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Tim Leffel
Приєднався 11 гру 2006
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.
Riding the Maya Train Between Palenque and Cancun With Overnight Stops
My experience on the Maya Train that goes through the Yucatan Peninsula. I rode from Palenque to Campeche, Campeche to Merida, on to Valladolid, and eventually to the Cancun Airport stop. A train through Mexico in 5 states, 5 states, in regular tourist class and Premier Class. Come along to see what it's like on the train and in the Tren Maya stations!
To read more details in an article, search "Maya Train" at the Cheapest Destinations Blog:
www.cheapestdestinationsblog.com
Search hotels along the route here:
www.cheapestdestinationsblog.com
Please comment if you liked it or have questions, and subscribe to the feed, thanks.
To read more details in an article, search "Maya Train" at the Cheapest Destinations Blog:
www.cheapestdestinationsblog.com
Search hotels along the route here:
www.cheapestdestinationsblog.com
Please comment if you liked it or have questions, and subscribe to the feed, thanks.
Переглядів: 8 363
Відео
Riding the Ferry From Mazatlan to La Paz
Переглядів 3892 місяці тому
My experience riding the overnight ferry from Baja Ferries between Mazatlan, Mexico and La Paz in Baja. I rode as a passenger with no vehicle, sleeping in a cabin, arriving in Baja Sur in the early morning after crossing the Sea of Cortez. To book a ticket or get more info (Spanish only), head here: www.bajaferries.com.mx/ To learn more about what to do after you arrive, go here: www.golapaz.co...
Total Eclipse of the Sun in Mazatlan, Mexico
Переглядів 692 місяці тому
Taking a boat out to Deer Island to watch a total eclipse of the sun in Mazatlan, Sinaloa in Mexico. The 2024 totality was the last one we'll see in North America for 20 years.
El Rosario Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary - Michoacan, Mexico
Переглядів 4403 місяці тому
Tim Leffel takes you on a five-minute visit to where the monarch butterflies travel to in Michoacan, Mexico, migrating all the way down from Canada and the USA. We hike up to the peak in UNESCO-protected butterfly sanctuary El Rosario. An hour-long hike is worth the effort when you see tens of thousands of butterflies in the fir trees and in the bushes. Come along to see what it's like! You can...
Hiking the Sierra Norte Mountains of Oaxaca State, Mexico
Переглядів 2854 місяці тому
Village-to-village hikes in the north Oaxaca mountains with Expediciones Sierra Norte, visiting the Pueblos Mancomunados, a community tourism cooperation initiative that manages more than 100 kilometers of trails, employing local guides and using community-managed cabins. See a detailed travel story in Perceptive Travel at the link below or book direct with the English-speaking tour company in ...
Flying on Volaris With no Baggage Fees - Here's How I Did It
Переглядів 9 тис.6 місяців тому
The author of The World's Cheapest Destinations runs down his experience flying between Mexico, Costa Rica, and Guatemala on Volaris with just an underseat personal item bag, saving close to $220 in the process. This strategy can also be applied to avoiding luggage fees on Spirit, Frontier, Allegiant, RyanAir, SunCountry, and other budget airlines, especially if you're heading to a warm place w...
Eagle Creek Luggage and Weekender Packing Cubes
Переглядів 1 тис.7 місяців тому
As a travel writer who is frequently on the road, Eagle Creek luggage is my go-to choice when bringing something with wheels and a few Eagle Creek packing cubes are usually in there as well. Here's a rundown on the new Expanse suitcase I've been using when I need to bring a lot of things along in a checked bag, with their "No Matter What" guarantee meaning it'll hold up for decades. I also chec...
Scenic Bansko to Plovdiv Train Ride in Bulgaria
Переглядів 64010 місяців тому
Tim Leffel takes the scenic route on the narrow gauge train from Bansko, a ski town and digital nomad base, to Plovdiv, the second-largest city in Bulgaria. This is a slow way to get from A to B, but it's a fascinating trip through villages, fields, forests, tunnels, and mountains. Bulgaria offers plenty of bargains for travelers and this is another one: less than US $6 for a trip of 6 hours. T...
Island Hopping in Greece on a Yacht Tour
Переглядів 16010 місяців тому
A Greek island-hopping trip between Rhodes and Kos hitting Symi, Chalki, Tilos, Nisyros, and other islands on a small ship yacht cruise with Sun Fun You. This active vacation is all-inclusive with food and drinks, but also includes morning fitness classes with a trainer, guided hikes, and explorations of different landscapes and towns in Greece. This is a great way to see multiple islands in Gr...
Greece Vacation Travel Prices
Переглядів 18011 місяців тому
How much will it cost you to travel around Greece on vacation? Here's a rundown on typical prices for travel in Greece, based on my two months in the country on Greek islands, the mainland, and Peloponnese Peninsula. What we spent on hotels, apartments, food, and transportation. Interested in a trip to Greece yourself? Check rates here for your own dates, keeping in mind that prices spike in th...
Thailand Prices for Travelers and Nomads
Переглядів 182Рік тому
The author of The World's Cheapest Destinations runs down prices in Thailand for travelers and digital nomads based on a recent trip to Bangkok, Phuket, and Ko Lanta. With examples of apartment rentals, hotels, food, drink, and more. For more details, see the accompanying blog post on the Cheapest Destinations Blog here: www.cheapestdestinationsblog.com/2023/01/11/trip-to-thailand-cost/
Nomad Cost of Living in Bansko, Bulgaria
Переглядів 2,6 тис.Рік тому
A look at the cost of living in small-town Bulgaria a few hours from the capital with peeks at real estate, apartment rentals, food shopping, and more. Narration by Tim Leffel, author of A Better Life for Half the Price and a 2022 speaker at the Bansko Nomad Fest when this video was shot. The panel with local digital nomad residents includes quotes from the following (looking left to right): Ma...
Horseback Riding Above Guanajuato City in Mexico
Переглядів 268Рік тому
A Guanajuato horseback riding adventure in the mountains above Tim Leffel's adopted city. With a local rancher as guide, set up through the company Turismo Alternativo en Guanajuato. At an altitude of more than 7,000 feet, with stunning views of the countryside. See more information and links to the tour company at the Cheapest Destinations Blog: www.cheapestdestinationsblog.com/2022/11/22/adve...
Janitzio Island Near Patzcuaro in Mexico
Переглядів 338Рік тому
While in the colonial magic town of Patzcuaro, one fun excursion to take is a boat trip out to Janitzio Island and back. Come explore the town there in the state of Michoacan, in central Mexico, with a Mexpat resident of the country.
Carry On Vs. Checked Bag: Which Should You Pack?
Переглядів 2,5 тис.Рік тому
The decision of whether to use a carry-on bag or a checked bag when you travel is not as black-and-white as it used to be in the days before complicated luggage fees and tracking barcodes. Here's some advice from a frequent traveler on evaluating your options depending on your trip needs. See more at this blog post as well: www.cheapestdestinationsblog.com/2022/08/19/carry-on-vs-checked-bag/ So...
Ricardo Malibu Bay 3.0 Large Checked Spinner Suitcase
Переглядів 801Рік тому
Ricardo Malibu Bay 3.0 Large Checked Spinner Suitcase
Why They're Not Whining About High Gas Prices in Europe
Переглядів 3042 роки тому
Why They're Not Whining About High Gas Prices in Europe
What does it cost to rent a house or apartment in central Mexico?
Переглядів 16 тис.2 роки тому
What does it cost to rent a house or apartment in central Mexico?
Packable Backpacks, Daypacks, and Duffel Bags for Travel
Переглядів 9272 роки тому
Packable Backpacks, Daypacks, and Duffel Bags for Travel
What Can You Get for $1 in Mexico (Or Less)?
Переглядів 9772 роки тому
What Can You Get for $1 in Mexico (Or Less)?
Punta Monterrey Tropical Beach Resort
Переглядів 2 тис.3 роки тому
Punta Monterrey Tropical Beach Resort
The Best Water Purifiers for Travelers
Переглядів 8333 роки тому
The Best Water Purifiers for Travelers
ECCO Sandals and Shoes for Travelers
Переглядів 1,2 тис.3 роки тому
ECCO Sandals and Shoes for Travelers
Bogus Basin Glade Runner Alpine Coaster Ride
Переглядів 6 тис.3 роки тому
Bogus Basin Glade Runner Alpine Coaster Ride
A Better Life for Half the Price by Moving Abroad
Переглядів 9723 роки тому
A Better Life for Half the Price by Moving Abroad
Osprey Ozone 26-inch Rolling Suitcase
Переглядів 1,3 тис.3 роки тому
Osprey Ozone 26-inch Rolling Suitcase
Always unfinished works
I’ve watched many UA-camrs 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 .
@@abbagus1 Which route/how many hours? Premium class is 60% more expensive.
@@TimLeffel Merida Cancun but as I told you, I have seen lots of UA-camrs 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
@@abbagus1 Nobody got free anything on my stretch. There might be a minimum distance. I don't see anything about that on the website or ticket site.
Ojalá hayas disfrutado mucho tu viaje por esa parte de México.😊
The Anglo the white man the judge is good is ugly you are nasty if you don't like it g t f out
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
@@jormoria Yes, an interesting small city to live in but easy airport access.
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.
No entiendo porque EEUU 🇺🇸 no invierten en trenes de pasajeros?
Se refieren en ,us a . Porque en Mexico no require que ningun pais imvierta porque los lleban ala destrucion
You’re an immigrant.
Me gustó el vídeo excelente viaje yo he ido en tre ocasiones y la verdad se los recomiendo un viaje bastante cómodo 100% recomendable 🚝🚈🚅👌🏻👍🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
The train isn't finished
@@yassira8352 As noted in both the video and the linked article.
But it's functioning in one of its three legs/routes.
THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTORS ARE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE SEATS
@@esdrasvlogs Not between Palenque and Merida. I asked the conductor and other passengers. Only on the all-electric cars apparently.
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
hope we could get american outlets and not european ones haha
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! ,
Bienvenido 🇲🇽 ... Ojalá te guste mucho el recorrido y disfrutes tu estancia en México!!
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.
@@alexgranados8719 I agree. The Palenque airport is useless.
One of the best videos of tren maya covering different stations.
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.
@@lucywisinski8732 That seems so dumb. It would have been a huge boost and they need it.
@@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.
❤🇲🇽
They are building a train that will take you from station to airport and downtown Campeche. Nice video
@@jjccgym Do you have a link for that?
@@TimLeffel www.google.com/url?q=m.youtube.com/watch%3Fv%3DwLqGWEWF3UI&sa=U&ved=2ahUKEwjfjo2mkv2GAxVtkYkEHWOyAI8QwqsBegQIFhAF&usg=AOvVaw1a9YU7pfRxvVrnRynRhg1E
@@TimLeffel sorry I couldn’t find one in English, but they already started with the construction
@@jjccgym Is a DRT not a train. Unless a DRT is considered a train.
@@lucywisinski8732 in Spanish is, Tren Lijero. It’s electric and works on rail and road
Nice video, greetings from Vancouver Canada 🇨🇦
Hola, Muchas gracias!
Beautiful and informative, thank you! I'm glad this place is still there despite the tragedies.
Awesome video Tim! Thank you so much 👍
You made this trip in March? You waited a long time to show us! Hey I had no idea it was running or the route, thanks for the video, I learned a lot from this. What a surprise!
Dean, I have been traveling almost constantly the past 3 months and it was a LOT of footage to string together. Glad you liked it!
Great overview, Tim! Very insightful.
Thank you!
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!
Thanks so much for letting me know! I love Yucatan state too, just a bit too tasty for me in the summer months.
Do you know how big of a back pack I can bring? I can’t seem to find any dimensions of the under seat area.
It is a bit different for each airline. Check the personal item dimensions.
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.
@@davesp5335 Figure on 14 in x 18 in x 8 in (35 cm x 45 cm x 20 cm) as that's what it is for Spirit and Frontier. A laptop backpack at most.
Beautiful!
What a sight that must be to see this in person!!!
Hi Tim..short term rentals available?
How cool does it get up in those mountains?
Cold! We went late October and it was low 40s F at night. Bundle up or go in a warmer month. 3000+ meters in some locations.
@@TimLeffel Sounds brisk and nice! Thank you!
Great video! Thanks.
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.
I agree it's much tougher the more tech you have. I couldn't bring a real camera. (Thus the so-so phone videos.)
how are those mx shoes holding up the titanium is sharp
Still wearing them and traveling with them regularly!
@@TimLeffel Are they good for hot summer days?
@@akashmakkar7187 Yes and still going strong!
@@TimLeffel Super! Ordering them in blue. Thanks a lot!
You can wear a loose fitting overcoat and have things under that. Get a bag from a 'duty-free' store in the airport they let you bring those on, they are not going to look inside they don't have time to do that. Lastly screw'em just bring a carry-on bag anyway when you are going through the boarding gate they just want to get that plane loaded quickly, they don't know at the gate if you paid for it or not they are just bluffing telling you have to pay for carry-ons. Viva Aerobus was weighing carry-ons and putting a tag on them, save the tag for your next flight. Or take things out of your carry-on have someone watch them and then go get it weighed and then return the things afterwards, they do the weighing before boarding. Hello Tim from Nha Trang Vietnam!
All good tips, thanks! I'm writing a blog post as we speak with some of these in there.
😂😂😂😂
We’ve had our Eagle Creek packing cubes for YEARS! Tried some others, but they definitely weren’t as good. Happy travels 🎉
I agree, they're really durable.
I had been contacted by a few recruiters from Serbia, Hungary and Bulgaria. Took a look around here in the US and told them hell yes I would relocate. Interviews and Technical Assessments are done and now just waiting to see who offers what.
Does this fit under the seat?
You could make it fit maybe but it's not under the max size for budget airlines. It's meant to go in the overhead bin.
Best road to drive the golf cart drunk on.
Motorized vehicles not allowed on the trail. Could be a double fine.
I thought the trail was the safe haven for drunks and carts? Seems that way when I'm out on it.
@@rlux70 Never seen that in my hundreds of bike rides on the Pinellas Trail.
Can foreigners own property in Bulgaria 🇧🇬 🏠
Yes, no problem, condos or houses. It can help you get residency too.
How did you find the great apartment?
See the blog post in the description for a link. It was from a local agency.
He mentioned the website in the video
Looks like such a gorgeous trip! The perfect time of year with the sunflowers in bloom as well. Next time we go to Bansko, I think we should try the train instead. Great vid! 😀
if there was more than a Like button, I'd definitely press it. Great video!
That looked an interesting trip.
Highly recommended if you are in Bulgaria!
Sorry but this trip isn't possible. Bansko to Plovdiv.... The narrow gage train runs oy from Dobrinishte a station before Bansko to Septemvri one hour away from Plovdiv and with a change to the regular train network. And not to forget the ride is nearly 5 hours from Bansko to Septemvri, four times a day. Sune
@@SuneBerlin Just commenting but thanks for advising me.
@@SuneBerlin I just did it. As it says on the video, you change trains in Septemvri. You buy a ticket from Banso to Plovdiv. Instructions here: www.cheapestdestinationsblog.com/2023/09/05/bansko-to-plovdiv/
@@send2gl Details here: www.cheapestdestinationsblog.com/2023/09/05/bansko-to-plovdiv/
And sadly no longer available. Used to love, Love, LOVE Loki. Now their shells are just like every other shell on the market. ,
Yeah, that's a very old video and they seem to have abandoned what make them unique.
@@TimLeffel agreed. Seems like new leadership came in with new goals which led them away from the innovative, visionary products they were developing. They could have been great!!