Are there any must see train routes in Latin America for scenery and the experience? There are Westerners who take train routes more for scenery and the experience than actually going places. There are Americans, Asians, and Europeans who go on routes like the Trans-Siberian Railway, European lines, the Shinkansen, and Amtrak in order to see scenery, on board dining, and a cultural and historical experience. Are there any routes in Latin America that really have that special train experience? I’ve never seen any movies about train routes in Latin America.
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Trains goin to Machu Picchu.
But these are catered specifically for tourists btw.
El Tren de Aragua 🧢👁️👄👁️
In Argentina we have the “end of the world train” and the “train of the clouds” (known for being super high). Got the chance to travel on the first one and it was amazing, honestly!
Yes we have the Andean explorer. It is crazy expensive tho
The Chihuahua Pacifico in the states of Chihuahua and Sinaloa goes through some breathtaking scenery and has really cool history behind it. It was originally meant as a transcontinental route to connect the Midwest of the United States with the port of Topolobampo, Sinaloa back in the 1800s. The route was not completed until the 1960s because of how complicated the terrain is in the area and is considered an incredible piece of engineering.
https://youtu.be/5dKcVn_RE6w
El Chepe in northern Mexico. It starts at a little over sea level in Los Mochis Sinaloa, and goes well over 2000 meters above sea level in the mountains of Chihuahua. It passes through one of the largest canyon systems in the world, and snowy areas during a brief period in the winter. It’s really something, I’ve been told.
Yes, El Chepe is a must!
My husband (then boyfriend) and I did it in 2008, and it was amazing!
I recommend booking a hotel at each stop to really make the most of the route and scenery.
We took the train from Chihuahua, but I’ve noticed that recent schedules don’t always list it as a departure point—so it’s worth double-checking current routes. We traveled in August, and at that time the train ran from both Chihuahua and Los Mochis, taking about 12 – 13 hours for the full journey. There’s only one train per day, and back then, one ticket allowed us to hop on and off for up to 5 days.
We spent a week on the journey. We took the train to the first stop, Creel, hopped off, explored the town’s views, hiking trails, and surroundings, then spent the night at a hotel. The next day, we hopped back on the train from the same station and continued to the next stop, Divisadero. We repeated this along the route, making the most of each destination at a relaxed pace.
When we arrived in Los Mochis, we spent a full day at Topolobampo Bay (about 30 minutes from Los Mochis), enjoying the beach and fresh seafood. The day after, we did the entire Los Mochis–Chihuahua trip in one go. The return journey was a whole different experience!
The Serra Verde Express from Curitiba to Morretes in Brasil is lovely. The views are spectacular, just make sure you go on a clear day. I did the return trip to Curitiba in the afternoon and I think it’s the best time to go.
There are several train routes in Peru and you definitely need to take one at some point to get to Aguas Calientes to go to Machu Picchu but they are pricey. The views are beautiful.
CPTM in São Paulo, trip from Tatuape to Guaianases, during peak hours every tourist should visit
The Old Patagonian Express “La Trochita”
You can take a train along the Panama Canal. Gorgeous ride but it takes you to Colon, which can be dicey. Just do it for the ride, not the destination.
The Cusco to Puno train ride. They say that it is the highest in the world but I haven’t verified that. It is an amazing 10.5 hour journey through the high Andes on a luxury train with a wonderful viewing car.
The luxury hospitality group Belmond has two trains in Peru, the Andean Explorer and the Hiram Bingham. They’ll be the most luxurious and comfortable trains anywhere in the region.
São Paulo’s metro red line from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
It’s an unique experience.