 Getting about by taxi cab is relatively inexpensive in Mexico. You will always want to ask what the fare will be before you enter the cab. Remember you are in Mexico and it is not offensive to negotiate the cost. In most cities the local fares are standard and you should ask at your hotel what you can expect to pay to go to different destinations. Usually the fare to the airport is standard but to go to different parts of town there could be a difference in the fare depending on the cab you chose.
Taxis are either metered, not metered or they will charge by zones. In the latter, your price will vary depending on which zone you're in and which zone you're traveling to.
There are several types of taxi services in Mexico. There are “Colectivos”, “Libre” and “Radio taxi” and they offer different services and fares.
Radio Taxi–These taxis are dispatched by radio but will occasionally pick up a fare on the street. This is the safest way to take a taxi cab because the radio taxi company always keeps a record of the car and driver that provides the service and for security purposes at night the taxi service is the safest.
Colectivo – these taxis will pickup other fares on the way to your destination and may take longer to get to where you are going. The problem with the colectivo is that the driver often tries to overload the vehicle, putting two passengers in the single front seat. The good thing is that the colectivo is a bargain.
Libre - The Taxi Libre that means "free cab" is not free but it is cheaper than the Radio Taxis and they generally have meters. The prices vary, and at night they may raise their prices. You can find them at the Taxi Stops or flag them down on the streets.
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