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Cancun Airport Safety Tips: Choosing Reliable Transportation Amid Ongoing Taxi & Uber Disputes 

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For the last few years, there has been an ongoing dispute between Cancun taxis and Uber drivers, and the animosity between them has affected tourists on multiple occasions.   

Most recently, tourists have been dealing with delays and harassment at Cancun Airport.   

A few Cancun Airport safety tips about how to choose reliable transportation amid these ongoing taxi and Uber disputes will help you navigate your arrival, departure, and visit in Cancun. 

Tourists Waiting Outside of Cancun Airport for Transportation

Choose Your Transportation Wisely 

It’s important to choose your transportation wisely to avoid getting involved in any of the confrontations.   

There are several different options to choose from and plenty of trustworthy providers that can safely transport you to and from the airport.   

You can book transportation online, arrange it with your hotel, or visit one of the booths at Cancun Airport.   

Older Taxi Driving Down the Street in Cancun, Mexico

Avoid Ubers And Taxis For Now 

When it comes to choosing transportation wisely, avoiding certain ones may be a wise choice.   

In this case, the disputes are mostly between Uber and taxi drivers.   

For this reason, it’s probably a good idea to avoid both for now because, as mentioned, there are other options. 

Taxi Vehicles Sitting in the Taxi Waiting Area in Cancun Hotel Zone.

Watch Out For Pirate Transportation Providers 

It’s also important to watch out for pirate transportation providers, which are also an ongoing problem at Cancun Airport.   

Pirate transportation providers are unlicensed individuals who pose as drivers for different types of transportation companies.   

Pirate taxi drivers are the most common. They dress their vehicles up like legitimate taxis and offer rides to unsuspecting tourists.   

Some are just trying to earn money, but some may have ulterior motives.  

Cars, Taxis, and Shuttles Outside of Cancun International Airport

Consider Renting A Car 

With everything going on in the transportation industry in Cancun, you may want to consider renting a car for your Cancun vacation.   

Rental rates are affordable when you compare them to other transportation options.   

You can expect to pay somewhere around $30 a day for a rental, and driving in Cancun is not much different than driving in the U.S. 

Cars on a Tree-Lined Street in Cancun, Mexico

Book In Advance 

Booking in advance is one way to avoid all of the transportation controversy and ensure that you’re booking safe and reliable transfers.   

Private and semi-private transportation, which includes private and shared shuttles and private vehicles, can be booked directly through the airport website, as well as through individual provider websites.   

Rates vary depending on the type of transfer you choose.   

The benefit of booking in advance is that you know you’re getting a legitimate company and you know what you’re paying.   

Aerial View of the Cancun Hotel Zone, Cancun, Mexico

Avoid The Shark Tank 

When you arrive at an airport in an international destination that you’ve never been to before, navigating can be confusing.   

At Cancun Airport and many other Mexican airports, there’s a thing called the “Shark Tank,” which is designed to trick tourists into attending high-pressure timeshare sales meetings.   

Aggressive salespeople will do everything, including lying about being your transportation provider, to get you to these meetings.   

You’ll see them on your way out of the airport and will want to avoid them unless you want to spend the first few hours of your vacation listening to a sales pitch.   

Cancun Airport Filled With Travelers

Plan On Leaving Early For Departure 

Planning your transportation to get from the airport to your hotel is important, but so is planning for getting back to the airport.   

Recently Uber drivers caused a delay due to protests regarding these disputes.   

This is why it’s important to plan on leaving early when you’re returning to the airport for departure so that you don’t have to worry about missing your flight home.

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Dennis

Thursday 8th of August 2024

My wife and I have been going to Mexico now for 20 yrs we have always used Cancun shuttle with no problem.

firstlast

Friday 9th of August 2024

@Dennis, I have used CUN for 13 years. I have used taxis before the shuttle service and fares were reasonable. Now, it's only the ADO shuttle. Your 20 years you undoubtedly have a game plan.

firstlast

Thursday 8th of August 2024

The state, local and Cancun airport authority have the immediate legal means to eliminate transportation conflicts at the Cancun airport. As always follow the power and money. Someone is benefiting from the chaos. This includes the "shark tank"

I have never seen the chaos in other airports in Asia, Europe or US, CAN.

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