Mexico’s Tren Maya takes tourists around the Yucatán Peninsula, to cities, ancient Mayan ruins and jungle towns. It has displaced Indigenous locals, destroyed sacred sites and caused environmental carnage.

Mexican authorities have touted the Tren Maya as offering a Mayan adventure and providing jobs and transport for poor locals. I spent a month traveling around the railway route to see how the massive project has affected life near the tracks.

Watch full video episodes on YouTube.

Writing, recording, narration: Jamie Fullerton

Sound editing: Samira Tazari

Music: Olguita Acuña

Podcast artwork: Nini Giunàshvili

You can buy Tren Maya tickets from the official ticket website, Reservas.ventaboletostrenmaya.com.mx.

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Northwest Mexico’s Chepe train route is one of the wildest, most ruggedly-beautiful railway journeys in the world.

Starting in Chihuahua city and ending 418 miles later in Los Mochis, the train cuts through vast canyons, known collectively as the Copper Canyon, and stops at remote outposts.

Much of the region is home to the Indigenous Tarahumara people, many of whom are semi-nomadic and have an uneasy relationship with tourists and Hispanic locals following historic mistreatment by colonisers.

I spent 11 days on the Chepe train route, getting off at all the stops to explore the Copper Canyon.

Writing, recording, narration: Jamie Fullerton

Sound editing: Samira Tazari

Music: Olguita Acuña

Podcast artwork: Nini Giunàshvili

Chepe tickets and train information: Official Chepe train site

Creel hotel: The Lodge At Creel

Divisadero hotel: Hotel Mirador

Cerocahui hotel: Hotel Misión

Los Mochis: Hotel Lorena

Gustavo Loreno, guide: +526351049307

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The Tequila Express train runs from Guadalajara city to the town of Tequila in Mexico’s Jalisco state, and is loaded with bars and booze. The train spent nine years off the tracks, but recently returned.

You might expect alcohol-fuelled carnage on the train, but the Tequila Express offers a rather civilised insight into the culture and legends behind Mexico’s famous fiery spirit.

I boarded the train for a teetotal trip.

Watch full video episodes on YouTube.

Writing, recording, narration: Jamie Fullerton

Sound editing: Samira Tazari

Music: Olguita Acuña

Podcast artwork: Nini Giunàshvili

Tequila Express tickets: Tequilaexpress.mx

Sauza distillery and field tour: Casasauza.com

Atanasio agave field tour: Tequilaatanasio.com

El Tequileño distillery tour: Tequileno.com

Tequila tour guide Luis Alberto Gutiérrez: Estaciontusistica.com

La Capilla: Google Maps

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