Cancun may be the most popular tourist destination in the Mexican Caribbean, but there are plenty more great places to visit in the region.
Both up and down the coast and inland within the Yucatan Peninsula, there are some fascinating cities, towns, and villages to explore.
Cancun tourists will be able to get to these other destinations faster than ever starting next month, too, thanks to the inauguration of the Maya Train.
The Maya Train Project
The Maya Train project began in June 2020, amidst both excitement and criticism.
It will span almost 1,000 miles and pass through a total of five states, including Chiapas, Tabasco, Campeche, Yucatan, and Quintana Roo, the home state of Cancun.
The train, when completed, will consist of seven sections that will have a total of 22 stations distributed along the route.
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How Fast The Maya Train Will Go
One of the best things about the Maya Train for Cancun tourists is how much easier and faster it will be to visit other destinations along the route.
The train will move at a speed of around 160 kilometers per hour, which translates to 99 miles per hour.
This means tourists will be able to travel from Cancun all the way to Palenque, which is in the southernmost state along the route, in about six hours.
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Details On The Maya Train Inauguration
The Maya Train is set to be inaugurated on December 15th, but not all sections of the train will be completed at that time.
The section from Chiapas to Cancun will be inaugurated on that date.
The Tulum to Cancun section opening date has been pushed back, though, with an estimated opening of sometime in January.
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What Tourists Can Expect To Pay To Ride The Train
Though pricing for Maya Train tickets has not yet been finalized, Mexico’s president has mentioned tickets costing around 10 percent less than what it would cost for a public bus ride.
Once tickets go on sale on December 1st, travelers will be able to get an idea as to what it will cost to travel to specific areas.
Estimates have been in the range of $40-$50 per ticket for tourists.
Stops Along The Maya Train Route
Of all the stops along the Maya Train route, there will be some pretty amazing places to visit, from archeological sites to Magic Towns.
Along the Cancun to Tulum route, tourists can visit Playa del Carmen, Puerto Morelos, Cozumel, and more.
Other highlights you’ll find along the Maya Train route include places like Chichen Itza, Valladolid, Izamal, and Merida, just to name a few.
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Best Maya Train Day Trips From Cancun
There are many fantastic destinations along the Maya Train route, some that you can visit in a day, and others that you’ll need a little longer to visit.
Some of the places close enough to Cancun that you can make a day trip out of visiting them are all of the destinations along the Cancun to Tulum route.
Additionally, both Valladolid and Chichen Itza are close enough to visit on a day trip as well.
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Cancun’s Airport Train Station
The Maya Train will be so easy for Cancun tourists to access that you won’t even have to leave the airport upon arrival to do so.
Cancun will have its own Maya Train station, with electric vehicles that will take you from the terminal to the station.
So if you’re flying into Cancun Airport to get to a different destination, you can be on your way immediately upon arrival.
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