Maya Train to Launch Janal Restaurant Service August 23

CANCÚN, Q.R. — The Maya Train will launch its long-awaited Janal restaurant service on Sunday, August 23, beginning with a culinary trip between Mérida and Izamal led by Yucatecan chef David Cetina.

The service is intended to make the train ride part of the experience rather than simply a way to reach another destination. Passengers will dine aboard a train designed specifically for food service while traveling through the Yucatán countryside.

“Janal” is a Yucatec Maya word associated with eating or food. The restaurant train has panoramic windows and an interior inspired by Mexican architect Luis Barragán, whose work is known for strong blocks of color, geometric forms and the careful use of natural light.

The company has invited passengers to reserve the inaugural experience through the official Maya Train ticketing website. However, the public announcement did not provide a complete timetable, ticket price, trip duration or details about what is included in the reservation. Travelers should confirm those points before booking.

David Cetina helps develop the Janal menu

Chef David Cetina, founder of La Tradición restaurant in Mérida, has been working with the Maya Train on its onboard culinary program. Cetina is known for traditional Yucatecan cooking and has taken part in at least two test journeys aboard Janal.

During a February presentation trip between Mérida-Teya and Izamal, guests sampled brazo de reina, panuchos, chayitas and traditional papaya candy. Brazo de reina is a rolled tamal made with chaya, corn dough, egg and pumpkin-seed sauce. Panuchos begin with tortillas filled with refried beans and are usually topped with meat and pickled onion. Chayitas are small corn-based preparations featuring chaya, a leafy plant used throughout the peninsula.

Those dishes were served during the presentation and tasting process. The company has not yet published a complete final menu with prices, portion details or information about dietary accommodations.

A second operational test was conducted in June to evaluate kitchen logistics, meal preparation and onboard service under actual travel conditions. At that time, the company said it was considering proposals from several regional chefs, with Cetina’s menu among those being evaluated. The August 23 inaugural journey now places him at the head of the opening experience.

Janal is one of three train configurations ordered for the rail system. Xiinbal is the standard passenger service, while P’atal was developed for longer trips and includes sleeping cabins. Janal adds a kitchen and restaurant-style dining spaces.

Questions remain over the “Maya Train beer”

The original February presentation also included a tasting of an amber craft beer promoted as “Cerveza Tren Maya.” At the time, the train operator said the beer would eventually be offered aboard Xiinbal, P’atal and Janal services.

The company later clarified that it does not produce or directly market the beer. The beverage was developed by Cervecería de Yucatán, which produces Cerveza Ceiba, under a proposed licensing arrangement involving the Maya Train name. As of late June, that licensing process was still being validated.

It therefore remains unclear whether the branded beer will be available when Janal begins public service on August 23. The announcement of the inaugural trip does not resolve that question.

Announcement incorrectly identifies former director

Some versions of the launch announcement credited Óscar David Lozano Águila as the current Maya Train director general. Lozano left the position in June and was replaced by retired General Manuel Jaime Ramírez Camacho.

Official Maya Train announcements identify Ramírez Camacho as director general during the June Janal test and in subsequent company business through July. President Claudia Sheinbaum said the leadership change was part of the normal rotation of military personnel rather than the result of a specific incident.

Cancún-Playa del Carmen service returns August 15

In a separate change, direct Maya Train service between Cancún and Playa del Carmen will return on Saturday, August 15, with two departures in each direction.

The new morning trip appears designed partly for people traveling to work between the two cities. The journey is scheduled to take 49 minutes southbound and 53 minutes northbound.

The announced schedule is:

The early departures are a notable change for a route that has generally been more useful to tourists than commuters. Still, riders will need to factor in the time and cost of reaching the stations, both of which are outside the central tourist areas.

Ticket prices were not included in the schedule announcement. Fares can vary according to residency status, nationality and whether passengers select Tourist or Premier class. Tickets and current prices are available through the official reservation system.

Shuttle connections planned at both stations

The company also announced connecting transportation intended to address one of the most common complaints about the Maya Train: getting between its stations and the places passengers actually want to reach.

Three connections are planned from the Cancún station:

• Cancún Hotel Zone, with stops near the Maya Museum, the San Miguelito archaeological site and La Isla
• Cancún International Airport
• Plaza Las Américas on Avenida Tulum

Two routes were announced for Playa del Carmen. One will connect the train station with Plaza Playacar, stopping at Plaza Quinta Alegría, the downtown municipal palace and CAPTA, Playa del Carmen’s tourist assistance center. A second is described only as serving a hotel area, without a sufficiently clear list of stops in the announcement.

The company has not yet published complete shuttle schedules, fares or information showing how the buses will coordinate with each arriving and departing train. Passengers planning to use the new rail service after August 15 should check both the train and connecting transportation before purchasing a ticket.