What is the Tren Maya in México?
Ba’ax lé Tsíimin K’áak
The Tren Maya (also known in Yucatec Maya as Tsíimin K’áak, meaning “Fire Horse”) is a railway system that connects the main destinations of southeastern Mexico, linking cities, communities, archaeological sites, and the region’s most important tourist attractions.
Its route crosses the states of Chiapas, Tabasco, Campeche, Yucatán, and Quintana Roo, creating a transportation network that allows travelers to explore one of Mexico’s most culturally significant regions.
Although it is often associated primarily with tourism, the Tren Maya was designed as an integrated transportation project that includes passenger, visitor, and freight services, with the goal of strengthening connectivity and supporting the economic development of southeastern Mexico.
Why is it called the Maya Train?
The name refers to the Maya World, a cultural region that extends beyond Mexico’s current borders and includes parts of countries such as Belize and Guatemala.
The Tren Maya route passes through areas where major cities of the ancient Maya civilization once flourished and where traditions, communities, cuisine, handicrafts, and cultural expressions that are part of this shared heritage continue to thrive today.
Rather than simply connecting tourist destinations, the Tren Maya aims to bring together regions that share a common history and cultural heritage.
Types of trains
To provide different travel experiences, the Tren Maya operates a fleet of 42 modern trains, designed to accommodate a variety of journeys and passenger needs. The fleet is divided into three service models:
1. Standard Tren Maya train (Xiinbal)
The regular passenger service that connects the different stations along the Tren Maya route.
Restaurant Tren Maya train (Janal)
A travel experience that features dedicated spaces for food and beverage service throughout the journey.
Long-distance Tren Maya train (P’tal)
Designed for longer journeys, this service offers enhanced comfort with spacious daytime and overnight cabins, allowing passengers to relax, rest, or work while traveling along the Tren Maya route.
The future of the Maya World
The Tren Maya is part of a cultural region that extends beyond Mexico’s present-day borders. The Maya World includes southeastern Mexico as well as areas of Belize and Guatemala, where important archaeological sites, traditions, and cultural expressions of the Maya civilization continue to be preserved.
Since the project was launched, the possibility of expanding rail connectivity to neighboring countries has been discussed as a way to strengthen tourism, cultural exchange, and economic ties across the Maya World.
A potential international expansion could connect southeastern Mexico with Belize and Guatemala, taking advantage of the strategic location of Chetumal, in Quintana Roo, as a gateway near the borders of both countries.
However, such an expansion would depend on future agreements between governments, technical studies, infrastructure planning, and environmental considerations in each territory. For this reason, it is currently considered a long-term regional connectivity vision, rather than a confirmed extension of the existing Tren Maya route.
A future rail connection with neighboring countries could create new opportunities to explore the Maya World by linking archaeological sites, cultural destinations, and natural attractions across Mexico, Belize, and Guatemala through a regional tourism network.
Discover things to do along the Tren Maya route
The Tren Maya connects destinations rich in history, nature, and culture. Find tours, transportation, accommodations, local cuisine, and experiences to make the most of every place you visit.