As millions of Americans prepare to descend on one of Mexico’s top tourist destinations ahead of the spring break season, travelers may want to think twice when it comes to their local transportation options: Uber or taxi.
Uber was recently reintroduced in Cancun after a court ruled in January that the ride-sharing app could work after being essentially kicked out by taxi drivers after it was first introduced in 2016.
But the tension over road sharing hasn’t gone away, and in recent weeks taxi drivers have been aggressive and violent towards Uber drivers, their vehicles and even their passengers.
Tourists take photos at Playa Delfines in the Hotel Zone of Cancun in the state of Quintana Roo, Mexico on November 8, 2022. (Daniel Slim/AFP via Getty Images)
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Frustrated travelers have since taken to social media to show how unruly taxi drivers have become, with some suggesting their actions have motivated tourists to “boycott” Cancun’s cab services.
The US State Department issued a warning to Americans traveling to Mexico in January after several complaints of harassment and assaults were filed.
Taxi drivers in January blocked the main road leading to Cancun’s hotel district, forcing tourists to walk for miles or hitch a ride with drivers on the other side of the block.
The Associated Press also reported that police escorts were forced to ferry people to the airport to catch their flights.
Taxi drivers hold a protest against the regulation of taxi hailing apps such as Uber in Cancun, Mexico, January 11, 2023. (Reuters/Paola Chiomante)
Several Cancún taxi drivers have been arrested for their hostile actions since January and, in February alone, some 60 drivers were fined for violating the “zero tolerance” rule enforced by the Andres Quintana Roo taxi drivers union, a policy implemented in a crack move down on assaulting taxi drivers, reported the Cancun Sun.
Taxi drivers are now being required to participate in behavior-based training sessions to improve their interactions with tourists. To ensure an enjoyable trip while visiting Cancun this year, one major travel agency told Fox News Digital that it recommends avoiding taxi or Uber options.
The program will reportedly focus on issues relating to labor regulations and quality of service, as well as communicating and empathizing with passengers. Ultimately, the course aims to not only equip drivers with the tools they need when dealing with passengers, but will focus on rebuilding standards for passengers.
Beachgoers enjoy the public beach as tourism returns to the city during Holy Week April 3, 2021 in Cancun, Mexico. (Medios and Media / Getty Images)
“We advise travelers to contract transportation through non-shared services, such as official airport taxis or licensed tour operators/travel agencies, to avoid delays and inconvenience until the situation stabilizes,” Zachary Rabinor, founder and CEO of Journey Mexico, he said.
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“We often get the question whether Mexico [or the] Cancun/Riviera Maya is safe,” he added. “The US State Department specifically noted that there are no restrictions in the state of Quintana Roo. However, they do recommend exercising more situational awareness after dark, as you would anywhere in the world.”
The State Department did not respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment, although the department has advised Americans to check the status of where they are traveling to in Mexico and to stick to its guidance.
“App-based car services like Uber and Cabify are available in many Mexican cities and generally offer another safe alternative to taxis,” the department noted. “However, official complaints against Uber and other drivers do occur, and past disputes between these services and local taxi unions have occasionally turned violent, in some cases resulting in injuries to US citizens.”
Beachgoers enjoy Forum Beach as tourism returns to the city during Holy Week April 3, 2021 in Cancun, Mexico. (Medios and Media / Getty Images)
“In light of widely publicized security incidents in popular tourist destinations, remember that all destinations have some level of risk,” the department added. “Be aware of your surroundings and keep a low profile.”
Last year, an estimated 5.6 million Americans traveled to the Mexican Caribbean, and those numbers are projected to rise even more in 2023.
Travel by Americans to the Quintana Roo region, which is where Cancun is located, does not face the same security concerns as other regions such as the states of Guerro or Sinaloa, which are listed on the Department’s “do not travel” red flag areas. of state.
Taxi drivers walk past a sign reading ‘We are fighting for the rights of taxi drivers’, during a protest against the regulation of taxi hailing apps such as Uber in Cancun, Mexico, January 11, 2023. (Reuters/Paola Chiomante)
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The Quintana Roo region falls under the department’s second-level yellow flag alert, which advises Americans to “exercise extra caution” when traveling to these regions, largely due to cases of crime and kidnappings.
However, as Rabinor pointed out, nations such as France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, the Dominican Republic and the Bahamas also fall into the same classification.
Street scene of 5th Avenue at night in Playa del Carmen on the Riviera Maya near Cancun in the state of Quintana Roo, Mexico. (Photo by Wolfgang Kaehler/LightRocket via Getty Images)
Another Mexico travel safety expert, Stephanie Farr, founder and CEO of Maya Luxe, agreed that Cancun in particular is “generally considered very safe” for American tourists.
Farr said his suggestion when reaching major tourist destinations throughout Mexico is to take general safety precautions, particularly when going out at night. These include staying in groups, keeping an eye on each other, not drinking to excess, and storing valuables like passports at hotels or resorts — tips that apply to Cancun as well.
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“Our biggest and most emphasized recommendation is to avoid any drug-related activity, and this will generally keep any tourist safe,” he said. “We also suggest not drinking too much and being aware of your surroundings. Drunk tourists become a vulnerable target for petty theft.”
“We always say it depends on the tourist how much they want to expose themselves to any danger. With some precautions and common sense, travelers can have a safe and enjoyable trip,” Farr said.
