Mérida, Yucatán — Organizers have unveiled the route for the 12th edition of the Rally Maya México, a classic car rally that will traverse 1,416 kilometers across four southeastern states in 2026, featuring stops at major Mayan archaeological sites and cenotes.
The event will run from February 27 to March 7, 2026, starting in Palenque, Chiapas, and concluding in Cancún, Quintana Roo. The five-stage route will pass through the states of Chiapas, Campeche, Yucatán, and Quintana Roo.
Approximately 55 classic vehicles will participate, a number organizers say is determined by the infrastructure available in the communities along the route. “We base the number of cars on the community with the least infrastructure,” said Rodrigo Villanueva, president of Rally Maya. “We’ve had editions with up to 126 cars, but the upcoming edition will have 55.”
Cultural and Natural Highlights
The rally integrates archaeological sites, communities, and natural spaces representative of the region. Key highlights include the Mayan sites of Palenque, Calakmul, and Chichén Itzá, which organizers describe as “three jewels of Mayan culture” included in this edition.
“We will pass through a beautiful area like Acanceh,” Villanueva said. “When we were developing the route, I loved that combination of having an archaeological zone, a church, a market, and experiencing a whole set of history in one moment.”
The route also includes towns such as Champotón, Escárcega, Campeche, Acanceh, Valladolid, and various cenotes, including the Santa Bárbara complex and Hacienda Selva Maya.
Safety and Social Initiatives
The rally operates under international safety standards with a maximum speed of 75 kilometers per hour. It will have roadside, mechanical, and medical assistance throughout the journey, supported by organizations like Ángeles Verdes, the National Guard, and ambulance services.
The event incorporates social initiatives, including donations to associations such as one serving children with Down syndrome in Palenque, and support managed through allied foundations that include providing bicycles, wheelchairs, and support programs for children with type 2 diabetes.
Tourism Impact
During the presentation, Yucatán’s Secretary of Tourism Development, Darío Flota Ocampo, stated that the Rally Maya has established itself as a national and international event. Over eleven previous editions, the rally has gathered more than 700 classic cars and over a thousand crew members from 41 countries.
“It is an honor to participate in the presentation of this twelfth edition of Rally Maya México,” Flota Ocampo said. “It is an event that is already a national and international reference and extraordinarily combines motor sports with the tourist, cultural, and social promotion of southeastern Mexico.”
The official highlighted that the event generates economic spillover in various sectors, including lodging, gastronomy, tourist services, and cultural activities, while promoting destinations along the route. Cultural stops, visits to archaeological zones, cenotes, and communities allow participants to consume local products and services.
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