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Boat tours are one of the most popular activities to enjoy while visiting Cancun, and there are plenty of boat tour operators providing tours.
But not all tour operators are legal and more and more fake, or pirate, tour providers are taking business away from legitimate tour companies.
There are many reasons to steer clear of these illegal operators, so it’s important for Cancun tourists to know how they can avoid this growing number of fake boat tour operators.
Don’t Purchase Tours From Random People
It is not uncommon to see people selling “tours” on the streets in Cancun.
While some of these “street vendors” may be offering legitimate tours, many of them are not, so it’s best to avoid them.
Because once you fork over your money for a “tour,” you’ll likely never see them again and have no way to recoup your money.
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Book With A Well-Known Reputable Company
Rather than take any chances, it’s best to purchase tours from a well-known, reputable tour company.
These companies can be found online, but many of them also have booths or shops set up in the tourist areas of the city.
Trustworthy third-party booking sites like Viator, which is a TripAdvisor company, are also a good option that offers some protection.
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Read Reviews From Past Customers
One of the best ways to find out how legitimate and honest a boat tour company is is by reading reviews from past customers.
While good reviews may be hard to come by because people don’t always leave reviews unless something is wrong, the lack of bad reviews is also telling.
You can find reviews by searching on Google, the company’s website, and also on third-party sites that sell tours.
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Think Twice About The Offer That Sounds Too Good To Be True
Another way to avoid fake boat tours is to take a moment to think twice about an offer that might sound like it’s too good to be true.
If somebody is offering a boat tour for a lot less money than any other tour operator, there is likely a reason for it, and most often, it isn’t just because they feel like being nice.
For reference, tours start at around $30 for the most basic tour and can go up to well over $100 for the more luxurious tours.
Opt For The Book Now, Pay Later Option
Booking through some third-party sites, like Viator for example, may provide some added protection and peace of mind.
Along with their Buy Now, Pay Later option, they also offer cancellation until up to 24 hours before your tour.
This is something that only a legitimate tour provider would offer.
Why It’s Important To Avoid Fake Boar Tours
While it may seem like you’re getting a good deal purchasing a cheap tour from some random person offering one, there are many reasons to avoid it.
Most of these fake tour providers are operating without the proper permits and licenses and are not regulated.
This not only makes it difficult for legitimate providers to compete, but it also puts you at risk.
Booking A Boat Tour In Cancun
Now is the time to book a boat tour in Cancun because real tour operators plan to offer deals during the upcoming low seasons.
President of the Nautical Association, Francisco Fernandez, commented that they “are going to start seeing a promotion system, a 2×1, 3×2 system, we really have to make some modification in our prices to be able to generate and survive in the low season.”
So by booking real boat tours with these legitimate companies, you can not only help sustain the industry but also save some money during your Cancun vacation.
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