Cancun’s Maya Train Unveils Full-Service “Janal” Restaurant Car Serving Yucatecan Cuisine

Share The Article

If you’ve been holding out on riding the massive new Maya Train because you were dreading a long commute with nothing but pre-packaged snacks, your patience just paid off. The railway has officially rolled out its highly anticipated “Janal” restaurant car, upgrading a standard train ride into a full-blown culinary experience through the Yucatan jungle.

Janal—which translates to “food” in the Maya language—operates as a dedicated, moving dining car completely separate from the regular passenger cabins. Instead of eating out of your lap in standard rows, you get to sit at proper restaurant tables with full service while the countryside rolls by.

Inside the Janal Restaurant Car

This isn’t your standard commuter café.

The Janal cars were designed with heavy inspiration from the legendary Mexican modernist architect Luis Barragán, utilizing his signature aesthetic to frame the massive panoramic windows perfectly.

Each Janal train model features a dedicated restaurant car outfitted with a full industrial-style kitchen, allowing specialized catering equipment to prepare fresh meals onboard. The spacious dining area comfortably seats up to 140 passengers, utilizing well-lit tables for two and four guests, alongside fully accessible seating for passengers with reduced mobility.

To wash it down, the train even features its own exclusive craft beer brand. Developed in partnership with the local Yucatecan brewer Cerveza Ceiba, the “Tren Maya Beer” comes in light, amber, and dark varieties specifically crafted to pair with the bold regional spices of southeast Mexico.

The Authentic Yucatecan Menu

The inaugural tasting runs operated on the tracks between the Mérida-Teya and Izamal stations, giving passengers a gorgeous, historic backdrop for their meals.

To ensure the food actually lives up to the hype, the railway tapped Chef David Cetina Medina of Mérida’s highly acclaimed restaurant La Tradición to lead the kitchen for the debut trip. Known for his strict dedication to preserving traditional Maya and mestizo cooking methods, his team brings authentic regional flavors directly to the rails with a specialized tasting menu highlighting native ingredients.

While the Yucatan menu is incredible, Janal won’t stop there. Railway officials confirmed the culinary concept will eventually expand to rotate and feature the distinct gastronomy of all five states along the route: Chiapas, Tabasco, Campeche, Yucatán, and Quintana Roo.

Pro Tips For Riding the Maya Train Like a Veteran

Navigating this new 1,500-kilometer rail system requires a slightly different strategy than jumping on a quick local subway. Keep these tactics in mind to keep your travel days completely stress-free.

• Pack Light and Ditch the Massive Suitcase: While the main stations are modern, lugging heavy, oversized checked bags through the terminals, up escalators, and down the narrow train aisles is a nightmare. Stick to a sleek carry-on backpack. It makes hopping off at smaller, historic stations infinitely easier.
• Book Well in Advance: The train spans five different states, and the new Janal dining experiences are highly coveted. Don’t expect to just walk up to the terminal on a busy Saturday morning and grab a prime table. Book your tickets online ahead of your travel dates.

• Arrive Early for Security: The train runs on a strict, efficient schedule. You absolutely need to be at the station at least 30 to 45 minutes prior to departure to clear the security checkpoints and navigate to your boarding platform.
• Plan Your Local Transfers: Remember that many of the Maya Train stations—including major hubs like Mérida-Teya and Izamal—are located outside the actual city centers. You will need to arrange for a shuttle, taxi, or intermodal transfer to get from the station to your final hotel or tourist destination.
• Download Your Tickets Locally: Cell service can be incredibly spotty on the remote, wild stretches of track cutting through the deep jungle. Always download the PDF of your ticket directly to your phone’s local storage before you leave the strong Wi-Fi at your resort.

With the addition of the Janal dining car, the Maya Train is officially becoming more than just a transit option—it is a full travel experience in itself.