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1 In 5 Cancun Tourists Are Frustrated With Taxis: Here Are The Top 3 Alternatives

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Tired of overpaying for Cancun taxis? Landing at the airport, the last thing you want is a transportation battle to get to your hotel.

Booking your flights and hotel for your Cancun vacation is only part of the process, you’ll still need to figure out how you’re going to get around during your trip, particularly from the airport to your hotel.   

There are plenty of options, but taxis are at the bottom of the list for many visitors.

According to a recent survey by the Vacation Club Industry in Cancun, 20% of visitors are concerned about Taxis in Cancun.

So let’s talk about the top 3 alternatives!

Tourists Waiting to Be Picked Up at Cancun Airport

Why Tourists Are Frustrated With Taxis 

Taxis in Cancun don’t have a good reputation for several reasons.   

They sometimes aggressively approach tourists, they can be rude, and they are often fighting with Uber drivers.   

The biggest frustration tourists have, though, is how much taxi drivers charge.   

Taxi Parked on a Street in Cancun, Mexico

How Taxis Drivers Charge In Cancun  

How taxi drivers charge in Cancun is not regulated that well.   

This has allowed drivers to essentially charge what they want with very few repercussions.   

Because of this, a one-way taxi ride from Cancun Airport to the Hotel Zone can cost as much as $65 or more, but a more typical range is between $30-$50.

taxi meter rosary beads drivers forearm

The Top 3 Alternatives 

Choosing which of the following top three alternatives is best for you depends on the level of privacy, comfort, and convenience you’re looking for.   

Typically, the cheapest options are also the least convenient and comfortable.   

So it goes without saying that you get what you pay for, but none of the following options is necessarily a bad choice.   

Shuttles, Tourists, and Drivers Outside of Cancun Airport

ADO Bus: Pros and Cons

The least expensive way to get from Cancun Airport to your hotel is the ADO bus, but there’s a catch.   

You can visit the ADO bus kiosk at the airport and purchase a ticket, but it will only take you as far as the transfer station in downtown Cancun.   

From there you’ll have to take another bus to the Hotel Zone.  The bonus of taking an ADO bus is that it costs less than $10 a trip. 

ADO Bus in Cancun, Mexico

Shared Shuttles: The Middle Ground

Shared shuttles cost a little bit more than an ADO bus but are much more comfortable and convenient.   

You’ll have no trouble finding a shuttle service from the airport, and it will drop you off right at your hotel.   

It will also drop off any other passengers along the way too, which can be a minor inconvenience.  A shared shuttle can cost as little as $30 each way though. 

Cancun Shuttle Area with people and shuttles around.

Private Transportation: Expensive But Worth It

Many travelers who visit Cancun prefer private transportation, even though it’s not the cheapest option.   

There are 5 main reasons for this. 

  1. You know upfront what you’re paying for your transportation. 
  1. You can book in advance and have your driver waiting for you upon arrival. 
  1. Private vehicles are much more comfortable. 
  1. You can have your driver make stops along the way.   
  1. You can choose the vehicle size to suit your needs.  

Private transportation varies from company to company, but you should be able to book something for less than $100 each way. 

Taxis and Other Transportation Vehicles at Cancun Airport

Bonus Option: Included Hotel Transfers 

Although not all hotels and resorts offer the service, included hotel transfers can be a great way to not only save money but also not have to worry about searching for a company to book through.   

Some offer complimentary transfers when booking for a certain number of days or through a special offer.  Others offer the service for an added fee.   

Either way, a transfer through your hotel takes the hassle out of you having to book it yourself, which can be a blessing when you have so much other vacation planning to worry about. 

Ready to ditch the taxi hassle? Share your best Cancun transport tip in the comments!

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Saturday 9th of March 2024

Taxis: Blame the governments of city, municipal and state for the chaos. These entities permit the chaos. The various law enforcement elements allow it to continue because the current political leadership allows unregulated taxi fares and aggressive behavior.

All political and commercial entities follow the money.