Lois Larson
Uber does exist in Cartagena, Colombia, but it operates in a legal grey area. While Uber can be used in major Colombian cities, it is not recommended for airport transfers due to potential issues with taxi drivers and the police, who cooperate to heavily fine Uber drivers. To avoid this, Uber drivers may ask you to ride in the front to disguise the arrangement. Ride-sharing apps such as InDriver and Cabify are also available in Cartagena and are popular alternatives to Uber.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Is Uber available in Cartagena? | Yes, Uber is available in Cartagena, Colombia. |
| Is Uber a reliable means of transportation in Cartagena? | No, Uber is not a reliable means of transportation in Cartagena. |
| Is Uber legal in Cartagena? | Uber operates in a legal grey area in Cartagena. While it was banned for a period of time, it has returned via a legal loophole that classifies it as a "temporary car rental with driver." |
| Are there alternative ride-sharing apps to Uber in Cartagena? | Yes, other ride-sharing apps such as Cabify, InDrive, and DiDi Rider are available and popular in Cartagena. |
| Is it safe to use Uber at Cartagena Airport? | It is not recommended to use Uber at Cartagena Airport due to potential harassment from taxi drivers and the police. |
| Are there alternative transportation options at Cartagena Airport? | Yes, taxis are readily available at the airport and are considered a safe and inexpensive option. There is a kiosk outside customs that generates the correct taxi fare for your destination. |
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What You'll Learn
Uber's legality in Colombia
In 2016, a Colombian court declared Uber's operations illegal, citing the company's lack of registration as a transportation provider. This led to fines and even the impounding of some Uber drivers' vehicles. Despite this setback, Uber continued to operate clandestinely, and the government eventually relaxed its crackdown.
In late 2019, Uber was once again effectively banned by the Colombian government industry regulatory board. However, in February 2020, Uber modified its operating status and re-entered the Colombian market as a car rental service that includes a driver, allowing it to operate through a legal loophole. This modification in status may, however, expose users to legal risks in the event of accidents or other issues.
In 2023, the Colombian Supreme Court ruled that Uber is not illegal, allowing it to operate legally in the country. Despite this ruling, Uber still faces regulatory hurdles and instances of police harassment, especially when operating near airports. Users have reported that Uber drivers may request to meet at departure levels instead of arrivals and ask passengers to sit in the front seat to avoid suspicion from law enforcement.
While Uber is available in major Colombian cities, including Cartagena, it may not be the most reliable means of transportation. Other ride-sharing apps, such as InDriver, DiDi Rider, and Cabify, are also popular in Colombia and offer similar or even lower fares. These apps provide added security features, such as sharing driver and vehicle information and real-time location tracking, making them attractive to users.
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Taxi drivers' opposition to Uber
While Uber is available in Cartagena, it is not a reliable means of transportation. Uber is in a delicate legal situation in Colombia, with the Ministry of Transport claiming that it is not legal, while the Ministry of IT says it is. This has resulted in police forces cooperating with taxis to routinely hold Uber cars and fine the drivers.
Taxi drivers in Cartagena are fighting hard against Uber, especially at the airport, as this is where they make most of their money. This is a common issue for taxi drivers around the world, who are facing increasing competition from ride-sharing apps like Uber. In many places, taxi driving is a heavily regulated and unionized industry, with drivers having to pay large sums of money for permits and medallions, which represent a licensing fee paid to the city. These permits are of a limited quantity, and in some places, such as Montreal, taxi companies are losing a significant proportion of their clientele to Uber.
In addition to the financial impact of Uber on taxi drivers, there is also a risk of violence. During taxi protests in Paris in 2015 and 2016, there were instances of civil disobedience and attacks on Uber drivers and clients. While Uber did not condone the violence, they did use it to their advantage, leveraging the situation to pressure governments to change laws that were blocking their expansion.
Overall, the introduction of Uber has had a significant impact on the taxi industry, with many drivers facing a loss of income and increased competition. While Uber offers advantages to customers in terms of lower rates and better service, it has also created a difficult transition for traditional taxi drivers.
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Alternative ride-sharing apps
Although Uber is available in Cartagena, it is not recommended for airport transfers due to its delicate legal situation in Colombia. Taxi drivers tend to fight hard against Uber, especially at airports, and police forces have been known to cooperate with taxis, holding Uber cars and fining drivers. Therefore, it is generally safer and easier to take a taxi from Cartagena Airport, as there is a kiosk outside customs that generates the correct fare for your destination, ensuring you don't get overcharged.
There are several alternative ride-sharing apps available in Cartagena, Colombia, which are popular with locals due to their added security features and lower fares. Here is an overview of some of the most popular options:
- InDriver (inDrive): This app is widely used in Cartagena and allows users to set their own fares by bidding for rides. It is not as advanced as Uber, and it does not provide step-by-step directions for drivers, so you may need to give directions in Spanish. InDriver accepts cash payments, but you don't need to have the exact change.
- Cabify: Cabify, which acquired Easy Taxi and Easy Tappsi, is popular in Colombia for its lower fares and additional security features. These features include the ability to share the driver's name, vehicle type, and license plate number, as well as your real-time location, with someone else.
- DiDi Rider: DiDi is another ride-sharing app that is commonly used in Colombia, known for its lower fares and security features similar to those offered by Cabify.
- Beat, Picap, and Taxis Libres: These apps also offer ride-sharing services in Colombia, with features such as real-time tracking, fare transparency, driver reviews, and flexible payment options. Picap specialises in motorcycle taxis for faster urban navigation.
These ride-sharing apps have transformed Colombia's transportation landscape, offering safer, more convenient, and transparent alternatives to traditional taxis. They have improved safety, accountability, and transparency in the industry, making them popular among locals and tourists alike.
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Uber's reliability in Cartagena
Uber is available in Cartagena and is a popular option for tourists and locals alike. However, it exists in a legal grey area in Colombia, with conflicting information about its legality. While some sources claim that Uber is fully legal, others suggest that it operates through a legal loophole, and the Ministry of Transport claims it is not legal. Due to this delicate legal situation, Uber may not be the most reliable option for transportation in Cartagena, especially when travelling to and from the airport.
When it comes to reliability, some users have reported that Uber is a convenient and efficient way to get around Cartagena, with short waiting times of around one to two minutes, even in non-touristy areas. The app shows the estimated cost of the ride upfront, and users can pay directly through the app using their cards, without the need for cash transactions. This can be beneficial in avoiding the hassle of negotiating taxi prices and the risk of being overcharged, which is a common concern with taxis in Cartagena.
However, other users have shared different experiences, stating that they faced long wait times for Uber rides and ended up cancelling. The availability and reliability of Uber in Cartagena may vary depending on your location within the city, with potentially longer wait times in crowded or touristy areas. Additionally, Uber's legal status might lead to complications during your ride, as taxi drivers often compete with Uber and cooperate with police to stop Uber cars and fine the drivers.
As an alternative to Uber, locals in Cartagena tend to use other ride-sharing apps like inDrive, which is known for its flexibility in fare setting and electronic record of the ride details. However, inDrive does not provide step-by-step directions for drivers, and users may need to provide directions in Spanish, which can be uncomfortable for those who are not fluent in the language.
In summary, while Uber is available in Cartagena and can be a convenient option for some, its legal status might make it unreliable at times. It is recommended to be aware of the alternatives, such as inDrive, taxis, or even exploring the city on foot, especially in the historic Old Town and neighbouring barrios.
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Uber's cost from the airport
Uber does exist in Cartagena, Colombia, but it operates in a legal grey area. Uber was banned in Colombia for a period of time to protect the taxi industry but has since returned via a legal loophole that classifies it as a "temporary car rental with a driver".
Uber rides from the airport are possible, but there have been reports of police harassment and having to sit in the front seat and pretend to be a friend of the driver. One user reported being dropped off a street away from the airport due to police car checks. Another user reported no issues with Uber at the airport.
There is a kiosk just outside of customs at the airport that generates the correct taxi fare for your destination within the city. You can then go outside to the designated taxi stand to catch a ride and hand the receipt to the driver with your fare when your ride ends. This is to ensure you do not get overcharged.
There are several other ride-sharing apps available in Cartagena, including InDriver, DiDi Rider, and Cabify. These apps are popular with locals because the fares tend to be lower. With InDriver, you set your own fare by bidding higher or lower than the suggested price. InDriver does not accept credit cards, so you must pay in cash.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Uber is available at Cartagena Airport and can be used to get to and from the airport. However, Uber operates in a legal grey area in Colombia, and Uber drivers are sometimes harassed by taxi drivers and the police. It is recommended to walk away from the main pickup area to avoid issues.
Yes, there are several ride-sharing apps available in Cartagena, including Cabify, InDriver, and DiDi Rider. Ride-sharing apps are popular in Cartagena due to their added security features and lower fares.
Yes, taxis are readily available at Cartagena Airport and are a recommended mode of transportation. There is a kiosk outside of customs that generates the correct taxi fare for your destination, ensuring that you pay the right price.
