Belize Proposal to Extend the Mexico Maya Train to Belize
Maya Train Expansion
Maya Train in Mexico is one of Mexico’s most ambitious infrastructure projects that extends the Yucatan peninsula. Belize submitted proposals in January 2025 to extend the Maya Train to Belize.
Expanding the Maya Train to Belize would be a historic milestone in connectivity between Belize and Mexico, opening new doors for tourism, trade, and cross-border collaboration.
The possibility of the Maya Train reaching Belize could significantly transform international tourism, strengthening a corridor that would attract millions of visitors annually.
The proposal seeks to strengthen regional integration and facilitate economic and tourism exchange between Belize and Mexico. Extending the Maya Train to enhance regional integration and facilitate economic and tourism exchange.
Maya Train or Tren Maya
The Maya Train, also known as the Tren Maya, is an ambitious railway project in Mexico that spans approximately 1,554 kilometers (966 miles) across Mexico and the Yucatán Peninsula.
It aims to connect major tourist destinations, archaeological sites, and cities in southeastern Mexico while also promoting economic development and social inclusion in the region.
The Maya Train route traverses the states of Chiapas, Tabasco, Campeche, Yucatán, and Quintana Roo. Construction began in June 2020 and is expected to be completed in phases. The first phase, connecting Cancún and Palenque, became operational in December 2023.
Objectives and Benefits
The project has several key objectives, including:
- Boost tourism: By providing efficient and convenient access to popular destinations, the train is expected to attract more tourists and distribute its economic impact throughout the region.
- Improve connectivity: The train will enhance transportation links between cities and towns in southeastern Mexico, facilitating trade, commerce, and tourism.
- Promote economic development: The project is expected to generate jobs, stimulate investment, and create new business opportunities in the region.
- Foster social inclusion: The project aims to benefit local communities by providing access to education, healthcare, and other services.
Belize Maya Train Expansion
Belize has ramped up its efforts to extend the Maya Train, one of Mexico’s most ambitious infrastructure projects, to the Yucatan Peninsula.
According to Belizean Prime Minister Johnny Briceño, two proposals have been made: an initial 4.3-mile extension to cross the Hondo River and reach Belizean territory, and a second phase to reach the border with Guatemala.
The goal is to integrate Belize and Guatemala into the Maya Train route, benefiting regional tourism by connecting destinations in Belize and Mexico.
The Maya Train’s connection to Belize aligns with a broader vision of Central American integration. This effort aims to boost tourist flow, stimulate the regional economy, and improve mobility.
The interest in this infrastructure underscores the Maya Train’s significance as a transformative axis for tourism in the Mexican southeast. By extending its reach to Belize, it is expected to consolidate a network that not only boosts tourism but also fosters connectivity among three countries with rich cultural and natural heritage.
The context of these negotiations reflects a shift in the region’s tourism dynamics. The possibility of the Maya Train reaching Belize could significantly transform international tourism, strengthening a cultural and archaeological corridor that would attract millions of visitors annually.
At the same time, it would set in motion a model of regional integration that benefits both residents and key economic sectors.
If realized, this expansion would be a historic milestone in Mesoamerican connectivity (between Belize and Mexico), opening new doors for tourism, trade, and cross-border collaboration.
Maya Train Route
Route Overview
The train’s route is divided into several sections, each connecting major cities and attractions:
- Section I: Palenque (Chiapas) to Escárcega (Campeche)
- Section II: Escárcega to Calkiní (Campeche)
- Section III: Calkiní to Izamal (Yucatán)
- Section IV: Izamal to Cancún Airport (Quintana Roo)
- Section V: Cancún Airport to Tulum (Quintana Roo)
- Section VI: Tulum to Bacalar (Quintana Roo)
- Section VII: Bacalar to Escárcega (Campeche)
This route encompasses 20 stations and over 14 additional stops, facilitating access to prominent tourist destinations.
As of January 2025, the Government of Belize has formally submitted the proposal to extend the Maya Train into Belizean territory. Prime Minister Johnny Briceño emphasized that such an expansion would strengthen regional ties and boost economic and tourism exchanges between the two nations.
Belize & Mexico Connectivity
The Tren Maya (sometimes also Mayan Train or Maya Train) is a 1,554-kilometer (966 mi) intercity railway system in Mexico that traverses the Yucatán Peninsula. Construction began in June 2020, and a section began operation in December 2023, with the rest of the line to open later this year.
The railway begins at Cancún International Airport and travels down to Chetumal and the Mexico/Belize border.
The proposal seeks to strengthen regional integration and facilitate economic and tourism exchange between Belize and Mexico. Extending the Maya Train to enhance regional integration and facilitate economic and tourism exchange.
Belize Expansion of Maya Train From Prime Minister Johnny Briceño
The Prime Minister of Belize, Johnny Briceño, said Belize had made a formal request to Mexico’s president, Claudia Sheinbaum. Johnny Briceño said in a press announcement:
Johnny Briceño
- “This would bring many benefits to Belize. It could open a new market for tourists since those who come to Cancun are often from Europe, and we don’t have many visitors from Europe, but rather, they are Americans. With the Maya Train, it would be much easier for them to travel to Belize.”
- “Also in trade, Mexico is a country from which we import millions of dollars, so with the train moving products from Mexico to Belize, it would be easier and also moving our products not only to Mexico, but to the United States and Canada, so it is an opportunity for everyone to win.”
Briceño said his country is proposing a two-phase expansion: first, an addition of just over 7 kilometers (about 4.3 miles) south from the Mexican state of Quintana Roo into Belize; a spur of the Maya Train to Chetumal International Airport will pass within a mile of the Belizean border. Second, an addition through Belize into Guatemala to reach Tikal National Park, a site featuring extensive Mayan ruins. The national park is a straight-line distance of about 120 miles from Chetumal.
Maya Train Route
Tren Maya Interactive Map
How the Maya Train Benefits Belize
The extension of the Maya Train into Belize could bring numerous benefits to both Mexico and Belize, fostering stronger ties in various sectors. Here are the key potential benefits:
Economic Boost
- Increased Tourism Revenue: Belize would attract more tourists from Mexico and other countries traveling on the Maya Train, boosting local tourism.
- Expanded Business Opportunities: Easier access could encourage cross-border trade and business collaboration, especially in tourism, agriculture, and handicrafts.
- Job Creation: Construction and operation of the extended railway could generate employment opportunities for Belizeans.
Enhanced Connectivity
- Linking Regional Destinations: The train would connect Belize to popular destinations in the Yucatán Peninsula, including Cancún, Tulum, and ancient Mayan sites, making it easier for travelers to explore the region.
- Improved Accessibility for Belizeans: Belizean residents could benefit from better access to healthcare, education, and job opportunities in Mexico.
Cultural Exchange
- Promotion of Mayan Heritage: The train could emphasize the shared Mayan heritage of Belize and Mexico, attracting cultural tourism and strengthening regional identity.
- Cross-Border Events: Enhanced transportation could facilitate joint cultural festivals, exhibitions, and exchanges.
Environmental Advantages
- Eco-Friendly Transportation: The Maya Train is designed to be a sustainable mode of transport, potentially reducing road congestion and carbon emissions from cars and buses traveling between Mexico and Belize.
- Promotion of Eco-Tourism: Belize’s natural attractions, such as its barrier reef and rainforests, could become part of eco-tourism circuits linked with Mexico’s reserves.
Strengthened Regional Cooperation
- Stronger Diplomatic Ties: The project would symbolize closer cooperation between Mexico and Belize, encouraging further collaboration in security, trade, and infrastructure.
- Development of Shared Resources: Joint infrastructure initiatives could improve shared utilities like energy and telecommunications.
Boost to Local Communities
- Increased Investment: Communities along the route in Belize could benefit from infrastructure improvements, such as better roads, utilities, and amenities.
- Tourism for Smaller Communities: Previously less-visited areas in Belize could attract tourists, spreading economic benefits beyond major destinations.
Regional Economic Integration
- Gateway to Central America: The train’s extension could position Belize as a key hub connecting Mexico with other Central American countries, facilitating broader regional integration.
- Trade Opportunities: Easier transportation of goods could reduce costs and improve efficiency for businesses in both countries.
Benefits of the Maya Train Expansion to Belize
An extension of the Maya Train into Belize holds promise for mutually beneficial growth, with positive impacts on tourism, trade, culture, and regional unity.
For more information on Belize real estate and investment opportunities, contact us at RE/MAX Belize.
