Cancún Airport Faces Backlash Over Taxi Fares and Uber Restrictions

Cancún, Quintana Roo — The Cancún International Airport has maintained National Guard patrols, checkpoints, and sweeps to keep ride-sharing drivers from picking up passengers, but two years later the transport conflict remains a source of frustration and a black eye for the gateway to the Mexican Caribbean, travelers say.

The airport is a place where a passenger can arrive in an Uber but cannot leave in one. National Guard agents are stationed at the various terminals and conduct patrols to detect vehicles trying to pick up riders, though they acknowledge that the problem has eased recently and that no altercations have been reported in the past few days.

What has not gone away, however, are complaints about high fares charged by authorized taxis and other permitted transport. Tourists from Mexico and abroad have repeatedly denounced excessive charges. Some Canadian visitors said they were quoted one price and later denied by the drivers. The airport maintains its prohibition on unlicensed “pirate” taxis and Uber pickups, even as it continues to go after platform vehicles.

“They’re abusive. There’s barely any tourism, and the few people who come they drive away with their overcharging,” said Abigail Lucero.

Roberto Colmeranes, a passenger from Cancún, said: “They charge whatever they want. You have to haggle the price before getting in. That’s why I prefer Uber, but they keep going after them.”

Other riders said that when they fail to settle a fare in advance, drivers impose arbitrary rates. The experiences have prompted travelers to share warnings on social media, advising others about what to expect.

The crackdown on ride-hailing apps stands in contrast to the frustrations over cost and reliability of the authorized service. Visitors are left with fewer options while dealing with price uncertainty.

The resentment extends to friends and family members picking up arriving passengers. Several said they have been harassed, mistaken for ride-share drivers, and questioned by security personnel.

Adalberto Méndez described picking up his sister: “I parked for a moment, and when she arrived, they wouldn’t let us leave because they thought I was Uber. The taxi drivers even wanted to see our IDs. Fortunately, the National Guard arrived and there were no bigger problems, but it’s not right. Tourists leave with a bad impression.”

Another passenger, Luis, questioned why families should have to prove that they are not ride-share drivers just to meet an arriving relative. “If it’s my brother or my wife coming to get me, why do they have to prove they don’t work for Uber?”

There is also the issue of improperly parked vehicles. National Guard officers said they have a protocol for calling tow trucks when a car is left unattended or poses a risk; if the owner shows up, they are asked to move it. Vehicles abandoned for months in the parking lots are another matter, with airport operator ASUR responsible for their removal and for collecting outstanding fees.

The airport can keep up patrols and checkpoints, but for tourism the fundamental problem remains: the visitor experience begins at touchdown. If the first thing travelers face in Cancún is a dispute over who can pick them up, what they must pay, and how they are allowed to leave the terminal, the conflict stops being just about transportation and becomes a drag on the destination’s reputation.