Tren Maya: Cancún to Palenque
Skip the driving and ride the Tren Maya from the Caribbean coast all the way west to the Chiapas rainforest ruins.
Using the Tren Maya as your main transport, stay overnight in Valladolid, Merida, and Campeche before reaching Palenque to explore its rainforest ruins. Since most stations are outside the city centers, you will need to arrange taxis or day tours. Trains between Campeche and Palenque are infrequent, so this itinerary is designed around a single daily departure. This route skips the beaches and is perfect for culture-focused travelers who prefer not to drive.
Schedules are subject to change; check the official Tren Maya website and book tickets in advance.
Day by day
Day 1 · Arrive in Cancún Downtown
Cancún（Mercado 28、Parque de las Palapas）
Take a bus from the airport to downtown Cancún (approx. 30 minutes). Spend the evening walking and dining around the markets and parks.
Stay: Downtown Cancun
Day 2 · Train west to Valladolid
Valladolid & Chichén Itzá（Valladolid Historic Centre、Convent of San Bernardino de Siena、Cenote Zací）
Take a taxi to Cancún Airport Station, ride the train to Valladolid (approx. 1.5 hours), and take a taxi from the station to the Old Town (approx. 10 km).
The station is outside the town; arrange your pickup vehicle in advance.
Stay: Valladolid Old Town
Day 3 · Chichen Itza and Ik Kil
Valladolid & Chichén Itzá（Chichén Itzá、Cenote Ik Kil）
Take a bus or shared shuttle early in the morning to Chichen Itza (approx. 1 hour), and return to the Old Town via the cenote in the afternoon.
There is no shade at the ruins; enter early, and bring plenty of water and sunscreen.
Stay: Valladolid Old Town
Day 4 · Train to Merida's Old Town
Mérida（Plaza Grande (Plaza de la Independencia)、Mérida Cathedral (San Ildefonso)、Paseo de Montejo）
Take the train from Valladolid Station to Merida Teya Station (approx. 2 hours), then take a taxi into the city (approx. 10 km).
Teya Station is east of the city; plan your transfer in advance.
Stay: Historic Center
Day 5 · Uxmal and Puuc Day Tour
Mérida（Uxmal、Kabah、Sayil、Labná）
Join a day tour or hire a private driver from Merida. The drive to Uxmal takes about 1.5 hours one way, and the full-day trip lasts about 10 hours.
The Puuc Route is not along the railway line, so you must book a tour or private driver in advance.
Stay: Historic Center
Day 6 · Onward to the fortified city of Campeche
Mérida（Gran Museo del Mundo Maya） → Campeche（Historic Fortified Town of Campeche、Calle 59、Malecón de Campeche）
After visiting the museum in the morning, take the train or a long-distance bus to Campeche (approx. 2 to 2.5 hours).
Major museums have fixed closing days; confirm before you set off.
Stay: Historic Center
Day 7 · Edzna Ruins and bastions
Campeche（Edzná、Puerta de Tierra、Baluarte de San Carlos、Baluarte de la Soledad (Museo de Arquitectura Maya)）
Hire a driver or join a tour to Edzna (approx. 1 hour). Return to the Old Town in the afternoon to explore the city walls and bastions on foot.
Stay: Historic Center
Day 8 · Afternoon train to Palenque
Campeche（Fuerte de San Miguel） → Palenque
Visit the sea fort in the morning, then take the afternoon train to Palenque (approx. 5 hours). Take a taxi to your hotel in the evening.
This train segment often runs only once a day; be sure to secure your ticket first.
Stay: La Cañada
Day 9 · Palenque rainforest ruins
Palenque（Palenque Archaeological Site、The Palace、Temple of the Inscriptions、Cross Group、Palenque Site Museum Alberto Ruz Lhuillier）
Take a shared minibus (colectivo) early in the morning to the ruins (approx. 20 minutes). Return to town in the afternoon and head to the airport or train station for departure.
Several countries have travel advisories for Highway 199; this route does not go to Agua Azul.