Why Taxis May Not Be The Best Way To Get Around During Your Mexican Caribbean Vacation 

Last Updated 12 months ago

When arriving at any vacation destination you have to have transportation to your hotel and to get around the city, and the common choice is a taxi service.   

This option is available at Cancun Airport and throughout the Mexican Caribbean, as are other transportation services like Uber and private transfer providers.   

There are a few reasons why taxis, specifically, may not be the best way to get around during your Mexican Caribbean vacation though.   

High Prices Everywhere 

It’s a pretty well-known fact that taxi prices are high in Cancun, costing travelers as much as $65 or more each way to and from the airport.   

It isn’t just Cancun where the prices are high, though, but throughout the Mexican Caribbean.   

New reports of taxi prices from the new Tulum Airport, too, are proving that high taxi prices seem to be the norm in the region.   

@girlwhomadechurrowaffles 🏝️Do Not Pay Those Excessive Taxi Prices 🚖 #cancun #travel #vacation #cancuntaxis #uber #taxis #cancunairport #traveltips #adobus #hotelzone ♬ La Cumbia Folklorica – Hermanos Flores

Sample Taxi Prices For Mexican Caribbean Destinations  

You’ve already seen what a taxi from Cancun Airport to the Hotel Zone can cost, but what about getting around Cancun?   

While not as expensive as getting from the airport, it is still pretty pricey.   

Taxis just within the Hotel Zone start at around $5 a trip each way, and to get to the downtown area you can expect to pay at least around $15 each way.   

Recent reports have shown that a taxi from the new Tulum Airport is pricey too, with a ride to the Tulum Hotel Zone coming in at around $100 and a ride to Playa del Carmen more than $200. 

@lakers8247 ##screammovie #cancun #ubercancun #zonahoteleracancunmexico ♬ sonido original – DEXTER TV

Lack Of Regulation Enforcement 

Another factor to consider is the lack of enforcement of regulations regarding taxis.   

Not all taxis in the Mexican Caribbean have meters, so they can basically charge what they want, and some do exactly that.   

Another thing to consider is that there are fake taxis that officials are trying to crack down on but still having a problem with.   

These pirate taxis may not only overcharge you but some can be unsafe as well.  

@diannyamite #CapCut ♬ Happy with you – BCD Studio

More Comfortable Options 

Another reason taxis may not be the best option during your Mexican Caribbean vacation is because there are more comfortable options.   

Private transportation offers a range of vehicle options, from vans that can shuttle large groups to luxury SUVs, and the prices range considerably.   

A private shuttle, for example, can be as little as $40, and a luxury vehicle as much as $90 or more.   

@nikkiclaudio Replying to @Provatooo You can either take an uber, shared shuttle or book a direct, private transfer ☺️ whatever fits your budget! We booked @UniquePrivateTransportation and had a good experience. #cancun #mexico #privatetransportation #vacation #tulum #playadelcarmen #playamujeres #puertoaventuras #costamujeres #allinclusive #allinclusiveresort #traveltiktok #travel #fyp #resorts #resort #cabo ♬ Mexican instrumental with a cheerful atmosphere(1447828) – Vochi men

Affordable Transportation Available 

There are also more affordable options for transportation in the Mexican Caribbean, both for getting from the airport to various destinations and getting around.   

The cheapest option is the ADO bus service, which costs around $6 to get from the Airport to downtown Cancun.   

The thing to remember with buses though, is that they don’t drop you off at your hotel, but rather at the nearest bus station.   

Uber is also a more affordable option for getting around the city, but it cannot pick up at the airport.   

@samsfluffnuggets Take the city bus R2 to Walmart from the hotel zone for 12.5 pesos each. Taxis charge on average $40 USD instead of .50 cents. #cancun #cancunmexico #traveltiktok #travel #cheaptravel #thingstodoincancun ♬ Aesthetic – Tollan Kim

Taxi Safety 

Taxis are typically safe in Cancun, aside from the rare few that have aggressive drivers.   

There are plenty of legitimate, professional taxi drivers and the majority of travelers have a good experience taking a taxi in the Mexican Caribbean.   

You do have to consider the illegal taxis, though, because they’re difficult to spot and may not be as safe as real taxis.   

@oneminutetours Have you ever gotten ripped off by a #Cancun taxi? #mexico #oneminutetours #playadelcarmen ♬ original sound – One Minute Tours

Tips For Taking A Taxi If You Are Going To Use Them 

If you do decide to take a taxi during your Mexican Caribbean vacation there are a couple of things that you can do to avoid being overcharged.   

The most important thing to do is agree on a price before getting in the taxi.   

You can also pre-book a Cancun Airport taxi, which means you’ll know what you’re paying upfront.

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