From Gold Streets to Jungle Tombs: Riding Mexico’s New Maya Train
7 days, 5 states, 3 towns, and a week of wonder—without breaking the bank.
"I had no idea how gorgeous Mexico really was," my friend Colleen whispered as we rolled into Bacalar, the final stop on our Maya Train adventure. After a week of jungle vistas, pastel cities, ancient pyramids, and lagoon sunsets, she finally understood what I already knew: Mexico is magic.
The brand-new Tren Maya now loops across five southern states, connecting everything from Caribbean beaches to rainforest ruins. It’s fast, comfortable, and shockingly affordable—even with hotels, fine dining, and the occasional Spritz, we kept it under $200 a day for both of us. We covered all 966 miles—start to finish, coast to coast.
We started in Izamal, my favorite of Mexico’s Pueblos Mágicos (Magic Towns), where every building glows a warm, sunflower yellow and horse-drawn carriages clop through cobbled streets. From there, we wandered west to the rainbow city of Campeche for Spanish wine and pizza with prawns under the stars. Then we climbed jungle-shrouded pyramids in Palenqué, guided by a Mayan descendant who explained—between belly laughs and legends—why certain rainforest fruits are nicknamed after various animals’ testicles. (You’ll have to read the full version for that.)
And just when we thought we couldn’t be more amazed, Bacalar’s famous Lagoon of Seven Colors delivered sky blues, glass-clear water, and the kind of stillness that makes you feel like time is taking a nap.
The train itself ? Impressive. Air-conditioned, efficient, and mostly filled with locals—smart travelers who already know what Colleen just discovered: that this region of Mexico is a treasure, and the best way to see it is by rail.
From yellow cities to turquoise lagoons, our journey was pure gold.
Editor’s note: This story originally appeared in the September issue of International Living magazine, available now. Also inside: gold in a carry-on, banking strategies for international living, a French castle turned co-working space, wine-label wisdom, and why Panama’s Arco Seco might just be the world’s most livable beach region.
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Curious about riding the Maya Train yourself?
We rode all 966 miles—from golden colonial towns to jungle pyramids and turquoise lagoons—and shared every detail. Hotels, food, transport tips, guides, costs… even the best mint-chip ice cream we’ve ever had.
Read the full 7-day itinerary, including prices, highlights, and expert tips.
Or watch the trip come to life in our video: