Quintana Roo will welcome the end of 2025 with the launch of a new long-distance luxury rail experience as the Tren Maya begins operations of a special tourism package known as the New Year’s Express, according to an announcement by Quintana Roo Governor Mara Lezama Espinosa.
The New Year’s Express is scheduled to operate from December 29 through January 1, offering a four-day, three-night itinerary designed to showcase key destinations in Quintana Roo and Yucatán. The package combines rail travel, air transportation, lodging, and guided visits, positioning the service as the first commercial long-distance luxury offering within the Tren Maya network.
The announcement was made as part of the project’s broader commercial strategy for 2025, marking a new phase for the railway system that has until now focused primarily on regional connectivity.
Arrival through Tulum anchors the New Year’s Express
The journey begins with passengers arriving at the Tulum International Airport, where visitors are welcomed into one of the Mexican Caribbean’s fastest-growing tourism hubs. From there, travelers are introduced to a curated set of experiences centered on the archaeological and ecological assets of the area.
The itinerary includes visits to the Tulum archaeological site, the Hotel Mundo Maya Tulum, the Jaguar Park, and the Regional Museum of the Eastern Coast. These stops are intended to blend cultural heritage with contemporary tourism infrastructure, reflecting the broader positioning of the Tren Maya as both a mobility and tourism platform.
State officials described the Tulum segment as the gateway to the route, highlighting the combination of coastal scenery and Maya history that has made the destination one of the most visited in southeastern Mexico.
Cancún hosts the New Year’s Eve celebration
Following the Tulum segment, the New Year’s Express continues north to Cancún, where passengers will take part in a New Year’s Eve dinner organized as a formal celebration of the year’s transition.
According to project officials, the dinner will be held partly at a hotel venue and partly on board the long-distance train during the Cancún to Mérida leg. The event is designed to highlight Cancún’s reputation for hospitality and its extensive culinary offerings, which remain a central pillar of the destination’s global tourism appeal.
The New Year’s toast will take place during this segment, positioning the rail journey itself as part of the celebration rather than simply a means of transport.
Mérida and Progreso close the four-day itinerary
The final stage of the New Year’s Express brings passengers to Mérida, the capital of Yucatán. The program includes a visit to the port of Progreso, where travelers are scheduled to witness the first sunrise of January 1, 2026, on the Gulf of Mexico.
The Mérida segment also incorporates a visit to the Museum of the Meteorite, adding a science and technology component to an itinerary that otherwise emphasizes archaeology, nature, and regional culture.
Organizers said the final leg is intended to balance leisure with educational content, reinforcing the multi-dimensional tourism model promoted by the Tren Maya.
Train configuration and onboard services
The long-distance train assigned to the New Year’s Express features a mixed configuration aimed at different traveler profiles. According to information provided by Tren Maya Director General Óscar David Lozano, the train includes two tourist-class cars, two first-class cars equipped with electrically reclining seats and enhanced amenities, a food service car, two sleeper cabin cars, and a dedicated dining area.
Only three trains from the long-distance luxury fleet will be allocated to this initial service, underscoring the limited and inaugural nature of the offering. Officials described the train as a pilot for future premium services within the network, dependent on demand and operational performance.
Flights, lodging, and pricing structure
The New Year’s Express package includes round-trip flights operated by Mexicana de Aviación, departing from and returning to the Felipe Ángeles International Airport. Lodging is provided through properties operated by Grupo Mundo Maya, including the Hotel Mundo Maya Tulum.
Transportation between destinations is fully integrated into the package, with rail segments replacing traditional road transfers. Officials stated that pricing has been structured to remain accessible, although specific rates were not disclosed, noting that seasonal variations can result in increases of approximately 10 percent during peak travel periods.
The New Year’s Express forms part of a broader portfolio of tourism packages being developed jointly by Tren Maya, Mexicana de Aviación, and Grupo Mundo Maya. Among them is the “Mares y Lagunas” winter package, offered on multiple dates in December and January with durations ranging from four to seven days.
A milestone for tourism mobility in southeastern Mexico
State and federal officials framed the New Year’s Express as a symbolic and operational milestone for tourism mobility in the region. Beyond the celebratory framing, the service functions as a test case for long-distance, experience-based rail travel linking airports, archaeological sites, cities, and coastal ports.
For Quintana Roo, the initiative reinforces Tulum’s role as an international entry point while extending visitor flows beyond traditional beach destinations. From a national perspective, it reflects an effort to integrate aviation, rail, and hospitality services into a single commercial offering.
As The Tulum Times has previously reported, the long-term success of such packages will depend on sustained demand, service reliability, and the ability of the Tren Maya to operate beyond symbolic inaugural journeys.
What is at stake is whether the New Year’s Express can move from a limited seasonal experience to a repeatable model that reshapes how visitors move across southeastern Mexico. The coming months will show whether this long-distance service becomes a permanent feature of the Tren Maya’s tourism strategy.
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