9 Essential Cancun Airport Taxi Tips That You Should Know About (by a local!)
I wouldn’t recommend getting a taxi from Cancun Airport as there are many other better options. However, if you really need to, here are some useful Cancun Airport Taxi Tips that will help you have a better experience.
At the end of the post will also tell you a much better option to get from Cancun Airport too as well.
Hello there, this is Isabella, I have been living in Cancun since 2010 and I know quite a bit about taxis in Cancun Airport. I always try to avoid them, when possible, and I’d rather rent a car or get a private transportation.
However, when it’s the only option, here are my top tips on getting a taxi from Cancun airport.
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Cancun Airport Taxi Tips
With hotels to book and excursions to plan, it is easy to overlook an important part of your vacation- transportation from the airport to your hotel. Taking care of this detail ahead of time will save you some unnecesary stress and probably some money. Keep reading for my airport taxi tips:
1. Pre-Book Your Ride
When you get to Cancun the last thing you want to do is negotiate transportation prices, figure out the best way to pay, and drag your suitcase all over the terminal. I recommend pre-booking your transportation whenever possible.
And this is why I don’t recommend taking a taxi. Using a reputable company, such as Cancun Airport Transportation Service, will give you a much better service than a taxi in Cancun Airport and cheaper. They are professional, reliable, they speak English and will be there waiting for you as soon as you get out of the airport.
2. Register At The Desk If You Didn’t Prebook
If you forgot to prebook your private transportation you can always do it when you land.
Once you clear customs and immigration you will walk into a hallway lined with different desks and timeshare salespeople. Politely decline anything that the time share people are offering you, and head to one of the booths to book your transportation.
There are desks for car rentals, hotel transferes, the public buses, and airport taxis. However you decide to get to your hotel, it is a good idea to pay inside at the desk. It will be more expensive than booking with Cancun Airport transportation Services, but it’s a good option, if you forget to make your reservation ahead of time.
If you do happen to walk past the desks and exit the terminal, you can still pay for transportation, but it can feel much more hectic. The desks have clearly printed information showing you the cost of services offered, and it is more comfortable to pay at the desk than in the busy outdoor area.
3. Official vs. Unofficial Taxis
Moving tourists around is a big business in Cancun, and the airport is full of people needing to get to their hotel. This has created a huge market for unofficial or ‘pirate’ taxis as they are referred to in Cancun.
Pirate taxis do not have official taxi licenses, meaning they do not have proper permission or insurance to be transporting visitors. Not only do these cars lack proper safey permits, and are not subject to safety inspections that official taxis are.
As you can imagine, official taxi drivers are not happy about pirate taxis taking work from them and making money. There have been reports of violent encounters between official and pirate taxis drivers.
Needless to say, if you choose to take a taxi, make sure it is an official one. Official taxis in Cancun and Playa del Carmen are white with green lines on them. They have their taxi ID number on the side, and the driver should be wearing the union uniform with the official logo on it.
Taxis at the airport have specific pick-up points, so only take a cab from that area. Before getting in it is a good idea to take a look at the taxi ID number, and make sure the car looks like it is in good shape.
But this is another good reason why it’s very much recommended pre-booking your hotel transportation from Cancun Airport in advance.
4. Currency Exchange
If you have to take a taxi when you arrive at Cancun Airport and haven’t prebooked and pre-paid for it, you will have the option to pay pesos, dollars, or credit cards at the airport. But, beware, companies can set their own exchange rate if they accept foreign currency.
This means that you may get a substancially lower exchange rate than you would in town at a money exchagne booth or bank.
All airports have foreign currency exchange services, but you will often pay more for this service than if you wait until you are in town to change money.
My best advice is to prepay your shuttle, or try to bring a few pesos with you to use at the airport. If you need to exchange money, try to wait until you are in town to get the best rate.
5. Ask for the Fare Upfront
If you decide to take a taxi from the airport, make sure you ask for the price BEFORE getting into the taxi. Taxis in Cancun do not have meters, it is up to the taxi driver to tell you the rate.
There is an official rate chart; however, taxis are notorious for overcharging unknowing tourists. This is especially true at the airport, as taxis are known to prey on tired travelers who just want to get to their hotel.
The same rule applies during your vacation too. Whenever you are going to take a taxi, it is a good idea to have a general idea of what the fare will be. Ask the driver the cost before getting in, and if it feels too high, ask a different taxi driver. There are many waiting outside the airport.
Even better, before asking a taxi, ask at the reception of your hotel an estimate of the cost of the ride you want to take. This way you will know if the taxi driver has offered a reasonable rate.
6. Finding Your Ride
If you pre book your transportation there will be a person waiting for you with a sign with your name on it to take you to the car/van. In a crowd of people, it can sometimes be a challenge to find your driver.
Make sure to have your shuttle information with you, preferably saved to your phone so you do not need to count on getting good cell phone service.
Having the name of your shuttle service and reservation number easily available will help in case there are any complications finding your ride.
7. Know Your Destination
Just like you should know the name of your shuttle company, you really should know the name of your final destination and the precise address if you are staying in an Airbnb in Cancun.
Even if you are going to an Hotel in Cancun, you can appreciate that Cancun has hundreds of hotels, many belonging to the same parent company, and therefore with a similar name.
It is a good idea to know your specific hotel name and address to guarantee your shuttle takes you to the right place!
8. Avoid Scams
Stay alert and avoid Cancun common scams! Now that you know about pirate taxis and taxi drivers who try to overcharge you, you can protect yourself.
Drivers at the airport know that visitors are tired and in a hurry to leave the airport, and they will try to take advantage of you.
Always take your time asking the price before getting into a car, and make sure that you are taking an official taxi. These small steps only take a few seconds, but will save you a headache later.
Or you can always prebook your transfer with a reputable company such as Cancun Airport Transportation.
9. Learn Basic Spanish Phrases
Learning some basic Spanish can help you communicate with your driver. Knowing how to ask where things are and how much something costs will empower you to negotiate with the taxi drivers.
Plus, taxi drivers will be less likely to try to scam a visitor who can communicate in Spanish.
Alternative Transportation Methods
As I have mentioned, taxis are not the only form of transportation to take from the Cancun airport to your hotel. If you would rather avoid the hassle of negotiating your price, you can choose between a private shuttle, shared shuttle, or take the ADO public bus.
Private shuttles are the fastest and easiest way to get from the airport to your hotel. They are an especially great option if you are traveling with other people because you can divide the cost among everyone- making them economical and convinient.
The best part is that you will get to your hotel in no time, without any other stops.
There are several different shuttle services to choose from, and I especially like Cancun Airport Transportation. You can easily book their shuttles online, and they have different options available depending on the size of your group and if you want, you can upgrade to a luxury option!
If you are looking to save a little money or traveling alone and do not want to pay for a private shuttle, you can book a shared shuttle,. These shuttles drop guests off at several different hotels, and the amount of time you spend in the shuttle depends on where your hotel is along the route.
The ADO public buses pick up passengers at the airport. You can choose between the route to downtown Cancun or Playa del Carmen. The ADO buses are air conditioned, comfortable, and even show movies on board.
They are a cost effective way to get around, and especially convinient if you are staying in downtown Cancun. From the ADO bus station you may be able to walk to your hotel or you can take a short cab ride.
INSIDER TIP – If you are staying in the Hotel Zone, there is no point in getting an ADO, because the money you will save by taking the bus you will spend them in the taxi from the ADO bus station to your hotel.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it easy to get a taxi in Cancun?
Popular areas in the hotel zone and downtown Cancun usually have taxi stands where there are taxis waiting, or you can easily flag a taxi.
Are taxis reliable at Cancun Airport?
Is it safe to take a taxi in Cancun Airport?
How much should a taxi cost from the airport to Cancun?
How much do you tip airport drivers in Cancun?
Do I need to book a taxi from Cancun Airport?
If you are arriving late at night or early in the morning, pre-booking transportation will guarantee there is a driver waiting for you.
You will also save money by booking in advance as it will get you faster to your hotel instead of waiting to book at the airport.
Is there an Uber in Cancun Airport?
Is there a free shuttle at Cancun Airport?
Final Thoughts: Cancun airport taxi tips
The Cancun airport is busy- it receives over 30,000,000 visitors each year! With so many people coming and going, it can feel hectic. Avoid airport stress by having a gameplan BEFORE you land. Pre-booking transportation will make your airport experiece a breeze, helping you avoid scams and get out onto the beach as fast as possible!
