Cancun taxi drivers throw wrench in spring break plans as Americans flock to Mexican destination

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 about their local transportation options: Uber versus taxis.

Uber was recently reintroduced in Cancun after a court ruled in January that the ride-share app can operate after being mandatorily operated by taxi drivers since it was first introduced in 2016. Is.

But tensions over sharing the roads have not subsided 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 Delphines in the hotel zone on November 8, 2022 in Cancun, Quintana Roo state, Mexico. (Daniel Slim / AFP via Getty Images)

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Frustrated travelers have since taken to social media to show just how unruly the cabbies have become, with some suggesting that their actions have prompted tourists to “boycott” Cancun’s taxi services.

The US State Department issued an advisory for Americans traveling to Mexico in January after several reports of harassment and assault were released.

In January cabbies blocked the main road leading to Cancun’s hotel district, forcing tourists to either walk miles or catch rides with drivers on the other side of the blockade.

The Associated Press also reported that police escorts were forced to bring people to the airport to catch their flights.

Taxi drivers protest against the regulation of taxi-hailing apps such as Uber on January 11, 2023 in Cancun, Mexico. (Reuters / Paola Chiomante)

Several Cancun 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 – crackdown In a move to enforce the policy on cabbie aggression, the Cancun Sun reported.

Cabbies are now required to attend manner-based training sessions to improve their interactions with tourists. To ensure a pleasant trip when visiting Cancun this year, a top travel agency tells Fox News Digital they recommend avoiding either the cabbies or Uber options.

The program will reportedly focus on issues related to labor regulations and quality of service, along with communication and empathy with passengers. Ultimately, the course aims to not only give drivers the tools they need when dealing with passengers but will focus on rebuilding standards for passengers.

Bathers enjoy a public beach as tourism returns to the city during Holy Week in Cancun, Mexico, April 3, 2021. (medios y media / Getty Images)

Zachary Rabinor, Founder and CEO of Journey Mexico, said, “We recommend that travelers contract transportation through non-ride-share services, such as official airport taxis or licensed tour operators/travel agencies, unless conditions permit. Till then, delays and inconveniences can be avoided.” , Said.

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“We often get the question whether Mexico [or the] Cancun/Riviera Maya is safe,” he said. “The US State Department has specifically noted that there are no restrictions in the state of Quintana Roo. However, they recommend practicing increased situational awareness after dark as you would anywhere in the world.”

The State Department did not return Fox News Digital’s request for comment, although the department advised Americans traveling to Mexico to check their location status and follow its guidance.

“Application-based car services such as Uber and Cabify are available in many Mexican cities, and generally provide a more secure alternative to taxis,” the department said. “Official complaints against Uber and other drivers do occur, however, and past disputes between these services and local taxi unions have sometimes turned violent, resulting in injuries to US citizens in some cases.”

Bathers enjoy Forum Beach as tourism returns to the city during Holy Week on April 3, 2021 in Cancun, Mexico. (medios y media / Getty Images)

“In light of widely publicized security incidents in popular tourist destinations, please remember that all destinations carry some level of risk,” the department said. “Be aware of your surroundings and maintain a low profile.”

Last year, approximately 5.6 million Americans traveled to the Mexican Caribbean, and those figures are expected to climb even higher in 2023.

American travel to the Quintana Roo region, where Cancun is located, does not face the same security issues as other regions such as the states of Guerrero or Sinaloa, which are listed in the State Department’s red-flag “do not travel” areas.

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 like Uber in Cancun, Mexico, January 11, 2023. (Reuters / Paola Chiomante)

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The Quintana Roo area falls under the department’s second-level yellow flag advisory, which states that Americans should “exercise increased caution” when traveling in these areas — primarily due to incidents of crime and kidnapping.

However, as Rabinor pointed out, nations such as France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, the Dominican Republic, and the Bahamas also fall under this classification.

Street view 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 Kehler / LightRocket via Getty Images)

Another expert on tourist safety in Mexico, Maya Lux founder and CEO Stephanie Farr, agreed that Cancun is “generally perceived to be very safe,” especially for American tourists.

Farr said his suggestion is to take general safety precautions when visiting Mexico’s top tourist destinations, especially when going out at night. These include staying in a group, keeping an eye on each other, not drinking excessively, and keeping valuables like passports at the hotel or resort – these tips also apply to Cancun.

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“Our biggest and most emphatic recommendation is to avoid any drug-related activities, and this will generally keep any tourist safe,” she said. “In addition, we also suggest not to drink excessively and be aware of your surroundings. Drunk tourists become victims of petty theft.”

Farr said, “We always say that it is up to tourists how much they want to protect themselves from any danger. With some precautions and common sense, travelers can have a safe and enjoyable journey.”