Zihuatanejo-Ixtapa Message Board - Question about the pier and water taxis

Question about the pier and water taxis (reply)

bmart — Sun, 27 Mar 2016 17:24:52 +0000

Thanks for that update. Now we all know.

Question about the pier and water taxis (reply)

ZihuaRob — Sun, 27 Mar 2016 02:13:11 +0000

As usual, great images that tell a great story of this wonderful place, Rob. How nice that someone took the time to erect shade for all the folks waiting to board the water taxis. Speaking of...I've been thinking about all of those guys that hang around the pier and the dock at Las Gatas. You know, the guys that offer hold your hand and help you into and out of the boat and tell you to watch your head....that's pretty nice. I noticed the boat captains or drivers seem to sort of look the other way as these guys are crawling all over the boat to help guys like me and "The Boss" into and out of the boat. When they start clamoring for and yelling "tip!, Tip for me?" I usually give them a few pesos. It seems though, that they are getting more aggressive. When we were there last October I actually heard "Oh, C'mon, Mister...is that all? You don't have a dollar for me? I have actually given dollars to these kids and sometimes they still ask for more. Look, I'm not a cheapskate, and I am slowly getting used to the idea that maybe it isn't always such a good thing to tip the taxi drivers unless they do something above and beyond. but this situation is getting a little more confounding all the time, and I noticed they never or seldom pester the locals. My question is what do these guys have at stake here? Are they working with the boat owners? Do they just show up at the docks and try to cash in? I'm curious to hear your thoughts. Thanks.

Your complaint echoes many, and finally action is supposed to have been taken on this problem. The kids are known as pidemonedas, and they are no longer supposed to be allowed to harass or pretend to help people on and off the boats. Each boat should already have an assistant who can help you, but in the rare case they don't the capitán or often even other passengers are always glad to help.

Saludos.

Question about the pier and water taxis (reply)

Mexalberta — Sun, 27 Mar 2016 02:05:33 +0000

Genuine help is always appreciated but those guys are very pushy, Domiican like.
The last time the guy that was yelling for the tip was loaded
I told him " I will give you a tip, get your hand off my shoulder and get a job"
The Capitan said he was sorry, he got a tip on the way back

Question about the pier and water taxis (reply)

frostbite — Sun, 27 Mar 2016 00:55:42 +0000

I, too, tend to tip cab drivers when they help with luggage and groceries, but I find those money grubbers at Las Gatas highly annoying, especially when they hit you up for doing absolutely nothing to help, since I'm still capable of de-boarding the water taxi on my own.

Question about the pier and water taxis (reply)

bmart — Sat, 26 Mar 2016 23:01:32 +0000

When we were there last October I actually heard "Oh, C'mon, Mister...is that all? You don't have a dollar for me?

If they made a 10 pesos off of every gringo, they would be rich at the end of the day. All hell, I'd be down there also acting like I was helping. I know some actually help, but some just touch you and feel they are owed something. 1 peso from every person on the boat, that would be 14 pesos+/- a boat. Multiply that by every boat I think they would have a good day.

Question about the pier and water taxis (reply)

KMateri — Sat, 26 Mar 2016 21:20:10 +0000

As usual, great images that tell a great story of this wonderful place, Rob. How nice that someone took the time to erect shade for all the folks waiting to board the water taxis. Speaking of...I've been thinking about all of those guys that hang around the pier and the dock at Las Gatas. You know, the guys that offer hold your hand and help you into and out of the boat and tell you to watch your head....that's pretty nice. I noticed the boat captains or drivers seem to sort of look the other way as these guys are crawling all over the boat to help guys like me and "The Boss" into and out of the boat. When they start clamoring for and yelling "tip!, Tip for me?" I usually give them a few pesos. It seems though, that they are getting more aggressive. When we were there last October I actually heard "Oh, C'mon, Mister...is that all? You don't have a dollar for me? I have actually given dollars to these kids and sometimes they still ask for more. Look, I'm not a cheapskate, and I am slowly getting used to the idea that maybe it isn't always such a good thing to tip the taxi drivers unless they do something above and beyond. but this situation is getting a little more confounding all the time, and I noticed they never or seldom pester the locals. My question is what do these guys have at stake here? Are they working with the boat owners? Do they just show up at the docks and try to cash in? I'm curious to hear your thoughts. Thanks.

Z Arising (reply)

cantinero46 — Sat, 26 Mar 2016 19:11:08 +0000

Rob,yes Semana Santa again,lots of people,lots of fun,Happy Easter to you and your family!

Z Arising (reply)

Judy Mamou — Sat, 26 Mar 2016 18:54:10 +0000

WOW - nice photo's-Love the one of the sky!!!!

Z Arising

ZihuaRob — Sat, 26 Mar 2016 18:40:00 +0000

A stroll along the waterfront this morning found tourists camping on the beach, the fishermen working at full tilt, and the pier ready for the masses. Lots of folks noisily pulled out this morning making the drive back to whence they came. But it ain't over and the fat lady ain't even a-warbling. Processions of faithful tourists from inland cities and towns continue making their pilgrimage to our beaches.

Extra palapas have been put up on the pier so that day trippers to Las Gatas have some shade while they wait for the water taxi pangas.

Camping on our beach is supposed to be prohibited, but first you'd have to find an actual policeman or public official on patrol who not only knows what their job is but that does it. There ain't been none around here!