Exploring the Yucatán by Train: How the Tren Maya Is Changing Playa del Carmen Travel (2025)

The Yucatán Peninsula has always been one of Mexico’s most fascinating regions — home to turquoise coasts, lush jungle, ancient Mayan cities, and lively cultural towns. But in 2025, exploring it has become easier, cheaper, and more accessible than ever thanks to one major change:

The Tren Maya.

With Playa del Carmen positioned as one of the most strategic stops along the route, the new railway is transforming how travelers move through the region, opening up opportunities that simply didn’t exist before.

Here’s how the Tren Maya is changing travel in and around Playa del Carmen — and why this matters for your next trip.

🚆 What Is the Tren Maya?

The Tren Maya is a modern passenger railway connecting the major destinations of the Yucatán Peninsula — including Quintana Roo, Yucatán, Campeche, Chiapas, and Tabasco.

For travelers, the biggest benefits are:

Lower transportation costs
Faster access to major ruins and cities
Safer, more reliable travel between destinations
A comfortable alternative to buses and expensive tours

The Playa del Carmen station has become one of the busiest hubs, making it easier than ever to explore the peninsula from a single home base.

Here’s a link to the Mayan Train Route: Mayan Train route

How to buy Mayan Train tickets: Mayan Train tickets

📍 Playa del Carmen’s Station: A Game Changer for Travelers

Before the Tren Maya, most travelers relied on:

Long bus rides
Expensive taxis
Rental cars
Organized tours with fixed itineraries

Now, the train offers:

Affordable tickets
Set schedules
Direct routes to top attractions
Comfortable seats, AC, bathrooms, and luggage space

This shift allows both budget travelers and families to explore beyond the coast without the hassle.

Map: Map to the Mayan Train station Playa del Carmen

🌄 The Best Day Trips From Playa del Carmen Using the Tren Maya

Here’s where the train makes exploring the region easier, faster, and cheaper:

1. Tulum

Travel time: Short.
Why go: World-famous ruins, beach clubs, cenotes, and yoga retreats.
The train bypasses traffic-prone highways, making Tulum a simple morning or afternoon trip.

2. Chichén Itzá

Why go: One of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
This has become one of the biggest wins for travelers. Instead of long tour buses or pricey excursions, the train offers simpler, cheaper access to Mexico’s most iconic ruin.

3. Valladolid

Why go: Cenotes, colonial charm, and incredible Yucatecan food.
The train makes this magical town a perfect day trip for culture lovers, photographers, and foodies.

4. Mérida

Why go: Museums, gastronomy, markets, and historic architecture.
It’s now far more accessible from Playa del Carmen, opening up new multi-day trip possibilities.

5. Cancún Airport

Yes — the train is making airport transfers easier too.
This is huge for travelers who want:

Cheaper airport transportation
No haggling with taxi drivers
Smooth, reliable transfers

6. Coba

Why go: Jungle ruins where you can still climb one of the ancient pyramids.
The train route eliminates long bus rides and gives travelers another accessible archaeological experience beyond Tulum.

💸 How Tren Maya Helps Budget Travelers

Traveling the Mexican Caribbean has always been memorable — but not always cheap.

The Tren Maya helps travelers save money by:

Lowering transportation costs compared to taxis and tours
Making independent travel easier (no need for rental cars)
Offering direct routes to attractions that once required pricey excursions
Allowing visitors to book accommodations in budget-friendly Playa del Carmen, then explore outward

This makes Playa del Carmen a smarter home base than Cancún or Tulum for budget travelers.

🧳 Better for Long-Term Travelers & Digital Nomads Too

Playa del Carmen has long been popular with digital nomads, expats, and long-stay travelers.
Now, with the Tren Maya:

Weekend trips become easier
Cultural towns are more accessible
Exploring the region doesn’t require a car
It’s simpler to travel while working remotely

Remote workers can live affordably in Playa and still enjoy the full richness of the Yucatán.

🌱 Sustainability: A Step Toward Greener Travel

While the Tren Maya has sparked discussion and debate, it has also helped reduce:

Highway congestion
Taxi emissions
The environmental impact of constant private transfers

Over time, the train may help distribute tourism more evenly across the region, supporting lesser-visited towns and reducing pressure on coastal hotspots.

🌟 Final Thoughts: The Tren Maya Is Transforming Playa del Carmen Travel

In 2025, the Tren Maya has reshaped the way people explore Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula — and Playa del Carmen is right in the center of it all.

With:

Better affordability
Easier day trips
Direct access to major attractions
Faster travel times
New ways to explore culture, nature, and history

Playa del Carmen has become one of the best-connected destinations in all of Mexico.

If you’re planning your next trip, the combination of Playa del Carmen + the Tren Maya offers unmatched freedom, flexibility, and value.

About the Author

Hi, I’m Matt from Nasplaya, your go-to guide for living, investing, and thriving in Playa del Carmen and the Riviera Maya. In 2008 my husband and I quit our jobs in Boston, Massachusetts, sold everything we owned and drove to Playa del Carmen, Mexico to start North American Standards (Nasplaya), our property management, vacation rental and real estate company. Now 17+ years later, I am sharing our experience helping expats and property owners navigate the local market. I share honest insights, practical tips, and insider knowledge to make your move—or your investment—a success.

From finding the best schools and maximizing rental income to understanding local regulations and uncovering hidden gems, my goal is to give you clear, actionable advice you can trust. When I’m not exploring the beaches or scouting the newest rental opportunities, I’m sharing stories, guides, and strategies that help you make the most of life in paradise.

Follow along for expert tips, local updates, and everything you need to live, invest, and enjoy the Riviera Maya to the fullest.

North American Standards (NAS Playa)
Property Management • Rentals • Real Estate
📍 Playa del Carmen, Mexico
🌐 www.nasplaya.com 🔑 Rentals: rentals@nasplaya.com
📊 Sales: buy@nasplaya.com 🏘 Property Management: bookings@nasplaya.com