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Rideshare apps are pretty popular among travelers visiting destinations around the world, but at Cancun Airport, some are still not allowed to operate.
This is despite the fact that Uber drivers were told by the company that they could and that a new rideshare app company called inDrive was recently given the go-ahead to have drivers pick up and drop off at the airport.
Recently, some tourists realized that it’s not that simple, though, when a Cancun pirate taxi harassed them for trying to use a rideshare app.
Tourists Harassed At The Airport By Pirate Taxi Driver
According to recent reports and confirmed by social media videos, two female tourists were harassed by a pirate taxi driver at the airport for trying to use a Rideshare service to get transportation to their hotel.
The driver insulted them and followed them through a parking lot at the airport to prevent them from using the service.
It’s unclear whether they eventually got into the vehicle, but it was undoubtedly a scary experience.
Pirate Taxis In Cancun
Pirate taxis are taxis that are not legal.
They don’t carry the concession or license that is necessary to operate at the destination.
They make their vehicles look like other taxis, but because they are not licensed to operate a taxi, it’s more of a risk to those using them.
Risks Of Using A Pirate Taxi
Because pirate taxis are not licensed, there are no checks and balances to ensure that they have sufficient insurance to cover passengers if something should happen.
Nobody checks to make sure that their vehicles are in good condition or that they don’t have a criminal history.
Pirate taxis should be avoided if possible.
The National Guard At Cancun Airport
In addition to pirate taxi drivers and legitimate taxi drivers preventing tourists arriving at the airport from using rideshares, the National Guard does as well.
They have soldiers stationed at the airport for just this reason.
According to reports of the recent pirate taxi driver incident, help from the National Guard was requested, but they didn’t show up to help the tourists.
Rideshare Platforms In Cancun
Rideshare platforms can be used in Cancun outside of the airport.
Uber is available, as well as the previously mentioned inDrive rideshare service, which is the only one allowed to operate at the airport, though there’s little hope that taxi drivers will allow this to happen.
To get anywhere once you arrive at your hotel, though, rideshare services are a more affordably priced option.
Cancun Taxi Drivers
Cancun taxi drivers don’t have the greatest reputation among locals and visitors for several reasons.
They’re known to overcharge, often thought of as rude, and they are very aggressive when it comes to getting passengers.
They also have pretty tight control over transportation in the destination and monopolize the industry, especially when it comes to tourist transportation.
Recently Cancun announced that it would begin cracking down on badly behaved drivers, but the issues continue to persist for now.
Getting From Cancun Airport To Your Hotel
Obviously, Uber and other rideshare platforms are not options for getting from Cancun Airport to your hotel, which will most likely be located in the hotel zone.
The Hotel Zone is about 14 miles away, so you’ll definitely need to book some form of transportation.
Shuttles, ADO buses, and private transportation are all options, private transportation being the most expensive but also the most convenient.
You can book in advance and know what you’re paying upfront.
You’ll also have your driver waiting at the airport for you when you arrive, which makes getting your Cancun vacation started quickly and easily, and you can avoid the whole rideshare issue altogether.
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