Tulum Taxis Block Private Transport Services

TULUM — Providers of private transportation services for tourists have reported alleged threats and restrictions imposed by taxi drivers in Tulum's hotel zone, who are reportedly prohibiting them from providing return trips from restaurants and beach clubs back to hotels or other lodging points.

According to testimonies from tourist transport operators, the problem began approximately four days ago when local taxi drivers warned them that they were only permitted to drop off clients in the hotel zone, but not to pick them up. This situation directly affects tourists who book the service through travel agencies months in advance, as they have no way to return with the same unit they hired after their activities conclude.

The transporters stated that if they fail to comply with these instructions, the taxi drivers have warned that they could resort to organized crime groups to intimidate or assault the operators.

"They tell us that if we ignore them, they will call in the mob to do something to us," one of the affected drivers denounced, requesting anonymity for security reasons.

The drivers also warned that this practice is recurring at different points in the hotel zone, from the Taboo beach club to the Rosa Negra restaurant, and even in areas like the so-called Mini Quinta. Furthermore, they stated that tourists have complained about excessive charges from taxi drivers, which generates dissatisfaction and damages the destination's image.

"How do we explain to visitors that we cannot take them back to their hotel because, otherwise, the organized crime and the taxi drivers will come after us? This is getting out of control," expressed one of the complainants.

According to the testimonies, some hotels have already become aware of the situation, while tourists have begun to share their negative experiences on social media. The service providers warned that this type of practice could discourage the arrival of visitors and worsen the local economic situation, in a context where tourist numbers are already below expectations.

Faced with this problem, the transporters have requested the intervention of municipal and state authorities, particularly from the municipal president of Tulum, to guarantee security conditions and free competition in mobility services.

Meanwhile, the private operators continue to face a scenario of harassment that, they assure, not only puts their source of employment at risk, but also the trust of the tourists visiting Tulum.