Why The Next 2 Months Are The Best Yet To Try The Maya Train From Cancun

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We at The Cancun Sun have been watching the Maya Train rollout since day one, and every time there’s a promo we ask the same question: “Okay, but is this the one that finally makes tourists try it?”

This time… yeah, it kind of is. For November and December, the Maya Train is bringing back a super-aggressive deal: buy a one-way ticket and your return is free — and the best part is that officials say it’s valid to any destination on the route.

That means you can leave from Cancun, go explore, and come back without paying the second leg.

What’s the actual promo?

According to the railway’s commercial director, Germán Redondo, the railroad saw ridership jump as much as 80% the last time they rolled out this “pay one way, return free” offer — so they’re doing it again for the holiday buildup. That’s why November and December are the sweet spot to test the train before high-season crowds and before they rethink pricing again.

And yes, officials are saying it applies across the network — not just Cancun–Mérida, even though that’s still the busiest stretch. So if you’ve been eyeing Bacalar, Valladolid, Mérida, or even heading farther toward Campeche, this is the window.

Why it matters for Cancun tourists

Normally, one of the biggest hesitations we hear from readers is, “The Maya Train looks fun, but it’s pricey compared to buses.” We’ve already warned that transportation costs in the Mexican Caribbean have been creeping up, especially for visitors relying on taxis and transfers. That’s why this deal suddenly makes the train feel like the low-stress, good-value option again. (If you missed that earlier coverage, take two minutes and read our piece on how local transport prices are shifting in Cancun — it’ll give you context.)

On top of that, we’ve seen the train rolling out more tourist-friendly products — like the weeklong Maya Pass we reported on earlier this year — which shows they’re really trying to get travelers off the beach for a day and into the rest of the peninsula. Pairing that with a 2-for-1 style return ticket is the clearest signal yet that they want visitors using the train, not just locals commuting.

How to actually use it

Here’s the simple play:

1. Pick your day trip — Mérida for food and colonial plazas, Valladolid for cenotes, Bacalar if you want to go big.
2. Buy your one-way on the official booking site so you can lock in your seat: that’s the same platform the train has been using for 2025 sales.
3. Claim the free return in the promo window (November and December). (Authorities and local outlets are all saying it’s valid on the 34 stations and stops).

Do it early in the day if you can — seats on the Cancun–Mérida corridor move faster than the southern segments.

Destinations this pairs perfectly with

• Tulum – Since the Tulum station finally opened, this is the easiest way to pair a Cancun stay with a Tulum beach/ruins day without renting a car. We walked readers through how that station works here, so give that a skim before you go.
• Mérida – Fastest “real Mexico” day trip from the Hotel Zone.
• Bacalar/Chetumal side – Normally a bit of a haul from Cancun, so getting the return leg free makes it way more attractive. (

Why now and not later?

Because this is clearly a ridership push, multiple reports in Mexico say the train is still trying to hit its 2025 passenger goal, and discounts like this are how they get there. When numbers improve, promos usually get less generous — not more. So if you’ve been waiting for “the right time,” this is it.

Also, if you like to keep your Riviera Maya trips super flexible, this is a nice alternative to renting a car and a good backup if airport transfers get pricier this winter — something we at The Cancun Sun have been flagging.

Quick cautions

• Check schedules the day before — the system still isn’t 100% immune to delays or operational hiccups.
• Travel with your ID if you’re hoping to qualify for Mexican-resident or special fares.
• Book outbound online, but be ready to show the promo details at the station for the free return.

If you’re in Cancun anytime in November or December 2025, this is probably the lowest-friction, most budget-friendly way yet to say, “Yep, I finally rode the Maya Train.”