We’ve entered a new chapter in the never-ending Cancun Airport taxi saga: as reported by the Cancun Sun, the leading source for all things Riviera Maya, a new notice has been issued effectively banning Uber pick-ups outside the terminals.
The decision follows a months-long dispute between taxi operators and the rideshare platform, which’s known for its convenience and far more attractive prices, but if you feel as if you’re being fed to the sharks at the infamous Cancun Airport Shark Tank, don’t despair:
There are 3 alternative transportation modes that won’t cost you over $100 for a 30-minute cab ride (yep, unfortunately those are becoming increasingly more common):
First Of All, Why Is Cancun Airport Banning Ubers?
First of all, why is the airport siding with taxi operators on this one?
According to local sources, Cancun Airport woke up to a notice that reads, quote, ‘By federal provision at this airport it is not allowed TAXI DRIVERS OF DIGITAL PLATFORMS [sic], to pick up passengers‘.
This essentially bans Ubers, as they’re drivers registered in a digital platform, and it signals airport authorities are succumbing to pressure:
There have been numerous attacks on platform drivers that attempt to pick up passengers at the outside terminals, and protests by taxi drivers have led to significant delays for travelers heading to and fro the airport.
Regrettably, the Government of Quintana Roo has failed to respond accordingly, so far, at least, and in order to protect visitors and Ubers alike, the airport has taken a U-turn on their decision.
It comes only a few months after Ubers were given the all-clear to operate at the increasingly-busy hub, and after the shower of complaints relating to the aggressive behavior of taxi drivers towards Ubers and tourists alike.
If you’ve never landed in Cancun Airport, you should be mentally prepared to wade through the infamous Shark Thank––a hall teeming with shouting, shady drivers who have been known to cross a passenger’s personal boundary to try and get them to take the bait.
Taxis In Cancun Can Be A Dangerous Affair
In most cases, if you cave in and follow them to the car, you could pay anywhere between $100 and $300 for a half-hour ride to the Hotel Zone. If your final destination is outside Cancun, be prepared to fork out a thousand in a worst-case scenario.
Trust us, you don’t want to be at the mercy of a ‘professional’ who’s turned their taximeter off and would have no reservations about driving you to some unlisted dirt road and refuse to leave until they squeeze every penny out of you.
There are stands outside the main terminal that read ‘Taxis autorizados‘, but judging by the amount of ‘sharks’ that keep floating around the area, we wouldn’t be surprised if there are still tourists falling for the scam.
Remember, do not get in the car unless you see a badge permit displayed in the windshield, a WiFi sign, and a clearly visible phone number connecting you with a dispatcher who can verify the driver’s authenticity.
This all sounds scary and extremely complicated, so how to stay safe when landing at Cancun Airport, and enjoying an stress-free transfer to your hotel?
There are 3 options:
3 Alternatives To Taxis In Cancun Airport Now That Ubers Are Banned
The Most Affordable Option
The first one is not so glamorous, but it’s budget-friendly and extremely safe.
ADO Buses are the shuttles operating between Cancun Airport and the Hotel Zone, and they typically between 20 minutes and an hour to complete the journey from the terminals to Riviera Maya hotspots, like Cancun itself, Playa Del Carmen and Tulum.
It’s definitely not the ideal option if you’re in a hurry to get to your accommodation quickly and plunge in that crystal-clear pool, and vacationers who are yet to master the art of traveling light, and are dragging along large wheelies might find the ride bumpy, but hey, at least it’s only $5.
Cancun-bound buses run all day, every 30 or 45 minutes, depending on traffic, with the first one leaving at 12:19 am and the last one scheduled for 11:10 pm.
Going to Playa, the first bus at 8:20 am and the last leaves at 11:05 pm, tickets costing $11.
Heading to Tulum instead? No worries! There are hourly departures starting at 7:10 am and ending at 8:50 pm, from roughly $10.
You might be waiting a while for the next one to pull up, on the other hand, you’ll be saving a boatload of money.
The Most Convenient (And More Expensive) Option
The second option is booking a private transfer.
This is the most comfortable way to travel if you’re carrying heavy bags, though it may not be suitable if your resort is located outside Cancun.
Traveling to Cancun, you can book affordable transfers through a wide range of platforms––we strongly recommend Welcome Pickups for their great fares and overall reliability––with one-way journeys at peak hours totaling $41, taxes and fees included.
Booking is quite simple: just head over to their website, add the route––e.g. Cancun International Airport (CUN) to Cancun Hotel Zone Near Beach––select a pickup date, a time, the number of luggage pieces, and search for the best available fare.
Private transfers are commonly offered by hotels and tour agencies, too: all it takes is calling your tour operator or hotel concierge to double check whether you can pre-book transportation.
The Most Scenic Option
Finally, if you opt for the more scenic route, you can take the recently-launched southbound Maya Train leaving from Cancun Airport.
The train does not take you to the Hotel Zone, as Cancun Airport is the terminus, so bear that in mind if your resort is located in the city proper.
You can, however, travel to either Playa Del Carmen or Tulum.
There are only two Playa-bound departures per day, one at 8 am, and another at 12 pm, and Tulum-bound trains leave once a day at 8 am, so this option is only available to those who are landing early, and who manage to clear customs on time.
Tickets cost roughly $20 at the ‘International Tourist’ fare, and they can be purchased directly at the Maya Train website here.
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