Warning: The next time you land at Cancun International Airport, you might face arrest simply for ordering an Uber instead of a regular cab. That’s exactly what happened to three tourists last week.
For the past two years, we’ve been reporting on the ongoing abuses by “legal” taxi operators at this airport, including frequent incidents of violence against drivers and users of ride-sharing platforms like Uber and Cabify.
While Uber drivers claim they have a court order allowing them to operate at the airport, taxi drivers insist this violates federal laws. For reasons that remain unclear, the National Guard appears to side with taxi unions.
This time, three tourists were waiting for their Uber at the Terminal 2 toll area when taxi drivers began harassing them, taking pictures, recording videos, and of course, calling the National Guard to get them in trouble.
National Guard officers quickly arrived to stop the Uber driver from providing the ride. When one of the women argued that she should be allowed the service she felt was safest, offices put her in in an official vehicle, stating she needed to “make a statement” at the police station to “confront” the taxi drivers who had reported her.
The woman protested, questioning how she was supposed to “confront” anyone if she was the only one being forced to go to the station.
Fortunately for this woman and her companions, a local news outlet was present, challenging the National Guard for their actions. But you might not be so lucky.
After some time, the police just let her go, but not before attempting to stop journalists from recording the whole episode.
So, Why Do Travelers Feel “Safer” Using an Uber Instead of a Regular Cab?
Unfortunately, this sentiment is shared by lots of tourists on social media. Here, on Traveling Lifestyle, we have reported cases of taxi drivers assaulting Uber drivers and passengers. The most frequent abuses include verbal harassment, fights, vehicle damage, and of course, scams.
One striking example is the case of Xavier Cornier, a Canadian tourist who went viral on TikTok after being charged USD 1,056.28 for a ride from Terminal 4 to 3, as confirmed by the State Attorney General’s Office in April.
That scam clearly involved multiple participants, as two security guards misled him into believing he wasn’t allowed to stay at Terminal 3 and he had to move to the next one and “pay the taxi driver with a credit card.” These guards conveniently failed to mention that the airport offers a free shuttle service between terminals.
Another recent case occurred in September when a Venezuelan family was spotted walking along the highway after taxi drivers tried to charge them USD $80 to take them to the city, despite the official rate being around USD $32.
So, Is It Illegal to Take an Uber at Cancun International Airport?
Regular taxi drivers—and even National Guard officials—will tell you it is. But it is not. At least not anymore.
Back in August 2024, the court ruled in favor of Uber drivers, meaning they are now legally permitted to operate at Cancun International Airport without requiring additional permits.
“The court ruling, effective from Aug. 15, 2024, means that Uber drivers no longer need special permissions to operate in airport areas. This decision removes previous obstacles and allows Uber to compete directly with traditional taxi services,” says the official website.
However, tensions persist between Uber drivers and local taxi unions, leaving tourists caught in the middle. If you feel your right to transit is being violated, Uber “has also introduced an emergency button in the app, which connects drivers directly to 911 for quick assistance in risky situations.”
“At Uber, we reject any form of violence and promote accessible mobility for everyone,” the company stated.