CANCÚN | The ongoing tension between taxi and Uber drivers took a dramatic turn this week after police arrested several taxi drivers who had reportedly assaulted a female operator of the popular ride-sharing platform. A recent decision to allow Uber to operate legally in the Mexican Caribbean state of Quintana Roo has caused a commotion in places like Cancun, where the app’s legal status remains unclear pending further clarification.
Bus
Buses are a great option not only because they are cheap but because they travel everywhere, and there are bus stops throughout the Cancun Hotel Zone. One-way trips within Cancun cost around 50 cents in American dollars and even to places further away are very inexpensive. A trip to Playa del Carmen, for example, costs just over $2 USD for a one-way trip, and to get to Tulum, it is only $3.50.
Walking
The Cancun Hotel Zone, or Zona Hotelera, is actually quite walkable, and there is a lot to do within walking distance of most resorts along the roughly six-mile strip. The area is made up of smaller sub-districts that each have restaurants, shopping venues, and hotels. The Hotel Zone is also very safe to walk because it is Cancun’s main tourist area, and there is always security keeping an eye on everything.
Rental Car
Renting a car during your Cancun vacation is another option, but there are a couple of things to consider, like the fact that traffic can be pretty crazy in the resort town. Also, road signs are in Spanish, and speed limits are in kilometers per hour, so you’ll have to know at least a basic level of the language and know how to convert to miles per hour. A car rental will cost you around $60 a day, including full coverage, taxes, and the daily rate.
Private Transportation
There are all kinds of private transportation services in Cancun, and you have the option of going directly through a company or you can book through a site like Viator, or even Expedia. Through Expedia, a private car is around $30 for two people for transportation from the airport to the Hotel Zone. On Viator, private vehicles start at about $60 for a group, but prices will vary depending on the vehicle.
Shuttle Service
Taking a shuttle to get around Cancun is another cheap option, and there are plenty available through both private companies and booking sites. Prices start as low as $14 per person for a one-way trip on a shared shuttle through Expedia from the airport to the Hotel Zone. Through a private shuttle company, you would pay around $80 for two people to get from the Hotel Zone to the Isla Mujeres ferry, for example.
Plenty Of Options
There are so many options for transportation during your Cancun vacation, for getting to and from the airport and for getting around. Most of these forms of transportation will also take you from Cancun to other nearby areas in the Riviera Maya, like Playa del Carmen or Tulum. It’s important to do your research, though, because with so many options available, the prices vary considerably.
Until the battle between taxi drivers and Uber drivers winds down, there is a chance you could get stuck in an uncomfortable situation. Just this past Friday, an Uber passenger was even assaulted by a taxi driver. To avoid being a victim of this battle, it may be a good idea to use an alternative form of transportation.