Tren Maya Sees Minimal Passenger Growth in Quintana Roo in Early 2026

A Tren Maya train at a station in Quintana Roo, Mexico

Chetumal, Quintana Roo — Passenger traffic on the Tren Maya in Quintana Roo increased by just 0.3% in the first four months of 2026 compared to the same period last year, according to state tourism data.

From January to April, 338,609 passengers traveled on the train within the state, only 1,056 more than the 337,553 recorded in 2025, the Quintana Roo Tourism Department reported.

Of the total, 287,097 were domestic passengers and 51,512 were international visitors.

The Tren Maya has 12 stations in Quintana Roo: Nuevo Xcán, Leona Vicario, Cancún Airport, Puerto Morelos, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Tulum Airport, Felipe Carrillo Puerto, Limones-Chacchoben, Bacalar, Chetumal Airport, and Nicolás Bravo-Kohunlich.

The railway line connects the states of Tabasco, Campeche, Chiapas, Yucatán, and Quintana Roo. The project has created nine protected natural areas and 57 conservation zones covering more than 1.397 million hectares, aiming to protect the environment and promote sustainable tourism.

In its first two years of operation, the Tren Maya recorded over 1.6 million passenger movements on routes serving Mexican Caribbean destinations. In 2024, more than 524,000 passengers were registered, and in 2025, that figure doubled to over 1.12 million.

Officials say the Tren Maya is becoming a key infrastructure project for the development of southeastern Mexico, boosting regional connectivity, economic growth, and tourism by linking archaeological sites, magical towns, and natural attractions.

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By Laura Castillo

Laura Castillo covers tourism, business, and economic development across Cancún, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, and the wider Riviera Maya for Riviera Maya News & Events. She tracks the region's most important business stories — from hotel investments and airline route expansions to real estate market trends and local economic policy — helping English-speaking readers stay informed about the economic pulse of Mexico's Caribbean coast.Laura has been reporting on Quintana Roo's tourism sector since 2020, closely monitoring developments in Cancun's hotel zone, Tulum's rapidly growing commercial corridor, and the evolving business landscape in Playa del Carmen. Her coverage includes corporate investments, employment trends, infrastructure projects, and the economic impact of events like sargassum seasons and hurricane preparation.Before joining Riviera Maya News & Events, Laura worked in business development and market analysis in the Riviera Maya region, giving her first-hand insight into how tourism, real estate, and local commerce intersect. She is fluent in English and Spanish.For story tips: laura@rivieramayanews.mx