Can You Drive for Uber in Tulum? Insights from a Local Driver

Uber is now operating in Tulum with licensed taxi drivers, and the app promises a one-minute wait for a ride. The driver from Tiburones del Caribe, the largest taxi union in the municipality, explained who can drive for Uber in town, which currently includes licensed taxi operators.

The app shows the route, the driver, and the fare before anyone opens a door, defining what the app is in its first weeks in town. Passengers can see the trip cost on the screen before boarding, and Uber is giving new users three free rides as part of its opening promotion.

The requirement for drivers to have a taxi circulation card keeps the service in the hands of authorized operators rather than individuals with a car and a smartphone. While taxis in Cancún have not staged protests against Uber, in Tulum, taxi drivers have expressed concerns about additional platforms cutting into their earnings.

Uber covers the cost of the free rides, with the driver being paid for these trips. This model is individual, with each taxi operator deciding on their own whether to join the Uber platform.