Protest Over Uber At The Cancun Airport Slows Traffic Temporarily

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CANCUN — Travelers heading to and from the Cancun Airport on Friday may have faced slowdowns, as a “slow march” protest by the local taxi and transport union temporarily snarled traffic on the main access roads while demonstrating against ride-sharing apps like Uber and DiDi.

While the protest was escorted by the National Guard and didn’t halt operations, it serves as a crucial reminder for tourists of the ongoing tensions surrounding transportation at Mexico’s busiest airport. Here at The Cancun Sun, we’re not just reporting the news; we’re providing a deep dive into what this situation means for you, why it keeps happening, and how you can ensure a smooth, stress-free start to your vacation.

A Conflict Years in the Making

This isn’t just a simple traffic jam; it’s the latest flare-up in a long-running, tense feud between the official airport transportation union and ride-sharing apps. For years, this conflict has simmered and occasionally boiled over, with past reports of tourists being blocked, verbally harassed, or caught in confrontations while trying to catch an Uber from the airport.

🚨 #AHORA | Avanza la manifestación de transportistas rumbo al aeropuerto de Cancún.
La caravana circula por Av. Tulum ocupando el carril de baja, lo que permite que el tránsito continúe sin mayores complicaciones. 🚦✈️

Stephani Blanco. pic.twitter.com/T9xicuLM4D

— Novedades de Quintana Roo (@novedadesqroo) August 23, 2025

Even though ride-sharing services like Uber were officially authorized to operate in the state of Quintana Roo in 2023 after a lengthy court battle, a critical distinction remains: the airport is under federal jurisdiction. This creates a legal grey area that the taxi and licensed transporter unions argue makes ride-sharing operations at the airport illegal. They contend that Ubers lack the specific federal permits required to pick up passengers on airport property, a claim that fuels these recurring protests and the tense atmosphere at the arrivals curb.

The licensed airport transfers argue they invest heavily to operate legally—paying for expensive permits, specific commercial insurance policies to protect tourists, and federally mandated vehicle standards. They see the ride-sharing apps, which allow drivers to operate with personal vehicles and less regulatory oversight, as an illegal and unfair competitive advantage that undermines their livelihood and potentially compromises passenger safety.

What This Means For Your Arrival

For a first-time visitor, the arrivals area at Cancun International Airport can be an overwhelming experience. After clearing immigration and customs, you enter a corridor filled with timeshare salespeople, rental car agents, and transportation solicitors all vying for your attention. The ongoing ride-share conflict adds another layer of potential confusion and stress to this gauntlet.

So, what is the absolute best way to get to your hotel? The safest, most efficient, and completely stress-free strategy is to sidestep the issue entirely.

The Smartest Move: Pre-Booking Your Transfer

We strongly recommend you pre-book your airport transfer with a licensed and reputable company before you ever leave home. This is the single best decision you can make to guarantee a smooth arrival.

How it Works: When you pre-book, you’ll receive a confirmation voucher via email with clear instructions. After you collect your luggage and exit the customs area, you will bypass all the solicitors inside and walk straight outside to the designated meeting area. There, a representative in a distinct uniform (which will be described in your voucher) will be waiting for you, holding a sign with your name or the company’s logo. Services like USA Transfers or Happy Shuttle Cancun are popular, reliable options that have this process down to a science. From there, they will lead you directly to your waiting, pre-paid, air-conditioned vehicle. This allows you to completely bypass any potential curb-side conflict or confusion.

Other Safe Options & What to Avoid

If you prefer to arrange transport upon arrival, you still have safe options that avoid the ride-share conflict:

• Official Airport Taxis: To use these, you must go to one of the authorized taxi kiosks inside the terminal. You pre-pay for your ride at the counter based on your destination zone and receive a ticket, which you then give to a driver outside. Never accept a ride from someone who approaches you inside the terminal.
• ADO Bus: For budget-savvy travelers, the ADO bus is a clean, safe, and efficient option. It runs regularly from the airport to the downtown Cancun bus terminal and to Playa del Carmen. However, from the downtown terminal, you will still need to take a local taxi to your hotel.

What to Avoid: Do not attempt to hail an Uber or DiDi directly at the arrivals curb. This is the primary point of friction and where confrontations have been known to occur.

Safe travels!