New Reports Say Uber Reserve Now Permitted At Cancun Airport BUT Only Time Will Tell

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It sounds like the airport nightmare might finally be over… or will it? As of today, Uber says you can open the app, tap Reserve, and step straight into a licensed taxi the moment your flight touches down at Cancún International.

But we at The Cancún Sun have covered too many curbside showdowns to declare victory just yet.

The promise—delivered in a glossy joint press release with local operator Flex Eco Taxi—ticks every box on a traveler’s wish-list: up-front pricing, 30-day advance booking, no more hustling in the humid curbside scrum.

If it all works, you could walk past the taxi hawkers with the supreme confidence of a frequent flyer.

Every time ride-share platforms inch closer to the airport gates, unions push back harder, guards roll in, and early adopters wind up livestreaming the chaos.

Today’s announcement may feel different—but Cancún’s asphalt battlefield has a way of swallowing “done deals.”

So before you pin all your vacation logistics on a brand-new icon in your Uber app, read on.

What’s Supposed To Change

Uber and local operator Flex Eco Taxi unveiled a new Uber Reserve option today, promising licensed taxi-style vehicles you can book up to 30 days before landing at Cancún International Airport (CUN).

Enter your flight number, tap “I’m ready” after baggage claim, and the driver meets you at an in-app spot—no fare haggling, no line-ups.

On paper, it’s the breakthrough travelers have waited years for. Uber already allows standard ride-hail pickups elsewhere in the city, but the airport has always been a flashpoint with powerful taxi unions.

Why We’re Skeptical

Cancún’s airport curb is still a battleground.

As recently as May 23, 2025, a taxi worker was arrested for shoving a tourist who tried to board an Uber at Terminal 3. Just weeks earlier, National Guard officers towed almost 30 ride-share vehicles they said were “illegally” offering service at CUN. And last November, our own reporting showed guards physically blocking Uber drivers from entering airport roads.

The taxi union has not publicly endorsed today’s launch, and past court rulings in Uber’s favor have done little to stop on-the-ground harassment.

What Could Happen Next

If history repeats, three scenarios are likely during the roll-out:

1. Gate-road checkpoints. National Guard or airport police may stop app-matched cars and fine drivers—sometimes in front of passengers.
2. Union “informers.” Uniformed taxi reps often flag arriving tourists and claim Uber is “illegal,” sowing confusion.
3. Surge-price sticker shock. With limited drivers willing to risk confrontation, Reserve fares could spike well above pre-booked shuttles.

Until we see smooth, conflict-free pick-ups for several weeks, it’s too early to call Uber airport service “ready for prime time.”

Safer Ways To Reach Your Hotel

Before we jump into the list, know this: every option below works today, has a fixed or clearly posted price, and keeps you outside the taxi-union crossfire.

1. Pre-Booked Private Shuttles – Companies such as USA Transfers, eTransfers, and Cancun Shuttle meet you with a sign and head straight to your resort. Expect US $35–45 one way for up to four passengers. (Rates verified July 30 via company booking engines.)
2. ADO Airport Bus – Red coaches leave Terminals 2–4 roughly every 30 minutes for downtown. The fare is 98 MXN (≈ US $6) and the ride takes about 25 minutes. You’ll still need a taxi or rideshare from the ADO station to the Hotel Zone.
3. Hotel-Arranged Transport – Many all-inclusive resorts bundle transfers or offer discounted vans if you reserve 24 hours ahead. Check confirmation emails for promo codes.
4. Authorized Airport Taxis (Last Resort) – You can queue at the official desk inside each terminal, but published rates often exceed US $60 to the Hotel Zone. Always ask for the receipt that shows the government-approved price before paying.

The Bottom Line

We’re excited anytime Cancún gets more transparent, tech-forward transport—and Uber Reserve could be that. But after years of flare-ups, blocked cars, and even tourist assaults, today’s announcement is only step one.

Until we see trouble-free pick-ups in real life, we recommend you stick with pre-booked shuttles or the ADO bus and leave Uber airport experiments to the brave early adopters.