Lyft is one of the best ride-hailing and ride-sharing apps in the US. When visiting other countries, it is natural for Americans to wonder if they can use the same services as in the US to feel more comfortable about safety and reliability.
Cancun is the number one beach destination in Mexico, and one of the largest tourist spots in the world. It is estimated that over 5.6 million people coming from the US and Canada visit Cancun every year. Knowing what to expect and how you are going to move around the city is important so you can focus on enjoying your trip.
In this article, we’ll answer all your questions about Lyft in Cancun, so let’s get to it.
Is Lyft available in Cancun
The short answer is no. Lyft is not available in Cancun at the moment. It is actually not available anywhere in Mexico.
However, that might be about to change. In 2022, the company established an office in Mexico City, which started rumors about Lyft possibly offering their service in the country.
When asked about Lyft’s availability in Cancun, and the rest of Mexico, Chris Lambert, Lyft’s CTO said the following:
“The new CDMX [Mexico City] office will be another home for our engineering teams, tapping into the wealth of entrepreneurial and innovative talent from Mexico’s finest institutions. While we have no immediate plans to offer rideshare in Mexico, CDMX [Mexico City] is well poised to be our primary hub for all of Latin America,”
Alternatives to Lyft in Cancun
Uber is the main alternative to Lyft in Cancun.
In the US, Lyft is regarded as the more affordable ride-hailing option while Uber is seen as a more upscale, business-oriented brand. However, in Mexico, things are a bit different. Uber is more of a ubiquitous app and its pricing scheme is generally perceived as reasonable.
Street taxis in Mexico can be hit or miss and are generally not recommended due to safety concerns and inconsistent pricing. While taxis are generally cheaper, It is not uncommon for drivers to “forget” to turn on their meter and then try to overcharge tourists.
Other two commonly used ride-hailing apps in Mexico are Didi and Cabify. Didi (iOS store link) shares a lot of drivers with Uber but sometimes offers better pricing. Most people in Mexico use both and simply pick the one that offers the best price at the moment as the quality of the service is comparable. The only disadvantage is the chat feature does not do auto-translation like Uber.
The other option is Cabify (iOS store link) which mostly uses street taxis but with a pre-determined rate. It is not currently available in English.
At the airport
Mexico’s airports are a special case because ride-hailing apps are not allowed to pick up passengers due to certain regulations (they can however drop off passengers). Only cabs with special permits are allowed but they can be quite expensive.
If you are not carrying much luggage, it is quite easy to take a bus that drops you off in downtown Cancun. Just look for the stands with the brand “ADO” (the bus company). Once you are downtown, you can either get an Uber that takes you to your hotel, or a second bus at the same terminal you got dropped off at. Look for route R1. This bus takes you to the hotel strip.
Summary
- Lyft is currently not available in Cancun
- Other ride-hailing apps like Uber, Didi, and Cabify, are all good alternatives
- Ride-hailing apps are not allowed at the airport, you will have to take a bus or use one of the sanctioned cabs which can be outrageously expensive.
