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 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, I will also tell you a much better option to get from the Cancun Airport 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 private transportation.
However, when it’s the only option, here are my top tips on getting a taxi from Cancun airport.
Cancun Key Info
WHEN TO VISIT
December through May is best for the weather, and May through November is more affordable.
HOW TO GET THERE
Fly to Cancun International Airport CUN
HOW TO GET AROUND
Renting a car is the best way to move around Cancun and explore its surroundings! Use Discover Cars to book your rental. Public transport is available, but not as convenient.
IDEAL TRIP LENGTH
3-6 days – more if you go on a road trip.
PLACES TO VISIT
Cancu Beach
Isla Mujeres
Playa del Carmen
Cenotes
Mayan Ruins
Tulum
Valladolid
Coba
MUST-DO ACTIVITIES
Catamaran cruise to Isla Mujeres
BEST BEACHES
Playa Delfines
Playa Langosta
Playa ChaacMol
Playa Marlyn
RESTAURANTS
Marbella
Socio Naiz Taqueria
El Pocito
Thai
MY TOP 3 HOTEL PICKS
Krystal Grand Cancun
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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 unnecessary stress and probably some money. Keep reading for my airport taxi tips:
1. Pre-Book Your Ride
When you get to Cancu,n 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 will be cheaper. They are professional, reliable, and 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 timeshare people are offering you, and head to one of the booths to book your transportation.
There are desks for car rentals, hotel transfers, public buses, and airport taxis. However you get to your hotel, it is a good idea to pay 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 a reservation in advance.
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 transport visitors. Not only do these cars lack proper safety permits, but they are also not subject to safety inspections that official taxis are.
As you can imagine, official taxi drivers are not happy about pirate taxis taking their work and making money. There have been reports of violent encounters between official and pirate taxi 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 check the taxi ID number and make sure the car looks in good condition.
But this is another good reason why it’s very much recommended to pre-book 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 in pesos, dollars, or with a credit card at the airport. But, beware, companies can set their own exchange rate if they accept foreign currency.
This means that you may get a substantially lower exchange rate than you would in town at a money exchange 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 for your shuttle or 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 take a taxi, it is a good idea to have a rough idea of the fare. Ask the driver the fare before getting in, and if it feels too high, ask another 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, it can 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 your reservation number readily available will help if 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 mentioned, taxis are not the only option for getting 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 convenient.
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. 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 convenient 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 on a taxi from the ADO bus station to your hotel.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it easy to get a taxi in Cancun?
Yes, it is easy to find a taxi in Cancun. There is a designated taxi stand at the Cancun airport that always has taxis waiting for passengers.
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?
That depends on whom you find. Unfortunately, taxi drivers are notorious for overcharging visitors the fare from the airport to their hotel. Taxis in Cancun do not have meters, so make sure to agree on the ride fare before getting into the taxi.
Is it safe to take a taxi at the Cancun Airport?
It is safe to take a taxi at the Cancun airport, just beware of fake or ‘pirate’ taxis. There has been an increase in the number of these unlicensed taxis picking up unsuspecting tourists at the Cancun airport.
If you take a taxi, make sure to get it from the official taxi stand and check that the taxi number is clearly visible on the outside. The driver should be in the taxi uniform with the official taxi union logo on it.
How much should a taxi cost from the airport to Cancun?
It really depends on where you book it. The Cancun airport website has a rate of 24+ USD from the Cancun airport to the Hotel Zone. However, I have never used this service so I can’t really say if it’s reliable and accurate.
How much do you tip airport drivers in Cancun?
Most people tip airport drivers a few dollars, or 50 pesos per person. Keep in mind that tipping in Cancun is welcomed but not mandatory.
Do I need to book a taxi from Cancun Airport?
No, you do not need to pre-book a taxi from the Cancun airport; however, there are many advantages to pre-booking.
If you are arriving late at night or early in the morning, pre-booking transportation will ensure a driver is waiting for you.
You will also save money by booking in advance, as it will get you to your hotel faster instead of waiting to book at the airport.
Is there an Uber at the Cancun Airport?
No, Uber in Cancun does not operate at the airport.
Is there a free shuttle at Cancun Airport?
There is a free shuttle that can take you between the four airport terminals at the Cancun airport. It does not leave the airport property.
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 game plan BEFORE you land. Pre-booking transportation will make your airport experience a breeze, helping you avoid scams and get out onto the beach as fast as possible!
