You Can Now Take An $18 Train From Cancun To These 3 Incredible Destinations

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It’s been a minute because the Maya Train launched, however when you’ve been holding off on reserving your rail journey throughout the Yucatan Peninsula, most likely as a result of these scammy ‘vacationer costs’ had been too excessive, we have good news for you.

Blame it on the lower-than-usual ridership, or just Quintana Roo’s newfound curiosity in boosting the Maya Train as a product, however they’re now scrapping the gringo charges altogether and relaunching the service with far cheaper fares.

Yep, no extra paying 30% greater than locals to experience the very same prepare merely since you carry a U.S. passport on you, and on prime of that, there can be tons extra each day departures to any extent further.

Starting immediately from Cancun Airport, there are actually 3 unbelievable Mexican Caribbean locations you possibly can go to from solely $18, which we’ll get to shortly. First, let’s take a look at what’s modified:

PLUS: We’ve constructed an interactive quiz for you on the finish of this text to seek out out which journey is an ideal match for you!

A Lowkey Relaunch

Instead of a number of ticketing tiers and having foreigners fork out more cash than they need to as a result of apparently that was once the coverage south of the border, the Maya Train now has a single unified prepare fare for guests.

It’s referred to as Turista México, and it mainly means financial savings of as much as 30% in comparison with the unique ‘foreigner fare’. It applies to everybody, together with Mexicans who do not reside in any of the 5 states serviced alongside the route.

Part of the rationale why the Maya Train did not fairly take off the way in which builders initially thought it could was the excessive costs for short-distance routes and the restricted schedule.

Even although the AC-powered, Europe-style prepare is miles higher than these decades-old ADO shuttles, it did not stand an opportunity in opposition to the preferred mode of transport within the Yucatan Peninsula, particularly with the sliced bus fares and the a number of each day departures.

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

Quick intermission to remind you that, earlier than you fly overseas this season, be it Mexico or elsewhere, you must ensure you’re updated with any journey alerts which may be in place at your vacation spot on the Travel Advisories web page.

Here’s The New Maya Train Timetable

The outdated Maya Train fare for foreigners on this specific route may attain upwards of MXN$1,300 in peak season ($73.94), and given the very fact that there have been often just one or two trains operating per day, getting an ADO was a no brainer.

Now the brand new prepare fare for Merida-bound passengers begins at a way more acceptable $547 MXN ($27), just about matching the bus. Hopping off at an early cease, it may value you as little as $18.

As for the revamped timetables, the Maya Train now has 20 each day providers throughout its 965-mile community, and it is anticipated so as to add an extra 12 (totalling 32) by the tip of the 12 months. On the Cancun–Merida line, arguably the preferred one, there’ll now be 6 each day trains working.

Here’s the up to date schedule from Cancun to Merida:

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

Now, when you’re questioning the place precisely you possibly can go from Cancun now that tickets are dirt-cheap, here is 3 of probably the most sought-after locations:

Top 3 Destinations To Visit From Cancun With The New Cheaper Maya Train

Chichén Itzá

One of the Seven Wonders of the World, Chichén Itzá is now a brief 1.5-hour experience by prepare from Cancun, and with tickets averaging MXN$351 (the most affordable fee on the Merida line at solely US$18), there is not any excuse to overlook it this time round.

The sprawling archaeological zone is known for its hovering step pyramid, the traditional Temple of Kukulcan, one of many best-preserved and most essential Mayan buildings to have survived into fashionable instances.

There are additionally Mayan ball courts, ceremonial altars, and palatial buildings that had been as soon as off-limits to commoners like us. You’re welcome to discover the positioning in depth, so long as you are respectful, don’t trespass no-go zones, nor try to climb pyramids the place not permitted.

Merida

The cultural capital of the Yucatan Peninsula, Merida is a possible 3.5-hour, $27 prepare hop west of Cancun, and it is that much-needed infusion of culture and Old World allure in your otherwise-uneventful poolside brunch-binging, all-inclusive vacay.

No judgement, we have all been right here, however when you’re craving one thing a little bit extra than simply margaritas and seaviews, Merida gives stone-built church buildings, a number of the oldest to ever stand within the American continent, cobbled streets that seem like Europe, and vibrant road markets which have but to present in to the fast-spreading dollarization of the Mexican Caribbean.

Plus, it simply occurs to be one of many most secure cities in the entire of Mexico. According to the U.S. State Department, it is at the moment at Level 1, a standing it shares with historically low-risk locations like Switzerland and Iceland.

We know, loopy, proper? None of the same old gang mess, corrupt legislation enforcers, or pickpocket motion. Our Safety Index at the moment ranks Merida at a extremely protected 85/100!

San Francisco de Campeche

A little bit extra offbeat than Merida, but comparable in vibe, San Francisco de Campeche stands out for its nearly-intact colonial core, with stone-paved streets, ornate church buildings, and conventional cantinas galore, and imposing metropolis partitions.

It’s solely 2-ish hours to get there from Merida, and tickets value round $17 (from Cancun, it is considerably costlier).

Campeche is one in every of solely 2 cities within the Americas to nonetheless have retained its colonial fortifications virtually untouched, with the opposite one being Quebec City, up in Canada.

Parts of the Campeche Walls, previously used to thrust back pirates and different assailants, are actually open for guests, like Puerta de Tierra, which you’ll be able to climb for epic coastal views, and a few bastions: Baluarte de la Soledad (now internet hosting a museum), and Baluarte de San Carlos (a terrace viewpoint).

Which one in every of these epic 3 Mexican Caribbean spots are you going for? Take this quiz to seek out your good match!

Vinicius Costa

Vini, our senior lead author at Travel Off Path, has over 60+ nations below his belt (and at the moment weaving tales from Paris!), and a knack for turning off-the-beaten-path experiences into informative tales that may have you ever packing your luggage.