Taxi service near the airport

[Dredlok]

No, I never feel like I'm staying long enough.

But as for packing light. I've been known to use the hotel shampoo to wash clothes in the bathroom sink and hang them out to dry on the balcony so I woudn't have to pack as much.

That's a good idea. I'm stealing it.

 

[Christi]

From my understanding, the local businesses have sliced up the tourism pie and Lomas or whatever the hotel transfers company is called has been given that piece of the pie so they can make gobs of money on over priced, crowded van rides.

Lomas does not own the shuttle vans. They are individually licensed and are part of the taxi union. It's a cooperation and Gordon explained it perfectly - it's not corrupt, not any more corrupt than the whole idea of the taxi union and their power in itself.

I am not saying there is no corruption in Mexico - of course there is - there is in every single country and just as much of it in the good ole USA - if you don't think so, you're really out of touch with reality. It's no different than the hype of the drug violence in Mexico (which is 1000's of miles away fro us) when there is gang and drug violence every single day in the US and has been for decades! I feel safer here any day of the week than in the US anywhere!

Comparing taxi's at the airports to taxi's picking up at cruise ship terminals is absurd! There are a plethora of areas for the taxi's to cue up at the various ship terminals, including the HUGE parking lot dedicated to them at the ship terminals

 

[1KWIK_69]

Lomas does not own the shuttle vans. They are individually licensed and are part of the taxi union. It's a cooperation and Gordon explained it perfectly - it's not corrupt, not any more corrupt than the whole idea of the taxi union and their power in itself.

I am not saying there is no corruption in Mexico - of course there is - there is in every single country and just as much of it in the good ole USA - if you don't think so, you're really out of touch with reality. It's no different than the hype of the drug violence in Mexico (which is 1000's of miles away fro us) when there is gang and drug violence every single day in the US and has been for decades! I feel safer here any day of the week than in the US anywhere!

Comparing taxi's at the airports to taxi's picking up at cruise ship terminals is absurd! There are a plethora of areas for the taxi's to cue up at the various ship terminals, including the HUGE parking lot dedicated to them at the ship terminals

Thanks for weighing in on this issue Chisti. It's nice to have a little clarification on the ownership of the vans. I guess Lomas or whatever they're called might be the ones selling the transfes online for the really high prices. Not that buying van tickets at the airport is a bargain.

Things really have grown out of proportion. I don't think Cozumel is corrupt. I love Cozumel and I love the people there. I don't think the U.S. is any better where corruption is concerned. In fact, on average I would guess that it's worse here than in Mexico. The cooperation you speak of would most likely be the higher ups in the union deciding the rules, and everyone else having to follow them, or else. I don't agree with an over abundance of silly rules no matter where they exist. Is it right that people often have to tell taxi drivers that they're going somewhere other than Parilla Mission but in the same area because the driver won't take them there? Was it right in 2005 that the dive shop staff were afraid to give us a ride from the marina to our hotel in their truck when their boat broke down because it was either against the taxi union rules, or at the least made them afraid they would be attacked for doing it? Do I agree with the union not allowing taxi drivers to pick up airport passengers? No. Does that make me a bad person because I don't agree with the union setting things up that way? I hope not, but you tell me?

***EDIT***
P.S. Christi, I re-read what I wrote, and I should have worded one thing a lot better. When I said the local businesses have carved up the tourism, I should have said, It seams that local transportation businesses have decided who owns what turf. I wouldn't want to ever give the impression that I think all businesses in CZM are in on something, especially you, a really good dive shop owner.

 

[Christi]

Thanks for weighing in on this issue Chisti. It's nice to have a little clarification on the ownership of the vans. I guess Lomas or whatever they're called might be the ones selling the transfes online for the really high prices. Not that buying van tickets at the airport is a bargain.

Things really have grown out of proportion. I don't think Cozumel is corrupt. I love Cozumel and I love the people there. I don't think the U.S. is any better where corruption is concerned. In fact, on average I would guess that it's worse here than in Mexico. The cooperation you speak of would most likely be the higher ups in the union deciding the rules, and everyone else having to follow them, or else. I don't agree with an over abundance of silly rules no matter where they exist. Is it right that people often have to tell taxi drivers that they're going somewhere other than Parilla Mission but in the same area because the driver won't take them there? Was it right in 2005 that the dive shop staff were afraid to give us a ride from the marina to our hotel in their truck when their boat broke down because it was either against the taxi union rules, or at the least made them afraid they would be attacked for doing it? Do I agree with the union not allowing taxi drivers to pick up airport passengers? No. Does that make me a bad person because I don't agree with the union setting things up that way? I hope not, but you tell me?

***EDIT***
P.S. Christi, I re-read what I wrote, and I should have worded one thing a lot better. When I said the local businesses have carved up the tourism, I should have said, It seams that local transportation businesses have decided who owns what turf. I wouldn't want to ever give the impression that I think all businesses in CZM are in on something, especially you, a really good dive shop owner.

I wasn't offended with anything you said KWIK I was addressing several posters - just didn't quote them all.

To WestHoustonDiver: And you know this to be factual? "It's just plain & simple: CORRUPTION by the taxi union" - this is a very uninformed statement/assumption

When I say it is a cooperation - I meant co-op as in it is a mutually beneficial agreement between the van owners and taxi owners - one gets the departures, the other gets the arrivals - just as taxi's can't pick-up at the airport, shuttle vans can't drop off. They are "governed" by the same union. Yes, Lomas and other travel agencies sell the shuttle tours, of course they mark them up.

It is still a problem for dive shops to give rides to their customers - I had the red taxi patrol boss stop me coming out of the Caleta not too long ago. I had a customer that had an issue in the morning and missed the boat, so I drove him to the Caleta - as I was leaving, they stopped me and harassed me about it - yes, I agree it's bogus - but if dive shops were allowed to have transport vans for their divers, the taxi business would dry up and they certainly can't have that!

I do have to agree with others though - the airport to hotel transfer is such a minor thing in the grand scheme of a vacation that you've just spent thousands on - so I never get the big deal people make over the taxi vs. shuttle van issue. It makes me laugh every time

 

[WestHoustonDiver]

According to: Cozumel Insider - Cozumel Transportation - Taxi, Bus, Ferry, and Rental Car Information - Cozumelinsider
"Transporation options OUT OF THE COZUMEL AIRPORT ARE LIMITED. There is one Airport Taxi Shuttle union (syndicato) with 100% control of transporting passengers OUT of the airport. As a result of this taxi union control, it goes without saying that there are NO COURTESY SHUTTLE SERVICES available from hotels. Hotels or accommodation providers may agree to GREET passengers at the airport and assist with the logistics of baggage transport but NOT the transport of passengers."
One of the definition of "syndicato" (or "syndicate") is: "a group, combination, or association of gangsters controlling organized crime or one type of crime, especially in one region of the country."
Read this one travelers's post:
Beware of Olympus Tours and Cozumel Airport Taxi Service

 

[DandyDon]

According to: Cozumel Insider - Cozumel Transportation - Taxi, Bus, Ferry, and Rental Car Information - Cozumelinsider
"Transporation options OUT OF THE COZUMEL AIRPORT ARE LIMITED. There is one Airport Taxi Shuttle union (syndicato) with 100% control of transporting passengers OUT of the airport. As a result of this taxi union control, it goes without saying that there are NO COURTESY SHUTTLE SERVICES available from hotels. Hotels or accommodation providers may agree to GREET passengers at the airport and assist with the logistics of baggage transport but NOT the transport of passengers."
One of the definition of "syndicato" (or "syndicate") is: "a group, combination, or association of gangsters controlling organized crime or one type of crime, especially in one region of the country."

Funny they spelled it that way as I believe the correct spelling in their language is sindicato which in their language translates as union, trade union. A biased person might apply our ideas of what a syndicate means but well while I am, I try to be fair. Hell, even in the US a syndicate does not have to be a crime ring does it? So they got a union. With my views on the national government and the patron system, I can't blame them for that.

Read this one travelers's post:
Beware of Olympus Tours and Cozumel Airport Taxi Service

So why was Olympus handling their carry-on? Kind of defeats the purpose huh? I messed up on a friend's bag once, left it on the van, but one phone call got it back. Normally I do take care to watch my bags closely from the airport to the van, along the ride, at all stops, then at the hotel but I goofed once. Looks like they goofed big time with a carry-on and want to blame someone else. Lucky they got the $400.

 

[Christi]

Funny they spelled it that way as I believe the correct spelling in their language is sindicato which in their language translates as union, trade union. A biased person might apply our ideas of what a syndicate means but well while I am, I try to be fair. Hell, even in the US a syndicate does not have to be a crime ring does it? So they got a union. With my views on the national government and the patron system, I can't blame them for that.

Thank you Don! As even WHD stated "ONE definition is..."

WHD - I am concerned that you are using Cozumel Insider as a primary trusted source of Cozumel information. It is a well known/established fact that the owner and writer of that site (who is a friend of mine) has an extremely biased and jaded view of the island and Mexico for that matter for her own very valid reasons. I am not discounting her, just stating fact.

There is a lot of good information on her site, but as with ALL internet sites, just because it's there doesn't make it factually true or completely accurate.

 

[1KWIK_69]

On a side note. We really like Parilla Mission but we're not renting a car this trip. What's the name of the store we have to ask the taxi driver to take us to since they apparently don't want to take tourists to the restaurant? I forget the name.

 

[Karibelle]

On a side note. We really like Parilla Mission but we're not renting a car this trip. What's the name of the store we have to ask the taxi driver to take us to since they apparently don't want to take tourists to the restaurant? I forget the name.

You can take a taxi to Parilla Mission, just be clear that it's Parilla that you want, not Casa Mission.

You could ask to be taken to the San Francisco grocery store on 30, which is just down the street...

kari

 

[1KWIK_69]

You can take a taxi to Parilla Mission, just be clear that it's Parilla that you want, not Casa Mission.

You could ask to be taken to the San Francisco grocery store on 30, which is just down the street...

kari

Thanks Kari. I've read from several regular members on here over the years that even when they're clear about where they want to go, the taxi drivers still don't seem to want to take them to Parilla Mission for some reason? I've never tried it myself because we've always just driven ourselves there in the rental car. I'll probably just ask them to take us to the SF grocery just to be safe.