Last Updated 9 hours ago
The Maya Train has revolutionized travel in the Mexican Caribbean since its launch back in 2023, making it easier for tourists landing in the resort city of Cancun to visit lesser-known, more cultural destinations along the coast or inland Yucatán.
In other words, it’s given travelers more autonomy to plan their own trip independently of travel agencies, with their rigid itineraries and overpriced private transfers:
The temples at Tulum, the pyramids of Chichén Itzá, and the historic city of Mérida are now a short, safe train ride away for most.
That’s already exciting on its own, but what if we told you the long-lost dream of a multi-country Mayan World tourism initiative, which we’d reported on as early as 2022, seems to be finally leaving the drawing board?
It’s been years in the making, but the Maya Train is officially being extended beyond Mexico to reach both Belize and Guatemala, two sisterly nations boasting an equally rich ancient heritage:
Mexican Authorities Confirm The Maya Train Will Extend To Belize And Guatemala
As confirmed by Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum herself, the Tren Maya will be adding 186 miles of tracks, extending into the neighboring countries of Belize and Guatemala, for a total network of 1104.7 miles.
The plans were only announced on January 29, and Sheinbaum has stated it will be ‘delivered in stages’, so it’s not something we should expect to be up and running before the end of this year or maybe even the next.
We’re all too familiar with all the setbacks the Maya Train endured ahead of its launch, let alone two additional countries that have not been connected by railway for decades now––but much like the train eventually hit the tracks in Mexico, it will in the Central American isthmus.
How do we know that? Well, there is an appetite for it to happen:
Sheinbaum has already met with the President of Guatemala, Bernardo Arévalo, and the Prime Minister of Belize, John Briceño, who himself touted plans for an extension originally, and the project has been given the green light.
There is a lot we don’t yet know at this early stage, so there’s no point hypothesizing how much tickets will cost, and which destinations will be serviced, but we do know that there is a first phase of construction planned.
What Do We Know So Far About The Maya Train Extension?
The initial stages of the extension will involve the addition of just over 4 miles of tracks to the west of Chetumal, currently the southeasternmost station of the Maya Train, crossing the Hondo River that acts as the natural border between Mexico and Belize.
This should be done in no time, though authorities have been clever this time not to make bold promises, given the numerous delays they faced in the past––let’s hope the environmentalists raise no further issues.
The second phase, on the other hand, is considerably more ambitious, as it will result in tracks being laid across the entire territory of Belize and reaching the Guatemalan border just east of Tikal, a hugely popular cultural spot for Mayan World enthusiasts.
Finally, the third phase, set to take place entirely within Guatemala, would link Tikal to the city of Flores, where there is an international airport.
With feasibility studies yet to commence, we can’t give you an estimate of when the project will be finalized.
But hey, it’s looking promising!
What To See In Belize Once The Maya Train Launches
Though it is undoubtedly the most famous, Mexico is not the only nation to lay claim to centuries-old Mayan monuments, with Belize being one such example.
A small country just south of Mexico, with a short coastline on the Caribbean and packed full of historical sites, Belize is home to Caracol, one of the largest Mayan cities of antiquity to have survived into the modern era, once a major urban center with 100,000+ residents.
Its Caana pyramid remains the tallest building in Belize, and there are many Mesoamerican structures and ball courts in a near-perfect state of preservation.
In approaching Xunantunich, near the Guatemalan border, tourists will find numerous temples presenting ornate stucco friezes and a centrally-located, towering El Castillo pyramid.
Let’s not forget Altun Ha, in the vicinity of a vibrant Belize City and only 6 miles inland from the turquoise Caribbean shoreline, formerly a trading hub during the Mayan Classic period and best known for its impressive Temple of the Masonry Altars.
What About Guatemala?
Over in a densely-forested Guatemala, the main attraction is Tikal, already confirmed as a stop in the Maya Train extension.
How could it not be?
An abandoned Mayan settlement that featured among the most historically significant of the bygone civilization, it is essentially an open-air museum littered with pyramids, intricately carved sanctuaries, and palace-flanked avenues.
Considerably more remote than Tikal, nestled deep in the jungle, El Mirador would be Guatemala’s second-most popular Mayan site, with a monumental, overgrown pyramid whose crown is visible above the tree canopy.
Other noteworthy archeological zones on the Guatemalan side of the border include Yaxhá, a scenic lakeside complex of temples, Quiriguá, distinguished for its carved-stone temples.
This site is unique for its intricate stelae, which are tall stone carvings that depict important events in Mayan history.
Quiriguá is also home to a number of impressive pyramids and temples, and to those who are looking for a crowd-free gem where Mayan ceremonies continue being held to this day, Iximché should not be bypassed.
The cross-border Maya Train is not yet a reality, but you can already travel from Cancun to a host of incredible destinations in Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula, including Mérida, one of the oldest cities in the Americas, and the recently-opened Ichkabal ruins, near Bacalar––larger even than Chichén Itzá!
Find out more here.
↓ Elevate Your Travel↓
Sign Up Now For Travel Off Path Premium! No ads, VIP Content, Personal Travel Concierge, Huge Savings, Daily Deals, Members Forum & More!
✈️Join Our Travel Off Path Community Forum: Where travelers unite, ask questions, share experiences and even find like-minded travel buddies!
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR LATEST POSTS
This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
