Is It Worth Traveling on the Tren Maya? Opinions and Tips

The Tren Maya is one of the most ambitious tourism and infrastructure projects in Mexico in recent years. Designed to connect key destinations in the southeast of the country—such as Cancun, Tulum, Mérida, Campeche, Palenque, and more—it promises to revolutionize how we explore the Yucatán Peninsula. But… is it really worth traveling on it? Here we share opinions, pros, cons, and tips so you can decide for yourself.

✅ Advantages of Traveling on the Tren Maya

1. Comfort and relaxation

Some Tren Maya routes include cars with reclining seats, restrooms, air conditioning, and even restaurants or sleeper cabins for long distances.

2. Tourist connectivity

The train is designed to take you directly to archaeological sites like Chichén Itzá, Uxmal, or Palenque, which is a big plus if you want to avoid tours or renting a car.

3. Affordable pricing

Compared to flights or car travel, the Tren Maya is expected to offer affordable fares, especially for domestic travelers.

❌ Disadvantages or Things to Consider on the Tren Maya

1. Still under development

As of 2025, several sections are still under construction or adjustment. It’s important to check whether your planned route is fully operational.

2. Travel times

The train is not necessarily the fastest option. Some routes may take longer than a flight—or even a bus.

3. Environmental and social impact

There is an ongoing debate about the ecological and cultural impact of the project. If sustainability matters to you, it’s worth doing some research before deciding.

🚆 Traveler Opinions

Positive: Many tourists highlight the comfort, good onboard service, and how convenient it is for getting to archaeological zones without hassle.
Neutral: Some say the train is interesting but not as fast or cheap as they expected, especially in its early stages.
Negative: Complaints include delays, cancellations, or lack of signage at stations. These issues are expected to improve over time.

🧳 Tips If You Decide to Travel on the Tren Maya

Buy your tickets in advance from the official website or authorized sellers.
Arrive early at the station, as some are still under development.
Bring water and snacks, especially for longer journeys.
Check the weather, since some routes pass through jungle areas with frequent rain.
Look up real-time schedules, as there may be updates or changes in operation.

✈️ So… Is It Worth It?

Yes—if you love adventure, scenery, and land travel, the Tren Maya is an experience worth trying at least once. It’s ideal for those looking for something different, wanting to connect with the history and culture of southeastern Mexico, and willing to be flexible with a still-growing system.

That said, we recommend keeping realistic expectations and thoroughly checking routes and schedules before planning your trip.

Semi-open cenotes

Partly covered, partly open to sunlight.

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Cave cenotes

Fully underground. These are the youngest.

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Vertical or well-type cenotes

Deep, cylindrical pools.

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🚆 My Experience Traveling on the Tren Maya

By Jorge Díaz

As a resident of Cancún, I’ve had the chance to travel on the Tren Maya four times, and overall, I can say it’s been a positive experience. It’s undoubtedly one of the most ambitious projects the government has launched in recent years, and while it has room for improvement, it also offers many good things.

Routes I’ve Taken

I’ve used the Tren Maya for two types of trips:

Short routes: Cancún ↔ Valladolid
Long route: Palenque → Mérida

Each left me with a different impression, and here’s what I noticed in both cases.

🚗 Short Trips: Is the Tren Maya Worth It?

My Cancún–Valladolid trip lasted about 1 hour and 40 minutes. The ride was comfortable and on time, but honestly, for short distances like this, I don’t think the Tren Maya is the best option. Here’s why:

Limited schedules, unlike ADO buses, which run almost all day
The Cancún Tren Maya station is next to the airport, which may be inconvenient if you're staying elsewhere
While the price is affordable—especially with a resident discount—driving or taking ADO is faster and more flexible for these short routes

So for short distances like Valladolid, Playa del Carmen, or Tulum, I’d recommend ADO buses or your own car if you have the option.

🚄 Long Route: Palenque → Mérida

My best experience was on the long route from Palenque to Mérida, a journey of approximately 9 hours. On this occasion, the Tren Maya was definitely the best choice.

During that trip, I had already been traveling for a long time by ADO buses from Mexico City to Cancún, and honestly, I was exhausted. Choosing the train for this leg of the journey was a great decision.

Why?

The level of comfort is much higher than a bus: you can get up to stretch, walk a bit through the car, go to the bathroom without issues, and rest without the constant shaking and bumping from road travel.
The bathrooms were clean, with water, soap, toilet paper, and everything working smoothly.
The natural light from the train’s large windows makes the ride feel more pleasant and less claustrophobic.
The price: with my Cancún ID, I paid approximately $950 MXN, while ADO was charging over $1,100 MXN and actually took longer (about 10 hours).

Although 9 hours is still a long time, the trip felt less tiring, and I would definitely choose the train again for long distances.

✅ My Conclusion

Everyone should give the Tren Maya a try. It’s not perfect, but it has great potential. Here are my personal recommendations:

For long routes: definitely choose the Tren Maya. It’s more comfortable and safer for long journeys.
For short routes: use ADO buses or your own car, as they offer more flexibility and save time.

👍 The Positives:

Affordable prices, especially for residents
Good level of comfort
Clean stations and punctual trains
More restful for long trips

👎 The Negatives:

Still not very fast
Few departures per day
Higher prices for non-residents or foreign tourists