President Andrés Manuel López Obrador is putting the Mexican army to work again. AMLO says the army will run the Mayan Train project and several airports, and use any profits to finance military pensions. The army is already overseeing construction on some parts of the controversial train project on the Yucatán peninsula, while private firms…
The first 12 locomotives for the Tren Maya’s freight line have arrived in Puerto Morelos, Quintana Roo, marking a milestone for the cargo project expected to begin operating in January 2027. President Claudia Sheinbaum made the announcement during a visit to the rail site, just before departing for New York to attend Sunday’s World Cup…
While the region still counts a Mayan-speaking community exceeding half a million people, intergenerational transmission of the language has dropped by nearly 60 percent.
Itzamkanac, also known as El Tigre, was once the great capital of the Maya Acalán-Tixchel region. Today, four of Itzamkanac’s main plazas have been restored and are open to the public, but are seldom visited by tourists. The history of Itzamkanac dates back to the 6th Century B.C.E. and extends all the way to the…
Getting from Mérida to Cancún or Campeche by train just became a better deal. The Tren Maya announced a fare reduction of up to 30% across its routes, with new pricing that took effect in late April — and one notable change that travelers from outside Mexico will welcome: the separate, higher foreigner-only rate has…
A two-day immersive experience at Hacienda Santa Rosa de Lima invites guests to learn traditional Maya crafts directly from local artisans this February, combining hands-on workshops with cultural exchange in a restored henequén-era estate. The “Entre Manos” (Between Hands) weekend, scheduled for February 28-March 1, offers three distinct workshops focusing on henequén fiber preparation, traditional…
Yucatán holds a secret many tourists overlook. While people often visit the beaches, the true spirit of the region resides in Maya communities where old traditions remain strong. There is an increase in travelers seeking more than a simple trip. They want to interact with locals, acquire skills, and offer assistance. Think about mastering a…
The tiny village of Xocén brought Yucatán’s fall arts festival to life with a powerful story about acceptance and identity. More than 30 Maya-speaking actors packed an outdoor theater in Valladolid for the debut of “Juan Balam” to kick off this year’s Otoño Cultural. The play transformed a natural jungle setting into a stage for…
Federal authorities have opened a public comment period on plans to build a tourist service center at Uxmal that would require clearing five acres of forest land near the UNESCO World Heritage archaeological site. The National Institute of Anthropology and History plans to construct the Centro de Atención a Turistas y Visitantes Uxmal about one…
A new National Geographic report has documented extensive damage to cenotes across Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula caused by construction of the Maya Train, highlighting deep divisions among scientists and activists over the $30 billion infrastructure project. The investigation, published this week in the magazine’s September issue, chronicles the installation of more than 15,000 steel pillars across…
A Maya Train (Tren Maya) passenger train derailed Tuesday afternoon at Izamal station in Yucatán, disrupting service and raising fresh questions about the controversial railway’s safety record just as neighboring Belize accelerates plans to join the network. Train 304, traveling from Cancún to Mérida, left the tracks around 1:48 PM while entering the station at…
Mexico and Guatemala have officially confirmed plans to extend the Maya Train beyond Mexican borders, with the ambitious rail project set to add approximately 300 kilometers (186 miles) of new track through Central America. The announcement came after talks between Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and Guatemalan President Bernardo Arévalo, building on discussions that began under…
State officials unveiled a sweeping tourism initiative in Mexico City: a “Santuario Maya” (Maya Sanctuary) campaign designed to attract more visitors to Yucatán and encourage longer stays. The campaign moves beyond promoting individual attractions to position Yucatán as a comprehensive destination offering cultural immersion, natural wonders, and authentic experiences. “This campaign is something more than…
Canadian students in Yucatán study Maya language and culture through an innovative three-week exchange program connecting indigenous communities across North America. The Global Maya Language and Culture Seminar brings students from the University of British Columbia’s Okanagan campus to Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula. It joins several other North American university programs taking place in the region…
The multi-generational conflict between the Mayan cities of Tikal and Calakmul, referred to as the “Star Wars,” was a series of intense political and military struggles during the later centuries of the Classic Period (250–900 CE). These wars were not just between Calakmul and Tikal but involved a network of alliances and proxy conflicts with…
Technology is constantly evolving — but some of its biggest changes are happening quietly in the background. From digital payments to remote healthcare, new tools are transforming how we work, play, and connect without many of us realizing it. Even something as familiar as online entertainment is shifting, with more people turning to platforms that…
Loché’s history is deeply intertwined with the ancient Maya civilization. The comisaría (administrative subdivision) of Panabá sits atop layers of Maya ruins. Archaeologists from the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) have uncovered numerous ceramic artifacts and three burial sites containing skeletal remains dating between 300 BCE and 250 CE. These findings are interesting…
At a forum held in Chacsinkín, testimony wasn’t just emotional — it were backed by hard data on Yucatán bees.
Tourism officials brought YouTube superstar Jimmy Donaldson, better known as MrBeast, to Yucatán. And yes, he delivered a ton of media attention following his recent expedition to Mexico’s ancient Maya ruins. With that attention has come substantial backlash, from ordinary citizens all the way to the presidential palace. The May 10 video, “I Explored 2,000…
The Maya Community Center initiative began with a simple vision of bringing nutritious meals to families in need. What started as a modest community kitchen project quickly blossomed into a thriving hub of activity in Cholul. The center, located on Calle 21 behind the Cholul Municipal Palace, established itself as the central point for food…
An urban art festival featuring Maya and Spanish rap music was announced by Yucatán’s State Center for Crime Prevention and Citizen Participation (Cepredey) and Sedeculta, the state’s cultural agency. The initiative is part of the United for Life government strategy. The festival will span 10 yet-unnamed communities. The Crea initiative, announced at the Gran Museo…
The long-running conflict over the Mayaland Hotel within the archaeological zone of Chichén Itzá has led to serious allegations of corruption, legal irregularities, and abuse of authority. The dispute began in 2020 when hotel owner, entrepreneur Fernando Barbachano Herrero, agreed to sell the Mayaland hotel to businessman Rodolfo Rosas Moya for nearly US$20 million. According…
Mexico’s President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, while inaugurating Jaguar Park and the Museum of the Eastern Coast in Tulum urged the public and authorities to protect the region’s biodiversity and cultural heritage. He emphasized the importance of preserving nature, citing experiences of watching turtles, including loggerheads, nesting on the beaches. He also stressed the need…
After years of restoration, the Puuc region is looking more glorious than ever.
That’s all for now
That’s all for now