Random travel and gear videos from around the world, from the author of The World's Cheapest Destinations book and the editor of multiple travel websites.
I didn't look, somewhere in Asia I'm sure, but in a bluesign-certified factory. See below. The only bags I know of that are made in the USA still are Tom Bihn and Red Oxx. www.osprey.com/sustainability-pillars
In 2025 will be a DRT line to take you from the Campeche station to the city this line is supposed to be finished in April, i hope you enjoyed your travel on the Tren Maya
DON'T LIKE NOICE? MEXICO IS A VERY LOUD COUNTRY ,MEXICO IT'S NOT GOINT TO ADJUST TO YOUR NEEDS. YOU DIDN'T HEAR ENGLISH? PERHAPS IT IS BECAUSE IT IS AN SPANISH SPEAKIN COUNTRY, THE MAYA TRAIN HAS ONLY BEEN RUNNING FOR MONTHS NOT YEARS! DE NADA!
@@margaritorodriguez9675 I have addressed the constant noise in my books, articles, and videos many times already. I live with it. 2) Nobody in the video says the train has been running for years. 3) I speak Spanish but AMLO said the train investment was to help working locals and attract foreign tourists (who mostly speak English). On those two goals it is failing.
What an entitled brat. "It's ugly and dangerous." Going to someone else's country, living lavishly and calling a part of their country ugly is so gross. Her personality comes out clear on this video. She's a joy 🙄
Thanks for the great video! I have ridden the train a few times and once even the full 11+ hours from end to end (that was a whole adventure). Once, we had the chance to talk to one of the conductors, who told us that the train will be completely up and running, after a couple years of experience and construction, by the end of 2025, so we hope you come back then! You were spot on with the AC part, and you are not completely safe from the heat in the trains either haha, we had a few problems with our train's system and it was quite toasty in there. The National Guard however was always helpful. Right now, if you want to ride on it, be prepared for an adventure!!! If you don't want any hiccups probably wait another year.
@@user-pz2mk2lm2r Thanks for sharing your story. One of my Perceptive Travel writers wrote an article about her adventures and she also had issues with the A/C not being strong enough to cool the train cars on hot summer days.
So the trip to Merida you were not facing the same direction that you were traveling. Was that true for the other cars too? Is there anything you can do to avoid facing the opposite direction of travel?
Man, I always went to see the Palenque ruins and Calakmul; as much as I understand the environmental damage it has in the Yucatan, I hope it all can bring tourist money and jobs to the people who need it.
I don't think the Edzna station is all that close to Edzna either. This writer had to get a "moto taxi" from the station, as in hopping on the back of a motorcycle. www.perceptivetravel.com/issues/0624/tren_maya.html
I’ve watched many RU-vidrs riding the train and all of them said they got WiFi and they got a ciabatta and a beverage in premiere class . Something happened but you could’ve asked and maybe get a kind of refund for the poor meal and the waiter should’ve visited you to ask you if you needed something else at least every half an hour , you should write to them
@@abbagus1 Maybe they were hosted to get free snacks as that was not true for anyone in my car and is not mentioned anywhere as included. There was no WiFi signal for the entire stretch between Palenque and Merida. Only between Merida and Cancun did a signal show up. It was overloaded though and never worked.
@@TimLeffel I just wrote a week ago to ask if there was a vegan version of free snack in premiere class cos if I won’t get that I wouldn’t pay that extra 50% , they told me there were only non vegan free snacks .
@@TimLeffel Merida Cancun but as I told you, I have seen lots of RU-vidrs traveling different routes trying economic and premiere classes and all of them received lunch in the premiere class, that’s why I recommended you to complain via the website or Facebook and if they made a mistake with you regarding internet or meals who knows they give you a free ride next time. The military is administrating the Train Maya as well as the recovered airline Mexicana , which is the cheaper one in the country
be nice to own a house in valladolid,being able to fly anywhere from cancun airport. that was not possible before..no need for a car when you can take the train
Thank you for sharing your honest and unbiased opinion/review on this train. It's certainly a promising transportation infrastructure for the peninsula.
The opposition party stopped and delayed the train (to spite AMLO) for 2 years so it should’ve been all done by now. Can’t wait to ride it. Great video.
@@esdrasvlogs Both of those statements are untrue. If you research the specs, some are diesel cars, some are electric. Depends on the route. We had no outlets on cars going all the way from Palenque to Merida. Neither class.
@@TimLeffel Those that are diesel are still hybrids, only these were ordered diesel because electrification would take a while, they were the first to work, and anyway, they have electrical connectors, I have made that trip both in both directions and they always have electrical connectors, You just needed to look at the bottom, there they are
Thank you for the nice video. its great to see it without the political point of view criticizing everything that this goverment has done for the country of Mexico. For the locals its a great opportunity to travel in a comfortable way, it means the opportunity to create a busines in the service or re sale industry. indeed it cost a lot of money to build infraestructure but with time it will prove to be a great idea. right now they only have the passanger trains. very soon they will unveil the first restaurant train and the sleeping trains too. keep the good work.!!!
nice video! Mazatlán native here! Baja Ferry is having new ferries by the end of the year or next year for Mazatlan-La Paz route, they already have new ferries in the Topolobampo-La Paz route
If you make a video to complain about every single detail you dont like about the mayan train, save your money, dont come, we do not want your type of acid criticism. What a jerk! ,
IMO Tren Maya needs a station in Villahermosa that has a small but functioning international airport that could make it easier for tourists to hop on to the train from the Tabasco/Chiapas part of the route. The government just needs 54 kms of track to help connect the Palenque station (via the FA line) to the Villahermosa International airport.
@@simonsv9449 Occasionally, but for many days you get a message like this when doing a search, even to there: "No flights found "There are no flights available on your chosen dates. Try changing the dates of your search."
@@alexgranados8719 Bruh, the government owns Mexicana which operates the flights out of Palenque and the government owns the Tren Maya, just do more flights out there and have connecting shuttle buses to the Tren Maya.
Riding the Maya Train between Palenque and Cancún offers a unique and scenic journey through southeastern Mexico. Officially launched in December 2023, the Tren Maya connects key destinations across Quintana Roo, Yucatán, Campeche, Tabasco, and Chiapas, with the full route covering 34 stops once complete. The journey provides travelers with the opportunity to explore a variety of cultural, historical, and natural attractions, including the ancient Mayan cities of Palenque, Edzná, and Chichén Itzá, as well as vibrant cities like Cancún and Mérida. Onboard, passengers can expect a comfortable experience with large windows, ample seating, and modern amenities. The train aims to promote sustainable tourism and economic development in the region. Great video, Tim Leffel!
The original plan for the maya train was to go into Campeche, but the administration and people from Campeche didn’t want the Maya train to go through the city. I remember watching a clip about this, but I just don’t remember the reason.
@@TimLeffel They didn't want it because they will have to relocate some homes invading the old tracks and that delayed the project. So the government decided to move on and relocate the station in the outskirts of the city. However, they are currently building a DRT line to connect the train station, the airport and the historical center of Campeche.
@@alexgranados8719 thank you for the information! Great about the DRT but still would have been better the Maya train going through the city. I never been in Campeche but it looks a very nice city.
@@lucywisinski8732 That would be mission impossible. But not only in Campeche, also in Merida and other cities where they were old train tracks. The neighbors kept protesting and suing the government because that would divide neighborhoods. DRT will be less invasive and will provide a local transportation solution to a small town like Campeche that for me has been forgotten and thank god now is having some infrastructure attention to become a major tourist destination just like Cartagena in Colombia. Both cities are very similar in history with both sharing an old walled city. Most Colombians go to Cartagena for vacation but is not the same for Mexicans in Campeche. Hope this changes for the better.
Campeche is a historical city that is declared human heritage and for that many infrastructure need to be outside the city, to preserve all that heritage.
Hola from Cathy. I moved to San Miguel de Allende, GTO after reading your book back in 2016. I stayed there 4 years. I am currently in the Yucatan. Thanks to the information in your book, I found the courage to visit Vietnam, Thailand and Cambodia. I'm glad to see you! Take care! Thanks so much for some great insights!
I’m flying Volaris but can’t seem to find any dimensions. I only see as long as it fits under the seat in front of you. Do you know the dimensions of the back pack you took? Thanks you for the information. Gave your video a like.
@@TimLeffel I had the exact same question… did you apply length width height order? Bc I’m terribly confused I checked the site as well and doesn’t specify the order or dimensions! But I would agree w your answer, just please what order did you apply the dimensions
@@Diamond_Killa Picture a Jansport school backpack and it's logical. Largest number is top to bottom. Next largest is side to side, smallest is the thickness/depth.
I travel volaris a lot. I too travel a lot with just a backpack. You can put it in the overhead compartment instead of under your seat. They never check what you paid for, just where you are sitting.
It depends on the crew. If it's a full flight, I've been on some where they're making everyone put their personal item into a sizer, then making everyone put backpacks under the seat during boarding because the bins are full. If the flight is half full, they're a lot more slack about it because there's plenty of bin space. I don't like to take chances or be stressed at the boarding gate though so I assume the worst (and sometimes get a happy surprise).
Lovely video and informative. I'm a minimalist traveler but still have not been able to just travel with an underseat bag (which is where I carry all my tech gear). These a really good tips though.
