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Wondering if there is Uber in Cancun, Mexico – and how it all works? There seem to be a lot of conflicting reports on the matter, so I thought I’d pop together a quick guide based on my own experiences – as well as research.
This guide is based on several trips to Cancun that I’ve taken over the last few years – as well as input from local friends and news sources. I update it every time I travel, as well as whenever I get wind of any changes.
That said, things can change fast. If you visit Cancun please leave a comment with your experiences at the bottom of this page so we can keep things as up-to-date as possible.
I’ve also included my tips for using Uber in Cancun and some potential safety issues you should be aware of. And I’ve recommended some alternatives – in case you have trouble with the app during your visit.
Without further ado, here’s everything you need to know about using the cab-hailing app in the Mexican party capital!
UPDATE – All information in this post is correct to the best of my knowledge. I’ve fact-checked on local news websites, and spoken to local Uber drivers in Cancun. Check the comments at the end of this post for the latest info from recent travellers to Cancun.
Is There Uber in Cancun?
This question has a bit of a yes/no answer. There IS Uber in Cancun – and the rest of Mexico – and it’s possible to hail an Uber using the app.
However, it’s not always been straightforward, as Uber drivers have faced issues from local taxi companies for a long time.
The latest info is that Uber is officially legal in Cancun, and local taxi drivers are now able to operate within the app. This makes things much safer for travellers thanks to Uber’s rating system, location tracking, and safety features.
Uber in Cancun – from its launch to today
Uber first became available in Cancun in 2016, but halted operation in December 2017 following a year of problems from the local taxi unions. Officially, the company has been operational again since 6th June 2019, following a ruling from a federal judge.
In January 2023 – while I was in Cancun – another court ruling found in favour of Uber in Cancun and confirmed that the company is operating legally.
This was met with widespread protests from taxi companies. They blockaded roads on the day of the court hearing (I got unlucky and sat on a bus for hours stuck in traffic!).
Since the ruling, there have been multiple incidents of aggression and harassment. It led to the military being deployed to tourist areas to protect visitors from getting caught up in the battle.
A New Agreement
In November 2023, things changed again! Local taxi operators reached a landmark agreement with city officials to push through a new law that will allow taxi drivers to operate within the Uber app.
In theory, this will help reduce the issues between taxi drivers and Uber drivers. It also means that tourists can use the Uber app to avoid being overcharged or scammed by corrupt taxi drivers – and can benefit from Uber’s ratings system and safety features.
However, the dust hasn’t quite settled on this one yet, so it’s still worth following the advice further on this post to ensure you stay as safe as possible when using Uber in Cancun.
Uber VS the Taxi Unions
Officially Uber is legal. However, Uber drivers still struggle against threats from the local taxi unions, making it harder than normal to arrange an Uber in Cancun. Hopefully, this will change following the new November 2023 law (see above).
The issue is the local taxi unions, who act almost like a mafia. I’ve spoken to several Uber drivers in Cancun and the surrounding area. They told me that some taxi drivers are unhappy with the presence of Uber in their area, and they have made life incredibly difficult for the app’s partner drivers.
Officially, the taxi unions state that they are unhappy because Uber drivers don’t face the same licensing fees or regulations that they do. In my opinion, though, it has more to do with money. Taxis have gotten used to the easy money from inflating their prices for tourists – sometimes by almost 4x in my experience.
Taxi unions have formed a “mafia-like” presence, threatening Uber drivers with violence. Some drivers I spoke to told me of colleagues who’d had their car mirrors or windows smashed.
Cancun’s Uber drivers have had to take precautionary measures, and it’s getting much harder for them to operate at all – which seems really unfair.
Why Take Uber Over a Taxi?
Put simply, taxis are more expensive. Most taxis in Cancun don’t have a meter and will often offer an inflated price based on how much money you look like you have.
The reason I like using Uber when I travel is that the prices are intrinsically fairer. The app forces drivers to be honest.
To give an example of taxi inflation, I recently took a five-minute journey from the bus station to the ferry terminal in Cancun. The taxi cost me 150MXN, and they refused to let me even try to haggle the price. They knew I needed the cab so it was a “take it or leave it” deal.
On my return trip, I used Uber, and the same journey in reverse cost me just 40MXN – less than a third! So the price of Uber in Cancun is MUCH cheaper than taxis.
How to Take Uber in Cancun
First things first, you’ll probably need a local SIM card so that you can get online without racking up an enormous phone bill. Alternatively, you use a travel eSIM.
Next, download the app if you haven’t already. I’d recommend setting up your account before setting off for Mexico.
Uber in Cancun works the same as it does anywhere else. However, due to all the troubles with the taxi companies, many Uber drivers still try to operate a little “under the radar”. This means you may struggle to get one to pick you up in places where lots of taxis commonly wait – such as the ADO bus station or the Puerto Juarez ferry terminal.
Wait until you’re out of sight of taxis before ordering an Uber and it will be easier for everyone. If you can see a taxi rank area, walk away and out of sight before ordering your Uber. Just going around the corner is usually enough.
Also – it might be better to sit in the front of the car rather than the back. This way, you look like you’re getting a lift from a friend, rather than an Uber driver.
If taxi drivers hassle me when I’m waiting for an Uber, I tell them “esperando a un amigo” (I’m waiting for a friend). You could also say that the driver worked for your hotel, if anyone was ever to ask. But I’ve never had a single problem!
Uber from Cancun Airport
On multiple visits to Cancun, I’ve tried to order an Uber at Cancun Airport and received the message “Uber is currently unavailable in your area”. Having spoken to local friends, I’m told that Uber cars are not allowed to go to airports in Mexico, so chances are you won’t be able to take one from the airport. You should be able to take one to the airport, though.
I’ve heard reports that some drivers will park in the carpark, and walk inside to meet you at the pickup point, before walking you back to their car and paying for parking. However, I was unable to even try to order a car when I was at the airport.
UPDATE: This is still the case as of 25th January 2024
If you don’t want to take a taxi from the airport in Cancun, you can take an ADO bus to downtown Cancun (the cheapest option), rent a car, or pre-book a private transfer.
Private transfers are more expensive, but also more convenient. You can give them your flight details, so the driver will be ready and waiting for you when you land – making life MUCH easier! Click here to check the latest prices.
Is Uber Safe in Cancun?
The above mentions of violence may put you off using Uber. But, in my experience, it’s always been safe to take Uber in Cancun. You should take some precautions, though. As mentioned above, it’s best to order your Uber away from any taxi ranks.
On the flip side, taxis may not be any safer than Uber cars. I’ve heard reports of unlicenced cabbies robbing tourists, and a few years ago 12 taxi drivers were arrested after being found with drugs and weapons.
At least with Uber, the driver’s name and licence plate are recorded and your location is being GPS tracked through your phone – so they have accountability.
The main advice I’ve picked up from local friends is to avoid any Uber car that has removed its licence plate. It seems this might be done by the more crooked drivers. If there’s no plate, cancel the Uber, report the driver, and walk a block before trying again.
Alternatives to Uber
On my most recent trip to Cancun, a couple of locals suggested I try the Cabify app instead. It’s very similar to Uber, but appears to be much more tolerated by local taxi companies.
I was in Cancun for the days when the court decision was being made, so there were no Ubers active. We used Cabify as an alternative and it worked great.
However, there are still complications with the Hotel Zone. One driver told us that he can drop customers off anywhere in the zone, but not pick them up. This is because each taxi company has its own section, and no one else is allowed on their “turf”. Which honestly is just yet another reason to avoid taxis in Cancun where possible!
Help Keep This Post Up to Date
Do you have any new information to share regarding the situation with Uber in Cancun? Scroll down to leave me a comment so I can keep this post as up-to-date as possible!
Read More
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Beach Palace Cancun – Hotel Review
27 Places to get off the Beaten Path in Mexico!
Grand Fiesta Americana Coral Beach Cancun – A Detailed Review
Hi Emily! Loved your post, especially because it is recent (from 2020) and talks about this so relevant topic for visitors, and locals, in Cancun.
I live here for 30 years and give you extra feedbacks on your article:
Short, urban rides within downtown Cancun are not really expensive, and probably Uber costs the same or more, but they are more comfortable, cleaner, safer, etc as you well explain. It is the longer rides, especially from/to/within the hotel zone, where Uber really becomes valuable, compared to abusive taxis which generally speaking to tend to be corrupt, dishonest and will try to take as much money from tourists as possible. Visitor should also know that not only taxi unions are an actual mob, they are in collussion or under protection of authorities, so not much luck trying to get help from the police at the airport or anywhere in the city. Try to avoid/hide from taxis and police officers is the general rule of wisdom for most locals, most of the time. Getting taxis at the bus station ADO is much more expensive because they are parked (wait) service, called “sitio”. But if you walk a few blocks and get a regular taxi then you pay the regular fare, unless the driver thinks it is a good idea to scam you and get you a special (super high) rate, just for you, so it ends up being the same as the sitio taxis. Trying to get an uber, as discreetly as possible, hiding from taxis, being smart and quiet, is your best, safest, cheapest way to move around Cancun with some comfort and air conditioned.
90% of local people in Cancun would tell you that we hate taxis, we do not respect or feel protected by the police (especially traffic police), and it is a shame and evidence of corruption at all levels in Mexican government that Uber and other platforms cannot be legalized like virtually everywhere else in the world.
Hi Mike! Thank you so much for this really detailed comment – I’m sure it’ll help a lot of travellers. I still can’t believe how scammy the taxis in Cancun can be, Uber is definitely loads better. Good to hear you can still get them atm, even if you have to be a bit sneaky still. Thank you :)
Can you catch an UBER back and forth from the Cancun Hotel Area to Xcaret Park or other areas of Playa del Carmen?
To be honest I’m not really sure. It’s quite a long way, so it might take longer to find someone who will accept the trip – but I can’t see any reason why you couldn’t. And if you struggle, then you can take an Uber to the bus station and there are comfy ADO buses to reach Playa del Carmen :)
I was in Cancun a couple years ago and was able to get an Uber to Playa Del Carmen. I believe it cost around $30 for the hour ride. However, there is no service in Playa Del Carmen, so you can’t get one back. But their is a shuttle bus that is affordable and goes often.
I just want to point out there are good taxi drivers. I found one and kept his name and phone number. The bad ones wanted 300-400MXN from my rental to Puerto Juarez, the driver I found charged me 80MXN.
As a solo traveler, the only time I felt scared was when I was walking to my Uber in the hotel zone after leaving a restaurant. I knew all about going to a side street and being discreet. A taxi driver stopped me from walking to it, literally chest-bumping me to keep me from walking away and two more joined in. My language got foul and I had to shove my way out. There is a real danger in taking an Uber. I don’t know how they knew, but they did.
Oh yes there absolutely are good taxi drivers, just like in any profession. I prefer to use Uber because at least it’s tracked – a bad driver gets reported, gets bad reviews etc. And of course, the app tracks your location which makes me feel safer. If you get in a cab with what turns out to be a bad taxi driver, like the ones you ran into whilst getting your Uber, you’d have no way to report them.
When did this happen to you? It would help others to know if this is still happening as of recently – and also I might need to update the post again!
I was in Cancun from Jan 16 2021 until Jan 23, 2021. I was able to get an Uber a few times around the Hotel Zone, and once a little farther out. The taxis are all the same, trying to constantly overcharge. I am a Gringo, but speak good enough Spanish to argue with them after, and negotiate a fair price, or just let them go. One tried to charge me $30 USD at the airport to go from one terminal to another, I told him I’d walk, then he went to $20, and I still said I will walk, He insisted it would take me 45 minutes, and I walked and it was barely 10 minutes. I’m going back in two weeks. Hopefully, I can find more Ubers, I hate the taxis. I’ll let you know
Thanks so much for commenting! I’m with you – I hate the taxis so much. I get that they need to make money, and when I travel I don’t mind paying a bit more than locals do! But scamming people so much is just ridiculous. You can get a bus between terminals, its either free or like $1 or something, I’ve done it before – definitely not worth a $20 taxi ride!! It’s just so annoying as it makes everything into a constant battle for a fair price. Love Uber, hope they continue to do well in Cancun :) Enjoy your trip – I’m insanely jealous!!
Does anyone know if there is Uber in Tulum? It’s says no service in my region..
That’s a good question, it’s a while since I was in Tulum. I’m pretty sure did use Uber when I was there. I’ll ask around :)
My boyfriend and I just got back from a trip to Cancun, and getting around was pretty rough. The Uber drivers are really scared of the taxi-mafia. At one point we were stranded late at night near a mall, trying for an hour to get an Uber, but they were too afraid of the taxis nearby. We finally had to give up and take a taxi, who was pissed off at us when we didn’t know how to give exact directions to our place. We ended up taking one more taxi ride while there, and the driver was again irritated that we didn’t know the exact location of our destination. I had to look up directions on google maps and direct the driver. We were only able to take an Uber once or twice with my boyfriend riding in the front (to look like friends, not customers), and only if our pickup spot was far away from the taxis.
Thanks so much for the update – it’s really helpful! Such a shame that the taxi-mafia has the city so controlled, it’s so unfair and they rip tourists off way too much. I don’t mind paying a little over the odds but I personally can’t afford a $30 10 minute taxi ride! I found walking a block away from anywhere with a taxi pick up zone was usually enough to then order an Uber.
Thanks again for commenting with up to date info :)
We just came from a highway chase. Two taxi drivers wouldn’t let us go. Luckely our uber driver had a friend with him to hold them back. But one got on to us and tried to get us of the road. Luckily a policecar appeared and the taxi backed off. It was very dangerous. After the ride i found this blog. We didn’t know of the taxi mafia.
Oh my gosh that’s so scary! I hope you’re ok? It’s so horrendous the way taxi drivers feel empowered to behave like this. I don’t know what the best advice is, because on the one hand, using Uber in Cancun could be dangerous if taxi drivers realise that’s what you’re doing. But on the other hand many taxi drivers, like these ones you encountered, are clearly criminals and dangerous so it’s not a good idea to support them either. For me personally, I’ll always stick to Uber and just try to do it carefully.
Dear Emily, this is a Mexican boy who has lived all his life in Cancun. As you have well explained, taxis not only feel empowered, they HAVE the power to commit crimes against Uber drivers, or charge the rate they want since (below, a secret that only citizens know), the union of taxi drivers pay for the state governors’ campaigns, so they have many rights over the law. That is why Uber has not been able to function legally, thanks to the corruption that exists in my beautiful Mexico. NO citizen likes to use Taxi, but we are practically forced by not being free to use other platforms. I have an AirBnb, and the recommendations that I give to my guests are; Always use Uber, if it is not available to use a second application that works like Uber and is called Cabify, they work with the state taxis but it is safer because you can see the rate before confirming the ride, you can see the plates of the vehicle and they have tracking. I also advise you to use an ADO bus to and from the airport since the price per person is $ 90 MXN (about $ 5 USD), and if you want to go to the hotel zone, use Route 1 or 2 which costs $ 12 per person ( 3 or 4 dollars per person), I mean, practically never use Taxi. Please excuse my bad English, I am not fully bilingual yet.
Hi Alejandro! Thank you so much for your insight, it’s so helpful to hear from another local about this. The taxi unions in Cancun are awful, such a shame to see that corruption. Especially because Mexico is one of my favourite countries in the world – I love almost everything about it!
Gracias por su comentario y su conocimiento. Su ingles es MUCHO mejor que mi espanol!!
Thank you for all of this information. In two days I am traveling to Cancun. I did reserve USA transfers to and from the airport but we are also staying at 3 different hotels over several days.For example Aquamarina Hotel to Live Aqua Hotel to the Renaissance at Marina Puerto Cancun Hotel, all within the Hotel Zone. Using USA transfers to go from hotel to hotel is quite expensive $45US each way. I’m wondering if it’s best to just book with them since we have luggage and it seems like getting an Uber may not be easily accessible. I also downloaded the cabify app but I can’t use it from the US just when in Mexico so not sure how easy it will be to use. Any recommendations are greatly appreciated.
Hi Natalie
Hopefully I’m not too late getting back to you on this. To move between hotels within Cancun I wouldn’t pre-book a transfer as it will work out incredibly expensive. These hotels are baout 15 mins drive from one another so $45 USD is very priecy for such a short journey.
Once you reach Mexico you’ll Cabify is really easy to use, very similar to Uber, so it’s a good option. And if it doesn’t work for any reason, then ask your hotel to call you a cab – this should still work out much cheaper than the $45 prebooked transfer. Just make sure they have a meter or you confirm the price first – ask the hotel reception what the price should be before ordering the cab so that you know you won’t be ripped off!
Hope that helps, enjoy your holiday!
Hi Alejandro,
We are coming to Cancun on April 1. We need to get from the Royal Sands to Porto Juarez. What is the best and safest way for us to get there?
We used Uber all the time in Cabo several years ago. We couldn’t get one from the airport on arrival however we did get one to take us back when it was time to leave. They were all great. No issues whatsoever. j Last year in Cancun, we were on the hotel zone and found the bus system to be the least cost with very little waiting. The locals were always friendly and helpful when we weren’t sure where to get off. That is our favorite mode of transportation so far. We are planning another Cancun trip off the hotel zone and will certainly be choosing Uber over a taxi when we can’t hop on a bus.
Thanks so much for commenting Bonnie! The buses are great and so convenient – I used them a lot when I was there too. I’d definitely encourage anyone travelling in Cancun to give them a try, especially to and from the Hotel Zone. But I think for safety, the Uber app is just the best because it tracks your location and everything – so I think it’s great for travellers who are maybe unsure about using public transport. Was Uber still working fine when you last visited Cancun?
Thank you so much for all this information. I’m going to cancun in one week for a family vacation and, I was wondering about all this uber situation. I’ll stay at hacienda tres rios and planing to visit Playa del Carmen one day (closest place to the resort). Hopefully I will be able to get a uber to pick me up from resort. If you guys have any referrals for uber or taxi drivers that I can contact would be great. Thanks
Hi Rony. I don’t have any referrals for specific drivers but in my experience Uber drivers were always nice and much better than taxi drivers. However you may struggle to get an Uber driver to come into the “Hotel Zone” in Cancun or right into your resort, so you may want to walk away a bit before trying to order. They’re very afraid of the taxi drivers who threaten them. Alternatively, the ADO buses run frequently to Playa del Carmen and they’re incredibly comfy and convenient so that’s another option :)
I’m in Cancun right now and found your article precisely because of that, the Uber app keeps telling us that there are no cars available. I know get that is because we are in the hotel area so yeah, don’t even try to open the app here.
Thanks for the info!
Oh thanks for the latest update Saira :) Annoying it doesn’t show any cars in the hotel area now. But when I was there last you could take a cheap bus from the hotel zone towards the downtown and it’s easier to grab an Uber there :)
Great article, helped me out a lot on my trip! (Sep-Oct 2021) Can confirm that Uber works exceedingly well in downtown areas of Cancun, but not so much if you try to get one to pick you up in the hotel zone (drop off is no problem). Taking the bus back into downtown area and getting an Uber on a sidestreet works very well. The prices are fantastic and all the cars are clean, have seatbelts, air conditioning, and friendly driver’s! Such a better experience over haggling with Taxi’s.
Thanks so much for the update Zach! Travelling by Uber is definitely so much more convenient and comfortable than the taxis in Cancun – and I personally think it’s safer, too. Uber drivers have to maintain their ratings etc, whereas the taxi drivers seem to have no one to answer to!
Vacationing in Cancun at this very moment. When we arrived we were completely unavailable to get an Uber at the airport. Taxis swarmed us like hawks and we ended up paying $40 US Dollars to our hotel in cancun city not the hotel zone. In downtown Cancun we were able to find Uber fairly easy although we were asked to be decrete and act like we were friends or cousins. And if possible for one of us to ride in the front and not both of us in the back. Taxis charged on average 3-to-5 times more for the same ride. Complely ridiculous and absurd. The Taxi unions operate bordering on mafia style tactics and predatory charges. We’ve gotten a fair and honest taxi driver. They exist. But unfortunately they are few and far between. So sad. We’ve traveled all over the US and to several countries abroud including around Northern and Southern Mexico. Cancun is a very sad and frustrating place to navigate with taxis.
It really is isn’t it – such a shame as it can make tourists feel so unwelcome. I always take the bus from the airport, they’re super frequent and really affordable – and ADO buses are also really nice. From the downtown bus station it’s much easier to take an Uber. A bit less convenient and quick, but I’m always on a tight backpacking budget so can’t afford $40 for a short taxi ride! Have fun with the rest of your holiday – hope it gets easier :)
In Cancun now, the bellboys (or bell men) at our hotel in the HotelZone said “Ubers don’t work here.” Meaning there was no Ubers. My app shows their available but he insisted they aren’t here. Taxis are crazy expensive. A 6 mile/ 9 mile cab ride was $20!!! The Uber app said the ride would be $5. 4x as much for a taxi.
The bellboys have a notebook with pricing for taxis from the hotel to certain hot spots and they can give you the price, but the taxi driver always add $5 to $10 on top of the price. Best to negotiate before you get in cab.
Uber are definitely available in Cancun but the taxis and hotel chains won’t let them pick you up on the hotel strip. If you walk out of your hotel and down the road a bit, you should be able to order an Uber no problem. Best to follow the tips in my post, sit in the front, pretend its a friend etc. If you want to save money then Uber is your best friend in Cancun :)
Thank you so much for all the information. This is really helpful to know.
March 2022 — I’m staying at an Airbnb in Playa del Carmen (not near any big hotels) and I’m getting the “Uber is unavailable in your area” message.
Hi Amanda! Thanks for commenting with the latest info. I don’t think there is Uber in Playa del Carmen, there wasn’t last time I was there and it’s a fair bit smaller than Cancun. There is still Uber in Cancun but it’s made tricky by the taxi drivers unfortunately.
I tried to take an Uber in downtown Cancun by the ado station and got the “Uber isn’t available in your area” sign so I don’t think it’s just the beach hotel zone
Oh dear that’s not a good sign – it was still working down at the ADO station last time I visited. Have you tried it again since? Wondering if it’s just that area of the city or if it’s city-wide? Uber’s website still claims Uber is available in Cancun but if there are no drivers left or something then it would show unavailable I guess. Let me know if you get a chance to try again elsewhere in the city.
Update from April 2022 – Uber is now most likely always 50% cheaper. There are still many people, who told us Uber is still illegal and tried to scare us with “horror stories” about being robbed by Uber drivers and so on. From my point of view, I made the bad experiences with the taxis since these are very unfriendly, charged very high prices. Uber were always right on time, always showed up and we had never a problem for several rides.
Thank you for commenting Caro – good to know Uber is still working great in Cancun. It’s so helpful to get an update so thank you very much :) In my experience, Uber was always cheaper, friendlier, safer and more convenient than taking a taxi.
Hi there,
Thank you for all this awesome information. Going to Cancun in a few days and looking forward to using Uber. Praying not to get bullied :s
Good luck!
Just returned from Cancun. We took an Uber several times. We stayed about 15 mins north of the hotel zone, so it was sometimes a little harder to get an Uber to pick us up. So we would have to take a hotel taxi down to the hotel Zone. But we never had an issue getting an Uber to pick us up on hotel zone. We did have to wait about 15-20 mins for one, bit that was the longest we had to wait for any of them . Some of the Uber drivers didn’t care about the taxis being around, and some did, especially the newer drivers.
But we never had any issues of taxis heckling the Uber drivers or us. We were just quite about using Uber and we would try to move out of sight of taxis. I did have one Uber driver that got upset with me cause he ask if taxis were around, and I told him no. He was picking up from our resort, but when he picked us up – he said that I lied to him. Our resort did have a taxi services (using red unmarked cars)
He show those and freaked out . But they didn’t care. They worked with the resorts- has set prices for certain locations, no meters . We found if you want to use Uber in Cancun, plan ahead and allow for extra time .
Thank you so much for this update Rachel, it’s super helpful! Especially good to know that Uber drivers are mainly OK coming into the hotel zone, as I had a couple of issues with that last time I was there. Thank you for leaving a comment – it really helps :)
I take Uber at CDMX MEX airport all the time.
Do you take it from the airport? If so, how do you call it? Last time I was there it said “Uber unavailable”!
Hi there is there a specific pick up point?
Some countries the Ubers are not allowed to enter the airport parking to pick you up… sadly!
Is the a specific pick up point?
Asking because sadly in some countries Ubers are not allowed to enter the airport parking to pick you up…
Good point – perhaps there’s a new pickup point. I’ll be back at the airport in a couple of months so will be able to check myself, unless someone can answer in the meantime :)
UPDATE!
Just watched a travel guide on YouTube and there’s now a pick up point for Ubers at Mexico City airport, parallel to the taxi point.
Happy days!
Ah that’s useful to know! Mexico City generally seems a bit more open to Ubers than Cancun. I think Uber is still restricted at Cancun airport – but I’m flying there in January so I’ll be able to check the situation when I go!
Hey Emily, this blog is super insightful and great to have the low down before travelling to Cancun. My Girlfriend (female – 24 years old) has gone on a solo trip to Mexico and soon to head to Cancun Airport and head to Playa del Carmen from there. I’ve been trying to help her and generally worried about how she will navigate the commute and how she will be in Playa Del Carmen. She’s coming from Quanajuato which she felt was very safe and had gotten ubers day to day everywhere with no feeling of any threat. If you or anyone on the thread have any tips and advice around her travels in Cancun and Playa Del Carmen in Aug 2022, including how to navigate out of the airport and just general do’s and don’ts that would be amazing and very very much appreciated. I think her having been in San Miguel De Allende and around all of the rich culture and laid back nature of the city, she has let her guard down a little, I want to give her some sound advice from all the way over in Australia and I am hoping I may have found the perfect place to find that advice! I love this thread so much, thanks in advance
Hi Ryan! I think all my own advice is in the blog post already – but I would say for the airport the best bet is to take an ADO bus. You can take one straight from Cancun Airport to Playa del Carmen and it’s super easy and safe. No need to worry about an Uber or taxi, and by far the cheapest option. There’s an ADO counter just as you leave the baggage hall :)
As for any more up to date advice, hopefully some of the others in the comment thread can help!
If you also had any tips for travelling in Cancun and Playa Del Carmen, that would also be amazing, thank you so so much everyone!
Used Uber in Cancun as well as taxi, transfer, and a bus. Really all of them were better experiences than I thought they would be. The only problem I had was getting an Uber to our hotel in costa mujeres from the city center. We had several people accept and then cancel on us. I get it’s pretty far for Cancun. We also had trouble getting out of hotel zone with Uber but the red bus was easy to get and ride. In the city Uber was great. We tried cabify but the driver showed up far away and then wanted us to pay in cash even though we had already paid on the app-i think. The app was confusing to use so maybe we hadn’t paid. We ended up having to get a regular taxi out of the center to our hotel. Since I can speak Spanish I was able to haggle the price down which was less intimidating than I thought it would be. Ended up paying 350 pesos from the Costco to the hotel.
Thanks so much for the up to date feedback! So useful to hear from a recent traveller :)
I need to get from the Ultramar ferry terminal to a car rental place about 17 minutes south (not at the airport). Do you think we’ll we able to get an Uber? Or should we go with Cabify?
Hi Beth! You should be able to get an Uber from there – although you may need to cross the road or walk away from the ferry terminal a little bit! Hope that helps :)
Hi Emily (and everyone)
Do you know if it is possible to get an Uber from Cancun to Playa Del Carmen or Tulum?
Would the Uber drivers drop people at those destinations?
I’ve not had much luck with long distance Ubers in the past, but some drivers might do it. However you can take an ADO bus from Cancun to both those destinations – it’s cheap, comfortable and very convenient. That would be my recommendation :)
Would anyone recommend renting a car in Cancun? we will be staying in Playa del Carmen and was wondering. We want to go to some tours also and want to make it easy to get there. I hadn’t heard of the Red Bus, do you know if Playa del Carmen has a bus to take people to tour destinations?
Thank you
It’s super easy to get from Cancun to Playa del Carmen by bus, the ADO go directly there from the airport and the central bus station. Getting around to different tour destinations from Playa del Carmen would be different, though – so it depends where you’re hoping to go from there. I’ve rented cars to get around the Yucatan before (my friend drove) and it gives a lot of freedom. But many tours will collect you from your hotel, so you may not need it, depending on how you plan on travelling and what tours you book etc. There are also local buses and the collectives (shared vans) which are like a minibus service – for example you can take one of those from Playa del Carmen to Akumal.
October 2022 –
This website is still accurate. As well, some Cancun hotels may not allow you to wait for Uber at their resort. Thus, you may have to walk to the sidewalk.
Lastly, I was just in Cabo last month, and this article would be applicable there too… except that the hotels will definitively not let the Uber drivers into their resort to pick you up – that’s any hotel!
Thanks for the update! I’ll be heading back to Cancun in January so will check for another update then :)
2022: Cancun Hotel Zone is a minimum of $200pesos ($10.50us). This Hotel Zone Taxi Cartel charges the highest rates in Cancun to anywhere. I live in Pok-taPok (2km from Hotel Zone). It is a 1km walk to the Bus stop and the taxi stand in Pok-ta-Pok will not drive you there unless your pay the minimum $200pesos. This sucks for Condo, Hotel workers and tourist staying in Pok-ta-Pok. Uber is not allowed to pick you up in the Hotel Zone. A shuttle, cart cart or local bus A1/A2 route would be nice if they service Pok-ta-Pok.
Thanks so much for the update Robert. I’m heading back to Cancun myself soon so it’s great to have the latest info :)
Emily, I’m in Cancun right now. There have been recent incidents where Ubers have been attacked by taxi drivers and their riders have been pulled from the vehicles. This afternoon taxis blocked the access for the entire hotel zone for an hour or more to protest Uber… it’s getting ugly. And it’s potentially dangerous to use Uber.
Hi Mitch – thanks for the update. I was there a couple of weeks ago and had to use Cabify as Uber wasn’t working at all. Apparently, there was another ruling just after I left, around mid-Jan, so I think tensions are high. I’ve been waiting for the dust to settle on the latest developments before updating this post again but will be doing so.
In the meantime, I recommend trying Cabify for now – it works in a similar way to Uber but seems to have less issues (although they also aren’t allowed to pick up from the hotel zone, as each taxi company has its own ‘patch’).
I wanted to look up the price of an Uber in Playa del Carmen and anywhere I type a lication it says rude not available. As a lical we are ALL si tired if the taxis charging us what they want and really want Uber here. The city politicians do not help at all as the taxi union is so strong here that City Hall pretty much lets them have their way. The cops won’t even call tow trucks when the taxis block cara and/or entrances. I will start carrying my rubber nightstick and a flashlight that discharges an electrical shock when I can find an Uber… we will eventually win!
Oh wow so is the situation getting worse there since the decision in January? I need to have a read through the news sites and update this post – hopefully Uber will start to improve soon!
Hey,
I’m here in Mexico presently, and Uber did not work at the Cancun Airport nor in Tulum, nor in Bacalar. It states no car available. It does show availability from Cancun to the airport, but haven’t hailed one yet to see if it actually works. Hope this helps others.
Thanks Amanda. It was the same when I was there in Feb :( I have a feeling it may never work at Cancun Airport. It was showing availability in the city centre when I was last there, but every time I tried to hail one it just timed out. I think the drivers might decline accounts if they see a foreigner’s profile pic. But Cabify is a good alternative within the city centre at least.
When I arrived at CDMX I had not yet installed the Uber app as I was not sure if my mobile data would work. I had prebooked a taxi from the airport to my B&B, and my hosts pre-ordered a taxi for my trip to Teotihuacan as well as short Uber rides to be paid in effective. My flight to Cancun was cancelled and I had a lot of trouble, therefore I forgot to change my pre-booking for the airport taxi there. As I was satisfied with the official taxi site at CDMX bus terminal, I was so naive to think this would also work in Cancun … They charged me 2000 MXN for the ride to Puerto Juarez! Only the night after I came across your website. That’s when I installed the Uber app. When I had to go to the doctor, a long-term resident took me into town with his car as he claimed Uber would not come out to our hotel. From there I ordered my first ride – and got home well also. There are still difficulties – another day I called Uber to my hotel. Several taxis were lingering in front, so I walked a bit along the street. Only seconds before my driver arrived, a taxi came speeding up and flashlighted as if it was for me – but also went away when I said no. One Uber driver offered to bring me back to the airport; it was a bit adventurous with rushing to put the suitcase on the rear seat and also with paying him in secret. However, he was positive that things will get better – obviously there was another legal ruling in April 2023 – also because hotels should have an interest that tourists do not get ripped off.
Thanks so much for sharing your experiences – and interesting to hear there was another legal ruling in April. Hopefully that means things will start changing for the better soon, expecially if you were able to take Ubers without issue :)
No Uber rides available at the Cancun International airport as of Jan 25,2024. I’m currently here now and no rides were available
Thanks for the update Marva. I’ve never been able to order an Uber at Cancun airport – even when it’s working fine in the city itself.
I went to the airport with a local friend to pickup my son today.The taxi representatives warmed the car and tried to intimidate us and prevent us from leaving the whole time accusing us of being uber.They eventually let’s us go after taking down the car plates number.Very upsetting.
Oh gosh that sounds horrible, very scary. They can be so overwhelming even when they’re just trying to make you get a taxi so I can imagine it’s much worse in your situation. Sounds like getting at Uber to or from the airport is still pretty much impossible, thank you so much for leaving a comment with the update. Hope your son had/is having a good trip regardless of the awkward start!
I just arrived in Cancun and spent a while reading this post and several others regarding Uber. I’m super grateful for the information as a woman travelling alone, and not feeling 100 well, Uber has been my choice of travel.
I was slightly worried about using Uber due to the comments from other travellers, but wanted to add that from March 24 Uber seems to be ok here.
My driver said it is very widely used and legal and you won’t get into any issues, just don’t attempt to book where a taxi rank is (literally cross the street and do it there). I had a lovely driver who not only picked me up to get groceries, he also waited around, stood guard while I got cash from the ATM and brought me home. He also offered to be my private driver while in cancun.
I wish I hadn’t of stressed so much about using Uber, it was a pleasure to use them and they came quickly.
Hi Alison. Thanks so much for commenting with an update, it’s so helpful to hear from recent travellers. Glad to hear things are still workign well out there. I’ve only ever struggled at the airport, everywhere else it’s usually fine and Uber drivers are generally much nicer and safer than taxi drivers.
Enjoy your trip!
Hi, good post, thank you all for the information.
Any update of Uber pickup at Cancun Airport as of Oct 2024 ? I am flying there Nov 2024.
Hi Jo. As far as I know you stll can’t get Uber pick up at the airport. I suspect that is unlikely to ever change unfortunately. I’d recommend pre-booking a transfer – it’s pricey but taxis often charge even more from the airport. If you’re on a budget you can take the ADO bus into downtown Cancun and then call an Uber with no issues.
Have a fantastic trip!
If you get approached by taxi hacklers do this
1) as for price I was quoted 1000
2) compare with uber
3) Stand on that price plus minus 100
4) do not just take slip ask them to take to taxi and get you inside it.
5) if they say you are taking uber its illegal its not correct. Tell them ok to call cops.
6) someone shows with just cancun and photo and says I am cop ignore just a union guy.
7) Use Uber everywhere its the most secure way and is what all pay. Show thumbs down when taxi guys call you out stating I am ok dont need taxi.
8) Be strong and dont get distracted get an ADO bus for 105 MX
All this will not be there an issue I guess change is eminent as Uber is the most secure way to travel.
Thanks so much for the input :) I didn’t know about union guys pretending to be police, so that’s a handy tip as it would likely fool some travellers. I always think the safest thing is to just walk away from the taxis and find a quiet side street to call an Uber when possible!