There’s No Uber In Oaxaca: Why Not?

If you’re planning a trip to Oaxaca and wondering if you can just call an Uber like you do in Mexico City, Guadalajara, Merida or Cancún—Sorry… but there’s no Uber in Oaxaca.

As someone who’s lived in Oaxaca for over ten years, I get this question all the time. It seems strange that such a popular destination wouldn’t have ride-hailing apps, but there are deep-rooted reasons why Uber hasn’t been able to break through here.

Let’s break down what’s really going on.

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Why Powerful Taxi Unions Blocked Uber in Oaxaca

Uber actually tried to launch in Oaxaca back in 2016, but it didn’t get very far. Local taxi unions pushed back hard—these aren’t just a few angry drivers; we’re talking about well-organized groups with real political clout.

They saw Uber as a direct threat to their income and control of the market. Protests, pressure on local officials, and internal agreements kept Uber from gaining traction. In short, the unions made it clear: they weren’t about to share the road.

Local Laws Make It Hard for Uber to Operate in Oaxaca

Even if Uber had gotten a warm welcome from drivers (which it didn’t), the legal landscape in Oaxaca made things tough. In 2019, the state’s Mobility Secretariat (Semovi) essentially ruled that ride-hailing services like Uber couldn’t legally operate unless they worked through existing taxi concessions.

In practice, that meant Uber would have to work within the same system as the traditional taxis—defeating the purpose of a flexible, independent platform. Uber appealed the decision but didn’t get far.

Does DiDi Work in Oaxaca? (And Other Ride Apps)

Uber isn’t the only company that tried to enter Oaxaca. DiDi Taxi launched in 2020 with a similar model—partnering with existing taxis. But the same issues came up: limited coverage, spotty availability, and low adoption.

At this point, none of the major ride-hailing apps are reliable for getting around in Oaxaca. You can try DiDi, but they continually cancel rides due to the low fairs to App offers. Very unreliable.

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Yes, You Can Still Use Uber Eats, DiDi Food & Rappi

While you can’t catch an Uber to get across town, you can  still use Uber Eats in Oaxaca. Same goes for DiDi Food and Rappi—all three delivery platforms are active in the city and generally work well.

So if you’re craving tacos or tortas without leaving your Airbnb, you’re covered. Just don’t expect to use the same app to go pick them up.

So How Do You Get Around Without Uber?

Getting around Oaxaca without Uber might sound like a hassle, but it’s not too bad once you get used to the system.

In the city, taxis are everywhere, but you’ll need to hail one from the street or at a taxi stand. Fares aren’t metered, so always ask the price before getting in. Rides around town typically cost between $70-$100 pesos (US$3.50-$5), depending on distance and time of day.

From the airport, a local taxi cooperative controls transport. You’ll buy a prepaid ticket from a booth, and prices are fixed depending on your destination.

👉 How to get around Oaxaca City.

Oaxaca City Taxi Rank Phone Numbers

Most hotels can call a taxi for you, but if you’re staying in an Airbnb or a rental and don’t want to head out to the street, you can call a taxi rank directly. These are two of the main taxi bases in Oaxaca City. I’ve used them many times and they’ve always been reliable. Just keep in mind—you’ll need to speak a decent level of Spanish to make the call. There’s no English spoken.

Sitios Alameda (Zocalo) – 9515162685 and 9515162190

Taxi Sitio ADO – 9515160501 and 9515161572

Will Uber Ever Come to Oaxaca?

As of now, Uber isn’t operating in Oaxaca—and it doesn’t look like that’s changing anytime soon. The combination of powerful taxi unions, restrictive state laws, and an economic model that just doesn’t work well here has made it incredibly tough for ride-hailing platforms to survive.

Could that change someday? Sure. But for now, Oaxaca remains one of those rare places where the taxis won.