Mototaxi-What Is It Exactly?

What is a Mototaxi? Great question! Well in short, they’re 3 wheeled motorcycles designed to carry a driver and up to 3 passengers in the back. There are two popular versions here in Peru. One is as is pictured above with a hard shell, the other a soft shell.

Family Car Or Taxi

These Mototaxi’s are actualy used in both ways. Many Peruvians are unable to buy a car due to their income levels. A mototaxi is so much cheaper they can now afford to have their own family car. One of the big issues here is that people use them as a taxi when they’re not licensed for it. You’ll find that literally anyone with a mototaxi will stop and give you a ride. Rates will depend on the distance. A few block 2.50 soles, Got a cart full of food and the price will go up.

Are Mototaxis Safe?

There are absolutely no safety items onboard. No seatbelts, no airbags, no steel cage, just fiberglass or plastic. The drivers don’t seem to care about the passengers safety either. They’ll go the wrong way on one way streets, blow through red lights etc. . . I personally use them still as it’s a super fast way to go short distances. Just be careful and look for someone whose not done something crazy right in front of you or you can expect the ride to be a bit crazt too.