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Although travelers will still have to wait several weeks for the Maya Train to launch fully, several of its already existing routes are proving to be highly popular with travelers.
According to new figures revealed this week by the railway system’s director, the Maya Train’s Fourth Section, which links Cancun to Izamal in Yucatan, has seen ridership boom thanks to the many historical and natural wonders found along the route.
Despite getting off to a rocky start, travelers are slowly beginning to warm up to the Maya Train as passenger numbers climb.
With that in mind, here’s why this Maya Train route is skyrocketing in popularity with travelers right now.
Maya Train’s Fourth Section Captivates Travelers Ahead Of Tulum Route Launching
The Maya Train is a revolutionary project for Cancun and the Mexican Caribbean, transforming public transportation for millions of travelers.
While not entirely finished, most of the 1,500-kilometer-long railway system has already been built, and officials say over 200,000 travelers have already benefited from the undertaking.
Travelers can currently explore several Maya Train routes from Cancun, including the popular Northern Fifth Section, which connects the resort city to Playa del Carmen.
But new figures revealed this week show that the western connection to Izamal, in Yucatan, is also extremely popular with travelers, who are using the route to explore the region’s countless Mayan wonders and natural gems.
According to Óscar David Lozano Águila, the managing director of the Maya Train project, the 239-kilometer-long section of the railway system is currently fully operational, noting its soaring passenger numbers.
Since its launch earlier this year, over 89,000 passengers have already used the new service. While impressive, the numbers are just a fraction of the expected future travel volumes as officials continue to roll out marketing efforts.
The Fourth Section has five stations: Chichén Itzá, Valladolid, Nuevo Xcán, Leona Vicario y Cancún, each of which offers convenient access to numerous attractions in the region.
Key among them are the impressive Chichen Itzá ruins, which have seen major investments to improve visitor facilities and conservation efforts as travel numbers soar.
Currently ranked the number one historical attraction near Cancun by Tripadvisor, visiting the popular ruins is now quicker and easier than ever before.
The Valladolid station is also noteworthy for having several popular attractions just minutes from the station.
From the lesser-known but equally impressive Ek’ Balam ruins to the gorgeous Zací cenote, this historic town is an alluring choice for travelers.
In a recent press conference on the Maya Train’s progress, Mr. Águila also added that construction of new resorts along the system routes is in full swing, with a new 160-room property in Chichen Itzá nearly complete.
Meanwhile, Mexico’s outgoing president Andrés López Obrador—who has overseen the implementation of the country’s most ambitious infrastructure project to date—has said that construction of the remaining routes—including the Tulum one—will wrap up by mid-September.
The southern section has experienced numerous delays due to the region’s delicate nature and countless Mayan artifacts, exacerbating concerns over completing the project on time.
Travelers can purchase tickets for the Maya Train on the railway company’s official website.
With interest in the Maya Train soaring ahead of the busy winter season, visitors are urged to book in advance to secure availability.
The Maya Train continues to unlock more historic wonders for travelers to explore, helping boost mobility for millions of travelers alongside the new Felipe Carrillo International Airport in Tulum.
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Larry Brunt
Monday 12th of August 2024
Your information continues to be great !!
But when are you going to start giving USEFUL information ?? …. How do you get FROM the train to these “ spectacular “ places .
Are there ANY accommodations ANYWHERE near these “ wonderful” locations ??
How do you get to the station from the city of Cancun ??
How bad should you prepare to pay for connections in these “ wonder” locations ??
Can you purchase a long ticket and get on & off the train ??
How ; who , where can you get HONEST information about building a trip on the train ??
Currently , no one will talk to you ; you must find your way to the Cancún Airport 🤦🏻♂️😵💫😱😱…. Then hope to find the location of the “ phantom “ bus to the train station …. Then HOPE to find someone willing to talk to you at the station . Then go to mass and PRAY that ANY information is correct …… and lastly make plans that include any number of problems that will most likely happen while you are on the train .
Your advertisements are indeed great …. But please know that you keep “ running your customers AWAY “ with the incredible amount of completely avoidable problems and carelessness that nobody seems to worry about . Just keep throwing money out the window 🤷♂️🤷♂️🤷♂️🤷♂️🤷♂️🤷♂️