Some of Latin America and the Caribbean’s most breathtaking views can be enjoyed from within a train car. It’s time to traverse monumental canyons and historic landscapes, and skirt the vibrant coastlines to the tune of live music and with a few drinks in hand. Hit the tracks for a once-in-a-lifetime adventure.
As always, check for travel guidelines and closures before planning your trip.
The Copper Canyon Railroad in Sinaloa and Chihuahua, Mexico
Despite not being the most modern or fastest passenger train in the world, the Pacific Chihuahua (also known as El Chepe Express) has managed to sell out and garner an exceptional reputation. And the reason is quite simple: It offers amazing scenic views.
Fondly referred to as Chepe, the 9-hour trip, which covers more than 220 miles, starts in the coastal city of Los Mochis, Sinaloa, and ends Creel, Chihuahua — and you can transfer to a regional train to extend your journey all the way to the capital city of Chihuahua.
The Chepe crosses the Sierra Tarahumara and its famous Copper Canyon, a system that goes deeper and higher than the Grand Canyon by far. Before ending your trip, be sure to enjoy Chepe’s various stops, some recognized for their cultural wealth, others for their culinary delights, and yet others for their views of the canyons.
In Divisadero, a station where there are only a few hotels and traditional restaurants, you can witness the best views of the hills of Urique, Tararecua, and of the Copper Canyon. And from Creel, an old village of lumberjacks, you can explore the cascades and lakes of the mountain range.
If you choose to ride the regional train to Chihuahua City, you can stop at Cuauhtemoc, known as the city of three cultures because of the intermingling of the Raramuris, Mestizos, and Mennonites, who live between apple orchards and dairy farms reputed to be the best in the country.
Where to Stay: VETTA Distrito Uno, Autograph Collection
Tequila on Trails in Guadalajara, Mexico
The most iconic images of Mexico, those that include mariachi, tequila, and sombreros, originate in the state of Jalisco. The most popular drink in the country — along with the traditions associated with it — is the reason to hop aboard the Tequila Express.
Between tastings and mariachi songs, tours through the so-called Tequila Trail depart for the agave landscapes characteristic of the region and the hacienda-style distilleries where the national spirit is produced. This train, used exclusively for these sightseeing tours, has been running since 1997.
The trip, which includes tequila tastings, takes off in Guadalajara and heads to various distilleries, where passengers can get a behind-the-scenes look at the fields of agave, jima process (when the plant’s leaves are cut), and distillation process of the most famous of Mexican spirits firsthand.
Where to Stay: The Westin Guadalajara
The Luxurious Railroad to Machu Picchu in Peru
There are only two ways to get to Machu Picchu: on foot, following the Inca Trail, or by train, with the route that connects Poroy (a small town near Cusco) with Aguascalientes (the town in the foothills of the mountain). For those who prefer to save a three-night trek and at least 24 hours of walking, the trip by train is ideal. PeruRail and Inca Rail operate along the Cusco-Machu Picchu railway route, offering itineraries on different trains, ranging from transportation only to scenic tours with gourmet dinner included.
PeruRail’s Vistadome is a luxury train option with large panoramic windows that allow you to enjoy spectacular river and mountain views of the Valle Sagrado (Sacred Valley) — perfect for enjoying the landscapes of the road and discovering Machu Picchu on your own. The Vistadome offers the trip service from Poroy to Machu Picchu multiple times per day with an intermediate stop in the Inca town of Ollantaytambo. Hop off here to explore the cobbled streets, cafés, and handicrafts shops from one of the most picturesque places in the valley.
Where to Stay: JW Marriott El Convento Cusco
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