Mexico - Taxi from CUN to Cancun Hotel Zone?

I don't remember having this problem the last time I was in Cancun. We landed around 9pm from IAH and did like most savvy travellers and headed to the regular taxi line. We were given a price of $60 USD which we thought was way too high considering it is just a few minutes to the hotel zone. We went back in and kept getting the same answer. Finally we decided it was worth it to ask one of the gypsy cabs how much and he offered us the prices of 300 pesos which sounded much more reasonable. The "official" taxi line driver kept following us and finally relented and let us take the official for only 300. How do we avoid this in the future? I honestly never saw another taxi stand any where near the arrivals area. I don't want to take a shared shuttle service.

Can you take a bus for like a buck to the hotel zone? Maybe that was from hotel to hotel?

I've been quoted 500 Pesos as well, but a taxi from the Hotel Zone to the airport is around 250, so 300 sounds fairly reasonable.

The bus to Cancun goes to the main bus terminal there. From there it's still another 30 minutes to most of the hotels in the Hotel Zone. And I am not sure whether it still runs at 9pm. It's really cheap though.

I've been quoted 500 Pesos as well, but a taxi from the Hotel Zone to the airport is around 250, so 300 sounds fairly reasonable.

The bus to Cancun goes to the main bus terminal there. From there it's still another 30 minutes to most of the hotels in the Hotel Zone. And I am not sure whether it still runs at 9pm. It's really cheap though.My problem wasn't with the taxi FROM the hotel zone, my problem was when arriving at CUN, the only taxi available was from "Gray Line" which we never saw other than at the airport. The taxis from the hotel were all quite reasonable.

I am not interested in taking a bus, I am trying to find out how to get a "regular" taxi from CUN.

The taxi service from the airport is a ripoff really. I always use best day shuttle service from the airport and just take a taxi back to the airport from the hotel as the price is much less for a ride from the hotel to the airport. I pay about $18 for the two of us one way from the airport and about $25 for the return by taxi.

I'm not sure how many people were in your party but your price sounds like what we paid for 4 for a taxi to the hotel zone on our last trip. The taxi situation at CUN is unlike most airports and the rate is a ridiculous ripoff but it's SOP at CUN and not unusual at all. They also seem to inflate the price if you say that you need a ride to the JW, Ritz Carlton, etc.

You may have noticed, if you've been to Mexico before, that the bargains that used to be found in Cancun are no longer. Silver prices and booze prices were a shock on this last trip. I came home with only one $40 pendant and no booze whatsoever. It was cheaper at home.

In my experience the Cancun taxi drivers are the most rapacious in the entire country. It's a complete rip-off at the airport. You'll pay an inflated price going back too, but usually 200 to 300 pesos.

I take the bus out of principle. It does not go to the bus station first. It goes down the hotel strip and then to the station. So if you are staying at the far (north) end it can take a while, especially adding in the wait for it to depart, but it's comfortable and you can use the difference for a nice meal for two.

And you haven´t seen what happens at Los Cabos SJD Airport with taxis. The thing is, in Mexico, Airports are considered Federal Zone, so regular city taxis aren´t aloud to take people from the airport, just to bring them from the city. Because of that, taxi lines have to get a permit to work at the airport, sometimes turning them into monopolies (that use to happen at MEX until this past year, when the government gave permits to a second and third taxi companies, bringing fares down). So they usually charge whatever they want or skyroquet fees.

My advice would be to take a registered Van or Shuttle Service or use the ADO. I use to fly a lot to CUN and whenever staying at the Zone, took the ADO bus to the ADO terminal and then switched to the regular bus and into the Hilton, Fiesta Americana or Westing hotels.

I take the bus out of principle.

I'm renting a car out of principal. Daily rates are cheap in CUN, and even if they make me buy insurance, I still come out ahead than I would if I took cabs both ways. Not to mention I now have the flexibility to get around on my own if I choose...

Most airports in Mexico have a kiosk or booth to purchase the cab ride, and the price is calculated based on your destination. These kiosks are sometimes difficult to find, as you have to make your way through the multitude of tour operators selling you excursions.

We went to CUN last Summer, and paid 300 MXN for the taxi to and from the airport. Off-subject, we went to CZM earlier this year, and paid $8 per person from the airport to the hotel. What a different world, and they are only miles apart!

The cheapest way to get from CUN Terminal 3 to the Zona:


Once out of the terminal, head for the free shuttle van to Terminal 2.
Once at Terminal 2, hang a left to the ADO bus to Cancún Centro. Cost: 40 pesos.
Once in Centro, catch the R1 bus to the Zona. Cost: 7 pesos.
If you know where your hotel is, signal the bus driver and hoof it from the road to the cool and trendy lobby to check in.


Total cost at today's exchange rate: US $3.64. If you're traveling light (and why not, all you need are flipflops, shorts and T-shirts) it's the easiest and cheapest way to start your vacation.