The Maya Train will offer one of the most comprehensive archaeological tours in Latin America. Mexico‘s most important rail network is to extend its route, passing through Belize and reaching Guatemala. The extension project will not only make it easier to travel between the countries, but will also make some must-see tourist destinations more accessible.
A unique journey through nature, history and culture
The train links several regions in the south-east of the country, including the states of Chiapas, Tabasco, Campeche, Yucatan and Quintana Roo. It currently covers around 1,500 km along its 34 stations and offers three itineraries: archaeology, nature reserves and living culture, each designed to offer unique experiences that highlight the region’s rich history, biodiversity and traditions. It also has three train models:
● P’atal: its name means to stay, a train designed to travel long distances, with reclining seats and cabins.
● Janal: a place for gourmets, it has the particularity of combining the comfort of a restaurant with the excitement of a journey. Its name comes from the Mayan word ‘Janal’, which means to eat.
● Xiinbal: This standard model, whose name means journey or ride, is designed with panoramic windows that allow travellers to enjoy the picturesque view during a pleasant and quiet journey.
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A driving force for development
Just over a year after its opening, the train has become a transformative tourism axis, fulfilling its main objective of stimulating the social, cultural and economic development of the Yucatan Peninsula.
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This project brings travellers into contact with Mayan sites of great historical importance which, because of their remoteness, are difficult to visit. Among these sites is Dzibanché, an important ceremonial and political centre in the Maya region with a history dating back more than 2,300 years, inhabited mainly by the Kaan dynasty. This ancient city is known for its stepped pyramids, stone monuments and multi-storey palaces.
The expansion will benefit Belize and Guatemala by creating jobs, boosting foreign trade and improving mobility, while consolidating a cultural and archaeological corridor that will include destinations such as Tikal.
For the moment, the extension is only at the planning and construction stage, but it is known that the train will pass through Belize in order to avoid environmental damage in the El Petén jungle. It will add 300 kilometres of track, as far as the town of Flores in Guatemala.
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With this extension, the Maya Train will no longer be limited to Mexico: it will forge a link between ancient civilisations and the contemporary realities of tourism and development. More than just a means of transport, this project opens up new prospects for travellers, local communities and the regional economy.
Photos: Trenmaya.com
