Taxis in Tulum: Everything You Need To Know

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 Prices in Tulum

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). In areas like Tumben Kaa that are directly adjacent to the center and are used mostly by locals, similar or slightly higher rates apply.
From Centro/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).
To or from more remote areas: Areas within Tulum that are harder to reach, like Region 15, which mostly has dirt roads, can vary in price, but typically cost at least ~15 USD (250 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 fairly short ride (typically, but not exclusively, people under influence that are being taken advantage of).

Ordering a Taxi in Tulum

There are no central numbers or ride-hailing apps for ordering taxis in Tulum. Instead you can ask the reception of your hotel if you are staying at one. They often have the phone number of a few taxi drivers they trust. They might add a percentage to the price you would otherwise pay though. On the other hand, you are less likely to get charged truly extortionate rates, even if you don’t negotiate.

Finding a Taxi in Tulum

You can of course hail a taxi on the street. In busier areas like the town center or Calle 7 in La Veleta, you’ll often find one that’s available within 10 minutes. In quieter parts of Tulum, it can take significantly longer.

Like most things in Tulum, taxi stands are fairly informal. They’re not official stations, just spots where taxis tend to gather. We’ve marked a the places on the map below where you can be at least 80% sure to find one during most hours of the day.

In the hotel zone, taxis usually wait near the busiest areas where there’s space to pull over. At night, for example, you’ll often find them outside popular clubs like Vagalume and Bonbonniere. That said, when the crowd leaves all at once, it can still take a while to get a ride.

In general, though, taxis are quite present in the hotel zone, as drivers know they can get away with charging the highest fares there.

Map With 'Taxi Stands' in Tulum

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, this is the exception. It’s always best to carry cash for your fares.
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: taxi drivers in the area have kept Uber drivers out through threats and, at times, actual violence. We’ve occasionally felt quite intimidated ourselves. While we’re not aware of any cases where taxi drivers have turned violent toward tourists, there’s really no reason to go looking for trouble.
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 and avoid paying 20 dollar for a 3 minute ride.
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: The English of most drivers is 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 (if they just say ‘two’ for example, you can expect them to mean 200 pesos).

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. If you’re traveling in a group, it can even end up being more affordable.

And to sum up the prices for taxi rides in Tulum: they should be from $5 to $35 USD for the common destinations within Tulum itself. Expect to pay more if you don’t negotiate though. Late at night or in peak season you might also need to pay a bit more.