Renting a Car

Renting a car at the Cancun airport

Cancun's big international airport has dozens of car rental agencies - all the major companies are represented. Rather than calling each one, you can just make car rental reservations online for the best deal.

If you can afford it, a 4 wheel drive car is the best. The roads, especially on the way to Punta Allen, can be rough. The road from Cancun to Tulum is newly paved and very nice, so any type of car will get you there. The road quality south of there changes monthly depending on the rain. Every company rents VW Bugs for the cheapest price - these are fine to get to Tulum from Cancun, but you will have a bumpy and dangerous ride further south.

Several things about renting a car:

• Look over the car and have the rental agent write down anything that is wrong with it, no matter how small. When you return the car you will be charged for even the most minor scratches (even on the bumper) if they aren't noted on the paperwork. Also, make sure the lights and wipers work. You can't be to careful with this process - they will get you for anything not written down.
• Consider buying the Mexican insurance. Yes, sometimes rental car insurance comes with your credit card, but this doesn't work the same way in Mexico. Although your own insurance says it covers you in Mexico, they generally mean they will reimburse you for damages. If there are problems and you do not have the Mexican insurance you may be required to pay the damages before you are allowed to leave the country. If you are covered and have extra money this is not a big deal because your insurance company will pay you back. Since insurance can be expensive, it might be worth the gamble to trust your foreign insurance converge. Even with Mexican insurance, there is usually a $1000 deductible you have to pay if the car is damaged.
• Make your reservations before leaving home for the best price with the least hassle. Agencies are frequently out of cars at high season (winter and early spring) but with your reservation they have to get you a car. You can compare car rental prices online.
• Bring your confirmation number with you to the agency, since they frequently "lose" data when they are out of cars or don't want to honor the low rate you got.
• No, you can't take your rental car into Belize.

Getting on the highway is easy

Exit the airport. The road will run into the highway. Just take highway 307 South. Highway 307 goes all the way from Cancun to Chetumal on the Belize border. Drive safely.

By the way, if you want any groceries, you can stock up at Chedraui, a big, well priced store in Playa del Carmen. You will see it along the highway just after Av. Juarez (the main street in Playa del Carmen).

What rental car companies are in Cancun? There are dozen.

Rand McNally Road Atlas Includes Mexican maps.