As seasoned locals of Tulum, we understand the importance of efficient transportation for newcomers to our beloved town. Let’s delve into how you can easily get around using taxis, from understanding prices to ordering one for your journey.

Taxi services in Tulum: an overview

Taxis are used quite a lot in Tulum. Taxis can be quite expensive though, depending on your pick up location and destination. Here’s a breakdown of typical fares:

Within Centro/La Veleta: For short trips within the town center or La Veleta area, fares typically are around 5 USD (80 pesos).
From Centro or La Veleta to Aldea Zama: Traveling from Centro or La Veleta to Aldea Zama (or vice versa) should cost around 15 USD (250 pesos).
To or from the Hotel Zone: Journeying to or from the hotel zone entails higher fares, around 35 USD (600 pesos).

Prices can increase by up to 50% after 11 PM or when it is very busy (around new year’s for example). To be clear, here we are referring to prices that taxi drivers will generally accept. If you don’t negotiate any price is possible really. We have heard stories of up to hundreds of dollars for a short ride.

Ordering a Taxi in Tulum

There are no central numbers or ride-hailing apps for ordering taxis in Tulum. Here are your options:

Hailing a Taxi: Look out for taxis along the streets, you find one easily in busy areas like the town center or hotel zone, in other places it can take a while.
Ask your hotel: Hotels often have the phone number of a few taxi drivers they trust. They might add a percentage to the price you would otherwise pay. On the other hand, you are less likely to get charged extortionate rates, even if you don’t negotiate.

Tips for Taxi Travel in Tulum

To ensure a smooth and pleasant taxi experience in Tulum, consider the following tips:

Cash is king: While some taxis in Tulum may accept credit cards, it’s always best to carry cash for your fares, especially when traveling to remote areas where card payments may not be accepted.
Negotiate fairly: When negotiating fares with taxi drivers, be polite but firm. It’s acceptable to haggle a bit, especially for longer journeys, but remember to be fair and respectful in your negotiations. Also for your own safety.
Know your destination: Familiarize yourself with the approximate distances for destinations that we have not mentioned to have at least some idea of an idea of what a fair price would be.
Get your own taxi driver contacts: If a taxi driver gave you a good experience and asked for a reasonable price, you could consider asking his or her WhatsApp, so you can ask them to come to more out-of-the-way locations.
Don’t assume taxi drivers speak English: To set expectations, keep in mind that their English is usually very limited. However, they typically figure out your destination quite easily, often by using Google Maps. They also tend to know enough numbers in English to discuss fares.

Conclusion

Taxis in Tulum can be pricey and the whole experience can be somewhat annoying. Despite this, taxis are a viable option for getting around. It usually gets you where you want to go and there are many taxis in Tulum so with some luck you can get one fairly quickly.

Alternatively you could consider hiring a private driver if you prefer a nicer car and more reliable car service.

And to sum up the prices for taxi rides in Tulum: they range from approximately $5 to $60 USD for the common destinations in Tulum.