How much effort does it take to ask "Cunato vale un aventon a .......?" and then say "No" if the chofer is a ratero?

Does sprinklets of rain have a person roaring back to the hotel and stuffing suitcases for abandon ship?

Mexico is a country not a carnival or diorama. You-know-what, happens. An out-and-out huega de taxiistas is one thing, issues over fare prices another.

In July I pushed a crooked cop to the bitter end. He wasn't about to give up. So I called him MORDELON to his face in front of his buddies. I ended up handcuffed, and said Mordelon to him again to get those cuffs real tight. He fell for it. A van roared up I was pushed into it and off to the bote we roared. When la jefa, in the jail saw my purple hands she roared GET THOSE HANDCUFFS OFF AND I MEAN RIGHT NOW! I had one of the toughest times in my life trying to not laugh throughout. Yep they took me to the commandancia just like I wanted them to do the first ten times I politely asked the punk. The capitan looked with horror at the angry welts on my wrists and the hands were beginning to get their color and feeling back. I shook his hand politely and wished him a good afternoon. He listened to my story then yelled for a lieutenant "You go get this man's carro and you bring it here right now!"

Oh yeah the cop was fired that day. Not transferred, not reinstated two months later. The transitos de municipio where this happened have been ignoring me ever since. They look at the car then look rapidly away.

AND NO THIS DID NOT HAPPEN ANYWHERE NEAR ZIHUATANEJO nor the state of Guerrero.

I thought I'd throw this in amidst the sodden crying towels of timidity and trepidation I read about perceived Hannibal Lectur taxiistas.

Sometimes I cannot fathom some of this stuff. Sorry.

Thanks Rob. That helps. We are not staying in a hotel so how does the water situation affect us?

I don't imagine you'll ever notice there was a problem by the time you arrive. The water line should be replaced by then and all should be "normal once again.

Hey Everyone,

Listen, I realize that Zihua has been a safe place for many years and I'm sure it is a great place to visit. But with all of the local news that I seen, I don't know what the environment is like today. I don't care if you have visited within in the past 12 months, have been going there for 20 years, or planning to go next year. Past performance is not indicative of future results. I want to know about the following issues from someone who is currently in the area (if possible):

1. I've heard of protests that are supposed to begin on 11/20...has this happened before in the area, what could be the impact to local businesses,restaurants,etc.

So the teachers may march tomorrow. No big deal. Just that some of us think they're being hypocrites and only seeking benefits for their teachers' unions.

2. There was a story of nacros dropping off bodies on highway 200 by zihua(federal 200 or something like that)...comments

The USA's WAR ON DRUGS and the stupid laws that hypocritically ban some popular substances creating a multi-billion dollar a year black market dominated by organized crime is still causing turf wars to be fought. Nothing new there. It's the way things have been for decades. They weren't tourists. You're still safe.

3. What is with the water situation?

We have plenty of water. And folks in hotels will never know when city water stops flowing for one reason or another since hotels, like most folks, simply call to have water tanker trunks supply their water when the city water fails, such as it has for the past couple of days due to "repairs".

I took a trip to Mexico back in 2011 when the media was hyping up the gang violence and swine flu (which was a joke). I knew that because of where we were going and the precautions that we were taking, that we would be fine. I'm hoping the same of Zihua (supposed to go on the 20th) but the area seems to be very volatile right now. Sorry for the long post but any info is greatly appreciated.

I don't think there's any more "volatility" now than during any election cycle. Teachers are always striking and marching, and narcos are always having gang wars. Just another day in Paradise!

Listen, I realize that Zihua has been a safe place for many years and I'm sure it is a great place to visit. But with all of the local news that I seen, I don't know what the environment is like today. I don't care if you have visited within in the past 12 months, have been going there for 20 years, or planning to go next year. Past performance is not indicative of future results. I want to know about the following issues from someone who is currently in the area (if possible):

1. I've heard of protests that are supposed to begin on 11/20...has this happened before in the area, what could be the impact to local businesses,restaurants,etc.

2. There was a story of nacros dropping off bodies on highway 200 by zihua(federal 200 or something like that)...comments

3. What is with the water situation?

I took a trip to Mexico back in 2011 when the media was hyping up the gang violence and swine flu (which was a joke). I knew that because of where we were going and the precautions that we were taking, that we would be fine. I'm hoping the same of Zihua (supposed to go on the 20th) but the area seems to be very volatile right now. Sorry for the long post but any info is greatly appreciated.

Again, Dave. I'm quite confident it isn't my memory slipping since I've been complaining about such unscrupulous practices and price gouging for much longer than 12 years. I was already boycotting taxis and walking everywhere or taking buses long before starting my first Zihuatanejo website (called "Gator In Mexico" way back then). So I'm afraid you've got me confused with one of your other punching bags. You see, Dave, I don't just talk the talk, I have ALWAYS walked the walk.

"Dave, I don't just talk the talk, I have ALWAYS walked the walk."

Ok no Problemo.....

I am not saying this to minimize the problem in Zihuatanejo. Nor am I painting all drivers with a thug brush. But if you avoid all places on earth where taxi drivers are viewed with distrust and a level of suspicion, you could only go places where they don't have taxis. And I'm not in the mood for that.

I would say that Zihuatanejo needs much stronger regulation of their taxi business since the industry obviously cannot police itself. Businesses need to use a stronger voice with the city about taking some control of the situation. Town officials need to step up or leave and let those who want order step in. Zihuatanejo seems content to behave as if it is not a party to this situation. A town can look the other way or do something. But I very much doubt that taxi drivers themselves will suddenly become Good Samaritans and upstanding community members on their own..

So, we will continue to deal with taxis when we visit. I just wish we didn't have to have this conversation every few weeks.

Since I was on one of the first busses that were blocked for a day trip to La Barra......When I posted......NO not "your taxis" in paradise....

Post a year or two after how I was not getting quoted the correct price to go anywhere..[all higher than actual] Noooo not "your taxis"

Just because problems do not happen to you FIRST, does not mean they are NOT HAPPENING!!!

Glad to see you on the Taxi Bandwagon........Your bud keepin it real

Dave

I'm heading back down in January and staying five to six months!

OK This "taxi" thing has been going on for longer than decade!!!

I was one of the first to bring this up here while Rob was calling me a liar...not so now.......

Dave

Good one, Dave! Now you're writing pure fiction. I've certainly never doubted anyone's account of their experiences regarding being blocked by taxis since I know it's been happening for decades, so now I will call you a liar for that comment. But hey, feel free to review all the posts on the subject because I believe I've saved most if not all of them.

Do you practice being nasty or does it just come naturally to you? Jeeeeeze! Have a nice day!

I was one of the first to bring this up here while Rob was calling me a liar...not so now.......

THE KEY

1. KNOW where your going and HOW much it costs!! [Rob's rate sheet] KEEP A COPY with you

2. Tell the driver where you want to go when you get there hand him the money.......if he even attempts to say it's wrong shut him down, tell him he's wrong and walk away.......

3. Attempts to BLOCK pick-ups from friends. Offer to call the police........and leave.......

DON'T PLAY THEIR GAME

NO ONE is going to have their time ruined from an asshat Taxi Driver unless they allow it!!!

Dave

My husband and I are supposed to be staying in an acquaintance's vacation home a couple blocks northeast of Plaza Kioto off of the Boquita next week. Reading about the taxi issues and the cancellation of the parade is making us feel we should reschedule our trip for another time. We love Mexico and have visited many parts before. However, we also know we will be taking lots of taxis and do not want to get into a situation where safety is an issue. We know Zihua is undoubtably beautiful, but are concerned that at this moment, it's not the safest place for us to enjoy Mexico. We are looking for advice, keeping in mind that if we don't visit Zihua this time, we will in the future. Any thoughts would be helpful! Thank you!