This Is When You Will You Be Able To Take The Maya Train From Cancun To Playa Del Carmen

Last Updated 10 months ago

Sure, the Maya Train is certainly ironing out some kinks and finalizing sections a bit later than planned, but its newest route is almost ready to go.

Set to take passengers between Cancun and the ever-popular hotspot of Playa Del Carmen, Section 5 is being partially inaugurated on February 29th but will not reach the previously planned destination of Tulum, according to reports.

The Most Ambitious Railway Project In All Of Mexico…So Far

Introduced under the current President Andrew Manuel Lopez Obrador’s administration, the Maya Train has been years in the making, and both locals and tourists have been waiting with baited breath for its launch. 

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The first sections of the Maya Train began running operations in December 2023 and have since then been dealing with some teething problems, such as selling out some services and canceling others. 

The route between Cancun and Palenque has proven extremely popular nonetheless, offering an affordable, accessible, and somewhat reliable transport service to well-known tourist destinations, magical towns, and, most popular of all, Cancun Airport. 

Now adding Playa del Carmen to the mix, the billion dollar infrastructure project is about to get even more busy!

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Schedules For New Playa Del Carmen Route 

While these below-mentioned schedules are subject to change in response to supply and demand, these are the initial times between Cancun and Playa Del Carmen that the Maya Train will from run from:

• Cancun Station 

9:00 a.m, 12:00 p.m, 3:00 p.m

• Playa Del Carmen Station 

10:30 a.m, 1:30 p.m, 4:30 p.m 

As the Riviera Maya will expectedly begin to pick up again in terms of tourist occupancy through spring and summer, the route will more than likely schedule more timings in order to capture more tourists looking to visit the well-known hotspot.

Synonymous with pristine beaches, breathtaking jungle landscapes, and an unforgettable nightclub scene, the Maya Train will be doing what it originally set out to do: making places even more accessible than they were before. 

Getting From Cancun Airport 

Cancun Airport is the most popular choice for tourists who pick the Riviera Maya as their vacation base, and lucky for them, they now have a station within the airport that can take them directly there, skipping the expensive taxi and private hire prices. 

Cancun Airport also has a free shuttle transfer from its very own terminals that can take you to the station, making it an absolute no-brainer. 

Unfortunately for those flying to the new Tulum International Airport for the first time from March, the Maya Train route will not be ready to reach Tulum until April or May, when it is reportedly estimated to be completed. 

Why Is The Maya Train A Good Thing?

Some have not welcomed the decision to introduce a mass public transport system to the region, with fears of it having a negative impact on the environment and historical landscape that it is so well known for

For many, however, they see the Maya Train as a good thing, as the region continues to be inundated with tourists looking to visit the Mexican Caribbean and Yucatan Peninsula’s hidden wonders. 

The Maya Train runs at a speed that allows for quicker travel and an easier way to see more sights all in one vacation. 

With affordable pricing ranging between $43 USD and $197 USD, it is the hope that both tourists and locals will be able to travel in a far more reasonable way than in previous years, bringing a boost to local areas and economies that would have once gone relatively unnoticed.

Now, within a day, you can visit a ‘Magical Town’ like Merida, known for being culturally and historically significant to the region, before hopping back on and visiting an ancient Mayan ruin or cenote, synonymous with the Mexican people, and finally finishing your day off at one of the many breathtaking beach locations that region has to offer.

A year from now, travel in southeastern Mexico will have gone through a renaissance unlike it ever has before…and we are all ready for it!

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