Good News On Taxi Exchange Rates

[The Chairman]

But you think that the people saying "whoa, that seems like an extreme reaction to a 'problem' with an easy solution of paying in pesos, maybe you should chill out a little" are being 'hostile' and vilifying the 'victims',

That's precisely what I didn't say. But, thanks for twisting what I did write to fit your agenda. That's the hostility I'm referring to. The last time I was in Coz, more cabs than not tried to get me to pay the tourist tax. That's not the exchange rate or the taxi cartel's exchange rate. It caught me by surprise and I can empathize with those who were similarly shocked. I'm sorry you can't or won't empathize with them and see that part of the solution is to have discussions like this. That's why we have a ScubaBoard and a Coz forum on it so we can talk about the fun and the not-so-fun aspects of diving in Coz. Tourists won't know what to expect if we don't talk about it. In addition, they should know that some of the cabbies there are less than honest and will try to fleece them even more than the taxi cartel suggests. I'm not cheap and I tip very well... but not if you've tried to cheat me first.

 

[The Chairman]

It's unfortunate but it's pretty much the way it is with every trip to Mexico

It's not just Mexico. Cheats and scam artists everywhere prey on the unwary and the clueless. Yes, even in the good old US! Sometimes they hide behind something like the taxi cartel, but it's just a part of the game. Here are a few universal tips to keep the playing field level

• Pay in the local currency
• Travel in a group (It's why the Invasions are so popular and successful). Connecting with other SBers while in country is almost always a good thing.
• Use a translator (I may not speak much Spanish, but I kiss Cuban! )
• Learn to say yes and no in the local language (In Coz, that's Si (see) and No)
• Learning a few other phrases like please and thank you can go a long way as well.
• Determine up front what the fees will be. Don't be afraid to say "No".
• Ask about your trip(s) on ScubaBoard to learn what's acceptable and what's not.

 

[kmurray719]

That's precisely what I didn't say. But, thanks for twisting what I did write to fit your agenda. That's the hostility I'm referring to. The last time I was in Coz, more cabs than not tried to get me to pay the tourist tax. That's not the exchange rate or the taxi cartel's exchange rate. It caught me by surprise and I can empathize with those who were similarly shocked. I'm sorry you can't or won't empathize with them and see that part of the solution is to have discussions like this. That's why we have a ScubaBoard and a Coz forum on it so we can talk about the fun and the not-so-fun aspects of diving in Coz. Tourists won't know what to expect if we don't talk about it. In addition, they should know that some of the cabbies there are less than honest and will try to fleece them even more than the taxi cartel suggests. I'm not cheap and I tip very well... but not if you've tried to cheat me first.

I have no agenda, I just don't like being told I'm insensitive and hostile for thinking it's pointless to get worked up about things you can't change, or for suggesting there is an easy solution to a problem. You absolutely did use the words I quoted, I'm not sure how that constitutes twisting them. My comments to you had nothing to do with the taxis or this thread, they were about the words you chose to use and actions/feelings you projected onto others. You seem to be reading hostility into comments where none exists. My comments were primarily about the exchange rate and people complaining about that, i made no comment about people getting cheated, or said that was okay. You want an open dialogue about issues, and yet you are openly criticizing those of us who feel differently than you.

 

[The Chairman]

I just don't like being told I'm insensitive and hostile

Then stop being insensitive and hostile is an easy fix.

You absolutely did use the words I quoted

and you twisted them. You've taken an exchange betwen ggunn and myself and extrapolated it to include yourself.

Look, you don't like a thread? You think it's a colossal waste of time? Stop reading it. Stop posting in it. Stop trying to engineer a fight that isn't there. Mostly, please stop trying to hijack it over some feigned offense. Start living this quote of yours:

"Happiness is allowing yourself to be okay with what is, rather than wishing for, and bemoaning, what is not.....The rest is just you, arguing with life."

This thread might not be germane to you, but others are interested in it and are learning from it. Let them do just that. Hopefully, there's a thread here somewhere that piques your interest.

 

[cvchief]

Then stop being insensitive and hostile is an easy fix.
.

OUCH. Carful Doc, you might get modded!

 

[cvchief]

Of course this proves why the Coz forum is the best and most interesting forum on SB.

I still haven't received my SB flag to fly at SB dinners.....

 

[ReefHound]

You seem to be reading hostility into comments where none exists. My comments were primarily about the exchange rate and people complaining about that, i made no comment about people getting cheated, or said that was okay.

If I attributed things to you that you did not say, I offer my apologies. I haven't been keeping score of who said exactly what, and as I read the thread I interpreted Netdoc's comment about "hostile" as referring to the aggregate tone of comments not to any specific individual.

 

[lionfish-eater]

OUCH. Carful Doc, you might get modded!

I think Pete's doing the Modding directly by his posts. The Coz forum is one of the most popular sections of SB. Negative comments have been heavily modded in the past. Pete's post about the value of these discussions is his attempt at putting a positive value on discussing negative aspects.

Personally, I think taxis should charge day cruisers double and divers should ride for free.

Do any locals know if the Plan Local (ferry ID) gets a discount in the taxis?

 

[cvchief]

I think Pete's doing the Modding directly by his posts.

Whoops. Forgot to place the /sarcasm tag in front of that. My bad. (actually I was just daring MMM. She is pretty tough!)

Do any locals know if the Plan Local (ferry ID) gets a discount in the taxis?

Oh, I should try that! I wave mine like a back stage pass at concert everywhere!!

 

[gopbroek]

OK back to Taxi’s and I'll throw in my personnel rant. I do not believe it is OK for the Cozumel Taxi MAFIA to promote ripping people off and being allowed to do so because they showed up for Fredy Marrufo on election day. Granted there are some who see it as no big deal but personally I see it as hurting the entire island. Due to the fear of being taken and general lack of knowledge as to the actual cost many travelers do not venture past the ports or their hotel. They may bite the bullet and take taxi ride as a group for that special meal but in general many visitors fear the taxi’s. This in turn hurts many of the other businesses on the island. While several couples being clipped once per trip for an extra $20USD for a ride and back to a single dinner may not seem like much but to a solo traveler taking multiple taxis a day, it adds up fast.

I travel solo to Cozumel often and use taxi’s frequently provided I am traveling within the El Centro zone (best as I can figure this goes from Chedraui on calle 17 to the airport road and inland to 30th AVE) I believe the fare is $25 MXN from any two points within this area unless picking up a Taxi at a taxi queue, then it is $30 MXN, this is for up to 4 persons not each. I do not ask how much, I get in and tell the driver where I need to go and usually give them $30MXN upon arrival. If ask them how much first, it only opens the game up to being quoted an over charge price. I carry exact change because I also realize that no taxi in Cozumel will admit to having change for a larger bill.
OK so travel within the El Centro zone is simple.

Where it gets complicated (and I believe this is by design) is between the various zones. I personally do not have accurate knowledge of where the boundaries are and the rates between them. The taxi union has a website taxicozumel but the tab for prices has been a dead link for years now, what a surprise. I would really like to see if someone who has knowledge of the true rate sheets publish a decent zonal map and rate chart between the various zones (hint, hint El Graduado ????). Armed with that knowledge a traveler should be able to figure out the basic price between the various zones which I believe would encourage more visitors to experience Cozumel and not just the port areas or to hide in their AI hotels. Due to the unknown I find myself rarely frequenting the businesses beyond 30th because of a lack of knowledge on the fare which is wrong

.