Can You Take Uber at the Mazatlan Airport?

I love the Mazatlan International Airport.  It’s such an easy airport to fly into.  It reminds me of my home airport, in Bend, Oregon: small, easy to navigate, & almost impossible to miss a flight at….all very good things!  But can you take Uber at the Mazatlan Airport?  At first glance, it seems like you can.  But this becomes confusing once you actually make contact with a driver ~ which I’ll explain below, so that you can get to your Mazatlan hotel ASAP!

My goal with this article is to get you out of the airport & walking along the Malecon as soon as possible! Photo taken by the Mazatlan Observatory.

The short answer is: NO, you can’t take an Uber to or from Mazatlan’s airport. 

 

I’ll explain why below…

Can You Take Uber at the Mazatlan Airport?

Okay, so here’s the problem: Uber lets you book a driver both TO & FROM the Mazatlan International Airport.  You can see in my screenshot below: I’m trying to catch an Uber to the airport, & the price looks great ~ about half the price of a taxi (which is typically 500 pesos, or $25 dollars, to the airport). 

So you think, great!  

But here’s the problem: the driver then got in touch with me, & said that Uber and/or the taxi union will fine him if he actually goes into the airport.  He was still willing to make the trip ~ but the price went up, to 500 pesos.  Which he needed in cash. 

And I had no cash left! 

So instead, I had my hotel call a taxi that accepted credit cards, & the trip cost me 480 pesos.  But this confusion cost me about 20 minutes of time, as I was trying to catch my flight back to the States.  Which is why I’m writing this article.  In my opinion, Uber shouldn’t let you book rides to or from Mazatlan Airport (which you then need to cancel). 

As the reality is: Uber drivers aren’t allowed inside the airport. 

BOTTOM LINE:  Don’t waste your time trying to catch an Uber at Mazatlan International Airport!  Since the driver will get fined for entering the airport: it’s not worth the hassle, even if the driver is willing to accept your fare.  There’s a taxi stand at the airport where you can pay with credit card or cash (both pesos & U.S. dollars are accepted).  And when you’re in Mazatlan heading back to the airport, have your hotel call a taxi for you, or simply hail a cab right on the street (there are tons of them). 

It’s a 35-minute drive from Mazatlan’s Golden Zone to the airport.

Where Did I Stay in Mazatlan?

The beautiful pool area at Emporio Mazatlan, which is set right on the beach.

View from my room at Emporio, which cost an incredibly reasonable $80/night!

On this trip to Mazatlan, I stayed at Emporio Mazatlan ~ which I really enjoyed.  Their location is excellent: set right on the beach (they offer cabana beds right on the sand along with 3 different pools).  What I really loved is that they’re on the edge of the Golden Zone: which makes it feel less hectic than other hotels.  You’re right on the Malecon, a wide avenue set along the beach that runs for miles.  One day, I walked all the way up to Old Town Mazatlan (about 5 miles)!  It was a heavenly walk. 

Other days, I strolled along the beach with my toes in the sand, soaking up the sun.

There’s good dining on-site in their oceanfront restaurant, poolside service (try their pina coladas!), or you can walk out the front to numerous restaurants nearby.  I felt very safe & the staff was lovely…the perfect spot for a quick beach escape from the cold!

xoxo Noelia

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