The Mayan Train, a significant infrastructure project aimed at boosting tourism in the Yucatan Peninsula and beyond, is failing to attract international visitors, recent data reveals.
According to figures from the Ministry of Defense (Sedena), which operates the government-owned line, only six out of every 100 passengers since its inception 18 months ago have been foreigners. From December 2023 to May 13 of this year, a total of 77,027 passengers came from outside Mexico, with nearly half being U.S. citizens, 7,450 Canadians, 3,342 Colombians, and others from various countries. On average, only 149 international tourists used the Maya Train per day during this period.
This low international turnout sharply contrasts with the 20 million international travelers passing through Cancún airport last year, who typically head directly to their accommodations — and remain there — rather than explore the archeological attractions along the 1,600-kilometer Tren Maya route around the Yucatan Peninsula.
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