: Cancun Airport, Valladolid, Chichén Itzá, Izamal, Tixkobob, Mérida, Umán, Maxcanú, Calkiní, Hecelchakán, San Francisco de Campeche, Edzná, Escárcega, El Triunfo, Boca del Cerro, Palenque, Dos Bocas, Coatzacoalcos, Minatitlán, Acayucan, Matías Romero, Unión Hidalgo, Ixtetepec, Tehuantepec, and Salina Cruz.
The official start date for this new route hasn’t been announced yet, but it’s expected to launch in late 2024. Details like ticket prices and journey durations are still under wraps, but we know it takes about 11 hours to travel from Cancun to Palenque on the Maya Train. Since there’s no overnight service, travelers will need to plan for at least one overnight stop, possibly in Mérida or San Francisco de Campeche.
For those wondering which destinations to visit, here are our top seven picks once the Maya-Interoceanic train link is operational:
1. **Chichén Itzá**: A historic Mayan site and one of the Seven Wonders of the World.
2. **Izamal**: Known for its bright-yellow buildings and charming cobblestone streets.
3. **Mérida**: Home to the oldest cathedral in mainland Americas and a well-preserved Spanish quarter.
4. **San Francisco de Campeche**: A UNESCO-listed city with European-built city walls.
5. **Palenque**: Another UNESCO site with Mayan temples, pyramids, and palatial structures.
6. **Coatzacoalcos**: A vibrant port city with a rich colonial history.
7. **Salina Cruz**: A coastal town famous for its golden sands, surfing waves, and affordable beachfront hotels.
Parts of the railway are already active. For example, you can travel to Palenque on the Maya Train, but you can’t yet switch to the Interoceanic Train. Similarly, travel between Coatzacoalcos and Salina Cruz is possible, with tickets starting at $23.87 for the basic fare and $33 for an executive seat.
It’s still unclear whether combined tickets for connecting passengers will be available or if they will need to be purchased separately. One thing is certain: train travel is making a comeback in Mexico, and this is just the beginning.