My husband and I lucked out getting a university archeology professor as our taxi driver from the airport to La Zona Rosa. We made a deal for him to takes us on a tour of the Teotihuacan pyramids the very next day. The proviso was we had to meet him a couple of blocks away from the hotel whose managers did not appreciate losing their own taxi and tourist services business to others. Not only did we get a world-class lecture that day but we had breakfast and lunch at the best of road-side eateries! Those were more innocent times.
99.9% of my experiences with taxi drivers in Mexico have been good ones. I think the few bad experiences might have an unreasonable impact on people and their perceptions. Glad you have good memories of that time in Mexico City!
The other great thing about the metro if you are female, the first two cars in every train are women only, and women with children under 12. Makes for a very safe ride.
I love this article, Mike. The joys of getting around in a taxi are not often sung, but they do make a lively tune. I would add that in Mexico City a great option for getting from A to B is the metro. That likely needs a whole explanation of its own, with its own set of precautions, but when I lived there, I took the metro all over. Fast, although it also involves walking of course. To the station, from the station, even to change trains within a station. I had a great time exploring this way.
Thanks Victor - glad you liked it! Yes, CDMX deserves its own transportation article (or 3). I prefer walking as well, I've walked all over so many places in Mexico - it is the best way to experience a city. Of course, there are places (and distances) in CDMX that I wouldn't walk ;-)
Very helpful details. For us, Uber in CDMX, SLP, Querétaro, and other large cities. Taxis in San Miguel de Allende and other small and mid-sized towns. In Michoacán and Guerrero we see many, many “combis” but have never used one. Are those the “colectivos” that you mentioned? Thanks again.
Yes, my experience has been that the terms “combi” and “collectivo” are used to describe pretty much the same type of transport experience in different parts of Mexico. These are typically van or van-like vehicles with their various destinations painted on the windshield. A little more expensive than a bus, but a lot less expensive than a taxi. But definitely more bus like in that they are a shared ride resource.
When I lived in Guadalajara 30 years ago, "combis" were always white VW buses, and you could hail them like taxis but you'd usually be sharing a ride with whoever else was in there at the time. Here in the Puerto Vallarta/ Bahia de Banderas area, "colectivos" are nicer transport vans that you can arrange for ahead of time with a large group...my hiking group uses them all the time. The terms could be interchangeable...I don't hear "combi" anymore but it sounds like other places still use it.
In Michoacán and Guerrero, “combis” are small Nissan and Toyota minivans that are bigger than the old VW combi, but not the nice tour vans of which you speak. They seem to have destinations on the windshield (like CENTRO, SORIANA, etc.), so I guess they function like city buses in other cities. No air conditioning, sliding door either absent or open, and bench seats like an old school bus in the US …
Thanks David - yes, it’s good to know the going rates. Avoids surprises. Well, unless the surprise is someone wanting to charge more than the going rate.
My husband and I lucked out getting a university archeology professor as our taxi driver from the airport to La Zona Rosa. We made a deal for him to takes us on a tour of the Teotihuacan pyramids the very next day. The proviso was we had to meet him a couple of blocks away from the hotel whose managers did not appreciate losing their own taxi and tourist services business to others. Not only did we get a world-class lecture that day but we had breakfast and lunch at the best of road-side eateries! Those were more innocent times.
99.9% of my experiences with taxi drivers in Mexico have been good ones. I think the few bad experiences might have an unreasonable impact on people and their perceptions. Glad you have good memories of that time in Mexico City!
The other great thing about the metro if you are female, the first two cars in every train are women only, and women with children under 12. Makes for a very safe ride.
I love this article, Mike. The joys of getting around in a taxi are not often sung, but they do make a lively tune. I would add that in Mexico City a great option for getting from A to B is the metro. That likely needs a whole explanation of its own, with its own set of precautions, but when I lived there, I took the metro all over. Fast, although it also involves walking of course. To the station, from the station, even to change trains within a station. I had a great time exploring this way.
Thanks Victor - glad you liked it! Yes, CDMX deserves its own transportation article (or 3). I prefer walking as well, I've walked all over so many places in Mexico - it is the best way to experience a city. Of course, there are places (and distances) in CDMX that I wouldn't walk ;-)
Very helpful details. For us, Uber in CDMX, SLP, Querétaro, and other large cities. Taxis in San Miguel de Allende and other small and mid-sized towns. In Michoacán and Guerrero we see many, many “combis” but have never used one. Are those the “colectivos” that you mentioned? Thanks again.
Yes, my experience has been that the terms “combi” and “collectivo” are used to describe pretty much the same type of transport experience in different parts of Mexico. These are typically van or van-like vehicles with their various destinations painted on the windshield. A little more expensive than a bus, but a lot less expensive than a taxi. But definitely more bus like in that they are a shared ride resource.
When I lived in Guadalajara 30 years ago, "combis" were always white VW buses, and you could hail them like taxis but you'd usually be sharing a ride with whoever else was in there at the time. Here in the Puerto Vallarta/ Bahia de Banderas area, "colectivos" are nicer transport vans that you can arrange for ahead of time with a large group...my hiking group uses them all the time. The terms could be interchangeable...I don't hear "combi" anymore but it sounds like other places still use it.
In Michoacán and Guerrero, “combis” are small Nissan and Toyota minivans that are bigger than the old VW combi, but not the nice tour vans of which you speak. They seem to have destinations on the windshield (like CENTRO, SORIANA, etc.), so I guess they function like city buses in other cities. No air conditioning, sliding door either absent or open, and bench seats like an old school bus in the US …
Great info here!
Thanks Stephanie!
Good article. Here in Manzanillo i never try to negotiate a fare. It’s always 100 -
200 pesos unless you are going to the airport (800) or somewhere off the main drag.
Thanks David - yes, it’s good to know the going rates. Avoids surprises. Well, unless the surprise is someone wanting to charge more than the going rate.
Good one!
Love the way you write. Thanks for this. Ahora...SIGANME LOS BUENOS !!