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

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It’s been a minute for the reason that Maya Train launched, however in case you’ve been holding off on reserving your rail journey throughout the Yucatan Peninsula, in all probability as a result of these scammy ‘vacationer costs’ have 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 journey the very same practice merely since you carry a U.S. passport on you, and on high of that, there will probably be tons extra day by day departures any more.

Starting instantly from Cancun Airport, there at the moment are 3 unbelievable Mexican Caribbean locations you may 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 practice fare for guests.

It’s referred to as Turista México, and it principally 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 stay 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 will was the excessive costs for short-distance routes and the restricted schedule.

Even although the AC-powered, Europe-style practice 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 day by 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 ebook, 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 that could 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 might attain upwards of MXN$1,300 in peak season ($73.94), and given the actual 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 practice 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 might price you as little as $18.

As for the revamped timetables, the Maya Train now has 20 day by day companies throughout its 965-mile community, and it is anticipated so as to add a further 12 (totalling 32) by the top of the 12 months. On the Cancun–Merida line, arguably the preferred one, there’ll now be 6 day by 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, in case you’re questioning the place precisely you may go from Cancun now that tickets are dirt-cheap, this is 3 of essentially 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 journey by practice from Cancun, and with tickets averaging MXN$351 (the most cost effective charge on the Merida line at solely US$18), there isn’t any excuse to overlook it this time round.

The sprawling archaeological zone is legendary for its hovering step pyramid, the traditional Temple of Kukulcan, one of many best-preserved and most vital Mayan constructions to have survived into trendy instances.

There are additionally Mayan ball courts, ceremonial altars, and palatial buildings that have been as soon as off-limits to commoners like us. You’re welcome to discover the location 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 practice hop west of Cancun, and it is that much-needed infusion of culture and Old World attraction in your otherwise-uneventful poolside brunch-binging, all-inclusive vacay.

No judgement, we have all been right here, however in case you’re craving one thing a little bit extra than simply margaritas and seaviews, Merida provides stone-built church buildings, among the oldest to ever stand within the American continent, cobbled streets that seem like Europe, and vibrant road markets which have but to provide 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 regulation enforcers, or pickpocket motion. Our Safety Index at the moment ranks Merida at a extremely secure 85/100!

San Francisco de Campeche

A little bit extra offbeat than Merida, but related 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 price 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 beat back pirates and different assailants, at the moment are 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 excellent 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 can have you ever packing your luggage.