Riding the Maya Train Between Palenque and Cancun With Overnight Stops

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  • Опубликовано: 29 сен 2024
  • My experience on the Maya Train that goes through the Yucatan Peninsula. I rode from Palenque to Campeche, Campeche to Merida, on to Valladolid, and eventually to the Cancun Airport stop. A train through Mexico in 5 states, 5 states, in regular tourist class and Premier Class. Come along to see what it's like on the train and in the Tren Maya stations!
    To read more details in an article, search "Maya Train" at the Cheapest Destinations Blog:
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Комментарии • 96

  • @alexgranados8719
    @alexgranados8719 3 месяца назад +24

    One of the best videos of tren maya covering different stations.

  • @adrianazuni6431
    @adrianazuni6431 3 месяца назад +16

    Bienvenido 🇲🇽 ... Ojalá te guste mucho el recorrido y disfrutes tu estancia en México!!

  • @ROMANERUIZA
    @ROMANERUIZA 3 месяца назад +11

    Thank you for sharing your honest and unbiased opinion/review on this train. It's certainly a promising transportation infrastructure for the peninsula.

  • @photographyalamexicana
    @photographyalamexicana 3 месяца назад +19

    Riding the Maya Train between Palenque and Cancún offers a unique and scenic journey through southeastern Mexico. Officially launched in December 2023, the Tren Maya connects key destinations across Quintana Roo, Yucatán, Campeche, Tabasco, and Chiapas, with the full route covering 34 stops once complete. The journey provides travelers with the opportunity to explore a variety of cultural, historical, and natural attractions, including the ancient Mayan cities of Palenque, Edzná, and Chichén Itzá, as well as vibrant cities like Cancún and Mérida. Onboard, passengers can expect a comfortable experience with large windows, ample seating, and modern amenities. The train aims to promote sustainable tourism and economic development in the region​. Great video, Tim Leffel!

  • @jjccgym
    @jjccgym 3 месяца назад +14

    They are building a train that will take you from station to airport and downtown Campeche. Nice video

    • @TimLeffel
      @TimLeffel  3 месяца назад

      @@jjccgym Do you have a link for that?

    • @jjccgym
      @jjccgym 3 месяца назад

      @@TimLeffel www.google.com/url?q=m.youtube.com/watch%3Fv%3DwLqGWEWF3UI&sa=U&ved=2ahUKEwjfjo2mkv2GAxVtkYkEHWOyAI8QwqsBegQIFhAF&usg=AOvVaw1a9YU7pfRxvVrnRynRhg1E

    • @jjccgym
      @jjccgym 3 месяца назад +1

      @@TimLeffel sorry I couldn’t find one in English, but they already started with the construction

    • @lucywisinski8732
      @lucywisinski8732 3 месяца назад

      @@jjccgym Is a DRT not a train. Unless a DRT is considered a train.

    • @jjccgym
      @jjccgym 3 месяца назад +2

      @@lucywisinski8732 in Spanish is, Tren Lijero. It’s electric and works on rail and road

  • @myusernameisnotfound
    @myusernameisnotfound 3 месяца назад +8

    The opposition party stopped and delayed the train (to spite AMLO) for 2 years so it should’ve been all done by now. Can’t wait to ride it. Great video.

    • @doingtime20
      @doingtime20 2 месяца назад +2

      Sure, "to spite amlo", it has nothing to do with the fact that they skipped environmental regulations.

    • @myusernameisnotfound
      @myusernameisnotfound 13 дней назад

      @@doingtime20 sure trees were cut and replaced environment damages debunked -nice try though.

    • @doingtime20
      @doingtime20 13 дней назад

      @@myusernameisnotfound Nothing was debunked.

  • @JonW6614
    @JonW6614 3 месяца назад +10

    Awesome video Tim! Thank you so much 👍

  • @Mariposamonarca24
    @Mariposamonarca24 3 месяца назад +15

    Nice video, greetings from Vancouver Canada 🇨🇦

  • @AntonioLuis-nt9sh
    @AntonioLuis-nt9sh 3 месяца назад +5

    Me gustó el vídeo excelente viaje yo he ido en tre ocasiones y la verdad se los recomiendo un viaje bastante cómodo 100% recomendable 🚝🚈🚅👌🏻👍🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

  • @lucywisinski8732
    @lucywisinski8732 3 месяца назад +8

    The original plan for the maya train was to go into Campeche, but the administration and people from Campeche didn’t want the Maya train to go through the city. I remember watching a clip about this, but I just don’t remember the reason.

    • @TimLeffel
      @TimLeffel  3 месяца назад +2

      @@lucywisinski8732 That seems so dumb. It would have been a huge boost and they need it.

    • @alexgranados8719
      @alexgranados8719 3 месяца назад +3

      @@TimLeffel They didn't want it because they will have to relocate some homes invading the old tracks and that delayed the project. So the government decided to move on and relocate the station in the outskirts of the city. However, they are currently building a DRT line to connect the train station, the airport and the historical center of Campeche.

    • @lucywisinski8732
      @lucywisinski8732 3 месяца назад +1

      @@alexgranados8719 thank you for the information! Great about the DRT but still would have been better the Maya train going through the city.
      I never been in Campeche but it looks a very nice city.

    • @alexgranados8719
      @alexgranados8719 3 месяца назад +2

      @@lucywisinski8732 That would be mission impossible. But not only in Campeche, also in Merida and other cities where they were old train tracks. The neighbors kept protesting and suing the government because that would divide neighborhoods. DRT will be less invasive and will provide a local transportation solution to a small town like Campeche that for me has been forgotten and thank god now is having some infrastructure attention to become a major tourist destination just like Cartagena in Colombia. Both cities are very similar in history with both sharing an old walled city. Most Colombians go to Cartagena for vacation but is not the same for Mexicans in Campeche. Hope this changes for the better.

    • @cmnweb
      @cmnweb 3 месяца назад +2

      Campeche is a historical city that is declared human heritage and for that many infrastructure need to be outside the city, to preserve all that heritage.

  • @hectorespin6759
    @hectorespin6759 3 месяца назад +3

    Ojalá hayas disfrutado mucho tu viaje por esa parte de México.😊

  • @jfrickerii
    @jfrickerii 3 месяца назад +5

    Great overview, Tim! Very insightful.

  • @charleyelefante
    @charleyelefante Месяц назад +1

    Ive motorcycle traveled all over Mexico and the Yucatan is by far the most boring terrain (unless it's riviera Maya) . Flat scrubby jungle is the perfect description.

  • @gorgonioturner2577
    @gorgonioturner2577 3 месяца назад +2

    Thank you for the nice video. its great to see it without the political point of view criticizing everything that this goverment has done for the country of Mexico. For the locals its a great opportunity to travel in a comfortable way, it means the opportunity to create a busines in the service or re sale industry. indeed it cost a lot of money to build infraestructure but with time it will prove to be a great idea. right now they only have the passanger trains. very soon they will unveil the first restaurant train and the sleeping trains too. keep the good work.!!!

  • @IxtlanDelRio
    @IxtlanDelRio Месяц назад +3

    It’s Tamal, not Tamale!

    • @TimLeffel
      @TimLeffel  Месяц назад

      @@IxtlanDelRio Says you! Even the tamale sellers can't agree on this where I live. Not even a Spanish word and...www.statesman.com/story/news/2021/12/20/tamal-tamale-debate-its-different-texans-and-mexicans/6428569001/

  • @ReyDavid-777
    @ReyDavid-777 3 месяца назад +2

    No entiendo porque EEUU 🇺🇸 no invierten en trenes de pasajeros?

    • @Amazonasur
      @Amazonasur 3 месяца назад

      Se refieren en ,us a . Porque en Mexico no require que ningun pais imvierta porque los lleban ala destrucion

    • @IxtlanDelRio
      @IxtlanDelRio Месяц назад

      Porque los grandes monopolios petroleros de USA quieren que se sigan consumiendo la gasolina y el diesel como hasta ahora con los automóviles, aviones, camiones, etc.
      Si construyen un tren eléctrico disminuirían sus ingresos.

  • @cpeeps430
    @cpeeps430 3 месяца назад +4

    Hola, Muchas gracias!

  • @alexgranados8719
    @alexgranados8719 3 месяца назад +3

    IMO Tren Maya needs a station in Villahermosa that has a small but functioning international airport that could make it easier for tourists to hop on to the train from the Tabasco/Chiapas part of the route. The government just needs 54 kms of track to help connect the Palenque station (via the FA line) to the Villahermosa International airport.

    • @TimLeffel
      @TimLeffel  3 месяца назад +1

      @@alexgranados8719 I agree. The Palenque airport is useless.

    • @simonsv9449
      @simonsv9449 2 месяца назад

      Well, Palenque Airport does have flights to Mexico City at least.

    • @TimLeffel
      @TimLeffel  2 месяца назад

      @@simonsv9449 Occasionally, but for many days you get a message like this when doing a search, even to there: "No flights found
      "There are no flights available on your chosen dates. Try changing the dates of your search."

    • @alexgranados8719
      @alexgranados8719 2 месяца назад

      @@simonsv9449 The entire airport has only one flight per week.

    • @simonsv9449
      @simonsv9449 2 месяца назад

      @@alexgranados8719 Bruh, the government owns Mexicana which operates the flights out of Palenque and the government owns the Tren Maya, just do more flights out there and have connecting shuttle buses to the Tren Maya.

  • @abbagus1
    @abbagus1 3 месяца назад +1

    I’ve watched many RUclipsrs riding the train and all of them said they got WiFi and they got a ciabatta and a beverage in premiere class . Something happened but you could’ve asked and maybe get a kind of refund for the poor meal and the waiter should’ve visited you to ask you if you needed something else at least every half an hour , you should write to them

    • @TimLeffel
      @TimLeffel  3 месяца назад

      @@abbagus1 Maybe they were hosted to get free snacks as that was not true for anyone in my car and is not mentioned anywhere as included. There was no WiFi signal for the entire stretch between Palenque and Merida. Only between Merida and Cancun did a signal show up. It was overloaded though and never worked.

    • @abbagus1
      @abbagus1 3 месяца назад

      @@TimLeffel I just wrote a week ago to ask if there was a vegan version of free snack in premiere class cos if I won’t get that I wouldn’t pay that extra 50% , they told me there were only non vegan free snacks .

    • @TimLeffel
      @TimLeffel  3 месяца назад

      @@abbagus1 Which route/how many hours? Premium class is 60% more expensive.

    • @abbagus1
      @abbagus1 2 месяца назад

      @@TimLeffel Merida Cancun but as I told you, I have seen lots of RUclipsrs traveling different routes trying economic and premiere classes and all of them received lunch in the premiere class, that’s why I recommended you to complain via the website or Facebook and if they made a mistake with you regarding internet or meals who knows they give you a free ride next time. The military is administrating the Train Maya as well as the recovered airline Mexicana , which is the cheaper one in the country

    • @TimLeffel
      @TimLeffel  2 месяца назад

      @@abbagus1 Nobody got free anything on my stretch. There might be a minimum distance. I don't see anything about that on the website or ticket site.

  • @IvánSánchez-j8l
    @IvánSánchez-j8l 2 месяца назад +1

    Thanks for the great video! I have ridden the train a few times and once even the full 11+ hours from end to end (that was a whole adventure). Once, we had the chance to talk to one of the conductors, who told us that the train will be completely up and running, after a couple years of experience and construction, by the end of 2025, so we hope you come back then! You were spot on with the AC part, and you are not completely safe from the heat in the trains either haha, we had a few problems with our train's system and it was quite toasty in there. The National Guard however was always helpful. Right now, if you want to ride on it, be prepared for an adventure!!! If you don't want any hiccups probably wait another year.

    • @TimLeffel
      @TimLeffel  2 месяца назад +1

      @@IvánSánchez-j8l Thanks for sharing your story. One of my Perceptive Travel writers wrote an article about her adventures and she also had issues with the A/C not being strong enough to cool the train cars on hot summer days.

  • @renesanchez6629
    @renesanchez6629 2 дня назад

    If is Mexican Sudan called asteca not Mayan are you Mexican people are proud to bi Aztecas Mayan are Centro American

  • @jessppena8791
    @jessppena8791 Месяц назад

    This american man seems like all he's about is criticism. No americans he says, maybe it's a good thing if they'll just like him. Could be Americans can't be behind this project bcz they can't top it, I don't know of anything like it in the USA. I'm proud of this accomplishment from our president AMLO gringos don't have2 like it 😅.

    • @TimLeffel
      @TimLeffel  Месяц назад

      @@jessppena8791 Not a criticism, just an observation. The government stats so far confirm it (see the linked article in the description.) If they fix the short bookingvwindow though, that will help.

  • @ElGatoPardo693
    @ElGatoPardo693 3 месяца назад

    Always unfinished works

  • @Tonatiuh_Cuazitl
    @Tonatiuh_Cuazitl Месяц назад

    I'm glad you like it. Lol

  • @MelyOrlaineta
    @MelyOrlaineta 3 месяца назад +1

    ❤🇲🇽

  • @ErickSerranoErisj2009
    @ErickSerranoErisj2009 Месяц назад

    In 2025 will be a DRT line to take you from the Campeche station to the city this line is supposed to be finished in April, i hope you enjoyed your travel on the Tren Maya

    • @TimLeffel
      @TimLeffel  Месяц назад +1

      @@ErickSerranoErisj2009 Fingers crossed that it becomes reality!

    • @ErickSerranoErisj2009
      @ErickSerranoErisj2009 Месяц назад

      @@TimLeffel Of course!

  • @CoLdpLay210
    @CoLdpLay210 2 месяца назад

    Man, I always went to see the Palenque ruins and Calakmul; as much as I understand the environmental damage it has in the Yucatan, I hope it all can bring tourist money and jobs to the people who need it.

  • @elenmascaradodeplataelsant8239
    @elenmascaradodeplataelsant8239 Месяц назад

    The maya train was designed to take you to maya archeological sites. In palenque you have possibly the finest maya city ever.

    • @TimLeffel
      @TimLeffel  26 дней назад

      The train doesn't actually take you to any of them though. You have to then get on a shuttle bus to the city from the station and then get a taxi from the city to the actual archaeological site. The stations are far from everything. I've not seen any announcements about direct shuttles from the train stations to any of the Maya sites yet. That'll be nice if it happens. There may be a direct taxi option from Chichen Itza station but I've seen reports of people getting off there and no taxis being around. They had to find a worker to call one for them (no Uber out there).

    • @elenmascaradodeplataelsant8239
      @elenmascaradodeplataelsant8239 26 дней назад

      @@TimLeffelyes, the train doesn’t go through the middle of the maya cities.

    • @TimLeffel
      @TimLeffel  26 дней назад

      @@elenmascaradodeplataelsant8239 Or within miles of an entrance. That one in Palenque is further out than the airport.

  • @JuanSanchez-ik7wx
    @JuanSanchez-ik7wx 2 месяца назад

    People have luggage, but luggage is forbidden. And are you not allowed to sit in a vacant seat on the right side for the view of the mountains?

    • @IxtlanDelRio
      @IxtlanDelRio Месяц назад

      There are no mountains in the Península of Yucatán, it’s a plane land!!

    • @TimLeffel
      @TimLeffel  Месяц назад

      @@JuanSanchez-ik7wx The mountains are only in Chiapas. You buy a ticket for an assigned seat.

    • @JuanSanchez-ik7wx
      @JuanSanchez-ik7wx Месяц назад

      @@TimLeffel Mountains was a poor choice. Hills and rock formations.

  • @JuanSanchez-ik7wx
    @JuanSanchez-ik7wx 2 месяца назад

    So the trip to Merida you were not facing the same direction that you were traveling. Was that true for the other cars too? Is there anything you can do to avoid facing the opposite direction of travel?

    • @TimLeffel
      @TimLeffel  Месяц назад

      @@JuanSanchez-ik7wx Luck of the draw it seems.

    • @JuanSanchez-ik7wx
      @JuanSanchez-ik7wx Месяц назад

      @@TimLeffel I would think there is no circle to turn the train around. Therefore, east will always be facing one direction and west will always be facing the other direction. In europe seats faced each other. So you cold always grab a seat facing the best direction.

    • @TimLeffel
      @TimLeffel  Месяц назад +1

      @@JuanSanchez-ik7wx There are just 8 that face each other in each car. It was quite random on which way we were facing so I'm not sure there's any way to plan ahead on that.

  • @montysano
    @montysano 2 месяца назад

    Maybe the Campeche station is outside of town so that it's easier to route close to Edzna?

    • @TimLeffel
      @TimLeffel  2 месяца назад

      I don't think the Edzna station is all that close to Edzna either. This writer had to get a "moto taxi" from the station, as in hopping on the back of a motorcycle. www.perceptivetravel.com/issues/0624/tren_maya.html

  • @yassira8352
    @yassira8352 3 месяца назад

    The train isn't finished

    • @TimLeffel
      @TimLeffel  3 месяца назад

      @@yassira8352 As noted in both the video and the linked article.

    • @ROMANERUIZA
      @ROMANERUIZA 3 месяца назад +1

      But it's functioning in one of its three legs/routes.

  • @esdrasvlogs
    @esdrasvlogs 3 месяца назад +2

    THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTORS ARE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE SEATS

    • @TimLeffel
      @TimLeffel  3 месяца назад

      @@esdrasvlogs Not between Palenque and Merida. I asked the conductor and other passengers. Only on the all-electric cars apparently.

    • @esdrasvlogs
      @esdrasvlogs 2 месяца назад

      @@TimLeffel All trains have electrical connectors, none of the trains are 100% electric, all trains are diesel-electric hybrids

    • @TimLeffel
      @TimLeffel  2 месяца назад

      @@esdrasvlogs Both of those statements are untrue. If you research the specs, some are diesel cars, some are electric. Depends on the route. We had no outlets on cars going all the way from Palenque to Merida. Neither class.

    • @esdrasvlogs
      @esdrasvlogs 2 месяца назад

      @@TimLeffel Those that are diesel are still hybrids, only these were ordered diesel because electrification would take a while, they were the first to work, and anyway, they have electrical connectors, I have made that trip both in both directions and they always have electrical connectors, You just needed to look at the bottom, there they are

    • @TimLeffel
      @TimLeffel  2 месяца назад

      @@esdrasvlogs Like I said, we asked the conductor and fellow passengers. Maybe they are upgrading them now?

  • @jormoria
    @jormoria 3 месяца назад +1

    be nice to own a house in valladolid,being able to fly anywhere from cancun airport. that was not possible before..no need for a car when you can take the train

    • @TimLeffel
      @TimLeffel  3 месяца назад

      @@jormoria Yes, an interesting small city to live in but easy airport access.

  • @Brockdorf
    @Brockdorf 17 дней назад

    Are dogs aloud on trains in Mexico?

  • @margaritorodriguez9675
    @margaritorodriguez9675 2 месяца назад +3

    DON'T LIKE NOICE? MEXICO IS A VERY LOUD COUNTRY ,MEXICO IT'S NOT GOINT TO ADJUST TO YOUR NEEDS. YOU DIDN'T HEAR ENGLISH? PERHAPS IT IS BECAUSE IT IS AN SPANISH SPEAKIN COUNTRY, THE MAYA TRAIN HAS ONLY BEEN RUNNING FOR MONTHS NOT YEARS! DE NADA!

    • @TimLeffel
      @TimLeffel  2 месяца назад

      @@margaritorodriguez9675 I have addressed the constant noise in my books, articles, and videos many times already. I live with it. 2) Nobody in the video says the train has been running for years. 3) I speak Spanish but AMLO said the train investment was to help working locals and attract foreign tourists (who mostly speak English). On those two goals it is failing.

  • @elcaballoloco7288
    @elcaballoloco7288 Месяц назад

    An ecological, social and economics crime.