Tulum Taxi Drivers Struggle as Tourism Drops Sharply

Tulum, Mexico — Members of the taxi union Tiburones del Caribe are reporting significant economic hardship as a result of low hotel occupancy rates in Tulum over recent months. Drivers say they are operating at only 20% to 30% of their usual capacity, with some days yielding as few as two or three fares.

Tourism Downturn Hits Taxi Sector Hard

Adolfo Pech, a driver stationed at the ADO terminal taxi stand, stated, “The drop in hotel occupancy has directly affected us. If there are no guests, there are no transfers. Even during Holy Week, we didn’t see the expected influx of tourists. We’re barely managing two or three rides a day. We’re hoping the summer season brings some recovery.”

Ernesto Castroya, another union member, noted that local residents have become their primary clientele. “Tourists have practically disappeared. It’s the locals who are keeping us afloat. We’re surviving on the little income we can generate,” he said.

Both drivers emphasized the severity of the situation, stating that any recovery for the sector hinges on an increase in tourist arrivals and hotel occupancy during the summer months.

The taxi union’s concerns reflect wider challenges facing the region’s tourism-dependent economy as businesses await a potential rebound in visitor numbers.