A series of incidents involving taxi and Uber drivers in the Cancun area of Mexico has the US Embassy issuing a warning and some travel advisors advising clients to leave plenty of time to get to the airport.
The Embassy this week cautioned that “in the wake of recent incidents involving taxi and Uber drivers in Quintana Roo, U.S. citizens are reminded of guidance provided on Travel.State.gov, specifically about the use of application-based transportation services in Mexico.” (Security Alert – Quintana Roo (01/23/2023) – U.S. Embassy & Consulates in Mexico (usembassy.gov)
The guidance notes that “application-based car services such as Uber and Cabify are available in many Mexican cities, and generally offer another safe alternative to taxis…disputes between these services and local taxi unions have occasionally turned violent, resulting in injuries to U.S. citizens in some instances.”
On Monday, taxi drivers blocked Kukulcán Boulevard, a main road in the hotel district, over the more lax requirements for Uber drivers, forcing some passengers to get out and walk to the airport.
The U.K. also issued a warning, noting that “since December 2022, licensed taxi drivers have been blocking roads and targeting Uber taxis in Cancun’s Hotel Zone, in a series of protests against Uber. Tourists have been affected, including being pulled from Uber taxis and experiencing lengthy delays as a result of roadblocks, sometimes leading to missed flights. Protests can occur without notice. Please listen to local announcements and follow the advice of your hotel on how best to avoid any protests.”
The U.S. Embassy suggests the following safeguards:
- Remember that all destinations have some level of risk. Violent crime – such as homicide, kidnapping, carjacking, and robbery – is widespread and common in Mexico.
- Review your personal security plans.
- Be aware of your surroundings and maintain a low profile.
- Monitor local media for updates.
- Call 911 in Mexico for immediate assistance.
In Cancun, meanwhile, travel advisors on the ground shrugged off concerns—but suggested private transportation.
Christy Love Couples of Let’s Go on Vacay LLC says she wouldn’t take an Uber in Mexico and advises her clients to do the same. “That’s where the hot point is,” she says. “Prescheduled private transportation with a reputable company is always the way to go.”
Laura Poffenberger, the owner of TravelLuxuryVacations, was there last week and had no issues, she says. When one concerned client contacted her, she replied:
“I am here now and had no issues with my transportation, and I have clients that have arrived and departed today with no issues. It was a one-day event that lasted a few hours.
“You have private transportation with a company that I have been using for many years. Having a reputable transportation company is essential when traveling in a foreign country.”
