An unusual (for me) Cozumel recommendation

[ggunn]

I have never done this before, but I am going to recommend a taxi driver on Cozumel; his name is Rogelio Xochihua, and his cab number is 274. He is a very nice young man, very hard working, and unlike many drivers we have encountered on our last trip (and many others) he did not try to price gouge the gringos. His cab comfortably seats nine or ten, which was great for our group of nine. We chartered him for the day for our around-the-island excursion; he took us to all our favorite spots, and we never felt the slightest bit rushed.

He has a new baby and his wife has MS, and the dearth of tourist business lately has him struggling, but he is very upbeat about it all. If you have a large group that wants to go out to dinner together or take a trip around the island, give him a call; his cell number is (987) 113 7774. Tell him hola for me if you see him; I think he'll remember me by name, but tell him that we were the group of nine staying at the Blue Angel in early May.

[5615mike]

Thats a great Post Gordon. Always nice to do our best to help those in need as well as those who provide good service. Hope you had a great time. Leaving for Coz on Wed......

[rje634]

I have never done this before, but I am going to recommend a taxi driver on Cozumel; his name is Rogelio Xochihua, and his cab number is 274. He is a very nice young man, very hard working, and unlike many drivers we have encountered on our last trip (and many others) he did not try to price gouge the gringos. His cab comfortably seats nine or ten, which was great for our group of nine. We chartered him for the day for our around-the-island excursion; he took us to all our favorite spots, and we never felt the slightest bit rushed.

He has a new baby and his wife has MS, and the dearth of tourist business lately has him struggling, but he is very upbeat about it all. If you have a large group that wants to go out to dinner together or take a trip around the island, give him a call; his cell number is (987) 113 7774. Tell him hola for me if you see him; I think he'll remember me by name, but tell him that we were the group of nine staying at the Blue Angel in early May.

How much was the charter for the day? When I tour the island on off-diving days I prefer to have a taxi over renting a car....

[ggunn]

How much was the charter for the day? When I tour the island on off-diving days I prefer to have a taxi over renting a car....

I'm sorry, but I can't tell you that. His price that day was balanced against what he figured he could have made that day hauling regular fares, and the island was virtually deserted. He was very up front about that; when we brought up the possibility of hiring him again next year, he was quick to say that although he would love to do it again, he could not guarantee a price because conditions will be different. I can tell you that I am sure that he will cut you the best deal he can while still providing for his family.

[Sue Sue]

In the past I sadly must also say that we have been given not so fair and honest taxi quotes while in Cozumel. This is however a prime example of not saying "ALL" Cozumel taxi drivers will try to take advantage of tourists. Regardless, it is good to have a personal recommendation of someone who is fair and has a good work ethic. Gordon, Thanks for this info. I have printed the information and will be taking it with me to use at least once over the next 10 days for my group.

[ggunn]

In the past I sadly must also say that we have been given not so fair and honest taxi quotes while in Cozumel. This is however a prime example of not saying "ALL" Cozumel taxi drivers will try to take advantage of tourists. Regardless, it is good to have a personal recommendation of someone who is fair and has a good work ethic. Gordon, Thanks for this info. I have printed the information and will be taking it with me to use at least once over the next 10 days for my group.
Cool. Please tell Rogelio hola for me and that I recommended him to you. We need to do what we can to cultivate guys like him.

[Jupiter31]

Maybe I've been lucky, but in over 20 trips to Coz, I've never had a real problem w/ the taxi drivers. Its nice to see a positive post about them.

OTOH, I do hablo un poco espanol, (try) to converse with them, and have a clue what various trips should cost - I have the $$$ in hand and give it to the driver when I exit the cab.

The few times the return trip has cost more, its been by a dollar or two - nothing to get really upset about.

Anyone can do the same thing; simply ask at the hotel and/or the rest. what the approx. fare should be to your destination - another really novel idea would be for the taxi's to use meters, but until that happens, ask.

[5615mike]

best way to avoid the overcharging is to ASK before you get in the taxi. When you know the price to and from town dont except the ride and tell them what the fare should be. If they dont want to haul you for that, they can find another customer. There are fare schedules available for those of you who do not know the island or taxi fares.

[ggunn]

best way to avoid the overcharging is to ASK before you get in the taxi. When you know the price to and from town dont except the ride and tell them what the fare should be. If they dont want to haul you for that, they can find another customer. There are fare schedules available for those of you who do not know the island or taxi fares.
That is true, but FYI the rules have recently changed. It used to be that 1-2 persons got one rate and each extra person up to 4 (the supposed maximum for a sedan cab) cost extra, but now 1-4 persons is the same price, which is the former rate for 4 persons.

Also, by and large the dollars-pesos "conversion" is still 10:1 in the taxis, so the impetus is there more than ever to use pesos instead of US$ in the cabs. This past trip, I went completely over to pesos immediately and didn't use dollars at all for daily expenses. It made life a lot simpler for me.

[jeancmo]

That is true, but FYI the rules have recently changed. It used to be that 1-2 persons got one rate and each extra person up to 4 (the supposed maximum for a sedan cab) cost extra, but now 1-4 persons is the same price, which is the former rate for 4 persons.

Also, by and large the dollars-pesos "conversion" is still 10:1 in the taxis, so the impetus is there more than ever to use pesos instead of US$ in the cabs. This past trip, I went completely over to pesos immediately and didn't use dollars at all for daily expenses. It made life a lot simpler for me.

so how many pesos/dollars from Blue Angel to Town (pier area)?
Thanks! Jean

[ggunn]

so how many pesos/dollars from Blue Angel to Town (pier area)?
Thanks! JeanEvery time I went to town, I went to Chedraui and walked in, so I don't have the exact answer to your question. From Blue Angel to Chedraui used to be 30 pesos for myself alone, now it's 50 pesos. The one time I made that trip using dollars (my first day headed for the ATM at Chedraui) it was $5.

[Jupiter31]

so how many pesos/dollars from Blue Angel to Town (pier area)?
Thanks! Jean
4 - 5 dollars - mas o menos