Playa Del Carmen Taxis
Playa Del Carmen taxis are relatively easy to find and are necessary many times. Compared to other places and even other parts of Mexico, taxis are efficient. Here is a simple guide so you know how much to pay for a taxi in Playa Del Carmen and some of the other details you should know.
Playa Del Carmen taxis are clean and there seems to be a good amount available except when it rains (like everywhere in the world). Most taxis are smaller cars so that means 3-4 people maximum in a car. Many taxis in Playa Del Carmen are Nissan Tida models which have a good amount of room in the back seat and make for a more comfortable taxi ride.
To tip or not to tip a taxi driver?
Tipping is not usually done when taking a taxi in Playa Del Carmen. If you do care to round up 5 pesos to the next whole amount, that is acceptable. If a taxi driver helps you with a bag or goes out of his way to give you an extra service, it is polite to tip about 10-20 pesos.
How to hail taxis in Playa Del Carmen
There are two places you can get a taxi in Playa Del Carmen. You can get them on the street or at a stand. Here are the details for both and the cost.
Hailing taxis on the street in Playa Del Carmen
Taxis can be hailed on the street simply by raising your arm. Try to be considerate to everyone else and choose a location where the taxi can pull over and out of traffic. Try not to have a conversation with the driver and negotiate a price on a busy street.
Prices are set by the rate chart.
Street taxis are the same as the taxis at the taxi stands. In some countries there are radio taxis and regular taxis on the street. Sometimes radio taxis are considered safer the getting a taxi on the street. In Playa Del Carmen both taxis at stands and on the street are the same (although some taxi stand taxi drivers will say they are safer). You will just pay more for a taxi at a stand in Playa Del Carmen because these taxis are waiting for you.
Taking a taxi from a taxi stand or from you hotel
The taxi stands are places where taxis wait for passengers. Taxis charge more when using the taxi stands. The “official” surcharge is a little hard to figure out and varies on where you are getting in. Some will say there is a minimum charge, but for the most part, at taxi stands there are price list posted.
There is good news, a new initiative for taxis in Playa Del Carmen is signed rates at many taxi stands. Now outside of grocery stores and other locations you can see the official prices. This is a welcome addition to better taxi service.
Tip: The worst place to get a taxi from is the ADO bus station on Juarez Avenue. The taxi drivers are fine, but they are notorious for over charging people. We get complaints all the time from readers that get wild prices quoted to them in this area.
Where are taxi stands in Playa Del Carmen?
Here are some popular places taxi stands. These are most convenient for tourist in the downtown and those waiting to go back to their hotel after shopping or clubbing.
- Next to the ADO bus station on 5th Avenue and Avenue Juarez.
- 5th Avenue and 10th Street next to the Starbucks.
- 10th Avenue and 12th Street where many people end after going out clubbing.
- 5th Avenue and Constituyentes Avenue.
- 5th Avenue and 38th Street.
- Outside of large hotels and resorts.
How much are Playa Del Carmen taxis?
Taxis are not metered in Playa Del Carmen. There is however a chart of zones and how much it should be. If you ask how much at the end of you ride you often will be charged more. Having a knowledge of prices or even a chart with you will save you from being over charged. Check out our article here to help you avoid scams from taxis.
You can use the map below. It is interactive. If you click on where you want to leave from, you will get a list of prices to each zone.
There is an app you can download that have the prices. Note: even with the app and showing the driver the price, sometimes there is a dispute over the price. For iPhones the Radio Taxi PDC app is good.
Some taxi drivers speak English, those that work from taxi stands tend to speak more English since more tourists catch them from taxi stands. If you are not sure the actual cost, you can ask before you get in. If it sounds fair, hop in. It is not the end of the world if you pay a little more than the actual rate but… don’t get taken for a ride by a taxi driver trying to overcharge you after you have taken the ride.
Taxi prices outside of Playa Del Carmen
If you are staying outside of Playa Del Carmen and want to take a taxi here are the prices. Below is a photo we took of the official taxi prices from a taxi stand. Notice the prices of the taxi are by how many people you have. You should still ask the price to make sure, look at the chart and say, “the price is xxx pesos correct to this hotel?“.
Playa Del Carmen taxis will drive you out to hotels along the Riviera Maya, but it is not cheap. The price can range from about 120-1000 pesos for a one way. It is also up to the driver if he wants to go that far. It might be in the opposite direction for home, and he might be ending his shift soon.
If you are thinking about a taxi to the airport, see our recommendation for this taxi transfer service.
Tip: Paying pesos will get you the official prices. If you want to pay in dollars, ask first if the driver will take them. It is up to the driver at what exchange rate he accepts them at. Usually you will end up paying 30-50% if you pay in US dollars.
Tip: If your Spanish is not the best, when you check in at your hotel, grab a card with the address so when you hop in a taxi you can show him the address you want to go to.
Can you take a taxi to the Cancun Airport?
It is possible and may be convenient but there are other options that might fit your circumstances. It should be noted that there is a high fixed rate from the airport to Playa Del Carmen but going to the airport is more negotiable but up to the individual driver. Here are three options for you.
- Taking a taxi to the airport.
- The ADO bus.
- Or a private transfer.
We recommend a private transfer, and you will see why in the article link below. We even suggest one company that many of our readers use because of the good service and affordable rates.
For more on taking the ADO bus or a private transfer to the airport, see our article here with full prices and information.
What about a taxi from Cancun Airport to Playa Del Carmen?
One thing you have to realize is that all transportation at the Cancun Airport has to be licensed. This is a special license, and it is expensive. So the taxis at the airport are really just like private transfers. We however recommend a private transfer over a taxi from the Cancun Airport to Playa Del Carmen for several reasons, all of which we discuss here.
Can I take a taxi to Cancun from Playa Del Carmen?
We get this question a lot since people in Cancun want to come to Playa Del Carmen or vice versa. The answer is yes but it is going to cost you. You have to realize it is 45 minutes to one hour between your hotel and where you are going. Anywhere in the world a taxi ride is going to cost you. There is an official price of 670 pesos from Playa Del Carmen to Cancun or 700 to the Cancun Hotel Zone. These areas are large and up to the interpretation of the driver. You should always ask before getting in.
If that price is too much you can consider these options for getting between Cancun and Playa Del Carmen.
- Take the colectivos. These are shared vans that run between 2nd Street in Playa Del Carmen and just next to the ADO bus station in Cancun. It cost about 34 pesos per person each way. This ride will take you about 45 minutes. You will just need to take a taxi to and from your destinations. You can read more about colectivos here.
- Another option is to take the ADO bus from Cancun ADO bus station to Playa Del Carmen’s ADO bus station on Juarez and 5th Avenue. To read more about the buses see our article here.
Cautions for taking taxis
Just a side note of caution when taking taxis in Playa Del Carmen. Do not allow the taxi driver to pick up other passengers and do not get in if there is another person in the car. It is also not advisable to sit in the front. These precautions are especially for single people taking taxis at night. There have been a few incidences of people getting robbed and these measures can help prevent this.
Photos of Taxi Stands in Playa Del Carmen
Here are two popular places where tourist can get a taxi near 5th Avenue. Just remember that taxi stands change more. There is no official set charge for the taxi stand on top of the regular fare so just check before getting in.
Have a question or comment about taking a Playa Del Carmen taxi? Let us know in the comments below.
About The Author
Very helpful article. As a Playa resident there are a few details I have learned over time though…
1. Don’t hail a taxi from an intersection on 5th Ave. It will cost you MUCH more to get anywhere. Just go even one block over to 10th and hail them there.
2.The zone chart provided in this article is the key to getting a good price. If you know what zone you are in, and what zone you are going to, then you don’t even need to talk to the driver about the rate. Simply have the correct amount of peso ready when you get out. Having this zone chart and adhering to these published rates is required by law. Deviation is common if a driver thinks they can, but if called out as a deviation they will quickly back down because there is a pretty hefty fine that can come with it if reported and they all know it.
3. When catching a taxi from a stand, or any place where they line up waiting for a fare (like in front of a grocery store for instance), there is a fixed (not a discretionary variable as stated) 5 peso added to the published zone to zone rate. This 5p add is also published on the material the driver is required to carry in the car.
4. Finally, remember these drivers are hard working trying to make a living. Be polite, talk with them a bit, and let the exchange be part of your (and theirs) experience. I recommend for a simple zone to zone in and out – just the published fare. For helping load and unload, or if they are asked to wait, etc, then give a generous tip to say thanks.
Hope these additional thoughts on this great article are helpful.
Enjoy your time. Spread some sunshine.
Hello Dan
These are very helpful comments on taking taxis in Playa Del Carmen. Thank you for sharing.
good information thankyou. we are coming there on Saturday and hope to have a restful vacation.
I just wanted to write and say I had a genuinely nice taxi driver the other day. The taxi driver was a woman and that was the first surprise. Second as when she struck up a conversation. Then she charged the correct fare. I know these are hard working people and there are bad apples in each bunch. I just wanted to say that this driver was very nice and there are good drivers out there.
Thanks Eryn. It is nice to hear stories like this about taxi drivers here in Playa Del Carmen.
Thanks for the prices. We are staying in Playa for two weeks and have already taken some taxis but they have told us different prices so we wanted to check. We will ask for the chart next time.
Our hotel, Petit Lafitte, is about 12-15 minutes north of Playa and it isn’t listed on the rate sheet. What should the rate be for 2 passengers?
I have a bit of an odd question. If you are three people taking a taxi, do you all sit in the back or is it ok to have one passenger sit in the front with the driver? What is the custom. Same question for a private transfer. Here in Canada, you sit in the back. Thank you! Love your website!!!
Hello Susie
Three people can get in the back together but usually one person gets in the front. The taxis are a little bit of smaller cars so it can be tight. Sometimes the taxi drivers wife is riding along. In this case he probably would not stop to pick up three people. When I get a taxi with a driver and his wife, it is nice to see them spending time together. There are even female taxi drivers. Some are very hardworking and nice, the fact that they have a bad reputation lets you know there are not so good drivers.
Thank you so very much for reading our site. It is nice to hear from readers and be able to give more details.
Thanks for the great websites. We are coming next week and got tons of information here. By looking at the chart, it looks like that the corner of 25 Ave and 40 Street in zone2, am I right? So all rates has been inceased by 20% now?
This is true the rates have gone up. The exact line between 1 and 2 is not clear on the map but just expect to pay for the two zones. We hope you have a good trip here.
Do the taxis run all night? We will be attending a wedding and expect to be out late!
Hello Diana
Yes taxis in Playa Del Carmen run all night. Since most clubs go to 3 or 6 in the morning there is always a need for them to be running.
So coming this week and taking bus from airport to ADO station downtown. Then want to take taxi to hotel which is in zone 4. From the chart at top of this page its showing 240 pesos, but the bottom of page shows only 70 pesos from zone 1 to zone 4. I imagine the difference is right in the article but im not seeing it and just want to hear form you for clarity. Thank you!
You must be going to the Princess Hotel. We see your confusion but there is a clear answer. The first chart is correct leaving from the bus station to the hotel. In the other chart zone 4 is close to the Princess but does not include it. So technically the Princess Resort is off the chart. This is because zone 4 includes residential areas in Playa Del Carmen. We do recommend taking A private transfer from the airport to your hotel. Itnis much faster then passing your hotel on the highway and going into Playa and then taking a taxi back. It is a little more but so much more comfortable for your vacation. You would save about 40 minutes of transportation time. We recomend this transport company here where you can book: https://everythingplayadelcarmen.com/cancun-international-airport-transportation/
Thanks much! Traveling alone so was just trying to save a few bucks – appreciate explaining the difference in price and all the other fantastic useful info on this website.
Are the fare charts available anywhere online? Also, are there charts available for other parts of Riviera Maya? Taxi’s in the Akumal / Bahia Principe area seem very expensive – 150 pesos for a 10 minute, 6 kilometer trip.
We have not seen any charts for trips from other places in the Riviera Maya to other parts. Taxis are more expensive at resorts because they sit around waiting for a fare and habe to pay to be able to pick people up there. At the lobby they should be able to give you a price guide. We will say that $7 USD for a 6 k trip in a taxi in a remote area is not that bad. High for Mexico but the service provided is part luxury.
Could you please tell me if it’s safe to take taxi for a girl around 5am in the morning and how to reserve the taxi to pick up for the early time? My friend’s flight is at 9 am so she needs to leave Playa around 5:30am by ADO bus.
It is fairly safe to take a taxi at that time. Where you might have issues is getting into a taxi drunk from 12th street. It will depend on where your friend is staying. If she is in the downtown it is best to get a taxi on the street. That way you know it is available. If you find one or have a number you never know if they are coming or not.
Can you tell me the best way for family of 5 to take a taxi from our resort in Playacar area to 5th Avenue Playa del Carmen? 2 adult and 3 young teenagers…will we need to split up into 2 taxis or are there taxis large enough for all of us? What is the best way for us to return to our hotel, again are there taxis large enough for 5 passengers? Approx what will the cost be?
At your resort they can problem get a van taxi for you. At the taxi stand along 5th Avenue you can get a larger taxi for your family most of the time. There is a stand at Constituyentes which is easy to assess. Larger taxis cost more but expect around 150-250 pesos each way.
Are these rates current for 2019?
As far as we know but have not seen any other rate sheet. Even with the rate sheet it is hard to get accurate charges from the taxi drivers. So this is a general guide to prices. Taxi drivers are supposed to have a rate sheet in the car but often there is not or not willing to share it.
After researching on your website, I understand how to take the ADO bus or the collectivo from PDC to Tulum. Do you have a time estimate for a colectivo for this journey – is it higher due to the frequent stops? Pls recommend the bus or colectivo as the more desirable option. I think a taxi rate for two people (myself and my husband) of upwards of 690 pesos each way is a little steep. Please advise.
The colectivos are actually a little faster. The ADO bus has a regulated speed and moves along but the colectivos go faster and then stop to pick up and drop off. The bus is about 10-14 minutes longer. The bus is more comfortable and you can put bags below. The colectivos have no space for large bags.
I was robbed by a taxi driver in Playa Del Carmen. It was a regular taxi from a taxi stand. He choked me, hit me and stole my cash, wallet and phone. Be very careful and do not take a Taxi at night!! I will not be coming back to Playa
What is the price of the colectivos and where do you find them?
Example from playa del Carmen to Puerto Moreles and playa del Carmen to Tulum?
Hello Debbie. Here is everything about the colectivos in our article here: https://everythingplayadelcarmen.com/how-to-take-the-colectivos-to-tulum-or-cancun/
Only blemish on otherwise fantastic 3 week stay was my final taxi ride from my place on Ave 10 and Calle 28 to ADO on Juarez. At 5 am with little choice having to make early bus, driver saw me and offered ride for $100. I make this trip every year for Mayakoba PGA tournament, last year $30. He flashed a purported ‘chart’ with price. Zone 1 to Zone 2 still $30, correct ? Taxi number 534. Ugh.
On 3-3-2021 we hired a private transport from Playa to Cancun airport. The driver was 30-45 min late. We were on 2nd & 10th across the street from the Fives hotel. Several Taxi drivers asked if we needed transportation & we explained we were waiting on our ride. When the van pulled up the taxi drivers swarmed the driver demanding to see a reservation we had with the company. They stood in front and around the van so we were unable to move without hitting or running them over. They demanded money to let us leave. They had us stopped in traffic & scared for our lives. We have been picked up & dropped off there several times with no incident. After threatening to call police & other tourists filming the incident from the sidewalk we were allowed to leave. Who can we complain to about this? This was NOT okay!
Hello Vicki
This is a sad and unfortunate event that happened to you. Some of the private transportation that people hire is not licensed and is more competition for taxis, however this is no reason why the taxis should take matters into their own hands. There has been a long standing issue with UBER entering the market because of licensing and fees not being equal for all parties. Most of the licensed private transportation has marked vans and drivers with badges. That is why we refer our readers to one company that has excellent results. To report this incident, there is an excellent app from the tourism authority, here is a link. https://www.guestassist.mx/portal/en/Index.php
Where to report taxi driver who overcharge
Thank you
D.
We were in PDC for 4 weeks in Feb ’23, and we found trying to get a taxi to be just terrible. And we’re pretty savvy travelers, and we used Spanish as much as we could.
We just found that all the commentary about the fixed rate chart, and the supposed tips for dealing with taxes in PDC, was really off base.
It was off base because first of all, it was very hard to get a taxi at all.
Second, if we got one, they would almost always try to charge us two to three times what the price should be. It didn’t matter if we referenced the chart, tried every which way of rationalizing, or did an interpretive dance. It just didn’t matter. They were going to rip us off, no matter what.
This was such a negative experience, and it is impacting our decision of whether we would ever go to PDC again.
We did find one honest driver, and whenever he was available, he would take us somewhere for a fair price. What a great guy. But he was not always available. So, often, we would walk the 25 minutes from our apartment to the beach, carrying two little kids and all our stuff. Most days we stuck around home, because we had a great pool there, a great Park nearby, and didn’t really need much.
But it became a real downer, that every time we wanted to actually go somewhere, we had such a horrible time with taxis.
Again, all this discussion about the set rates, and simply telling the taxi driver about this out rate, was not accurate at all in our experience.
We had so many negative experiences with taxi drivers.
Overall, we had mostly really positive experiences in PDC. But taxi drivers were the worst.
I really hope that someday someone fixes this system. Maybe Uber will improve things, when it gets there.
Thank you for your comments. Unfortunately this is not a onetime occurrence. Many people do comment about taxis and how the rates are often up to what the drivers says. Uber has been further approved but not really working in the area as of yet and might take some time.