Is Uber Safe In Mexico? (What I Use Here)

Figuring Out Transportation Details For A Trip To Mexico, But Wondering If Uber Is A Safe Option Here Or If It’s Even Available Everywhere?

I love visiting Mexico and I’ve been able to see many areas of this country from the central areas to the east and west coasts, but while Uber is typically my number one safe transportation choice in most parts of the country, it’s not always available or legal everywhere here, and sometimes there are better, safer, nicer, and cheaper alternatives.

➡️ My Top Pick: Uber is typically illegal at most airports in Mexico, so I recommend being extra safe and getting private transfers instead in Mexico City, in Cancun, in Cabo, in Guadalajara, or in Monterrey

⛑ Is Uber Safe In Mexico?

No matter what part of Mexico I’ve visited (Mexico City, Cabo, Cancun, Tulum, Puebla, etc.), I’ve used all kinds of different transportation options including taxis, the subway, rental cars, private transfers, and the bus, but Uber is always my number one choice if its available because it’s typically a very safe option, though there may be some exceptions.

Is Uber Safe In Mexico City?

Mexico City is very large so you always have to be safe here.

The capital city of Mexico is one of my favorite places to visit (my favorite soccer team is here), and Uber has always been my number one choice for just about anything I do in Mexico City.

Taxis are notorious for not being safe here, and the subway can be dangerous, overcrowded, and a pickpocketing trap, so Uber really is the best, safest, and cheapest option for most transportation needs in Mexico City.

*️⃣ Tip: Mexico City has quite a few dangerous areas you should avoid, so it’s important to know where the safest neighborhoods are and stick to them

Is Uber Safe In Guadalajara?

Generally, Uber is safe in Guadalajara and much better than taxis, but they too have had some issues with the taxi industry and this is not the place to let your guard down.

Is Uber Safe In Cancun?

Uber is not typically a great option in the Riviera Maya area of Mexico because it's not super safe or cheap.

I’ve had some real issues when visiting Cancun (it’s not really my favorite place in Mexico), plus it’s not always the safest place and it’s a bit too touristy.

Uber and taxi drivers have also had some serious issues in this area of Mexico, so even Uber is not super safe in Cancun. I’d definitely recommend avoiding both taxis and Ubers (for the most part) in Cancun, especially at the airport.

Is Uber Safe In Puerto Vallarta?

Besides not being allowed at the airport, Uber is typically safe in Puerto Vallarta. Taxis on the other hand are generally much less safe and much more expensive, so I’d suggest sticking with Ubers here.

Is Uber Safe In Cabo?

Cabo is a wonderful place to visit but it is quite expensive. — The Best Horseback Riding Tour In Cabo

While Uber can be used in some areas of Cabo, it’s not allowed in many places (like airports or some high end resorts), and both taxi’s and hotel services really like to gauge tourists.

Uber is typically safe in Cabo, but watch out for drivers continuing the ride in the app to make more money (this happened here on a previous visit).

*️⃣ Tip: if you have sensory issues like me, I’ve found Ubers in Cabo to be nearly unbearable due to the smell of cigarette smoke, so either choose a different form of transportation or try to come prepared to avoid the smell

Is Uber Safe In Monterrey, Mexico?

Uber is very active and generally safe in Monterrey, but like other places in Mexico, the airport is a bit more difficult. It is possible to use here, but drivers typically contact riders to give specific instructions, so Spanish might be required and will definitely be more helpful.

Is Uber Safe In Tijuana?

Uber’s issues in Tijuana have supposedly been resolved, but just a few years ago Uber drivers were being verbally and physically attacked by taxi drivers. Uber is supposed to be safe now, but it’s not something I’d personally risk in Tijuana, Mexico.

🚕 When To Use Something Other Than Uber In Mexico

Uber officially operates in over 100 cites in Mexico (including popular destinations like Cabo, Cancun, Monterrey, Guadalajara, Mazatlan, Merida, Mexico City, Puebla, Puerto Vallarta, and Tijuana), but it doesn’t have drivers in every city around the country (like Tulum), they’re not allowed everywhere (like airports and resorts), and they’re not always easy to get during peak times (like after soccer games), so something else might be better.

Although Uber is typically safe around Mexico, it's not always available or allowed. — The Best Surf Tour In Cabo

Is Driving Safe In Mexico?

Driving is not typically a safe option in Mexico, but it is popular in certain areas like the Riviera Maya, and though I did it here, I don’t recommend it for multiple reasons:

large cities or even small congested ones (like Tulum) have terrible traffic
traffic rules are often ignored by most
driving between cities (like Mexico City and Guadalajara) is not safe
road conditions are not great (especially places like Tulum)
police have been known to target foreigners in tourist areas
it’s easy to get scammed at gas stations
rental car companies like to look for reasons to charge more
it’s easy to get undercarriage damage to rental cars (especially in places like Tulum)

Are Taxis Safe In Mexico?

Taxis are notorious throughout Mexico for being unsafe (especially in Mexico City), they’re usually more expensive than Uber, they’re typically not as nice as Uber, and taxi drivers are pretty aggressive trying to get you to ride with them (especially in Cancun), but sometimes they’re the only option.

If you do have to use taxis:
➡️ Don’t hail them off the street
➡️ Ask your hotel to call and confirm an official taxi for you
➡️ Get certified taxis from stands at airports or bus terminals

Taxis are not recommended in most parts of the country.

Is The Bus Safe In Mexico?

Busses can be great in Mexico to easily and cheaply travel to other places. I bussed without issues from Mexico City to Puebla/Cholula to see the Great Pyramid rather than taking a tour, and it was super easy, safe, and cheap.

Is The Metro Safe In Mexico?

Some places in Mexico (like Mexico City) have the subway or metro, which is super cheap, but typically not very safe. I rode the subway in Mexico City with a group of local friends and I don’t recommend it because:

it’s a pickpocketing trap
it’s dirty and smelly
it’s outrageously crowded, like the doors barely shut
it’s not good for people with sensory issues

Is Private Transportation Worth It?

While Uber is safe, it’s not usually allowed or the easiest to use at most airports in Mexico, and certified taxis can be safe, but not as nice or as cheap, so private transfers are the safest and most convenient options particularly to/from airports.

➡️ Cancun Private Transfers

➡️ Mexico City Private Transfers

➡️ Cabo Private Transfers

➡️ Guadalajara Private Transfers

➡️ Monterrey Private Transfers

Tours are a pretty decent and cheap way to explore more of the country.

Are Tours A Good Way To Get Around In Mexico?

Uber, busses, and private transfers are all good, safe ways to explore Mexico, but the costs can add up quickly so the easiest and most efficient way to see things as a traveler is definitely on a tour.

Mexico is a large country with plenty of popular options like:

➡️ A Teotihuacan Tour From Mexico City

➡️ A Chichen Itza + Cenote Tour From Cancun

➡️ A Whale Watching Tour From Cabo

➡️ A Puebla + Cholula Pyramid Tour From Mexico City

➡️ A Lake Chapala + Ajijic Tour From Guadalajara

ℹ️ Tips To Be Extra Safe Using Uber In Mexico

Although Uber is generally safe and one of the best ways to get around in most parts of Mexico, there are a few ways you can be extra safe while riding here:

Confirm Names + License Plates: double check license plates and ask the driver their name, so they give you the answer (in Spanish, “Como te llamas”, “Como se llama”, or “Cual es tu nombre”)

Use The App To Share The Ride: select “share trip” so someone else can pay attention and know where you are just in case

Follow The Ride In The App: follow in the app to know that the driver is going the right way or going at all (in other countries, some drivers have canceled rides once the rider gets in so they can take them to the ATM and rob them)

Ride With Highly Rated Drivers: it’s better to cancel a ride with a driver that has few rides or low ratings, and only stick with highly rated drivers

Double Check That The Ride Was Ended: sometimes drivers keep the ride going after it’s over so they keep getting paid

Don’t Wait For Uber Alone: especially at night, don’t wait for Ubers alone in an isolated area (there have been instances of drivers sending the riders location to friends so they can come by and rob them)

Upgrade The Uber If It’s Late Or Busy: I’ve upgraded my Uber numerous times (at Lucha Libre or soccer games for example) when it’s late at night and/or very busy because the drivers get to me much quicker

But overall, don’t worry too much, just be aware and cautious. I’ve traveled to Mexico many times and used many transportation options both with others and alone, and the only issue I’ve ever come across is smelly cars and drivers trying to get more money out of the ride by leaving the trip running in the app.

🔁 Sum Up: Is Uber Safe In Mexico?

Although it’s not always available or the best choice everywhere in Mexico in every situation, Uber is generally a safe, convenient, and cheap transportation option here that I personally choose whenever it’s available. Just be aware and cautious as you would anywhere in the world, but enjoy your time exploring this wonderful country.