Renting a Car in Mexico (3 Best Sites + 1 Rental Mistake)
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👉 Jump to: Best Mexico Car Rental Sites | Common Mistake | Pros & Cons | Safety | Requirements | Cost | Insurance | Tips | FAQs
Renting a car in Mexico is a great way to see places other tourists miss. But, of the dozens of countries I’ve rented in around the world, the Mexico car rental system has been the trickiest to navigate by far.
Why? Well, a common mistake most tourists don’t realize is that most car rental agencies do NOT include mandatory local insurance in online quotes. As I’ll explain, this is why I personally use the “Supplier Rating” sorting feature of Discover Cars to find local agencies with the best reviews.
That’s just one important piece of info I’ll share in this guide — there’s much more to know! I’m a Mexico travel expert, having visited Mexico dozens of times. I’m here to explain exactly how to rent a car in Mexico without getting scammed.
Best Car Rental Sites in Mexico
👉 Pro Tip: Rental car inventory in Mexico is limited, particularly in tourist hotspots like Cancun and Puerto Vallarta. Always reserve your rental car in Mexico as far in advance as possible.
Here are my 3 favorite booking platforms for finding reputable local agencies:
Discover Cars
I personally use and love Discover Cars. Usually it finds the cheapest fares for Mexico. I like that they allow you to easily compare agency reviews. Pro tip: go for a rental agency with an 8/10 or higher, and budget a little extra for local insurance!
Kayak
Kayak is one of the biggest names in car rentals, and I like them as well. Just be cautious of any “too good to be true” prices, as it probably doesn’t include the mandatory insurance (see note below).
RentalCars.com
Another very popular and well trusted car rental site. It’s owned by Booking.com (our favorite hotel site), and has one of the largest inventories of rentals on the planet.
Mexico Car Insurance Rules (A Common Mistake)
Mexico requires tourists to have Mexico-specific Third Party Liability insurance. Your US auto insurance probably will not work (nor will your credit card insurance). But many Mexican car rental companies, especially in Cancun, do not clearly show these charges online in advance – even though they are often several times the actual rental cost.
Yeah, it’s a super sneaky move worthy of a cable company! The reality is that’s just scratching the surface of the sketchy world of Mexican rental agencies.
But I don’t let it put me off from enjoying the freedom of a car rental in Mexico.
Here is how I deal with it personally:
First, I go to DiscoverCars and enter my details.
Second, I select the dropdown to sort by Supplier Rating.
What this does is it sorts by the most reputable Mexico rental agencies. I try to find car rental agencies with average reviews of 8 out of 10 or higher. Often those aren’t the “cheapest car rental company,” but in reality, the price is often the same by the time you add in the hidden fees and insurance costs you’re going to have to pay anyway.
Third, I examine the individual agency reviews to make sure the supplier is actually a good one and that they are clearly displaying what is (and is not) included. Remember that even reputable suppliers are likely to not include the local insurance in the cost.
Lastly, to be safe, it’s always best to budget an additional $15-25 per day to pay the locally required insurance. The best car rental companies in Mexico will disclose this online, but you’ll still need to pay it at the car rental office no matter what.
Note that I did have one reader report it ended up being as high as $42/day for them, so just an FYI that YMMV. But in my experience $25/day should usually cover it for most agencies. If the difference is a problem for you, I’d suggest calling the local agency before booking.
Pros & Cons of Renting a Car in Mexico
First up, let’s answer a common question: Do you need a rental car in Mexico?
You do not need a rental car to travel to Mexico, although renting a car will afford you more freedom and the ability to explore beyond destinations serviced by Mexico’s public transportation, taxi, and tour network.
In general, if you are only planning to visit one destination in Mexico (especially if it is a city like Mexico City), rental cars may not be required. If you are planning to explore multiple destinations or take a Mexico road trip, it is advisable to rent a car.
Pros of Renting
- ❤️ Freedom – Renting a car opens up the ability to explore destinations, beaches, and towns not otherwise easily accessible.
- ✨ Convenience – Mexico has a robust road network that is surprisingly easy to drive on.
- 💲 Cost – For families or groups, renting a car can often save money compared to using taxis, tours, and buses to get around.
Cons of Renting
- ❗ Frustrating Insurance Rules – Mexico requires all renters to purchase local insurance (i.e., your American car insurance will not cover you in Mexico).
- ⚠️ Scams – Rental car companies in Mexico are notorious for scams, such as charging damage fees for scratches or cleaning fees for even a little bit of sand in the car. Read the tips below for advice on preventing rental car scams in Mexico.
Is it Safe to Drive in Mexico?
It is generally safe to drive in Mexico. Mexico has a robust road network that is relatively well maintained, and driving in Mexico is not significantly different than driving in the United States. As with all driving, it is important to take proper precautions such as driving defensively, respecting speed limits, wearing a seat belt, and not driving while distracted.
If you are reasonably comfortable driving in unfamiliar conditions in the United States, Europe, or elsewhere, you will likely also be comfortable driving in Mexico. This is especially true in the tourist areas of Mexico. In areas like Cancun, Tulum, Cabo San Lucas, Playa del Carmen, and San Miguel de Allende, there are many foreign drivers on the road.
In larger highly populated Mexican cities such as Mexico City and Puebla, driving can be a bit chaotic at times. Less experienced foreign drivers may feel less comfortable driving in these environments. Fortunately, Uber and taxis are widely available in most cities (notably, however, Uber is not available in Cancun, Playa del Carmen, or Tulum!).
It’s always best to be prepared. So be sure to read the tips section below to arm yourself with the knowledge you need to drive safely in Mexico.
👉 Read Next: Is Playa del Carmen Safe Right Now?
Rental Car Requirements for Mexico
The following requirements generally apply when renting in Mexico:
- 🧑 A valid driver’s license – A United States driver’s license works just fine. Note that neither an International Driver’s License nor a Mexican driver’s license is usually required to drive in Mexico (the exception is that an International Driving Permit is required for licenses issued in the non-Roman alphabet, such as Japanese licenses).
- 🎫 Mexican liability insurance – Mexico requires all drivers to carry third party liability insurance issued by a Mexican insurance company. Your policy from your home country will not suffice for rental cars in Mexico.
- 🔞 Driver is of age – The driving age in Mexico is 18. However, most Mexican agencies require drivers to be 25 years old, although some will rent to younger drivers for an additional charge.
- 💳 A credit card in driver’s name – Expect the rental car company to collect this as an assurance, and to potentially place a (large) deposit on the card if you are not purchasing collision insurance directly from them (for example, if you are trying to use your credit card insurance for CDW protection). A debit card is usually not accepted.
- ✈️ Passport – Most rental agencies will also photocopy your passport at the rental car counter. You may sometimes be asked to show it at police checkpoints on the road.
Always be sure to carefully read the terms and conditions of the contract for your specific car rental agency, as additional requirements may apply. Remember that you are a guest in Mexico and are responsible for learning and complying with all local laws and regulations.
How Much Do Rental Cars Cost in Mexico?
The average daily rental cost for a compact car in Mexico is between $30 and $60 per day, based on sample searches I performed across several popular Mexican destinations and three booking sites. This is consistent with my own personal experience renting in Mexico.
Of course, rental car prices in Mexico vary based on many factors. These include when you visit Mexico, the age of the driver, the type of car you are renting, what add-ons you are selecting (e.g., one-way drop off), etc.
👉 Compare Mexico rental car prices for your dates now by comparing these 3 booking sites:
- 🚗 Discover Cars (top choice)
- 🚗 Kayak.com
- 🚗 RentalCars.com
Be sure to double-check agency reviews when booking, as some car rental places advertise low prices but then tack on hidden fees later. Note that this is especially a problem at the Cancun Airport rental agencies.
Mexico Car Rental Insurance Information
Navigating insurance is one of the most challenging parts of renting cars in Mexico. In this section, I’ll break down the most important types of insurance that come into play for rental cars in Mexico.
But, first, an important disclaimer: Your mileage may vary. I am not a licensed insurance agent. None of this is insurance advice. This is purely informational content based on my personal experience. Do your own research, carefully read all terms and conditions, and consult with a licensed professional if necessary.
👉 Read Next: What to Pack for a Trip to Mexico
Local Third Party Liability Insurance is ALWAYS Mandatory in Mexico
You may be wondering about how to avoid paying car rental insurance in Mexico. Can you rent a car in Mexico without local insurance?
By law, all drivers in Mexico are required to carry third party liability insurance (TPL insurance, sometimes called personal liability insurance) issued by a Mexican auto insurance company. Your insurance from your home country will generally not work in Mexico.
Honestly, this law is a little curious. I’ve rented cars in dozens of countries, but Mexico is the only one I’ve seen that flat out refuses to accept insurance from abroad.
In my many years traveling in Mexico, I’ve heard a few different explanations for Mexico’s car insurance law. The more cynical take is that it was written by the Mexico’s car rental companies for their own benefit.
Another possible explanation is that the Mexican court system has a tendency to summarily assign responsibility to foreigners in cases of accidents, so it helps ensure fast and swift payment of court judgments in those cases.
Whatever the reasons, the bottom line is that you always need personal liability insurance coverage issued by a Mexican car insurance company. Unfortunately, this is often not well disclosed when booking a car rental online, so my best advice is to just always expect to pay it at the counter (it typically runs between $15 and $25 per day).
But remember that there are other kinds of car insurance that come into play too …
Collision Insurance (CDW / LDW) is Usually Required Too
Besides third-party insurance, there’s this separate car rental insurance called Collision Damage Waiver (“CDW”) insurance. It’s also sometimes called Loss Damage Waiver (“LDW”) insurance.
CDW is additional insurance that is supposed to protect against theft or damage to the rental vehicle itself (while basic insurance only protects against liability to third parties).
While not required by law, CDW protection generally is in fact required by most car companies to rent in Mexico.
You can usually get CDW insurance in several ways:
- 🚗 Directly from the car rental agency – this is usually the most expensive, but also the most convenient option because it’s the only one that will not require a large deposit.
- 💻 From a third party booking site – For example, Discover Cars sells a product called “Full Coverage” which they say protects against damage or theft to the car.
- 💳 From your credit card company – Some credit card companies offer CDW protection if you use their card to pay for the rental (just be sure to double check the specific terms, including whether coverage applies in Mexico, with your credit card company). However, it is unlikely your credit card company will almost certainly not provide Mexico requisite local third party liability insurance.
- ✈️ From your travel insurance provider – depending on your Mexico travel insurance policy, you might have this coverage already (be sure to double-check your specific policy!).
Again, remember that the latter three options may be cheaper, but often result in the rental agency requiring a large deposit or hold on your credit card (perhaps as high as $1,500 USD).
Additional Insurance Coverage
Many car rental agencies will try to sell you on a variety of other protections and insurances in addition to liability and collision assurances.
These may include additional insurances that bring down your deductible in the event of a claim. Or they may include upsells like roadside assistance.
Ultimately, when renting cars in Mexico, each traveler needs to carefully assess what protections are right for their individual circumstances.
👉 Read Next: My Guide to Travel Insurance in Mexico
13 Tips & Things to Know Before Renting in Mexico
There are important rental car and driving tips and things to know before going to Mexico:
TIP #1 – Check Rental Agency Reviews Before Booking Cars
No matter whether you’re using Discover Cars, RentalCars.com, or Kayak to book your rental car, it’s important to remember that these booking sites are just portals (like Expedia is for hotels or Skyscanner is for flights). These sites make it easy to find the cheapest rental price, but they are not who you are renting from.
Your actual rental contract will be with a rental car agency on the ground in Mexico, so it’s really important to check the customer reviews for the specific agency you are renting from.
Be careful – there are a lot of less than honest agencies in Mexico (perhaps more than in any other country I’ve seen)!
In particular, I personally stay away from Mex Rent a Car, as I’ve had a bad experience with them in the past when renting a car in Cancun. On the other hand, when renting a car in Tulum, I’ve had a good experience with America Car Rental.
For comparing agencies, I like Discover Cars because they make it easy to see customer reviews for each agency. Here’s an example:
Personally, my advice is to never rent from a Mexico car agency that scores less than 8 out of 10 in average customer reviews.
TIP #2 – Carefully Read The Terms and Conditions
Renting in Mexico does carry some significant risks with it. In order to avoid scams or surprises down the line, you should always carefully read all terms and conditions before booking your car.
Similarly, you should be sure to actually read the fine print on anything they make you sign at the car rental counter (any reputable agency will give you everything in English).
TIP #3 – Check Your Vehicle for Damage & Take Photos
When you get your rental car, most car rental companies will give you the opportunity to point out any damage to the vehicle. Record it liberally so that they cannot hold it against you when you return the car. Be sure to point out every single scratch, dent, or issue you see!
Additionally, it is a good idea to take photos of the vehicle in case there is a dispute down the line.
⛽ Pro Tip: You should also carefully note the fuel levels, as agencies are known to charge ridiculous rates for fuel upon the return of the car rentals.
TIP #4 – Police Checkpoints are Common on Mexican Roads
In many parts of Mexico, police checkpoints are a common sign. I have found them to be particularly prevalent on the back roads connecting the various “pueblos magicos” in the Yucatan peninsula. At one point on a recent road trip from El Cuyo to Valladolid, Clara and I passed through 4 police checkpoints in just one hour!
Slow down when approaching a checkpoint and a stop is requested. Sometimes an officer will check your passport to ensure your immigration status, and ask a few questions about where you are going.
Although rare, it is possible an officer may try to extract a bribe. It has never happened to me (it probably helps that I speak Spanish), but I have heard stories from friends of Mexican police officers refusing to let tourists go until they pay a supposed “fine.”
TIP #5 – You Do Not Pump Your Own Gas in Mexico
If you’re from New Jersey, you’ll feel right at home at Mexican gas stations. Everyone else might be surprised to learn that all Mexican gas stations are full service.
Just pull up, tell the attendant how many liters of gas you want (or say “llenado” for “full”), and then pay him directly. Expect that you may have to pay in cash, and add a few pesos as a tip.
TIP #6 – Have Cash Ready for Toll Roads
Mexico has a number of toll roads, usually marked by the sign “CUOTA.” If taking a toll road, be prepared to have enough cash for the toll (which, in my experience, is often more than you might think). Alternatively, use Google Maps to route around toll roads in the country.
👉 Read Next: 18 Best Hotels in Puerto Vallarta
TIP #7 – Mexico Drives on the Right
Mexico drives on the right side of the road (same as the United States).
TIP #8 – Speed Limits Change Quickly
Like most countries, speed limits in Mexico are denoted in kilometers per hour, so drivers coming from the US will need to adjust.
The other thing to note is that Mexico has a wide range of speed limits – typically between 40 and 110 km/hour. You can quickly find yourself moving between one speed limit zone to another without realizing it. So be sure to pay attention to road signs!
👉 Read Next: Cancun Airport Transportation Review
TIP #9 – Topes (Speedbumps) Are Everywhere in Mexico
Mexico is fond of its speedbumps, usually marked by a sign reading “Tope.”
Many speedbumps in Mexico can be hard to see from a distance, particularly on side streets and back roads. Many are also carry a surprisingly “kick” even when they seem small. So it is best to drive slowly and carefully when passing through any town or area where you might find topes. If you don’t, your car rental might get damaged.
TIP #10 – Animals Are Frequent on Roads
In addition to speedbumps, you also have to keep an eye out for random animals on the road in Mexico. From dogs to cows to roosters to goats to iguanas, I’ve seen it all cross in front of me while driving around Mexico. Well, actually, I’ve yet to be lucky enough to see a jaguar – but they do exist!
TIP #11 – Get a Copy of Your Paperwork When Renting
One last tip to avoid hidden costs: when returning your car to the agency, be sure to ask for a full printout of your final contract. Check it to make sure there are no hidden costs or surprises that you’ll find on your credit card bill later!
TIP #12 – It Helps to Know Spanish
Because issues are so common during the car rental process in Mexico, it is really is helpful (though not entirely necessary) to know a little Spanish. Here is a good list of common Spanish phrases associated with driving.
TIP #13 – Learn Mexico’s Road Signs
Lastly, before you go, it’s helpful to spend a few minutes studying up on Mexico’s road signs. Remember, ignorance of the law is not going to be an accepted excuse if you find yourself talking to the Mexican police!
FAQs
Can you rent a car in Mexico with a US license?
A US license is accepted in Mexico. Note that the driving age in Mexico is 18, and all drivers are required to carry locally provided liability insurance.
Do I need an international driver’s license to rent a car in Mexico?
An International Drivers Permit (IDP) is not required to rent a car in Mexico, unless your license is printed in a non-Roman alphabet (for example, Japanese).
Is driving in Mexico hard?
Driving in Mexico is relatively easy for experienced drivers. Though there are some quirks that you should study, in general, the roads are in good condition and the rules of the road are similar to the United States.
Should I rent a car in Mexico?
A rental car is useful for Mexico if you are planning to stay outside of city centers, or if you are planning a road trip. A rental car is especially helpful in beach destinations such as Tulum. It is generally not necessary to rent a car if only staying in large cities, such as Mexico City.
How old do you have to be to rent a car in Mexico?
To rent a car in Mexico you must be 18 years or older, because that is the legal driving age. However, many agencies restrict rentals for those under age 25. For drivers between 18 and 24 years old, you can enter your age and search for rentals on Discover Cars that allow it for an additional fee.
***
Discover Cars
I personally use and love Discover Cars. Usually it finds the cheapest fares for Mexico. I like that they allow you to easily compare agency reviews. Pro tip: go for a rental agency with an 8/10 or higher!
That’s it for this guide! I hope it’s answered all the questions you have about car rentals in Mexico.
But before you go, be sure to bookmark all my free Mexico travel guides to help you plan your trip!
Thanks for this information! I am travelling from Cancun with a few days in Belize. I only found 2 companies that listed prices to cross, Europcar being the cheapest at $110 (the other was >$300!). I see on Discovercars.com there is an insurance option for $5/day. Will that work for the insurance requirement in Mexico?
No. It’s for damage to the car. The local liability insurance is almost always additional to anything mentioned online. Annoying, I know. That’s how the system works.
Good day, i am traveling for christmas and booked a car and insurance through expedia which was relatively cheap. i am considering canceling because of my fear of the reviews. I am looking at Discover Cars as you suggested. Will their full coverage insurance on their site be recognized in mexico or will we still have to get local insurance additionally? Please help.
No, it will not. You need local liability insurance. What Discover Cars is selling is coverage on damage to your vehicle, which you may or may not want but which is not the legally required insurance. Usually you’ll have to pay the local insurance on arrival to the agency, and usually it is separate than whatever price you are quoted online.
Ok thanks, so get a car that has the MXN and get the local insurance upon arrival?
Yes, you’ll need to pay the local liability insurance on arrival. Just budget for it and don’t be surprised when you arrive (even the best agencies typically charge it).
thanks a mil for the advice Nate
thanks a mil for the advice Nate
I tried to look directly in some of highly score car companies local Mexican websites (enterprise, Alamo). They include the TPL in the website. Can I trust this if I buy the coverage directly through the company website? Thanks!
Hi Edan – I would check if it specifies that it is “Mexican” or “local” insurance.
Hey there,
Have you ever ysed Mexico Car Rentals? Looking at their website, middle of the road cars with CDW and I suppose TPL are about 66 per day. Looking at Discovercars.come, their daily rentals are quoted as less than a euro a day on some cars with CDW at less than 4 euros per day, or lets says 5 euros per day total. This is a far cry from what Mexico Car Rentals is charging, but how the heck is this possible? Discovercars.com seems a bit suspect just due to the fact that is so substantially less expensive. Would you have thoughts on this? Is it actually to good to be true with the quotes I was looking at? Really, those prices make me think there are going to horrible hidden fees.
Anyway, our trip is a month and half out. Gathering information. Thank you for the writeup. Been to Mexico many times, never drove on the mainland,
You sir have a wonderful day.
Hi Kevin,
I can’t replicate that, but I’ve seen “too good to be true” deals before. And, yes, they usually are too good to be true. They will likely add on fees and such that drive the cost up.
Bear in mind Discover Cars is just a comparison site, so the rates are set by the underlying agency themselves. Do you know what agency is showing those rates?
Cheers,
Nate
Hi Nate. Very helpful information. After doing much research and price comparisons, there are a few tips I would to share with your followers. I found that when you rent a car from the Cancun airport, you are dinged an additional 16% airport tax. I decided to rent a car for my upcoming 20 day stay in the Yucatan area with Alamo. As we’ll be staying in Cancun for a few days at the start and end of our trip, I found an Alamo rental counter within a 10 minute drive of our ABB. By doing this, we noticed the car rental fee was about $40 lower than the quote that was being provided at the airport counter, minus the additional 16% airport fee. When you add all this up, especially for a 20 day rental, we saved approximately $200 CAD net, which included the 2 additional transfer fees from the airport to the rental counter in Cancun central. I found the Alamo Cancun office on-line rental app very straightforward, the Google rating is 8+, and no credit card info or payment is required up-front. I will have to let you how it goes. Cheers
Thanks for sharing your experience Simon! Good luck in Mexico.
When booking a car through discoverycars.com, for any of the rental companies, do you suggest not purchasing the ‘Full Coverage’ on the aggregate site and just paying for the full insurance on arrival to the rental?
I can’t give insurance advice but I can tell you what I do, which is to typically decline because I have CDW through my credit card. Check the details of the full coverage but usually I think it’s just for damage to the vehicle, i.e. “CDW,” which is also very often something that Americans get through their credit card. Liability insurance is a difference thing and there is no good way to totally avoid paying the mandated local insurance in Mexico — even if you buy a different product through a website in advance.
Hi, I read your comments about renting cars in Mexico. I am going to be in the Baja, Loreto from December 29th. to January 28th, the travelling around till February 11th. I want to rent a car but according to your advice with Discovery Cars it will be over $3,000..yikes. I see Europcar is $665 US, but I gather there are hidden costs and aren’t reliable. I see Ventur has a great reputation but again over $3000.00. Any suggestions would be so appreciated. Thank you!
Hi Wendy – Yeah, that’s a lot! I’d suggest searching the other sites I mentioned as well. I just briefly checked RentalCars.com, for instance, and see a number of agencies with options under $1k (you’ll need to read reviews and consider additional charges). You could also try extending your dates out by a day to see if any agencies offer monthly rates.
You could also call Europcar and inquire about what additional insurances they charge. Really, no matter the agency, you’re likely to have to pay for local insurance, so it’s just a question of anything additional beyond that.
Hi. I’m taking your recommended steps starting with DiscoverCars.com. When I sort by ratings, the way it appears on my screen is very different from the photo you posted. On ALL the choices for Queretaro Airport it shows the rental company name, underneath it says “Average”, and underneath it says “No ratings yet”. This is on ALL the options. Despite the “No ratings yet” there’s a number beside the companies and all of them are below 8. Does all of this seem right to you? What do you suggest I do, or what should I base my decision on given the “no ratings yet” coupled with all the numbers showing below 8?
Thanks for your help!
Melissa
Hi Melissa,
Hmm, that is curious! The “No Ratings Yet” thing seems like a possible glitch to me. I’ll contact Discover Cars and ask them. Thank you for pointing that out. In the meantime, you could use one of the other sites I mention like Kayak for the same process.
Thank you for reading Travel Lemming!
Would you recommend Veico car rental in Guadalajara?
What if all the insurance company ratings are poor? lol. Seriously, all are poor on Discover.
Yes, unfortunately there aren’t many options and sometimes the decent agencies are full.
Meant staying February, 2026. Punta Mita area. Safe?
hi! if I need to plan on them charging me the local insurance when i pick the car up, should I not check the box for the full coverage insurance when I book the car? or is this a separate insurance?
It’s almost always a separate thing. That’s what I’m saying: you need to always plan to pay the local insurance when you pick it up.
I’ve been trying for hours to get the full cost for a rental car with no luck. is it possible to get a FULL PRICE quote from a rental company in Cancún?
Hi Alan – I address this in this section above, but the short answer is that unfortunately Mexican rental car agencies tend to not be as upfront and transparent as we’d like. I wish I had better news, but in general you should always assume you’ll need to pay the local insurance part when you pick up the car. Budget $15-25 per day for that, and just plan for it.
One thing you have not mentioned is that in many places in Mexico, & definitely in Puerto Vallarta, rental cars have a different license plates than locally owned cars do. You will stand out like a KMart blue light special so that local police will target you for writing a ticket or trying to get you to immediately go to court. Bribes (morditas) will work but expect to get fleeced.
Good tip thank you for sharing your experience Lance!
Hello Nate, thank you for all the information. We are planning to rent a car in Tulum airport in mid February. Do you know if they have America Car Rental desk at the airport?
Hi Evelyn – I have only rented from America’s in-town location in Tulum, but according to this listing on Google Maps it does look like they have a Tulum airport location. If you use it and remember, we’d love for you to come back and share your experience here after to help future travelers. I hope you enjoy Tulum!
Hiya,
Is America Car Rental Cancun worth your recommendation? I have seen a few spelling mistakes on their less-than-great-looking website. Have you had any dealings with them, please?
Thank you
I rented from America Rental Car in Cancun a couple years ago and had a solid experience. Cars were not the newest, but I preferred that to have less stress over damage. They didn’t give me any hassle upon returning the car, and the airport shuttle worked fine.
Thank you. Very much appreciated. They seem to be the only company that allows border crossings to Belize, which I intend to visit too
Hi, am about to head to Mexico for 3 weeks in mid April & we are looking at hiring a car for 10 days. I read your page on most things you suggest re Mexico & found it very helpful so thank you & also read tips on Renting a Car in Mexico. Am soooo confuse still as I have done what you suggested regarding looking at indiviadual company reviews & sadly they are all quite bad & usually horrible experinces regarding getting ripped off. We require it mid April for 10 days, picking up from Cancun airport & dropping off at Merida. Do you or anyone reading this have any recent experiences or suggestions you are happy to share please? Btw love your page!! 🙂
Thanks in advance
Hi Doriana – yes, it’s a challenge, especially for a one way rental since that really limits the number of agencies that will have a counter in Merida. Unfortunately, I don’t know of any particular solution to the problem other than what I’ve outlined above. You might check out America rental car as I think they are the best of the agencies in both Cancun and Merida.
Careful about renting cars in Mexico. The nice bribe that the police officer wanted from us was $100 USD after confiscating and holding our drivers license hostage. This was more then 10 years ago. Not sure what they are bribing people for now. Took place in downtown Cancun and officer pulled me over in round about. Soured me to the entire rent a car experience in Mexico.
I’m sorry that happened to you. It’s not the first I’ve heard of such stories.
Hi Nate! Lots of info. We are wanting to fly to Cancun and drive straight down to Costa Maya area. We’d like to stay for 3 weeks or so and will not need a car for all that time. Is there anyway we can rent in Cancun and drop off a car in Mahahual then rent again later for another one way back? I can’t seem to find an answer. Wendy ( Hablo espaniol) PS how will I know when you answer me?
Hi Wendy –
One way rentals are definitely possible with many local agencies. I have done quite a few of them. But you’ll have to find one with a location in Mahahaul and in Cancun. You’ll also may have to pay one-way fees that significantly up the price. If you just need transport there and back. I’d consider taking the ADO bus (it’s fairly nice and convenient) to Bacalar and then hiring a taxi (book in advance via a private company) for the 1-1.5 our ride to Mahahual.
I hope that helps!
-Nate
Thanks Nate. Estoy en Tulum este semana. I enjoyed your article and have found it all to be true. I paid $35 USD a day for Insurance but only $14 USD a day for an SUV (Jeep Renegade) this trip.
Glad to be of help Robert. Hope you enjoy Tulum!
Wondering if you have rented from Tulum airport yet? We are headed there later this year. Fox Rent a Car has the highest ratings. I am curious if anyone has experience with them? Domestically we typically use Avis, but they don’t come up unless I go directly to Avis.com. Avis rates seem significantly more expensive.
I have yet to rent from the airport in Tulum itself. Maybe someone else can share their experience. Just note that Avis, Fox, and most other agencies all operate on a franchise model – so the quality of service and care is going to vary from location to location, particularly outside the United States.
We just booked through American car rental for Tulum airport. I’ll try to update if I remember to! —- Also, thank you for your blog!! It helped a lot.
Hi Nate,
Thought I would update you on our experience. I booked and pre-paid the rental car through the Hertz Mexico site where it states the fee, taxes and the amount of Civil Liability Protection Coverage against damages to third parties. The Mexican site provided quite a bit of information on rental conditions and the insurance coverage they offer. I contacted my credit card company and MasterCard to ensure that CDW was covered by my cc company and printed off documentation. When we arrived in Tulum the Hertz line was LONG, but I anticipated this. When asked about additional insurance, I declined. They required a hold of $40,000 MX pesos based on the car that we rented. I speak Spanish, so I don’t know if that made a difference, but I was not at all pressured to purchase insurance from them. Additionally, the website specifically states that you are not obligated to purchase insurance coverage from them.
We we received the car I took a video and several pictures. In all honesty, the car was not in great shape – lots of dents (some of which were rusted over), but it also minimized my concern for vehicle. Returning the car took a bit more time than in the US, but was easy and without issue.
In total we spent $14680 MX for 15 days over the Christmas and New Year’s holiday.
Thank you for sharing your experience, Kris! I hope you enjoyed Tulum!
Hola Kris,
Please correct me if wrong, but just wanting to see if I got this clear.
So you’re telling me that although your credit card covers CDW and you had the paper work for it. They still go ahead and charged a deposit of 40,000Mx to your card? Because you declined their insurance?
Thanks
I didn’t know about the insurance thing in Mexico , so I rented from Fox/Eurocar from Expedia for about $30/ day(Cozumel). When I went to pick up the car they informed me of $100 more dollar charge and a hold on my credit card of $1350.I left after letting them know how I feel.And found another company that charged me $50/day including all insurances. They did put a hold on my credit card for $300 which was accidentally-I hope- doubled by the cc machine turning off during transaction. Now I m waiting for the hold to be lifted.🤞🏽
Thank you for sharing your experience Fernando. It is a very frustrating mess of a system.
Hi Nate,
Thanks for the helpful guide! So, if local insurance for liability is going to be $15-$25, how much will insurance for CDW be? The daily rate you mentioned ($30-$60), does that include both types of insurance? And I should purchase the CDW insurance in person and not include it in my package when I reserve it online, right? I’ll be renting from Cancun Airport. Any tips or recommendations for renting at the airport?
Thanks!
I’m referring to the locally required liability insurance. I can’t advise you want insurance to purchase. Many travelers get CDW through their credit cards, but that’s something you’d need to look into as to whether or not you even have that benefit.
Hi! We are traveling to Zacatecas and we rented a car online through Expedia. The car rental is through Hertz and we added the insurance. Do you have an advice on renting through Hertz?
I have not tried the Hertz locations in Zacatecas personally, so I can’t say I’m sorry. If you think of it, come back and let us know your experience afterwards to help future readers. I hope you enjoy Mexico.
Hi Nate great article, giving me time to think. We’re going to be staying in Cabo I have a rental set now the price did sound too good to be true $70 for a week and still debating on it. So my question is if we’re going to explore within the area do we need a rental or would it be better to Uber/taxi it?
Do you have any suggestions of things to do (history/nitelife) & best beaches to go to.
We’re native Spanish speaking so communication won’t be problem for us.
Hi Ana!
I think $70 for a week probably does sound like they’re likely to hit you with some unexpected fees. With that said, I think a car really IS quite helpful in Cabo, particularly if you’re looking to move around and explore.
We don’t have any guides to Cabo just yet, but one of the most iconic things to do there is to take a boat tour out to El Arco (an arch in the ocean). If you are there in whale watching season (roughly end of December through start of April) that’s a must too. Otherwise, definitely get out and snorkel!
Hope you enjoy Mexico!
Nate
Thank you, that is definitely in my plans 😀 We’re going in August so wish us luck.
Do not use Budget Cancun Airport!
We booked and prepaid 400$ for a 10 day reservation.
They have tried to scam us with 3 different tiers of insurance – ranging from 400$ to 1000$ for 10 days. We declined (we decided we would contest the charge), and they shuttled us back to the airport at T2 DEPARTURE (which has no rental companies) and introduced us to another scammer who forced us to go through them for another rental. We declined, and got circled by a bunch of scammers and started screaming and yelling racial slurs against us in Spanish.
We ran to an airport security guard, and he was laughing at the situation. We had to run back inside the terminal and get a female security guard who confirmed that they are all scammers, and helped us go through a hidden path to get back to the Arrival area to find a new car rental company.
We decided to not rent a car, and take ADO buses – but scammers were trying to block us to get in line to purchase ADO buses.
I’ve been coming to Playa Del Carmen since 2006 – at least once a year (till 2019). This is my last time. Will be going to Asia from now on. Way better service, way less scam, and way better bang for your bucks.
Thanks for sharing your experience Dave.
Hey Nate,
Appreciate the helpful information. Heading to Cancun area in a couple of months. We are not doing an all-inclusive, so will need to get food and stuff, as well as if we want to go to the beach, historic sites, etc. Our resort place is almost to Playa. Rental car seems kind of expensive, but may be the only option in our travel scenario, but wanted to check if you think taking taxis would be viable. How much does a taxi usually run? My daughter is fluent in Spanish, so that should be useful.
Hi Justin!
So depends a bit on exactly you’re staying. If you mention a location I can give further advice. Taxi prices are really going to depend a lot on where you’re going. Within cities they aren’t too bad, but they can quickly get expensive if you’re going between towns (and exorbitant to go to, for example, Tulum).
But generally, yes, taxis are an option if you’re only goal is to get there from the airport and back. Or you can use an airport transfer service (see my review of my favorite one here).
Bigger issue will be getting around to the sites and things, but again depends a lot on where you are staying. The ADO Bus network runs between certain places and is pretty convenient. For more local transportation, locals use “collectivos,” which are shared minivans. It’s a little bit a learning curve, and they are sometimes not the best air conditioned. But collectivos are super cheap and run most places in the Riviera Maya!
Again, sorta depends how close to Playa del Carmen you are. Within Playa, the transport options are much better. But if you’re in Mayakoba, for example, it’s still a bit of a hike to even get to Playa.
Cheers!
Nate
Thank you for the helpful information. The planned location is the Hacienda Tres Rios Resort.
Ok, yes, that is an area where a car can definitely be helpful then, as it’s a giant resort complex with not much that is walkable nearby. You could check if the hotel has a shuttle to Playa del Carmen, and also ask what taxi prices would be like to town or other attractions. But, if it were me staying there, I’d probably opt for a rental car if feasible.
Is there a similar airport transfer service out of the Tulum airport?
Good question! Cancun Airport Transportation does sell transfers from Tulum airport, but they are currently priced a bit high in my opinion (considering how short the drive is), so my guess is that a taxi or pre-arranged transfer with your hotel will be better value. That said, I have yet to personally fly into Tulum airport (though I’m planning to later this year). Perhaps another reader who has more recent experience can chime in with better suggestions.
Hello. We are staying at the Cancun hotel circle- Sandos Cancun.
Which location would you sugggest we rent a car besides the airport?
Thank you
Can I ask: is there a particular reason you don’t want to rent from an airport location? Because certainly those will be the closest and most convenient. Note that several, like America, have off site locations with shuttles to the airport.
It’s impossible to message discovercars.com on the website. I want to know how much it costs to get legally required LIABILITY insurance in Cozumel Mexico in the amount of $300,000 US DOLLARS. On the website only car damage insurance is listed.
Hi Mike – you need to call whatever agency you are looking at. Discover Cars is a platform (like Booking or Airbnb). But the actual service provider is the local agency. It is often hard to get a clear response on insurance issues from the local agencies. I know it’s a frustration. Welcome to Mexico.
Hi there! Thank you for the helpful article. Just a quick question, have you come across Easyway car rental and do you know if they’re a good rental company? I’ve read some good reviews but considering it’s a smaller company, I wasn’t too convinced. Thank you in advance!
Hi Myla, I don’t personally have experience with Easyway. But you’re right they have good reviews. If you do rent with them, and remember afterwards, would be great if you could come leave your experience here for future travelers. Thank you and enjoy Mexico!
Hello. Your article was very helpful. We are flying into Cancun and heading to Tulum with a group of friends.
I am looking at an SUV from Avis right now. They are trying to get me to purchase additional full coverage, and they want a partial deposit. Is this normal? I just don’t want to get scammed.
Thanks,
Catherine
A deposit is pretty normal for a car rental in Mexico, yes. Full coverage meanwhile is basically just a marketing term and means many different things, so it’s best to look at the fine print to understand what that means. I’m not a licensed insurance agent, so unfortunately that’s all I can say.
Hello Nate,
Thank you for the wonderful post on renting cars in Mexico and so glad to find your page. We have our planned trip to Cancun next week but reading the horrifying stories around renting cars rethinking do I really need to rent? Based on your suggestions of rental car agencies rating of 8+ I could not find anyone in Cancun airport. Only Avis popped up with 7.6 . Presently we have reserved with Budget and which we have used many parts of the world but seems it’s not the same in Mexico reading reviews on google. Do you have any suggestions if renting with Avis directly good idea or to go through Discovercars? I think I need to start looking at guided tours option to avoid all the hassle and have peace of mind 😅.
I think either way is fine! Main use of DiscoverCars is to find good agency by leveraging the reviews function. I think it’s ok to book where is cheapest or most convenient. I will say I’ve not heard of as many problems with Avis or Budget as other agencies, and I have used Avis myself before without any issues apart from having to pay the local insurance (as always). But, at the same time, I struggle to tell anyone “it’ll 100% be ok” – because the truth is that there are just so many awful stories I hear, so I honestly just don’t have a ton of confidence in recommending any single specific agency.
It is also true that if you’re just staying in Cancun, you don’t really need a car. You can get around with taxis. But a car is still very nice if you have any day trips planned. I’d in particular suggest a day trip to Valladolid to see some cenotes and Mayan ruins. Here’s my Valladolid guide with more info.
Hi Nate,
Very glad I found your blog and page.
My family, (wife, daughter and myself) is travelling in March during spring break and will be renting a car (discover cars with full coverage, Avis) in Cancun then travelling to Tulum, Holbox and Valladolid and back to Cancun. My question was about real and fake cops pulling you over to extort bribe; how ofter this happens and should we be really concerned about this? Since last couple days after reading recent horror stories on Facebook, we are having second thoughts about car renting and considering to cancel our rental booking. Your first hand experience and advice will really help us decide and help us make up our mind.
So, unfortunately, I can’t say it doesn’t happen. But I can say it’s only happened a couple times to me in years of driving, and I’ve never had to actually pay anything. It probably helps that I speak Spanish, so they tend to hassle me less. But when driving between towns, it’s not uncommon to get stopped at police checkpoints generally. Usually it’s legit and above board, but I’ve had it happen to me, usually at the entrance to some small town, where the officer will try to get a bribe. The key thing is to have your passport, driving license, and registration papers handy. It helps to speak a few words of Spanish.
Oh just an additional comment about the section ”Is it safe to drive in Mexico”?
I found driving safe but be careful where you park and when..
On top of the car crash on the first day, our car has been forced and all our luggages have been stolen in the trunk in playa del carmen on our last day. It was approx 11:30 am in the city center, not in a hidden area.
We left the hotel and were about to take the road to Cancun, we parked dowtown for maybe 1h for final shopping and when we got back to the car our stuff wasn’t in the trunk anymore.
The cops told us this happens very often that tourists have their car opened on their last day and looks like rental agencies are giving tips to robbers about cars being returned the next or same day and their location thanks to the navigation systems.
Well, I know it was a beginner’s mistake to leave our stuff in the car instead of the hotel on our last day.
We felt safe the whole week and the excess of confidence lead us to go back home empty handed!
Hello,
Thanks for this article, very useful!
I wish I knew the trick about the insurance before my trip last year.
I booked online without insurance and when we made it to the agency, the asked us to take the insurance because tousist were not covered, even with the credit card insurance. Basically they only accept… Mexican insurances.. lol
So the guy suggested and insurance at 800 USD for the week which is a huge change in the budget..
After negociation we got a ”deal” for 300 USD but we were only covered up to 90% of the damages in case of damage.
In the end I am grateful they forced us to take an insurance because we crashed the car on our first day and the car was out of service.
They brought us another one and we paid ”only” 10% of the price of the car.
But this would have been much harder to manage with the creadit card insurance i think.
Anyway, I am going back in april and for sure I won’t do the same mistake and i will take the insurance and follow your advices on rental agencies.
Thanks again
Just want to thank you for this! The process was getting so hairy while using booking.com, getting quoted USD 14,000 + for deposits, etc., but using your method it was easy!
Glad to hear it! Hope you enjoy Mexico Matthew!
I travel to Guadalajara and expect to pay any “mandatory” insurance. Easier to swallow. For me, not having a car is not an option, so I pay and suck up. Avis at GDL Airport was byfar the easiest to rent from – no pressure or upset. Prices are a little higher – but I get my car and go. Take lots of pictures before moving the car – all sides, rims, tires, molding, inside and out – helps to prove damage existed prior to you – make sure you have the rental building in the picture as well – helps to prove picture was taken in the rental lot.
The Mexican National Car Rental online website includes “Limited Third Party Damage Protection (LTPL),” in price quotes. I assume this is the coverage required by Mexican law. When proceeding further by clicking continue the site says:
“Remember that hiring an assistance service protects you against any unforeseen event that may arise during your trip. According to the Mexican Laws, third party liability protection (TPL) is required in all rentals without exception , so you will be asked to purchase it or a printed proof of this coverage if you have contracted it with any other institution. Save with our online protection packages!”
Is LTPL enough to satisfy Mexican law for third-party liability? I cannot find anything that talks about these differences and I feel the website is playing a bait-and-switch game with the legally required coverage.
Hi Walter, that does indeed sound confusing and is unfortunately representative of the games Mexican car rental companies tend to play. I would suggest calling or emailing the agency directly and asking if there are additional coverages required beyond what they include.
So sorry to be a bother but what I intended to clarify is this: even though I have Mexican Insurance coverage, I am not covered for CDW and TPL unless I supply it myself through a third party. Correct? And if I do go ahead and secure a rental through a site such as Discover Cars, can I purchase the ‘full coverage’ at time of pickup? Again, I apologize for my tediousness but I like to have all my bases covered.
Muchas Gracias Nate
Hi,
OK, so I have been researching for a few days and would like to pass this by you to assure I have come to the correct decision. On Discover Cars I chose SIXT rent a car for San Jose Del Cabo as it has a 8.6/10 rating and great comments. I also am choosing the ‘full coverage’ through this site and will have to pay Mexican Insurance at the rental agency desk upon pickup? Or should I just pay the basic fee now and settle up for CDW, TPL and Mexican insurance upon pickup? This is a fairly confusing issue but your article has cleared up a lot of issues I had.
Thanks,
D:)
Hi Diane – I can’t help pick individual insurance, but I can say that Mexican rental insurance is not the same as the coverage offered by Discover Cars. Yes, it’s a terribly confusing system – I think the Mexican rental agencies like it that way. I hope everything goes smoothly and you have a great trip to Cabo!
DO NOT pre pay for car insurance online. They will say at the check out counter that you HAVE to buy THEIR OWN insurance and you will double pay! Again, DO NOT prepay or buy car insurance online when reserving your car!
I’m trying to book through Discover but the different insurance coverages have me confused! I booked with MEX rent a car and I thought I only needed liability insurance but my discover voucher is telling me I may need CDW and theft protection too..?
Hi Lola, as I mention in the article, I personally would not use MEX rent a car. If you check their reviews on Discover Cars you’ll see why I say that – there are many complaints about their service. Just my two cents. Regarding insurance coverage, Mexico requires third party liability (TPL) coverage. There are of course other types of coverage you might consider as well depending on your needs, including CDW and theft protection. Each type of coverage pertains to something different.
Renting a car in Mexico is big business for them because you have to buy their own insurance. I’ve been a car renter in Mexico for many years since I visit often. But I rarely do so if ever anymore. If you know someone in Mexico who can let you use their car, then you are very lucky.
Is it worth paying extra for GPS? We’re planning to loop cabo-loreto-todos and back.
I got by with just cell service (cheap in Mexico) and Google Maps in Mexico.
Update:
I have a reservation for an intermediate SUV. This is from Avis Mexico:
“Thank you for contacting me, in Mexico, we have two kinds of protections the LDW and PDW, Loss Damage Waiver (0% Deductible) and Partial Damage Waiver (With Deductible depending on the car) the LDW is not mandatory, the PDW is mandatory only in premium Cars, this booking has a regular car of the fleet, so, the LDW / PDW is not mandatory in this case.
Regarding Third Party Insurance; the customer does not need to present any document; if the car is damaged Avis will charge the damage to the credit card directly, and we can provide all documentation to the customer, so he can contact their own insurance company.”
Hope this helps.
In Canada, we can buy rental car insurance through AMA Travel, and in my experience, means you can probably do the same with AAA Travel. (My AMA membership is always accepted for discounts anywhere AAA is)
I also found out the hard way about the “mandatory” insurance. On two occasions I argued with the rental company and they lowered the cost. Strange thing for something mandatory.
In Cozumel last year, the rental agent told me that I had to provide proof of insurance to not pay directly to the rental company. This year I will get insurance from AMA and see how it pans out.
Just a comment about DiscoverCars.
DiscoverCar charged me an $87 fee. I got to the MEX airport late (bus from Oaxaca). SIXT took me to their lot and didn’t have my car and tried to upsell me for $30 more a day. I didn’t take it. DiscoverCars refused to return my $87 because I didn’t get there within an hour of pickup time. (Note: it took me over an hour to find SIXT. DiscoverCars didn’t tell me at which entrance, only told me the terminal number. The terminal is 2 kilometers long, nobody seemed to know where it was and SIXT was the only one without a sign, so I walked past it 2 or 3 times looking up for the sign.)
I wish I had read this BEFORE i got hammered with extra charges in the Baja a few years ago.
as we are now headed back to Mexico I wanted a refresher course in TPL and CDW in mexico.
I now feel up to speed.
Thanks Peter! It’s definitely a tricky situation renting in Mexico. Glad to hear this article helped!
Beware of Mex-Rent-car. Their reservation stated full coverage with 10% deductible but once you decline the costly extra 10%, suddenly YOU HAVE NO COVERAGE!!!