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The taxi syndicates are a mafia, they did this in CDMX and the taxis lost because ultimately the taxis are worse quality and known for ripping people off. If the taxis had good quality they would not have to compete with uber they could easily beat them economically, but the problem is the way the taxi syndicates work is there are a lot of people who are getting paid to "organize" but are not really taxis, the regular taxi cab drivers have to pay those people which also raise up their prices but not quality of service

Lol paul I liked the "better excursions " comment 🤣 That was priceless

The taxi drivers have themselves to blame. If they didn't try to scam the tourists there would be no need for uber. If they charged a reasonable price and not just make up something we probably would not be having this conversation. 50-60 dollars from Cancun airport to the hotel zone, come on. I do feel bad for the workers that can't get to work due to any blockade.

A friend of ours, living in playa del carmen his entire life, and also a taxi driver, has no problem with Uber. Just posting this so that people don't think it's every taxi driver. I do agree that he may be the exception to the rule. Thanks again, Paul, for your informative ways. Keep up the good work

Something similar to the goings on in Thailand while I was there. I had a Bolt (similar to Uber) driver that refused at first to pick me up in front of Big C because she was concerned about the Taxi mafia. One way the taxi drivers got around the issue in Pattaya was to become Bolt drivers, half the time when I called a Bolt, a taxi would show up. I got my fixed price up front, it was easy to arrange my car, and the taxi got business, a win, win.

I was in Playa del Carmen over the holidays and Boy, do I wish Uber had been available there. We relied on Taxis on many occasions to take us from Point A to Point B, and I would say that more than half of the time, the drivers of those taxis tried to rake us over the coals.....not to mention some who were extremely unfriendly and had a very hard time hiding their personal feelings about Americans and/or Europeans. We would literally be asked to pay double to travel the exact same short routes we took on the same day or the evening before, so we ended up walking a bit more than we had planned 🙂

A tourist who wanted to travel just 2 miles to his hotel was being charge $25 US in Cancun by taxi driver

Own a home in PDC and the taxi mafia are absolutely horrible. I hate taking a taxi in qroo. Here in SMA it's completely different and I use taxis all the time.

So if the taxi business manages to wreck tourism in Cancun, they will ultimately be out of a job. "So smart!"

Excellent information! Thank you! Must be super scary to endure situations such as these! 😟

Thank you for the update. I thought there was tension between Uber and taxis in Mexico City. I guess that’s nothing compared to this drama.

why are they attacking tourists? that is nuts.

That was on the news first thing this am. Thks for posting Paul for others to know.

Consumer isn't winning. I'm in Hidalgo, where Uber was banned. I needed to get about 20 minutes from Pachuca this morning. First taxi driver wanted to gringo price my trip (2x the normal cost), and the second, while initially agreeing to the normal fare, kept needing my phone to know where he was going, and ultimately asked for more than what was initially agreed to. Now where I am, I'm pretty much locked without ride-sharing apps. Oh, and Hidalgo has a taxi app that, surprise surprise, didn't work this morning. I'm willing to bet it doesn't work at all. They really need a way to make everybody whole or this is the sorta lack of tech thing that's been solved that's holding a bunch of areas back.

Great advice thanks for sharing

In Cozumel (also in QR), I have not seen any Ubers yet. I don't know if they have a presence there. I DO know of a different, but related issue. It seems that Taxis are not allowed to pick passagers up at the airport. The airport only allows "Shuttles" to transport passagers off airport property. We used to just walk across the street and get a Taxi, but for the last few years, the restrcted zone has been slowly increasing. We now have to walk about 4-6 blocks for a Taxi. I think things recemtly changed again and the restricted zone is back to 1 block. Taxis are permitted to drop off at the airport though. Also, I'm told that places like dive operators are prohibited from picking up people at resorts and giving them a ride to the marinas. A few times I got picked up by my dive shop, but was asked to walk a few blocks away from the resort so they would not get fined. Since COVID, many dive shops are now picking up divers at the resort's pier. Be aware that some resorts are charging a dock fee...especially if you use a dive operator not affiliated with the resort. In regards to the "No Taxi Pickup at the Airport", the word on the street is that the Airport manager is an investor in the shuttle business so he does what he can to ensure shuttles are used. I cannot say if this is true or not. Cozumel is one of the few Airports where I cannot get a cab to my hotel. Note: Cab is about $10-$15 USD total for up to 4 people Shuttle is $15-$35 USD per person (more than 1 bag per person sometimes requires its own ticket). Greater travel usually costs more. I've found that paying in pesos to Taxis gets a better price because their rates are listed in pesos. ( I did have a cabbie that would only take pesos. "You are in MY country and you will use MY money" he said. He waited 30 mins for me to change dollars to pesos at my hotel) For shuttles, the prices are often listed in USD. Asking to pay in pesos forces them to convert, typically using a rate well in their favor.

I'm thinking this may get more people and flights to Mérida where I live 🤞 We are a very peaceful state here in the Yucatan Peninsula 💯‼️❤️

This x1000 in Argentina (esp BsAs). Corrupt taxistas (a cultural staple in Buenos Aires) make me so mad! It is bad for tourism, gives an entire city a bad reputation and it makes me want to use Uber even more. I haven't been home in ages, but last I was there passengers got in the front seat with Ubers so the terrible taxistas couldn't identify them, follow them and beat them up.

Locals are now boycotting the taxi mafia. If you come to Cancun, do everything you can to avoid taking a taxi once you arrive. Rent a car at the airport and you won't have to think about it.

We had a similar situation last summer here in Cabo San Lucas. Road closers and lots of police. It’s a shame that they just can’t work together.

love your VLOGs!!!!

Very helpful thanks

If taxis weren't so corrupt maybe they'd be a better option. We were just in PV, took a taxi it was 400 pesos, uber back same length was only 250.

Your videos are great!!!

Thanks very much for the info Paul. Uber has been in Cabo a while longer, but it's similarly confrontational. The municipal government officials are tied to the taxi sindicato and there have been isolated incidences of inconvenience to tourists. There was a video of a guest at Pueblo Bonito Rose Resort physically being prevented from leaving the grounds of the hotel as she informed the gate staff she was meeting her Uber outside the gate. Most hotels do not allow Uber to pick up on Hotel property as they have a kickback arrangement with the taxistas. The municipality implemented an astronomical fine (45,000 pesos) for pickups made in the exclusion zones. Another one is the SJD airport. You can be dropped off however. In Cabo the minimum charge trip is 49 pesos at off peak periods; at peak it reaches 89. Taxistas charge 200 pesos or 10 USD. At the beginning of Uber service in Los Cabos, I heard rumor of an Uber being forced off the road by a taxi, but the situation now seems to be stabilized somewhat. It will most likely take some time in QR.

We have the same issue in Nayarit and Jalisco. The regular taxi drivers have been attacking the Uber drivers and slashing their tires…can be dangerous if you are a passenger..

This same conflict happened in Johannesburg when I was there on vacation. 😅

Good information, be sure to save this video for reference

PLEASE MAKE A VIDEO ABOUT TAXES IN MEXICO FOR EXPATS, MEXICO IS WELL KNOWN FOR BEING VERY AGGRESSIVE WHEN IT COMES TO TAXES

WOW good to know, thanks!

If the local police don't stop these goons, the area should be boycotted. Don't spend your money where you are not safe.

“Better excursions to get” 😂🤣

Same fight between the taxi goons and ride-share services in Montreal less than 10 years ago . Government did what they usually do and paid off all the taxi's for the cost of their medallions . Problem went away .

I experienced this last month in Saigon. I was a passenger in a road rage episode between a Grab driver and a taxi driver.

My landlord told me leave A-day before cause I was leaving on the 12th of January They blocked the highway between Cancun and porto morelos

Their reaction towards tourists just gives reasons why they should choose uber

thanks

My family had an incident with some taxi drivers while visiting Cancun. We were checking out of our hotel so we had all our bags brought to the front. My Girlfriend went to the parking garage to get her vehicle and pull it around to load our bags. On the way into the driveway of the hotel she was confronted by taxi drivers accusing her of being an Uber. Being a little loco she proceeded to cuss them all out for calling her an Uber driver, which I think she took as an insult. I myself was very annoyed with the bell boys at the hotel who didn't get involved on her behalf even though they knew she was a guest picking up her family's bags. Unfortunately this was certainly not the first time we've had problems with taxi drivers from Cancun.

Similar issues in Los Cabos. The taxi union is a cartel...

Not supporting what the Taxi Sindicato is trying to achieve (violence, blockades etc.). However, the fees involved in operating Taxi business in the state of QRoo are significant. Uber (and possibly others) has significantly lower operating fees thus an "unfair" advantage over the Taxi business. Until this gets sorted out the situation will not improve.

We just came back from there yesterday after spending a week in Playacar. We had absolutely no problem getting back to the airport last night. But then we didn't use any Uber while we were there. The Taxi blockade only lasted the one day because they needed to be heard I suppose. Hopefully they work out their issues and no-one gets hurt.

I was warned 5 years ago, during a stay in Quintana Roo. I was traveling back and forth from Playa and Cancun for 2 weeks. I always take the collectivos between cities, but I had become friends with my landlord in Cancun and asked if she might take me to the airport the day I was leaving, for an extra fee? She had a young son and I wanted to help her with additional income. She agreed, but told me that I must sit in front and her son in back, because if the taxi drivers saw us and thought she was an Uber driver it could get violent.

Puerto Vallarta Taxis are really getting bad too. I took a pic of taxi as friends left airport, normally a 200 peso ride, it was raining heavily, asked halfway there how much fare was. He said 500 pesos due to rain, they paid. Always ask before getting in. If I know they are inflating price I use uber. More often uber lately

"Sure, it'd be exciting..." 🤣🤣

Of course it hasn’t been received well. Who do you think controls the Taxi Union in QR?

In some places I sit in the front seat so it looks like I'm driving with a friend.

Mi Dios. Thanks for the info.

Omg.. this is sucks since we all like rideshare. We use it a lot here in state.. now I'm worried to use it cuz we're planning to visit cancun

We rode a taxi once in Cancun until they charged us $25 for a $5 ride. Then we switched to riding the buses.

Yeah a day ago I watched a vid of a taxi driver threatening an uber driver waiting for a passanger. The taxi guy said he better not see him in his turf again

Anyone have any idea what's going on in Cozumel with the Taxistas vs. Uber? I'm going for several weeks in February and renting a car for one of those weeks. If this is too big an issue I may keep the car for longer if I can.

QRoo taxis have been doing this for several years (I know you know this Paul and Linda). They may be successful in keeping Uber out again. But I've not seen violence in their last protests. That's really too bad - Anne

Hey there Paul, do you know if EIBY TAXI is available in Qroo? I’ve used in in Baja and it was a wayyy better value than taxi service

Good thing I use private transportation when I go. I don't need to deal with this mess.

Hey, could you please do a video on the new smoking laws? Are they being enforced?

Hey Paul and Linda, I was wondering if you're on vacation? Or why you haven't posted in awhile. Everything okay? Not sure how else to get in touch. Really miss your videos and hearing from you guys. This is my year! Planning on getting my perm res card! Lots of ducks to get in a row. Wow. When I lived there before, I didn't have to do anything as the school I worked for did it all. Anyway, miss you guys! When's your next video?

These taxis scam tourists every single day.

In Rome Italy it was same. But the found solution to make prices of Uber higher than taxi.

It's crazy... even more so when they actually had a decent competitive app to Uber 5 years ago and dropped it for whatever reason.

I personally either rent a car or book the ADO to Playa or Cancun.

Great videos, quick question- can a foreigner buy property in Mexico (excluding non beach front / restricted areas), without opening a local Mexican bank account, meaning - can purchase be made directly from abroad?

I've spent a lot of time in the Yucatan and I really don't understand going to Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and a couple other places when there are better places to go in that area.

These fights between the Uber drivers and the taxi drivers is only outbound from the airport. Having Uber drop people off at the airport should not be a problem, at least for the passengers.. Perhaps ADO will become more popular. And cheaper.

There's a similar situation in Chetumal; the taxi drivers have resorted to violence (I've heard of assaults and car fires) to keep Uber drivers away. So if you fly in to Chetumal and need to get to your resort in Bacalar, it'll cost you a LOT more than an Uber would; on my last trip, it was around $1500 pesos, if memory serves.

"And some by Ubers... I imagine." 😆

The excessive fares that Cancun taxis charge have been so unfair and ridiculous for too long. Their fare is more expensive than the fare of my home state in the US and significantly more expensive than elsewhere in Mexico. Acapulco, Cuernavaca, Mexico City, Puebla, Oaxaca, Villahermosa, and Merida are some of the places that I’ve gone to numerous times and the taxi fares there are very reasonable, unlike Cancun. Good for Uber!

This is November now. How is taking an Uber in Cancun now?

I prefer InDrive and will even get in the front seat and be talking and laughing as to seem like just friends traveling. Eventually I will find a couple of InDrive drivers to be my regular calls. Their cars are MUCH cleaner and more comfortable, even from the back seats! My husband always takes the seat behind the driver because I’m a little taller than him but the taxi drivers push their seats back all the way and it’s a real gamble as to if he will be able to get out of the seat or not.

My concern with Taxi drivers .. is how many of them voluntarily overwork themselves. I found one Taxista I really liked. So I just texted him whenever I needed a ride. He never overcharged me, he helped me learn the city (PDC), and gave me lots of tips. When I had to fly home, I texted him again. He nearly fell asleep several times on the way to CUN. I don't like risking my life for ANY driver. Do Uber, Taxi companies, or the government have any driving regulations?

When I left Mexico, the bus dropped me off at some dilapidated bus station in the middle of the night, somewhere in CDMX. My cell was out, so I had to roll with it. Ended up costing me 1k MXN for a little ride within the city to get to the airport, even though the promise was I'd be dropped off by the bus at the airport. The big sign on the airport stating it's illegal to use Uber makes these taxis even more money grabbing.

Great tube site,thx.

I dont react much, but this is a hot button topic for me. Have been feeling frustrated with the way taxis conduct their 'business' here, especially if you need to take them everyday pretty much. Every day has been a 'challenge' to say the least. Their app doesn't work half the time either. Hope Uber gets through quickly! Miss that about having lived in other states in Mexico where Uber just works fine. Taxis will loose this if they keep up the shenanigans of physically attacking tourists & Uber drivers. And then they loose their business with that too, cause no tourists no dinero. 💸

Taxi drivers that own their "plaque", which is their number on the taxi, had to buy it. I bought a taxi number for my father-in-law about 15 years ago. He was let go by a famous hotel because they don't want older workers to be seen by their guests, age discrimination is not illegal in MX. He wanted to be his own boss, and driving a taxi is a good way to do that. The plaque that I paid $45K USD for is now only worth $10KUSD because the government greatly increased the number of taxis, the cartels demand bribes from the taxi drivers, and American software companies are taking a slice of the pie back to the US. The drivers must also pay to the syndicate for benefits and programs. I told my father-in-law to retire when a gun was shoved in his face and he was told that 60% of his net take home was his "tax", and this was during covid when he was possibly being exposed by any number of passengers. The markings were removed from his car, but the plaque still hasn't found a buyer. It becomes easier for me to understand why taxi drivers might refuse to be trampled by newcomers that want to take away what they have earned. I live in Cancun now and will never use Uber, unless I am back in the US visiting.

It was similar in Puerto Vallarta when I was there 3 1/2 years ago. But, it didn't seem to get that violent. There were some altercations between drivers. It never, to my knowledge extended down to customers and others. But, as I see from another comment below, it has now escalated there as well. As far as I'm concerned, the taxi drivers would get less of my business because of their actions. Those participating in this are scum.

Well if the taxi drivers didnt' try to rip off customers by the wrong rates, Uber wouldn't be needed. Not all do it, but the bad drivers make it bad for all of them and the customers too. I get it that taxi drivers just want to make a good living but Uber costs alot less and you get treated much better as well. It is a big conflict. Saw it years ago when Uber started in San Jose Del Cabo. While I was there a van actually rammed an Uber car off the road. There was alot of violence. Tough situation. People need to educate themselves for taxis. There is a fee sheet they have, if you aren't sure on the price, ask to see it. They have to show it. Or use Uber. Be safe all.

Ado bus from airport, then walk a block from bus station and get Uber. Easy.

So sad. I am more likely to order an Uber in Cancun now. Let a few tourists get hurt & see if the government changes their “helpfulness “

Do you not have Didi in Qroo? I'm not aware of this conflict in Mazatlán. It seems Didi, Ecotaxi, the pulmonías, the tomato trucks (aurigas), and the camiones (intracity public transportation buses) all coexist without problems. I don't think Uber competes well because they want to pay their drivers bi weekly, whereas a driver for Didi gets paid cash for each ride and keeps his share at the end of each day.

Thanks for the info, Paul. I'm glad we live in Merida, where Didi and Uber operate without a hassle............ As for Cancun, here's some friendly gringo advice: "don't s**t where you eat!".........🙄

In my opinion cab drivers should concentrate and focus on driving safe so they can make it home safely to sleep in their hammock

I will trade you a bottle of wine from Tequisquiapan for a Qroo coffee mug!

I use the local taxis they do a great job, Uber has gone down over the years.

Hey Paul & Linda Reggie & Edelyn here also retired LEO....in Tennessee via New York and East Florida. We are big fans of Mexico from my New York working days..my winter getaways took us all around Mexico. We have been in Tennessee for about five years now looking for a change and might consider Mexico. Would love to shoot the breeze with you and Linda and maybe even meet some time in the future..let me know if there is some way for either of us to reach out.

Always pro to Uber, for destination setting no need to talk, and in app payment thru credit card; Taxi drivers are either not speaking English, hard to tell where is destination to go, and hard, nearly impossible to pay with credit card, or might have high fees. Actually when selecting where to visit, does the place have Uber is an important factor to me; if the place does not have Uber I would probably not to visit. I have visited CDMX, PV, and Guadalajara of Mexico, and Costco Ríca, all these places I had no problems riding with Uber; with this taxi violence situation continues I would probably never want to visit Cancun Those local taxi drivers are really short-sighted and it’s hurting tourism overall.

Apparently, not thinking... Then again...as with most of this world... we've evolved into an overthinking breed and therefore most often come forth with twisted thinking followed by aggressive behavior. Just an opinion... obviously. Thank you for the heads up.

They just don’t think of the consequences.

I was at a Bodega in Cancun last week and was nearly stranded because the Uber drivers were banned from picking up in front of the store. I got an Uber, but I had to carry 75 lbs of groceries across a large parking lot to pick up the Uber on the bus stop area. The taxi drivers were trying to charge me 2x the price and became perturbed with me because I refused to pay.

I live in Vallarta and use Uber exclusively because I’m tired of being gouged by taxi drivers who inflate their fares (for gringos I guess) and never have change. Uber is simpler.

Wow Absolutely ridiculous Glad we have our own car and are not boozers Be safe plp Thanks Paul 💗 Heading to your neck of the woods Sunday 🤠 Cheers from 2 Canadians 🇨🇦 living in the Yucatan 🇲🇽✌️🐶🥰

Same thing happened here in the states in certain locations, when Uber first launched. Perhaps not the actual violence that is happening there. But it will pass….over time

Two comments. I'm not sure about Mexico, but in Lima, Peru, there are several other cash based taxi apps (InDriver, and Cabify, which used to be Beat, for example) that are very popular over Uber. Uber is pricey here and no one uses it. And I’ve been scammed twice in an Uber here. Try to get familiar with the local scene and see what locals locals use. Additionally, there is no tension here between taxis and apps. Peruvians are more chill I guess. Secondly, the Riviera Maya seems like such a rotten tourist trap overall, I would expect to be exploited on every level from the first moment. Whether it's a 2 for 1 margarita scam, some overpriced excursion in dollars, or just grabbing a taxi/Uber into town, who needs all this hassle?! Getting attacked because of your choice of taxi? Not saying a good time isn’t possible in Cancun, but I wouldn't even dream of going there anymore. Thank you QRoo Paul for the excellent informative video.

UBER (and similar apps) are the ONLY way to go, as riders are not as easily ripped off 💪 So many cab drivers are scammers and they deserve the healthy honest competition.

just rent a car and Eff emm both. you cannot get lost. All the map apps work there.

Some places Uber in battle with In-Drive app and other new apps. Uber is not the best option in all places in Mexico. YES more on the conflicts

Either make Uber legal or illegal, but once Uber is legal, not should be able to stop. period. Government and police must take strong action. Lawlessness is not the answer.

The only thing I hate about Uber is that the company takes too much money for themselves and pay the least possible amount of money to their drivers out of the passenger fees.

you all don't understand what Uber, Lyft, and gig nonsense really is - you'll soon learn. Stop trying to save the 5 dollars you spend on waste anyway. Thanks for the informative video.

Great video! Support for Uber is a step against corruption 😎

Maybe Uber shall hire some Securitas