By Luis Ramirez
Tren Maya officially presented its new restaurant train, Janal, a word of Mayan origin meaning to eat or food. The announcement took place at the Mérida-Teya station during an event attended by representatives from the business, restaurant, and hospitality sectors of southeastern Mexico.
The project’s Director General, Óscar David Lozano Águila, highlighted that “Janal” represents a state-of-the-art railway engineering achievement and, at the same time, a showcase for 21st-century Mexican gastronomy. He noted that the initiative seeks to position Tren Maya as an internationally relevant culinary destination, beyond its role as a means of transportation.
Treen Maya launches its restaurant train “Janal”
The restaurant train’s design is inspired by the work of architect Luis Barragán. The concept integrates light, color, and geometry with the jungle landscape through panoramic windows that enhance the dining experience. The goal is to provide passengers with a comfortable environment where they can savor the culinary richness of southeastern Mexico while traveling through the heart of the Mayan World.
During the inaugural journey along the Mérida–Izamal–Mérida route, guests enjoyed a representative menu featuring traditional dishes such as brazo de reina, panuchos, chayitas, and papaya dessert. The event also marked the first tasting of Tren Maya Beer, created to complement the onboard culinary offering. This beverage will be available across all service categories: “Xiinbal” (standard), “Patal” (long-distance), and “Janal” (restaurant).
Lozano Águila noted that Tren Maya has transported more than two million passengers to date, consolidating itself as an ecosystem of identity in motion. He invited the business sector to integrate their offerings into the project, describing the restaurant train as an extension of the region’s most emblematic kitchens. He clarified that the intention is not to compete with local establishments, but rather to project their excellence on an international stage.
The Director General emphasized that the success of Tren Maya must also translate into success for the companies participating in this alliance. The launch of “Janal” represents a strategic initiative aimed at generating equitable economic spillover and promoting tourism rooted in cultural responsibility and business vision.
The new service will open to the public in the near future and seeks to position Tren Maya as an international culinary benchmark. Guided by the belief that progress must go hand in hand with culture, the project continues to advance in its mission to connect Mexico with its history, its people, and its flavors.
