Cancún Cracks Down on Misbehaving Taxi and Uber Drivers

Taxi drivers and other transport operators in Cancún who abuse their privileges have long been a problem. Overpricing, aggressive solicitation of passengers, and involvement in violent and illegal activities have tarnished the reputation of these drivers, particularly taxi drivers. Despite this ongoing issue, it seemed they faced no real consequences. However, Cancún has now pledged to revoke the licenses of taxi and Uber drivers who misbehave.

While the idea of revoking licenses of errant drivers in Cancún has been discussed before, the process has been slow. Now, Cancún is taking decisive action by revoking licenses and concessions, and impounding the vehicles of offending drivers to ensure the safety of tourists. Raciel López Salazar, head of the Quintana Roo State Prosecutor's Office, stated that "operations against abusive taxi drivers in Cancún will not cease," underlining the intolerance for such behavior.

Regular security operations will be carried out to identify taxi and Uber drivers who break the law. Details about how these operations will be conducted are scarce, but once offenders are identified, they will face consequences.

Efforts to identify misbehaving taxi and Uber drivers have already begun and have proven successful. Reports indicate that 114 concessions and 35 driving licenses have been revoked, and 38 vehicles impounded due to involvement in illegal activities.

Tourists often complain about the high fares charged by many taxi drivers in Cancún. Instances of overcharging and even physical attacks by taxi drivers over disputes about unfair charges have been reported. Other complaints include rude, aggressive, and sometimes violent behavior by taxi drivers.

Another significant issue with Cancún's transportation system is the ongoing feud between taxi drivers and Uber drivers. Taxi drivers have consistently argued that Uber should not be allowed to operate at the airport and have even barred them from picking up or dropping off passengers at certain hotels. This ongoing conflict between the two transport providers has negatively impacted the image of Cancún's transportation system.

However, there are several other transportation options available in Cancún, in addition to taxis and Uber. These include public transport, private transport, shared and private transfers, and car rentals. Buses are the most affordable option, with fares of just a few dollars per trip, while private transfers are the most expensive, costing around $100 per transfer.

Many of these transport options can be booked in advance, which is highly recommended. Pre-booking not only ensures you know the cost upfront but also allows you to walk out of the airport to find your driver waiting for you, eliminating the need to wait in line with other travelers to secure transportation. This convenience can help kick off your Cancún vacation on a positive note.