Is There Uber in Sian Ka’an? Getting Around Sian Ka’an (2023)

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Is there Uber in Sian Ka’an? In the following post, I explain whether or not there is Uber on the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve, and how to get around easily.

This content was written in November, 2022. At the time of writing, this information is correct and up to date.

When visiting Sian Ka’an without a tour, you will need some kind of transport. So let’s discuss the different ways to get around Sian Ka’an, what’s the safest and cheapest option for backpackers, and whether there actually is Uber in Sian Ka’an.

Visiting Sian Ka’an? Check out my guide full of everything you need to know first!

Other Quintana Roo posts:

• How to Visit Sian Ka’an WITHOUT A Tour: Ultimate Guide! (2022)
• Kaan Luum Lagoon, Tulum: Complete Guide (2022)
• 11 BEST Things To Do In Punta Allen, Sian Ka’an (Mexico)

Is the Uber in Sian Ka’an?

No. There is not Uber in Sian Ka’an. The best way to get around Sian Ka’an is to hire a car yourself, as there is so much to explore. There isn’t public transport, so to visit Sian Ka’an, you will either need to rent a car, use a taxi or book a tour.

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.

Do you need a tour to visit Sian Ka’an?

No, you do not need a tour to visit Sian Ka’an. Whether you are visiting for the day, or overnight, you can visit Sian Ka’an independently.

However, you will need to hire a car, or book a taxi. Depending on where you are visiting in Sian Ka’an, some locations can take over 3 hours to reach, so I’d highly recommend taking your own mode of transport and not relying on anyone else.

In summary, you can visit Sian Ka’an without a tour, and quite easily! Just make sure you have your accommodation booked if you are staying overnight, and you have an offline downloaded map of the area ready.

Finding a Taxi in Sian Ka’an

If you’re travelling to Sian Ka’an from Tulum, you can grab a taxi from Tulum town or Tulum beach easily. But if you’re already in Sian Ka’an, you’re going to need to pre-book a taxi, or speak to someone at your hotel.

It’s important to note that signal and Wifi in Sian Ka’an are limited. Due to it being mainly uninhabited, most of Sian Ka’an is wild jungle, ocean or lagoon, and contact with the outside world is hard to come by!

If you need a taxi whilst on Sian Ka’an, talk to your accommodation. Bear in mind it takes over 3 hours to reach Punta Allen (a small fishing village in the south of Sian Ka’an), so if you’re ordering a taxi, you’re going to need to do it in advance.

There will be some (but very few) taxis in some of the smaller towns on Sian Ka’an, like Punta Allen. This is not guaranteed. If you are staying at somewhere like El Cielo Y Selva, talk directly to them about the best way to reach the accommodation if you are not hiring a car.

Need somewhere to stay in Sian Ka’an? You can’t get anywhere better than El Cielo Y Selva. It’s the closest I’ve been to paradise on earth, and really is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. You can take a look at their site here.

Getting around Sian Ka’an

Because of the size of Sian Ka’an, and the unreliability of the roads and terrains, I highly recommend hiring a car to visit Sian Ka’an.

You do not need a 4×4 (the roads aren’t that bad), and a regular hire car will do. But make sure you have your own mode of transport to discover Sian Ka’an, as it will make all the difference!

Driving around Sian Ka’an is easy once you get used to the stopping and starting of the pot-holed-filled roads. It may take you longer to drive around Sian Ka’an, but not having to rely on a taxi or tour makes a big difference.

Hire your car for Sian Ka’an here.

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.

Looking to hire a car in Mexico? We’ve driven all over Quintana Roo, and recommend it as one of the safest ways to travel. Use this company for the best prices!

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!

Need somewhere to stay in Tulum? I highly recommend this apartment for digital nomads and backpackers who don’t want to stay in shared dorm rooms!

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.

Helpful resources for drone flying in Mexico:

• Can You Fly a Drone in Sian Ka’an? Mexico (2022 Guide)

Is There Uber in Sian Ka’an? In a Nutshell

I hope this has helped you with your Sian Ka’an planning, especially now you know there is no Uber in Sian Ka’an. Getting around Sian Ka’an is better in your own car or vehicle, and I highly recommend renting one from Tulum before visiting.

Are you heading to Sian Ka’an? Let me know on Instagram or in the comments below! And don’t forget to check out my ultimate Sian Ka’an guide before you visit!

Happy travelling!

Jennie x

Other Quintana Roo posts:

• How to Visit Sian Ka’an WITHOUT A Tour: Ultimate Guide! (2022)
• Kaan Luum Lagoon, Tulum: Complete Guide (2022)
• Can You Fly a Drone in Sian Ka’an? Mexico (2022 Guide)
• 11 BEST Things To Do In Punta Allen, Sian Ka’an (Mexico)