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Tourism officials move to end airport taxi abuses at Cancún International

MND Staff
By MND Staff
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Cancún will soon launch a program at the International Airport (AIC) to improve transportation, mobility and the traveler's experience
Taxis departing from the Cancún International Airport are known to charge tourists upwards of 100 dollars for a ride to the hotel zone. (Shutterstock)

Tourism authorities in Cancún are working to improve transportation, mobility and the traveler experience at Cancún International Airport, according to a recent announcement by Quintana Roo Tourism Minister Bernardo Cueto Riestra. 

The ministry’s efforts include resolving issues negatively impacting tourism to Cancún, including mistreatment of passengers, exorbitant taxi fares and frequent blockades in the resort city’s hotel zone.

In the announcement, Cueto noted that for several years, the local government had been detached from the happenings at the state’s airports. They are now striving to improve the traveler experience and become more competitive as a tourist destination. 

“We need to improve some aspects and dynamics at the Cancún airport to ensure our tourists have a better experience. This is crucial for … competitiveness,” Cueto emphasized.

Cueto explained that immediate actions include halting irregular transport services and improving taxi fares to ensure they are not determined by supply and demand. Authorities aim to enforce fair prices to reduce abuses by some taxi operators and improve passenger mobility. 

Taxis departing from the Cancún International Airport are known to charge tourists upwards of 100 dollars for a ride to the hotel zone. According to the rates established by the city, a one-way trip from the airport to the hotel zone should cost between 100 to 400 pesos (US $5 to 20). 

The confrontation between hitmen and members of the Judicial Police of Quintana Roo, in the Paraíso Maya subdivision, resulted in the death of the alleged leader of an organized crime group, known by the alias El Memín. The police officers, supported by members of the Mexican Army, were carrying out an operation in the subdivision to surround El Memín, who tried to escape and resisted capture. The alleged hitman fired from inside a taxi, with license plate 3457, against the members of the Judicial Police and the military, but was shot down by them during the shootout. Another alleged criminal, nicknamed El Flaco, was injured in the shootout, who received a graze and two bullet wounds in the arm. He, along with two others, were arrested.
Users and drivers of ride-hailing apps have experienced increasing acts of violence from taxi drivers in Cancún, who are known to charge higher fares than those determined by local law. (Amaranta Prieto/Cuartoscuro)

In addition to the pricing issues, users of rideshare apps like Uber have experienced acts of violence from taxi drivers. 

On Dec. 12, local police arrested three taxi drivers in Puerto Morelos, south of Cancún, for threatening a tourist for using a rideshare app. Videos posted on social media show drivers blocking an English-speaking tourist from getting into the rideshare car. Immediately after, the governor of Quintana Roo, Mara Lezama, said in a statement that the taxi driver’s license had been permanently revoked.

In January 2023, the Supreme Court granted permission for Uber and other rideshare platforms to operate in areas of Cancún and the Riviera Maya, but strong opposition from local taxi operators has led to conflict, increasing attacks by taxi drivers.

With reports from Vértigo Político, Por Esto! and Diario Cambio 22

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