Los Cabos Enhances Efforts To Fight Pirate Taxis And Protect Tourists 

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Last Updated 2 months ago

Pirate taxis, or fake taxis, have long been a problem in Los Cabos despite the efforts already being put toward eradicating them from the airport and around town.   

Currently, the destination, which includes Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo, employs 30 inspectors who monitor transportation service providers.  

Their job is to monitor them to ensure they carry the permits required to operate.   

Now Los Cabos is further enhancing those efforts to fight pirate taxis and protect tourists by adding an additional 10 inspectors. 

What Are Pirate Taxis 

Taxis In Los Cabos are required by laws and regulations to be registered and to carry certain permits to operate.   

A “pirate taxi,” or fake taxi, is a taxi that operates without the necessary licenses or permits to do so.   

There are many of these pirate taxis in Los Cabos, and it’s hard to tell the difference between real and fake taxis.   

Inspectors In Los Cabos  

Los Cabos officials employ inspectors to help weed out the pirate taxis.   

They perform surveillance in various parts of Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo, particularly in the areas frequented by tourists.   

With the addition of the new inspectors, there will be 40 in total.   

How Inspectors Help Stop Them 

According to Baja California Sur’s director of transport, Martin Guadalupe Salinas Cesena, “The new inspectors will join the existing ones to monitor that all modes of transport operate properly and in accordance with the regulations.”   

He also reiterated the fact that the problem is worse in tourist areas.   

Popular tourist areas in Los Cabos include: 

• Los Cabos International Airport 

• Cabo San Lucas Marina 

• Downtown Cabo San Lucas 

• The Historic Area of San Jose del Cabo 

• The Beaches 

Why Pirate Taxis Are A Danger To Tourists 

Some pirate taxis are just locals trying to make a living by offering rides for hire without the proper permits.   

One of the problems with that, though, is that some could have more nefarious motives, like robbing tourists, or worse, and if something happens, there is no way for authorities to track them down.   

The other problem is that if you’re in an accident while in a pirate taxi, they may not have the insurance to cover any injuries you might sustain.   

What Tourists Can Do To Avoid Pirate Taxis 

While it’s difficult to tell the difference between pirate taxis and legitimate taxis, pirate taxis aren’t as hard to avoid as you might think.   

The best way to avoid them is to book your transportation, whether you choose a taxi or some form of private or shared transportation, in advance.   

Then you know that you’re booking with an actual company that requires their drivers to carry the proper permits to operate at the destination.   

Taxis In Los Cabos 

The existence of pirate taxis is an issue in Los Cabos, but not all taxis are pirate taxis.   

There are plenty of legitimate drivers who operate in Los Cabos, too.   

Their prices might be higher than expected, with rates of as high as $80 for a one-way trip from the airport to Cabo San Lucas, but there are many legally operating taxis.   

Different Types Of Transportation To Use While Visiting Los Cabos 

If you want to skip a taxi altogether, that’s also possible because there are several other forms of transportation that you can use.  

 In addition to taxis, there are private and shared shuttles, public buses, private cars, and car rentals in Los Cabos as well.   

Using one of these alternative options is a surefire way to avoid pirate taxis while you’re visiting Los Cabos, but hopefully, pirate taxis will be a thing of the past soon.