Is There Uber In Oaxaca? How To Get Around On A Budget (2023)

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This content was written in January 2023. At the time of writing, this information is correct and up to date.

If you’re backpacking to Oaxaca for the first time, you’re going to want to know how to get around. There are a few ways to get around Oaxaca city easily, but Uber is not one of them.

In the following post, we discuss the best and most budget-friendly ways to get around Oaxaca, and whether or not you can use Uber (or Lyft) there.

Other Oaxaca posts:

• Can You Drink The Water In Oaxaca? 2023 Updates
• What To Wear in Oaxaca (That Isn’t Ugly) 2023 Guide
• Oaxaca Day of the Dead: Insider Guide + Tips For 2023!

Is there Uber in Oaxaca?

No. There is no Uber in Oaxaca. This includes Oaxaca City, and Oaxaca as the state itself. The best way to get around Oaxaca City is either by walking, taxi or hiring a car yourself.

The best way to get from Oaxaca Airport to your hostel is by private shuttle. You can take a taxi, but if you want a more comfortable and convenient ride, I recommend the shuttle (especially if you don’t speak Spanish!)

If you need to hire a car in Mexico, I highly recommend this company. They are easy to use, fast, user friendly and always have the cheapest deals for car hire around the world.

You can find out more about hiring a car in Mexico here: Renting a Car in Puerto Escondido (Mexico) as a UK Resident (2023), in a post that has lots of tips for first-timers and international travellers (especially from the UK!)

How do I get from Oaxaca Airport to my hostel without Uber?

If you’re arriving at Oaxaca Airport and need to get to your hostel, there are a few ways to get there. Unfortunately, the airport is too far away from the main city to walk, so you’ll need to do one of the following:

• Private shuttle: As a backpacker myself, I highly recommend this option. It’s convenient, safe and takes all the stress out of finding a taxi and directing your driver (especially if you don’t speak English). There are also budget options to share transfers with other tourists to your hostel or accommodation. You can check out prices and options here!

• Regular taxi: If you do opt to take a regular taxi, ensure it is licensed before getting in the car. Also, agree a rate before setting off. You can expect to pay around 300 MXN for a direct trip from the airport to the main Zocalo square.

• Renting a car yourself: this is another great option, but may not be in a backpacker’s budget. You can check out prices and insurance rates here.

There is no Uber or Lyft in Oaxaca City, so if you’re travelling to and from the airport, these are your only options.

Is Oaxaca City walkable?

Oaxaca City is walkable, and you’re likely to not need a car or taxi for the duration of your trip. If you’re staying in Centro Historico (the main centre of Oaxaca), towns like Jalatlaco and Barrio de Xochimilco are only a short 15-20 minute walk away.

In fact, traffic is so bad in Oaxaca that it’s better to walk than drive or jump in a taxi. When we grabbed a taxi from the ADO station to our hostel, it actually took twice as long than if we had just walked (but we had heavy bags, and it had been a long day!)

If you’re visiting Oaxaca for the first time, one of the best things to do is to just walk around and admire the colourful buildings and cobbled streets. Unless you’re travelling out of Oaxaca, you won’t need a taxi or car in the centre.

Finding a taxi in Oaxaca

If you decide to get around Oaxaca by taxi, they’re easy to find. You won’t need to wait more than a few minutes before finding an available ride.

Tip for taking a taxi in Oaxaca:

• Always get a licensed taxi, whether you’re backpacking solo or not. Licensed taxis in Oaxaca are yellow.
• Always discuss the price of the journey before getting into the taxi to avoid confusion and conflict at the end of your ride.
• You will need to pay in cash. Taxis in Oaxaca do not accept credit or debit cards.
• There is no Uber or Lyft in Oaxaca City, so you will need to hail a taxi from the side of the road.
• A trip from one area to another in Oaxaca shouldn’t be more than 50-100 MXN.

Taxis in Oaxaca are safe and reliable, but if you want more safety tips for backpacking Mexico, check out my post: Is Puerto Escondido Safe? Solo Female Travellers Advice (2023).

Is there Uber in Mexico?

Yes, there is Uber in Mexico, but it depends on the location. Whilst backpacking Mexico, we have found Uber to be safer and easier than regular taxis, although we had no problem with either.

Most major cities have Uber (Mexico City etc), and can easily be ordered on the app. Prices are low, and you can tip your driver directly in cash, or on the app after you have finished your journey.

There is a rising conflict between taxi and Uber drivers, as the taxi drivers state they are unhappy because Uber drivers don’t face the same fees and regulations that they do. This is ever-changing.

In my experience, Uber is always cheaper than a regular taxi. As soon as taxi drivers in Mexico notice you are a tourist or backpacker, you’re unlikely to get a standard price. Knowing basic Spanish will always help with this, and I cannot recommend it enough.

Want to know more about getting around Puerto Escondido? Check out my post: Getting Around Puerto Escondido in 2022: A Complete Guide

Is the Uber in Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca?

No. There is not Uber in Puerto Escondido. The best way to get around Puerto Escondido is to hire a car yourself, board the colectivo or grab a taxi.

You can find out more information about getting around Puerto Escondido here.

Is getting a taxi in Mexico safe?

In general, yes, getting a taxi in Mexico is safe. However, we found whilst backpacking Mexico that the taxi drivers have their own ‘turfs’, and only work in certain areas.

For example, some taxi drivers in Tulum will only be able to pick you up from specific areas in Tulum, as some of it will not be their ‘turf’. We didn’t experience any issues with this, but it’s something to be aware of.

Whilst backpacking Mexico, there were very few times we felt unsafe in taxis. However, driving in the cities (like Mexico City) can be pretty crazy, and you can get stuck in traffic for a LONG time, so be warned!

There are no Ubers in Tulum, so we used regular taxis to get around when we didn’t have a car. We always felt safe in these taxis, however, sometimes they did try to charge us more than what was needed!

How to take an Uber in Mexico

If you are in a location that has Uber, you will need to order it on your phone. You can either use the Wifi in your hostel or accommodation, pick up a local SIM, or buy an eSIM.

I am a huge advocate for eSIMS, as I hate the fuss of changing SIM cards in every new country I visit. I bought mine from Holafly, with unlimited data for £30 ($35) a month whilst I’m living in Mexico.

Having a working SIM or Wifi connection will allow you to order an Uber. You will need to download the app, put the pin on your exact location, and wait for your Uber driver to accept your ride. Rides shouldn’t take more than 6-7 minutes to arrive, and if it’s anything longer than that, you may want to consider cancelling and re-ordering.

TOP TIP: Do not order an Uber in front of regular taxis. This can cause conflict due to the ongoing battle between taxi drivers and Uber drivers.

Best travel insurance for backpackers in Mexico

If you’re visiting Mexico as a backpacker, or even for a short vacation, it is so important to have travel insurance. And if you ended up on a post that’s called ‘epic party tips’, you know (just as well as I do) that you definitely need travel insurance.

Personally, I recommend SafetyWing. As a digital nomad and world traveller myself, I can confirm it is the best travel insurance out there. And one of the cheapest – they have deals that start at just $42 USD per month.

I know, I know, you’re thinking ‘but I can’t afford that!’. I was the same! It’s tough to fork out $42 a month on something ‘you might not need’. But what if something DOES happen? That extra Mezcal shot results in you falling down the stairs, or you eat something dodgy from a street food van.

If you need medical help at any point whilst in Mexico, you need travel insurance.

With SafetyWing, you’re covered on travel emergencies, basic medical costs and medical expenses throughout your trip, so you can travel without worry (at a backpacker’s price!)

Don’t even think twice about getting travel insurance for Mexico. Trust me, I have heard enough horror stories about backpackers who haven’t had insurance and have ended up in a lot of debt. Don’t be that person!

If you’ve been putting the job off because it takes a lot of time and effort to research the best travel insurance companies, I understand. That’s why I’ve done the hard work for you. Sign up for SafetyWing, and the job is done!

Is There Uber in Oaxaca? In a Nutshell

I hope this has helped you with your Oaxaca planning, especially now you know there is no Uber or Lyft in the city or state of Oaxaca.

Are you heading to Mexico? Let me know on Instagram or in the comments below! And don’t forget to check out my Mexico guides before you visit!

Happy travelling!

Jennie x

Other Oaxaca posts:

• Oaxaca Day of the Dead: Insider Guide + Tips For 2023!
• Can You Drink The Water In Oaxaca? 2023 Updates
• What To Wear in Oaxaca (That Isn’t Ugly) 2023 Guide
• How To Get From Oaxaca To Mexico City (2023 Guide)

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