Taxi Drivers Outside the Cusco Airport 2023

This is an example of the harassment that everyone arriving in Cusco receives from taxi drivers just outside the airport exit. (Right now, all passengers must exit the airport through this single gate.)
I like to call them piranhas because they attack like killer fish in the rainforest in the moment you walk out the gate.
They block your path, block the entire sidewalk, and will follow you far down the sidewalk harassing you with exorbitant prices. They focus on foreigners who they hope to charge high rates.
Sadly, I turned off the camera just before many started running because the police showed up. Obviously, a large number were operating illegally -- something to be aware of it if you are a visitor to Cusco.

[@marlo7218]

I prebooked a ride on Viator and the woman met me with a sign at the exit. She then walked in front of me all the way out to her car. It was awesome.

[@ceciliav9347]

How much?

[@user-dc8ns3kw2r]

Thanks for this short video.

[@theperuchannel]

You're welcome! These are fun to make and share. (The taxi drivers still drive me crazy every time I come home from a trip.)

[@jonathans.6259]

Thanks for sharing this! Where is the best bet to find a legitimate taxi when exiting the airport? I'm going next week and still have yet to figure this out as I don't want to hop into any random car and of course I'll have to negotiate. Im staying in the Sacred Valley and I heard that 80-90 Soles is the fair price to pay for the hour and a half drive. Any tips or suggestions? Thanks in advance.

[@alvarocastaneda9754]

How much to the central plaza?

[@theperuchannel]

At this time, 10 soles is normal -- maybe 15 if it's late at night, but no more.

[@RiccoMarselino]

Ok so how do you recommend I get to/find my hotel? You don’t recommend the taxi?

[@theperuchannel]

It depends on where you are going. I walk past the "piranhas" outside exit and go down the sidewalk. Sometimes I will ask a taxi driver along the way what is his price and, if it's reasonable, then I take it. There aere thousands of taxis in Cusco, but the ones who swarm the airport when planes arrive try to make extra money. Not everywhere in Peru do they do this in a transparent attempt to overcharge tourists. 10-12 soles to the historical center is normal, but they will try to charge 20-30 and tell you it's "economical"!