Mr Jones’s Guide to Transport in Mexico as a Tourist::

The Wild, The Weird and the Collectivo

So you're in Mexico, the sun’s shining, the tacos are flowing, and your hotel has a swim-up bar that you may or may not have fallen asleep in already. But now you want to leave the resort and explore. Enter: the Mexican transport system. It’s a spicy rollercoaster, and baby, you're in the front seat.

A white taxi cab with red and black markings parked on the street in front of a white wall divided into two parts. The upper part has a textured finish, while the lower part is smooth. The taxi has the words 'CDMX' and 'TAXI' written on it. A tree with dense, trimmed green foliage grows close to the wall, casting a shadow on it. Above, there are three arched windows with black frames, two of which have horizontal bars and brick sills. Several black power lines run across the top portion of the image. A red car is partially visible at the bottom edge of the frame.

Let’s talk taxis

Mexican taxis are not for the faint of heart, or the financially cautious. Prices are not based on distance or time or logic. They’re based on vibes. You want to go down the road? Four-minute drive? That’ll be 150 US dollars, señor. You hesitate, and suddenly the price drops faster than your standards on tequila night. “Okay amigo, 15 dollars.” You’re now confused, sweating, and somehow still in the back seat.

The price depends entirely on how wealthy you look, how sunburnt you are, and possibly how desperate you seem. If you're wearing a sombrero and carrying a souvenir iguana, expect to remortgage your house for a lift to the shops.

But wait. There is a shining knight in dusty armour. A saviour. A budget-friendly legend. It's called the collectivo. And no, it's not a trendy DJ collective or an overpriced boutique. It's a beat-up minibus that drives up and down the main roads like it's late for everything. You just flag it down. No schedule, no app, just pure chaos with a steering wheel.

You hop on, give the driver a few pesos, and he’ll drop you off wherever. Literally. Middle of the road? Sure. Outside a taco stand? No problem. Inside your hotel lobby? Probably not, but I wouldn’t rule it out. The collectivo is usually full of locals going to work, school, or the shops, and not once did we feel unsafe. In fact, you’ll probably get a smile, a nod, or a full-blown conversation in Spanish that you’ll politely nod through like you understood a single word.

Hire a car??

Now, some of you might be thinking, “Hmm, we should hire a car and explore on our own terms.” Bold of you. Brave. Maybe foolish. Because hiring a car in Mexico is a whole other Netflix series.

Sure, driving gives you freedom, but it also gives you grey hairs and trust issues. There are stories, my friend. Horror stories. People being stopped by “police” that turned out to be less official and more cartel-adjacent. They’ll pull you over, invent a rule you’ve never heard of, and kindly relieve you of your holiday money. You’ll get a friendly “go enjoy your trip” and a much lighter wallet.

Even if you do manage to dodge the fake cops, real ones aren’t exactly known for their chill. There's a general vibe of “cash fine now, or come with me to the station” energy that’ll have you wishing you’d just stuck with the collectivo and its cracked windscreen of joy.

A lively street scene with many people walking and shopping, colorful papel picado banners hanging overhead, a stand with souvenirs, palm trees, a municipal police car, and buildings on either side.

Final Thoughts

So, what’s the takeaway? Mexico is beautiful. The food’s incredible. The beaches? Insane. But when it comes to transport… expect unpredictability, some serious price gymnastics, and an unforgettable ride. Just remember to laugh, keep small change handy, and maybe don’t wear your Rolex to flag down a cab.

And always — always — choose the collectivo.

Travelling from the airport? Read our guide to private transfers.

Colorful paper flags strung across a tropical street, with palm trees, shops, and pedestrians, in a warm climate setting.