Discover the Scenic Train to Mexico: A Comprehensive Guide
There is something about train travel that captivates most adventurous travelers, perhaps it is the opportunity to see attractive natural landscapes such as canyons, animals acting in their habitat, tunnels, mountains and bridges, while traveling in a fast and comfortable means of transportation. Here we will tell you what is it like to travel by train to Mexico?
Why should you travel by train to Mexico?
Traveling is one of the most rewarding experiences and if you are an adventure lover, you will surely love to travel by train to Mexico. Mexico is one of those countries rich in tourism, so you can do various activities such as wine tours, gastronomic routes and of course, enjoy beautiful landscapes, ancient and modern structures that will surely dazzle you.
If you visit all the Mexican tourist routes you will be able to marvel with an excellent view while traveling comfortable and fast enough. In addition, traveling by train to Mexico will save you from check-in and is an environmentally friendly travel option.
Some of the most popular tourist trains to travel by train to Mexico are the Tren Maya and the Barrancas del Cobre; so don’t wait any longer and get on a train to Mexico and live unforgettable experiences.
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Mayan Train
It was on August 13, 2018 when the complete route of the Mayan Train was announced, where it was highlighted that it would comprise of two railway lines, the existing Palenque-Campeche-Mérida-Valladolid line, and the Escárcega-Bacalar-Cobá-Cancún line,which was later modified to Escárcega-Chetumal-Cobá-Cancún. It is important to mention that the Mayan Train crosses five states, which are: Chiapas, Tabasco, Campeche, Yucatan and Quintana Roo, so it is divided into jungle, gulf and Caribbean.
Its construction began symbolically on December 16, 2018, but formally began in June 2020.
The objective of the Mayan Train is focused on:
- Restoring Mexican natural biological connectivity while encouraging the care of animals and vegetation.
- Improve the conservation of ecosystems.
- Reduce illegal logging and, in turn, implement the necessary actions to protect the country’s nature.
- Promote environmentally friendly agricultural and livestock production.
- Promote economic activities that encourage tourism, such as scenic and cultural attractions.
- Connect the Yucatan Peninsula.
Mayan Train Routes
If you want to live the experience of traveling by train to Mexico, you will love the Tren Maya because it offers comfort and at the same time, you can see beautiful landscapes while traveling.
In addition, it is important to mention that this train seeks to promote the social, cultural and economic development of the Yucatan Peninsula, so with this means of transportation you can achieve a transformation that improves the living conditions of the people. Here we will tell you which are the routes of the Tren Maya:
Mayan Train Stations in Campeche
- San Francisco de Campeche
- Tenabo
- Hecelchakán
- Calkiní
- Maxcanú
- Umán
- Teya Merida
- Tixkokob
- Izamal
- Chichen Itza
- Valladolid
- Xpujil
- Calakmul
- Centenario
Stations of the Mayan Train in Quintana Roo
- New Xcan
- Leona Vicario
- Puerto Morelos
- Cancun Airport
- Playa del Carmen
- Tulum
- Tulum Airport
- Felipe Carrillo Puerto
- Chacchoben-Limones
- Bacalar
- Chetumal Airport
- Nicolás B. Kohunlich Airport
Mayan Train Stations in Tabasco
- Escarcega
- Carrillo Puert
- Edzná
- Candelaria
- El Triunfo
- Tenosique
- Boca del Cerro
Mayan Train Station in Chiapas
- Palenque
Main characteristics of the Mayan Train
The Mayan Train stands out for its elegance and comfort, and the journey from one place to another takes approximately 9 hours, so one of its objectives is to provide comfort to its passengers.
Within the facilities you can find a coffee maker that can be used by any user; it also has a microwave oven so that any passenger can access it to heat their food.
The seats of this train have plugs to connect cell phones through a USB input and under the seat there is a footrest so that passengers can stretch out completely to rest more comfortably. All the cars of the Tren Maya are air-conditioned and have giant windows, so you can enjoy the extraordinary view that the trip offers.
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It should be noted that the Tren Maya offers three types of service, passenger train, tourist train and freight train. The trip is divided into seven sections with stations, where each stop has two minutes and the travel time between stations is more or less 15 to 20 minutes; also note that this train to Mexico offers three categories of service, Xiinbal (regular), Janal (long distance) and P’atal (restaurant).
We recommend you to book your ticket on the official website of the Tren Maya, as this is a direct system of the operator. However, there are also other alternatives such as the website www.turitren.mx, which specializes in the secure sale of tickets for train to Mexico trips.
Copper Canyon Railway
If you want to travel by train to Mexico El Chepe is your best option because this railroad crosses the Copper Canyon and other parts of northern Mexico that offer a breathtaking view.
The Copper Canyon Railroad crosses two of the most important natural tourist attractions in Latin America, the Sierra Tarahumara and the famous Copper Canyon, which is internationally known for being four times bigger than the Colorado Canyon.
The Copper Canyon Railroad (El Chepe) began operations in 1961 and is one of the three tourist passenger train services in the continent. It is important to mention that since 2017 El Chepe decided to offer a new tourist service, thus presenting a new train baptized as El Chepe Express, this train aims to offer ecotourism adventures, extraordinary gastronomic experiences and greater comfort to its passengers.
The objective of the Copper Canyon Train
The objective of El Chepe’s tourist travel category is to promote tourism in northern Mexico and environmental awareness, while the regional El Chepe aims to mobilize the Rarámuri, Tarahumara and local communities at an economical rate.
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Copper Canyon Railroad Routes
The adventure in train to Mexico with El Chepe starts in three ways, from Los Mochis Sinaloa, to get here you can take a cab to the railroad station, the second is from the train station in downtown Chihuahua City and the third is by taking a train or bus to the municipality of Creel.
It is important to mention that if you take the first route (Los Mochis) you will enjoy the fertile plains that Sinaloa offers, then you will gradually go up steep tracks on one side of the canyon, crossing 37 bridges and 86 tunnels.
The Copper Canyon Railroad offers an incredible panorama and you will see winding rivers, white water flashes, cactus and pine trees, it is important to mention that the railroad takes nine hours from Los Mochis to Creel.
Also worth mentioning is El Chepe Regional, which has stops in the indigenous villages of northern Mexico. One of the most popular is the Sierra de los Tarahumaras, an indigenous community also called Rarámuris, who are known for their endurance to run long stretches in huaraches (typical Mexican sandals).
It is important to mention that the Copper Canyon Railroad is considered one of Mexico’s engineering masterpieces. Here we leave you with more details about the routes of El Chepe:
- Topolobampo to Los Mochis.
- Los Mochis to El Fuerte
- El Fuerte to Bahuichivo
- Bahuichivo to Divisadero
- Divisadero to Creel (Here you can enjoy the spectacular scenery of the Barrancas del Cobre)
- Creel to Chihuahua
How is El Chepe structured?
El Chepe has three classes:
Economy Class, which has comfortable seats, in addition, you can order food a la carte. You have the possibility to enjoy a beautiful view through its large window and it offers a pleasant atmosphere.
Business Class, besides offering comfortable seats and being able to order food a la carte, the business class has an extra plus, it has an executive dining room, in addition to this, its seats and environment offer great comfort and have large windows.
First Class offers luxury and exclusivity, it gives you access to the Urike restaurant, the Dining Dome which has a panoramic view and the bar. In addition, this class includes meals during the trip and the carriage has wider seats than those in Economy and Business Class.
Tips if you travel on the Copper Canyon Railroad
- The first thing you should know is that there are no online ticket sales, so those who have traveled on this train to Mexico recommend buying the ticket one day before taking El Chepe, directly at the ticket offices of the stations; you can also book through a travel agency.
- You should not carry suitcases of more than 50 kilos, since if you do, you will not be able to board the train.
- The whole trip takes nine or sixteen hours (depending on which station you get on).
- In summer it is high season so there is a large influx of tourists, especially nationals.
- You must follow the instructions provided by the Copper Canyon Railroad.
- It is important that you inform your loved ones where you are and do not accept invitations from strangers (remember that El Chepe passes through some towns dominated by organized crime).
What is the best time to visit the Copper Canyon?
Really any time of the year is ideal to visit this natural paradise, it all depends on your tastes in relation to the weather.
For those who prefer cool and green, the best time is in September and October, right after the summer rains, while if you prefer to visit
while if you like the cold, January and February are your best option and you will enjoy a beautiful snowy view.
On the other hand, warm weather lovers can visit the Barrancas in summer, what we do recommend is to bring light clothing and a bathing suit.
Places to stay
On the Copper Canyon Railroad tour you will have the opportunity to stay and also visit Guachochi, Barrancas, Creel, Divisadero and Bahuichivo, where you will find the Lake of the Herons and its waterfall, the Museum of Tarahumara Culture, incredible viewpoints of the canyons and the Urique Canyon.
These are some of the most popular lodgings in the Copper Canyon:
- Hotel Posada del Hidalgo
- Hotel Mision Cerocahui
- Hotel Mirador in Divisadero
- Hotel Divisadero in Barrancas
- Hotel Haciend Don Armando in Creel
Why is marketing important to encourage train travel to Mexico?
For some time now, train to Mexico trips have been reduced due to the constant attacks by members of organized crime and the control of drug trafficking in some of the towns that the Copper Canyon Railroad travels through.
It is for this reason that the necessary means must be sought to advertise this means of tourist transportation, since tourism benefits the development of the communities that are part of the Chepe route.
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Advertising and promotion helps to create awareness about tourist destinations, their attractions, services and offers.
Through advertising campaigns, travel and tourism demand can be increased. In addition, if important influencers are involved in tourism campaigns, positive results are seen much faster.
Therefore, tourism marketing is not an expense, but rather a contribution to the increase of travelers.
You already know everything about traveling by train to Mexico, now tell us, do you dare to live an unforgettable experience?
