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We’ve entered a new chapter in Cancun Airport’s never-ending taxi saga: as reported by the Cancun sunthe leading source A new notice has been issued for all things Riviera Maya effectively banning Uber pickups outside the terminals.
The decision follows a months-long dispute between taxi companies and the rideshare platform, which is known for its convenience and much more attractive prices, but if you feel like you’re being fed to the sharks at the infamous Cancun Airport Shark Tank, don’t despair :
There are 3 alternative modes of transport that won’t cost you more than $100 for one 30 minutes taxi ride (yes, unfortunately these are becoming more and more common):
First of all, why does Cancun Airport ban Ubers?
First of all: why is the airport siding with taxi companies in this case?
According to local sources, the Cancun airport woke up to a message that read: ‘According to federal regulations, TAXI DRIVERS FROM DIGITAL PLATFORMS are not allowed at this airport [sic]to pick up passengers‘.
This essentially bans Ubers, because they are drivers registered on a digital platform, and it signals airport authorities are buckling under the pressure:
There have been numerous attacks on ramp drivers trying to pick up passengers at the outer terminals, and protests by taxi drivers have led to significant delays for travelers going back and forth to the airport.
Unfortunately, to date at least, the Quintana Roo government has not responded accordingly, and to protect both visitors and Ubers, the airport has made a U-turn on their decision.
It comes just a few months after Ubers was allowed to operate in the increasingly busy hub, and after a flurry of complaints regarding the aggressive behavior of taxi drivers versus Ubers and tourists.
If you’ve never landed at Cancun airport, you should be mentally prepared to wade through the infamous Shark Thank – a hall full of shouting, shady drivers who have been known to overstep a passenger’s personal boundary to try to get them the to take flight. ace.
Taxis in Cancun can be a dangerous affair
In most cases, if you collapse and follow them to the car, you could pay somewhere between $100 and $300 for a half-hour drive to the hotel zone. If your final destination is outside of Cancun, be prepared to spend a thousand at worst scenario.
Trust us, you don’t want to be at the mercy of a ‘professional’ who has turned off their taximeter and has no compunction about driving you to an unregistered dirt road and refusing to leave until they get every cent out of you pressed.
Outside the main terminal there are stands reading ‘Authorize taxis‘, but judging by the amount of ‘sharks’ floating around the area, we wouldn’t be surprised if tourists are still falling into the trap.
To remind, don’t get in the car unless you see a badge permit displayed in the windshield, a WiFi sign and a clearly visible telephone number that connects you to a coordinator who can verify the driver’s authenticity.
This all sounds scary and extremely complicated, so how do you stay safe when you land at Cancun airport and enjoy a stress-free transfer to your hotel?
There are 3 options:
3 alternatives to taxis at Cancun airport now that Ubers are banned
The most affordable option
The first one isn’t that glamorous, but it is budget-friendly and extremely safe.
ADO buses are the shuttles that typically run between Cancun Airport and the Hotel Zone between 20 minutes and an hour to complete the journey from the terminals to Riviera Maya hotspots such as Cancun itself, Playa Del Carmen and Tulum.
It is definitely not the ideal option if you are in a hurry to get to your accommodation quickly and take a dip in that crystal clear pool, and holidaymakers who have not yet mastered the art of traveling light and are dragging big wheelies with them, may find the ride bumpy, but hey, at least it’s only $5.
Buses to Cancun run all day, every 30 or 45 minutes, depending on traffic. The first leaves at 00:19 and the last leaves at 23:10.
When I go to Playa the first bus leaves at 8:20am and the last at 11:05pm, tickets cost $11.
Are you going to Tulum instead? No problem! There are hourly departures starting at 7:10 AM and ending at 8:50 PM, from about $10.
You might wait a while for the next one to arrive, but on the other hand you’ll save one boatload of money.
The most convenient (and more expensive) option
The second option is booking a private transfer.
This is the most comfortable way to travel if you are carrying heavy bags, but it may not be suitable if your resort is outside Cancun.
If you’re traveling to Cancun, you can book affordable transfers through a wide range of platforms – we highly recommend Welcome Pickups for their great rates and overall reliability – with one-way trips available during peak hours a total of $41including taxes and fees.
Booking is very easy: just go to their websiteadd the route (for example Cancun International Airport (CUN) to Cancun Hotel Zone Near Beach), select a pick-up date, a time, the number of bags and search for the best available rate.
Private transfers are also often offered by hotels and travel agencies: just call your tour operator or hotel concierge to check if you can book transport in advance.
The most scenic option
Finally, if you choose the more scenic route, you can explore the recently launched southbound Mayan Train departure from Cancun airport.
The train does not take you to the hotel zonesince Cancun Airport is the end point, so keep that in mind if your resort is in the city proper.
You canHowever, travel to Playa Del Carmen or Tulum.
There are only two departures per day to Playa, one at 8am and another at 12pm, and trains to Tulum leave once a day at 8am, so this option is only available to those who land early and who manage to to clear customs on time.
Tickets cost about $20 at the ‘International Tourist’ rate, and they can be purchased directly from the Maya Train website here.
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The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
