Cab prices in Mexican ports

[MyTMo777]

How do I find out the prices of cabs in ports, and whether they are set or negotiable? Specifically, we are going to Cabo, Puerto Vallarta and Acapulco. I'm not looking to cheap out on a negotiable price, but I also don't want to over pay. 

[CruiserBruce]

I doubt you will find them negotiable in Cabo. Cabo is about as Americanized as anywhere, and prices are pretty fixed.

[Ashland]

On our port stops this past January we had no need for a taxi in Cabo at all and easily walked into town and back from the tender dock.

 

In Puerto Vallarta we used a shuttle from the dock (across from Walmart) and it was $4.00pp to the Malecon. We took a random street taxi from there to get back to the ship and again it was $8.00 for the two of us.

 

This couldn't have been easier. We've been at these ports many times throughout the years.

[MyTMo777]

Ashland, have you been to Acapulco? Can we do things on our own there?

[njhorseman]

1 hour ago, MyTMo777 said:

Ashland, have you been to Acapulco? Can we do things on our own there?

I'm not Ashland, but I answered your question on the thread you started. Acapulco has a very high crime rate with police and military armed with semi-automatic weapons seemingly on every street corner.

I felt uncomfortable enough at times even taking an escorted tour, and I would never consider going out on my own in Acapulco.

[Ashland]

6 hours ago, MyTMo777 said:

Ashland, have you been to Acapulco? Can we do things on our own there?

No, and it doesn't seem to be on very many cruise schedules...or at least the cruiseline I frequent. I too have heard some not so good things about Acapulco as posted above 

[MyTMo777]

5 hours ago, njhorseman said:

I'm not Ashland, but I answered your question on the thread you started. Acapulco has a very high crime rate with police and military armed with semi-automatic weapons seemingly on every street corner.

I felt uncomfortable enough at times even taking an escorted tour, and I would never consider going out on my own in Acapulco.

I appreciate the feedback. We seem to have an abundance of ports on our upcoming cruise that either are not safe to venture out in on our own, or that dock in an industrial area, which necessitates an excursion. 

[Hlitner]

4 minutes ago, Ashland said:

No, and it doesn't seem to be on very many cruise schedules...or at least the cruiseline I frequent. I too have heard some not so good things about Acapulco as posted above 

Am watching this thread with lots of interest :).  We have been to Acapulco, but we went there in better times when the city was relatively safe.  These days, not many cruise lines call at that city for various reasons including safety.  The US Department of State does not recommend travel to Acapulco or its' State of Guerrero.  If we were there on a cruise we would stick to the tourist areas and stick with cruise line excursions (even though we dislike cruise line excursions).

If 

As to taxis, I can speak to Puerto Vallarta where we live for 10 weeks a year and often use taxis as well as Uber and buses.  If a cruiser is simply trying to get from the port into town, they can take the taxis that are inside the port which have a special Federal franchise.  These taxis charge a price per person which is a little high, but the price is controlled.   If you go out of the port and grab a local taxi, the fares are supposed to be charged based on a zone system.  But many taxi drivers do see cruise passengers (and many other gringos) as an easy payday and will often overcharge.  I do not know the current taxi fare from the port into town, but it should be about 120-150 Pesos (for the entire taxi).  But most cruisers want to pay in US Dollars and you will likely not get a great exchange rate.   If you offer a taxi driver $10 (US) that should be more than enough to get into town.  Split 3 or 4 ways we are not talking much money and fighting to save another $2-$5 is hardly worth the hassle.

 

Also keep in mind that the local buses charge $10 (Pesos) (which is about 50 cents US) and you can catch buses from outside the port.  You should have exact change in Pesos.  Some drivers will accept a US dollar and others will not!

 

We suggest cruisers not get too hung up on saving a few dollars.  The Mexicans in the tourist industry are generally very hard working  (and friendly) folks trying to make a living.  If you get ripped off for $2 or $3 it will not change your life, but it will be very helpful to the local.  As somebody who considers Mexico their 2nd home, we are OK when we get slightly overcharged.  But the emphasis is on "slightly."  When somebody gets too greedy than I do have issues and will bargain the price down to what is proper or just walk away.

 

By the way, I intentionally used the dollar sign for both Pesos and US Dollars because that is how it works.  In Mexico, the dollar sign is also used to mean Pesos (and can have one or two vertical strokes).  But cruisers should be cognizant than when you see something prices at $200 it might be two hundred dollars or 200 Pesos (which is about $10 dollars).

 

One other tip about bargaining.  It is fine to bargain but do it with a smile and be polite.  It is simply part of the culture.  If you are not happy with the deal just smile, say "gracias" and move on.

 

Hank

[njhorseman]

5 minutes ago, MyTMo777 said:

I appreciate the feedback. We seem to have an abundance of ports on our upcoming cruise that either are not safe to venture out in on our own, or that dock in an industrial area, which necessitates an excursion. 

Two of the three you've named in this thread, Cabo and PV, are certainly OK for venturing out on your own. Only Acapulco isn't.

What other ports are you visiting ?

[MyTMo777]

3 hours ago, njhorseman said:

Two of the three you've named in this thread, Cabo and PV, are certainly OK for venturing out on your own. Only Acapulco isn't.

What other ports are you visiting ?

Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala, San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua, & Puntarenas, Costa Rica. We have been to both the Guatemalan and Costa Rican ports before, and we know that we need to book an excursion because we dock in an industrial area. From what I am reading online, it sounds like Nicaragua is also not a port where we can just walk off the ship into town. 

[Ashland]

2 hours ago, MyTMo777 said:

Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala, San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua, & Puntarenas, Costa Rica. We have been to both the Guatemalan and Costa Rican ports before, and we know that we need to book an excursion because we dock in an industrial area. From what I am reading online, it sounds like Nicaragua is also not a port where we can just walk off the ship into town. 

We'll be doing the Panama Canal on RCI Serenade San Pedro Ca-Tampa Fl in October and in Puntarenas we're joining a private tour with our roll call called "Thumbs Up Tour Costa Rica" a four hour tour. Perhaps you might want to check out this option for your cruise. 

[njhorseman]

7 hours ago, MyTMo777 said:

Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala, San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua, & Puntarenas, Costa Rica. We have been to both the Guatemalan and Costa Rican ports before, and we know that we need to book an excursion because we dock in an industrial area. From what I am reading online, it sounds like Nicaragua is also not a port where we can just walk off the ship into town. 

Based on what I've recently read your stop in Nicaragua may be cancelled. 

 

[MyTMo777]

8 hours ago, njhorseman said:

Based on what I've recently read your stop in Nicaragua may be cancelled. 

 

Yeah, I’ve been wondering that too. Still like to have a plan in place if we do go there. 

[Joebucks]

In Puerto, we took a 20ish minute Uber for $2.80. 

[chubbypiggy]

1. OP mentioned there are shuttles across from Walmart for $4pp to the Malecon.  Is Malecon a shopping center?

2. How long is the walk from Princess port to Walmart?  Is it an easy walk?  Need to ask about the route to get there?

3. How long is the taxi ride into town?  What do we tell the driver, just say take us to town or there is a particular name

   for the town?

4.  After seeing the town, are taxis easily available in town to take us back to the port?  

5. In town taking a taxi back to port, do we need to negotiate the cab fare before getting into the cab or just go by the

    taxi meter?  Usually how much?

 

Thanks in advance!

 

 

[KroozNut]

3 minutes ago, chubbypiggy said:

1. OP mentioned there are shuttles across from Walmart for $4pp to the Malecon.  Is Malecon a shopping center?

2. How long is the walk from Princess port to Walmart?  Is it an easy walk?  Need to ask about the route to get there?

3. How long is the taxi ride into town?  What do we tell the driver, just say take us to town or there is a particular name

   for the town?

4.  After seeing the town, are taxis easily available in town to take us back to the port?  

5. In town taking a taxi back to port, do we need to negotiate the cab fare before getting into the cab or just go by the

    taxi meter?  Usually how much?

 

Thanks in advance!

 

 

1. The Malecon is the 'Boardwalk' along the beach in PV. If you start from the north end near Hotel Rosita, you'll pass all the shops, bars and restaurants as you stroll along the way.

2. Walmart (and Sam's Club) are literally right across the street from the cruise port. When you dock, you will be able to see both of them from the ship. Very easy to get to.

3. About a 10 minute ride to Hotel Rosita (north end of the Malecon) where we like to get off.

4. Yes, just walk along the main street and hail one as they approach.

5. Always negotiate the fare before getting into the cab (either way). We paid $12 U.S. one way in April.

[chubbypiggy]

12 minutes ago, KroozNut said:

1. The Malecon is the 'Boardwalk' along the beach in PV. If you start from the north end near Hotel Rosita, you'll pass all the shops, bars and restaurants as you stroll along the way.

2. Walmart (and Sam's Club) are literally right across the street from the cruise port. When you dock, you will be able to see both of them from the ship. Very easy to get to.

3. About a 10 minute ride to Hotel Rosita (north end of the Malecon) where we like to get off.

4. Yes, just walk along the main street and hail one as they approach.

5. Always negotiate the fare before getting into the cab (either way). We paid $12 U.S. one way in April.

Thank you for the information!!