Tourists have been warned about pirate taxis targeting travellers in Cancun. Hundreds of unlicensed cabs are said to be operating in the Mexican city.
Those who drive the fake taxis pose as legitimate drivers to pick up tourists at Cancun International Airport and outside hotels.
There could be as many as 900 of the phoney taxis in and around the city, which is a popular destination for tourists visiting the North American country.
Because local officials do not regulate them, they have no idea if the drivers are insured, what condition their vehicles are in and whether or not the driver has a criminal record, the Cancun Sun reports.
The warning comes amid protests in Cancun against Uber, with some taxi drivers targeting customers of the ride hailing service by pulling them from vehicles.
Tourists should look for a couple of things to check if a taxi is legitimate or otherwise.
The vehicle should display a registration number and there should be a valid taxi driver ID on display. These can be faked, but if these are missing, this should be a red flag.
The Cancun Sun also reports that, while rare, one danger of using a fake taxi is being robbed.
The main issue, however, is people being overcharged for their journey, according to the same publication.
Travellers are advised to arrange transfer ahead of arrival or book at Cancun International.
You should also agree on a price with the driver before setting off.
Pre-booking might also mean your taxi is waiting for you on arrival so you hopefully won’t have to wait.
