Travel Guide
Secret Beaches & Cultural Delights: Unknown Train Ride Is Mexico’s Best Adventure
May
Remember when Mexico’s highly anticipated Maya Train was all the rage?
Well, that’s since changed as Tulum, one of the top stops, has been overrun with tourists, sending prices soaring!
But there’s another trainthat few people know about. In fact, I would venture to guess if you ask the average Mexican citizen to name another coastal train in their country, they would probably say it doesn’t exist.
Lonely Planet recently released the “Best Train Rides in Mexico” with only one of them being a tight-lipped secret, though in good company with Guadalajara’s tequila train and the O.G. of Mexican rail journeys, the Chepe Express.
Departing from a little-known beach town in Veracruz, traversing rural indigenous communities, and finishing off in an unheard-of paradise in Oaxaca, those with an adventurous spirit can forget the norm and hop aboard the 7-hour Tren Interoceánico for Mexico’s most thrilling train ride.
Coatzacoalcos: Start From Veracruz’s Coastal Gem
Coatzacoalcos – where? This largely unknown city serves as a major port along the coast of Veracruz; hence, Tren Interoceánico was mainly a cargo route, trying to be the Panama Canal 2.0, before offering limited passenger service.
At first glance, Coatzacoalcos doesn’t seem to have much going on from a tourist perspective. Its primary purpose is to be the backbone of Mexico’s petrochemical industry, which isn’t exactly a draw when you could just go to Cancun, ya know?
But looking deeper into this coastal gem, you’ll discover hidden beaches and vibrant local markets that curated destinations like Cancun just can’t match — but hey, if going to Señor Frogs night after night is your jam, more power to you.
Beyond the industrial eyesores, thrillseekers will discover Coatzacoalcos’s scenic Malecòn for breathtaking Gulf views and unknown beaches to the masses like Playa El Tesoro, where locals rave about the glowing sunsets, and Playa Las Palmitas for the prettiest waters near the charming town of Tonalá, but perhaps the biggest surprises is Pyramid of Quetzalcoatl, a small, unassuming archaeological site that predates the Aztec.
Flying Aeromexico through Mexico City is the easiest way to get here to begin your train journey south to Oaxaca.
By the way, Coatzacoalcos is also known as “Coatza”. No need for an unnecessary tongue-twister.
Enriching Culture: Discover Indigenous Communities
The days of perusing Barnes & Noble’s travel section are all but long gone, but even if that were still the case, the inland map-dot towns along Tren Interoceánico’s route to Oaxaca are so unknown to mainstream travelers that you likely wouldn’t find much about them anyway.
In fact, the most recent news regarding indigenous Zapotec culture comes with a bit of controversy.
Some groups are against the revival of the train route largely due to possible environmental affects of their beloved land.
While the long-lasting effects of said concerns won’t be immediately known, any off-path village in Mexico could certainly use a boost in tourism benefits.
Along your route, consider stopping off in such vibrant, authentic towns as Ixtepec, Tehuantepec, and Donají, home to the Princess Donají tomb, which might just be the highlight of your trip.
Last Stop: Oaxaca’s Lesser-Known Paradise
You may know Puerto Escondido and Huatulco, but do you know Oaxaca’s lesser-known slice of paradise, Salina Cruz?
Concluding the 7-hour adventure from the Gulf to the Pacific is a beautiful laid-back beach haven with equally important economic industries, so yes, there will be the same industrial plants you’d find in Coatzacoalcos, but the beaches are more vivid and picturesque here.
Surfers will love Punta Conejo, while locals generally love Playa Abierta for its safety, cleanliness, savory beachside eateries, and, obviously, far fewer crowds than what’s become of Puerto Escondido.
How To Buy Tickets
Ever been to a sleepy town and seen a small business shut down for the day with a “gone fishing” sign?
That’s sort of what booking a ticket with Tren Interoceánico is like. Remember, the primary purpose of this revamped 2024 route is to haul freight, so there’s limited availability for passenger service.
To check availability, it’s best to refresh Tren Interoceánico’s official website daily. As of now, the summer schedule has not yet been released.
The train is old-school, so it’s best to bring your own refreshments and snacks along for the ride and be prepared to stock up again if you de-board.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
