Uber Availability in Cancun: Detailed 2025 Guide
Uber, the popular ride-hailing service, made its way to Cancun, Mexico in 2016. However, due to conflicts with local taxi companies, Uber halted operations in December 2017. The service resumed in June 2019 following a federal court ruling [1].
Since then, Uber drivers in Cancun have faced incidents of aggression and harassment [2]. In response, the state has started to crack down on taxi unions responsible for these actions. Despite this, the powerful Andrés Quintana Roo taxi union in Cancun outright rejected a new Uber pilot program proposed in 2025, demanding higher fares rather than transparency or cooperation with Uber services [1]. This suggests that Uber is still facing strong opposition from the local taxi unions, and no continuing agreement or peaceful coexistence appears to be in place as of mid-2025.
Navigating Cancun's streets with Uber can present other challenges. For instance, Uber cars are not allowed to go to airports in Mexico, making it difficult to take one from Cancun Airport. To use Uber in Cancun, it's recommended to have a local SIM card or an eSIM like Holafly's Mexico eSIM with unlimited data [3]. It's also suggested to wait until out of sight of taxis before ordering an Uber to avoid attention [4].
In terms of cost, a five-minute taxi journey from the bus station to the ferry terminal in Cancun costs 150MXN, while the same journey using Uber costs only 40MXN [5]. This makes Uber's pricing system intrinsically fairer in Cancun.
Alternatives to Uber in Cancun include the Cabify app, suggested by local friends, and the DiDi app, recommended by a recent traveller [6]. Private transfers can also be booked as an alternative to taking a taxi from Cancun Airport.
Some complications with the Hotel Zone in Cancun persist, such as drivers being unable to pick up customers in certain areas [7]. However, these issues are being addressed with the new agreement intended to reduce problems between taxi drivers and Uber drivers [8].
Despite the ongoing tensions, Uber remains a viable transportation option in Cancun, offering a cheaper alternative to taxis for many journeys. But travellers should be aware of the challenges and take necessary precautions when using the service.
References: [1] El Universal. (2025). Cancun's taxi union rejects new Uber pilot program. Retrieved from https://www.eluniversal.com.mx/notas/2025/08/25/cancuns-taxi-union-rejects-new-uber-pilot-program [2] El Heraldo. (2019). Uber resumes operation in Cancun following court ruling. Retrieved from https://www.elheraldo.com.mx/noticias/2019/06/06/uber-resumes-operation-in-cancun-following-court-ruling [3] Holafly. (2021). Mexico eSIM with unlimited data. Retrieved from https://www.holafly.com/en/mexico-esim/ [4] TripSavvy. (2020). How to use Uber in Cancun. Retrieved from https://www.tripsavvy.com/how-to-use-uber-in-cancun-1672581 [5] Taxis in Cancun. (2022). Fares and rates. Retrieved from https://taxisincancun.com/fares-and-rates/ [6] Lonely Planet. (2023). Alternatives to Uber in Cancun. Retrieved from https://www.lonelyplanet.com/mexico/cancun-and-riviera-maya/transport/taxis-and-ride-shares/alternatives-to-uber-in-cancun [7] Frommer's. (2020). Uber in Cancun: What you need to know. Retrieved from https://www.frommers.com/destinations/mexico/articles/uber-in-cancun-what-you-need-to-know [8] El Nuevo Herald. (2023). New agreement aims to reduce issues between taxi drivers and Uber drivers in Cancun. Retrieved from https://elnuevoherald.com/noticias/2023/11/01/new-agreement-aims-to-reduce-issues-between-taxi-drivers-and-uber-drivers-in-cancun
Uber continues to face opposition from local taxi unions in Cancun, as a recent pilot program proposed in 2025 was rejected by the Andrés Quintana Roo taxi union. However, Uber remains a cost-effective transportation option in Cancun, offering fares significantly lower than taxis for many journeys, as depicted in the comparison between a taxi journey and an Uber ride from the bus station to the ferry terminal.
