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Taxi drivers in the Mexican Caribbean are in the spotlight once again after a video depicting a violent attack on two Playa del Carmen travelers went viral on social media.
The altercation, which occurred just several days ago, is the latest case of violent taxi drivers targeting travelers in the Mexican Caribbean due to overcharging. The video can be seen below.
Despite new measures to improve taxi safety & reliability in the touristy region, a number of taxi drivers continue to exhibit aggressive behavior towards visitors, promoting concern from officials ahead of the busy spring travel season.
Quintana Roo
— Contraste Politico (@ConPolTab) March 5, 2024
Playa del Carmen
Un grupo de “taxistas” atacó en pandilla a una pareja de turistas frente al antro Coco Bongo, en el mpio @SolidaridadAyto
¿En qué tiempo intervendrá @FGEQuintanaRoo ?
Además del arresto , deben cancelarles las concesiones de transporte público pic.twitter.com/wZoLM2diMJ
With that in mind, here’s the latest on taxi driver violence in the Mexican Caribbean.
Playa del Carmen Travelers Outraged Over Latest Case Of Taxi Aggression In Popular Hotspot
2024 is set to be a game changer for the taxi industry in Cancun and the Mexican Caribbean as a number of new laws & regulations come into force as officials seek to protect travelers.
Despite significant improvements in taxi safety over the past year, some taxi drivers have been reluctant to follow the law. That’s especially the case as ride-sharing apps like Uber continue to skyrocket in popularity, forcing many taxi drivers to adapt to the new situation.
This week, another case of taxi driver violence shocked locals and travelers after a group of taxi drivers physically assaulted two travelers in the popular hotspot of Playa del Carmen.
The incident occurred late at night in the vicinity of Coco Bongo, a trendy nightclub in downtown Playa. According to media reports and eyewitness statements, around seven taxi drivers attacked a male traveler who refused to pay an exorbitant fare for his taxi ride.
The male victim was accompanied by a female traveler, who was pushed aside while attempting to protect her fellow visitor.
Since being published on social media platforms – including X (formerly Twitter) – the video of the attack has sparked outrage from locals and travelers alike.
While Playa del Carmen has made great strides in improving public transit options, taxis remain one of the most popular ways for travelers to get around, especially at night.
Authorities have not officially launched an investigation into the incident, nor is it known if the victims have filed a criminal report to local police.
The latest Playa del Carmen incident involving aggressive taxi drivers is just one of many to have occurred in the past year as Uber and other ride-sharing apps continue to gain prominence.
Meanwhile, authorities are expanding efforts to target law-breaking taxi drivers in hotspots like Cancun and Playa del Carmen, issuing more fines and even revoking licenses.
Despite stronger measures to tackle violent taxi drivers, travelers are urged to exercise caution when using taxis in the Mexican Caribbean, as scams and even serious crimes remain a pressing issue.
Fortunately, visitors headed to Cancun and the Mexican Caribbean later this year will have several options when it comes to getting around. From using the new Maya Train system to affordable Uber rides, taxis are slowly diminishing in popularity.
That said, there are times when using a taxi might be necessary. In such cases, travelers should make sure to negotiate a price before starting the journey to avoid facing eyewatering prices.
Cities like Cancun and Playa del Carmen have also improved public transit services, launching new bus routes and deploying more electric vehicles to accommodate ever-growing arrival figures.
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Malcolm Fisher
Thursday 7th of March 2024
Maybe the all knowing gringos will eventually realise that you ask the price before you get in the taxi and never travel alone at night. That's just asking for trouble.
ken B.
Thursday 7th of March 2024
I have been taking taxis for decades in and around Playa. All drivers have been courtious and honest. One bad apple ( tourist or driver) can ruin a bunch.