Turn your TV on for 5 seconds and you’ll want to escape the country with all the doom n’ gloom talk spewing from the so-called “experts”.
Well, what better place to run off to than our Southern neighbor?
We at Travel Off Path love visiting Mexico as often as we can, no matter if it’s myself crossing the border for cheap eats, impromptu vacations to the lesser known, or 5-star stays in Americans’ favorite international getaway, Cancun.
Speaking of Cancun, have you had a chance to hop aboard the highly anticipated Maya Train yet? To be honest, it’s been a mixed bag of reviews.
There’s no better time to plan your trip than right now, whether it’s your first time or you’re willing to give it another go after possible hiccups you may have experienced.
According to the Cancun Sun, The Maya Train is launching the “Maya Pass“, giving adventurous travelers unlimited rides to some of Mexico’s most stunning beaches.
What Does The Maya Pass Entail?
Summer is the perfect time to flip your boss the bird (metaphorically, of course) and cash in your well-earned PTO.
So, how about a week in Mexico? Airlines may be pulling flights to Tulum off the market, but Cancun remains one of the most connected international destinations for Americans (Merida is also an option).
Flying here is super easy, so you won’t waste much of your valuable PTO in the air. Upon arrival, snagging a new Maya Pass is practically a must for those who get a little stir crazy remaining on resort grounds their whole trip.
The Maya Pass gives travelers what’s essentially an all-access pass to the Maya Train (referred to as Tren Maya in Mexico).
This digital permit allows travelers to take advantage of unlimited rides for 7 consecutive days within a specific area, which just so happens to be textbook paradise.
Get on and off as much as you see fit. Want to check out a town you’ve never heard of? Go for it! Or you can opt for the mainstays we all know and love.
Hidden Gems & Household Names: Where Can Maya Pass Users Go?
If you’ve been trying to score travel deals the last few years, you’ve likely come across numerous flight subscriptions and so-called “unlimited train passes” that come with a laundry list of requirements to make them worth your while.
The Maya Pass is relatively straightforward. No, you can’t go to every single stop on Tren Maya’s impressive route map, but you can travel endlessly within a week’s span to some of the prettiest shores and under-hyped hidden gems this side of Mexico.
To be exact, you’ll have access to 11 total stops:
- Teya-Mérida
- Tixkokob
- Izamal (known as the “Yellow City”)
- Chichén-Itzá
- Valladolid (avoid Tulum’s crowds and sky-high prices with underrated cenotes)
- Nuevo Xcán
- Leona Vicario
- Cancún Aeropuerto
- Puerto Morelos
- Playa del Carmen
- Tulum
To my disappointment, I recently discovered on my first trip to Cancun that the Maya Train skips Akumal, a jaw-dropping beach town where you can swim and snorkel with sea turtles.
But, there’s plenty more to see. Hypothetically, you can start your day in Mexico’s safest city (Merida) and end your day living your best the Boho life in Tulum exploring awesome beach and timeless ruins.
The Big Question: What’s The Cost?
The good news is the Maya Pass won’t break the bank, but it’s not necessarily cheap either. The pass offers a great value given how many amazing destinations you can visit over and over again if you want.
It practically pays for itself as long as you plan as hopping around. Breaking it down, 3 or 4 trips makes it worth a splurge.
Use my favorite currency exchange app XE to see up-to-date conversion rates. Right now, it’s roughly $270 U.S. dollars for international tourists.
How To Purchase The Pass
It’s important to know you can;’t by the Maya Pass in person; it’s only in digital form on the “Tren Maya” mobile app.
Follow these steps:
- Download the official “Tren Maya” app from the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store.
- Create an account
- Select the option to purchase
- Choose the 7-day period for activation
- Complete payment
Be prepared to show your pass when boarding, and then it’s go time!
Sam Sears
Sam, our Lead Writer & Journalist based in San Diego has visited 36 countries and written over 1000 articles with a focus on sharing his own travel experiences and shining a light on lesser-known gems.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
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