The Department of Transportation in Jalisco has warned that there are no seasonal taxi rates or “Christmas fares” and taxi drivers who impose such fees will be fined up to 30 times the daily minimum wage.
The department asks tourists and citizens to note the location, time, and taxi number of any driver who imposes such an increase and file a complaint by calling 226 1805.
“There is no seasonal or Christmas fare, taxi rates are the same year round,” says the Ministry of Transportation, Gustavo Gómez Ulloa.
It’s important for tourists to understand this information as we enter the Christmas and New Years’s Eve celebrations and the city has nearly 100% hotel occupancy. Many national and international tourists will be in Puerto Vallarta and it’s crucial to the city’s image to make sure these tourists are treated fairly throughout all service sectors of our vacation destination.
The department has already received several complaints this month of Puerto Vallarta taxi drivers imposing holiday rates and refusing service to those who refuse to pay.
Recently the State of Jalisco has rewarded taxi drivers with incentives and financing for new cars while drivers have remained embroiled in controversy with price gouging and forming blockades to prevent shuttle buses from moving tourists from hotels to their scheduled tour destinations.
Might be good to publish the actual rates, so we would know if we’re being overcharged. :-)