Top Driving Tips For Tourists

Mexico Driving Guide

Renting a automobile in Mexico and driving across the nation your self is a superb solution to expertise the Land of the Maya. Here’s some recommendation about one of the simplest ways to do it.

I really like Mexico. I’ve each lived & vacationed there for a few years, with most of my time spent within the nation’s Yucatan Peninsula space. Mexico is a really massive nation with rather a lot to supply!

Whenever I go to, I ALWAYS hire a automobile to discover alone. It’s far more enjoyable!

Renting a automobile in Mexico and driving your self can have its quirks and challenges, however they’re minimal and shouldn’t deter you.

I really like the liberty of street journeys and planning my very own journey itineraries. Mexico is such a various nation that it is sensible to hire a automobile so you possibly can cease wherever to find small villages, historical Mayan ruins like Chichen Itza, and hidden seashores or secret cenotes at your individual tempo.

Not on some strict (lower than splendid) schedule with a tour firm.

Here are some vital suggestions we realized from our many experiences renting a automobile in Mexico, that can assist you lower your expenses and keep secure whereas driving across the nation!

Hi, I’m Matthew Karsten

I’ve been touring the world for 10+ years as knowledgeable photographer & author. I hope you take pleasure in my Mexico driving suggestions! If you discover them helpful, utilizing my affiliate hyperlinks will give me a small fee, at no further price to you. Thanks!

How To Rent A Car In Mexico

1. Should You Self-Drive In Mexico?

Hey, should you love these massive group bus excursions, by all means, go ebook one. It’s an honest solution to see Mexico should you don’t have a whole lot of time.

No planning, no driving, simply sit again and let another person do all of the work!

But should you’re like me, you favor the journey of impartial journey.

No set schedule or timetable — driving round Mexico with the liberty to cease anyplace cool you discover alongside the best way.

If that’s the form of traveler you might be, renting a automobile in Mexico is the best way to go!

Just remember that some roads in Mexico might be complicated, and a few drivers are aggressive too. But with some follow, you’ll achieve confidence driving there!

Another good factor we loved about having a automobile was the flexibility to retailer issues within the trunk, stopping off in small Mexican villages with journey backpacks somewhat than hauling baggage all over the place.

2. Where To Rent Your Car In Mexico

Some widespread automobile rental corporations in Mexico embody Enterprise, Sixt, Hertz, an area one referred to as Fox Rentals, and plenty of extra.

But the perfect website to ebook your automobile is Discover Cars. They search each native and worldwide automobile rental corporations that can assist you discover the absolute best value. This is the best solution to hire a automobile in Mexico.

We usually hire our automobiles in Cancun or Playa del Carmen. From there it’s very straightforward to drive down the coast exploring the well-known Mexican Riviera Maya.

Cancun Airport: Plan to choose up your automobile about 60 minutes after your flight arrives. When departing, attempt to be on the airport not less than 2.5 hours earlier than your flight leaves. Because returning your rental automobile and catching a shuttle again to the airport can take as much as half-hour.

Playa Del Carmen: There are many Mexican automobile rental corporations primarily based in downtown Playa del Carmen. You could resolve to choose up your automobile in Playa del Carmen after you get dropped off at your resort from the Cancun Airport Shuttle. Rentals primarily based in Playa are sometimes a bit cheaper than Cancun.

Rent A Car In Mexico

Search each native and worldwide automobile rental corporations that can assist you discover a whole lot.

3. Car Rental Insurance In Mexico

Some of the rumors about driving in Mexico are true, and the roads aren’t at all times maintained properly, and drivers might be considerably aggressive. Don’t fear, I’ll share some suggestions for coping with them beneath.

This is why I extremely advocate getting full insurance coverage protection.

Many vacationers ebook rental automobiles utilizing a journey pleasant bank card that features automobile rental insurance coverage hoping that can save them some cash, however in Mexico they gained’t settle for your bank card’s insurance coverage, and can insist you purchase extra Personal Liability insurance coverage that prices $10-20 USD a day.

Some Mexican automobile rental corporations will allow you to decline the insurance coverage should you pay a big refundable deposit in your bank card (often round $2500 USD). But if one thing occurs that prices far more than that deposit, you’re paying out of pocket past that.

If it’s your first time driving in Mexico, I’d advocate getting the insurance coverage simply to be secure.

4. How Much Does It Cost To Rent A Car In Mexico?

Renting a automobile in Mexico goes to price you round $20-$50 USD a day, relying on the kind of automobile you get. Our 4 door sedan was about $30 per day.

I like to recommend renting a automobile with an precise trunk (no hatchbacks) to cover your baggage from prying eyes. It helps to stop break-ins if thieves can’t see your stuff.

Gas Prices

Gas (petrol) costs in Mexico might sound low cost to Americans, however do not forget that the remainder of the world quotes gasoline in Liters, not Gallons (1 Gallon = 3.78 Liters). Currently, gasoline prices about $5.14 per gallon ($1.39 per liter) in Mexico. Diesel automobiles will usually prevent some cash on gasoline.

Automatic vs Manual

Automatic automobiles are dearer to hire than handbook automobiles and you need to specify what sort you need when reserving. If you’ve by no means pushed a handbook automobile earlier than, don’t begin in Mexico! It’s safer to pre-book an automated.

One-Way Rentals

There’s a further price for one-way automobile leases in Mexico, which might differ by firm. For instance, if you wish to drop off the automobile in a unique metropolis than the place you began from.

5. Age Requirements For Renting A Car

The minimal age for driving in Mexico is eighteen years previous, nonetheless most automobile rental corporations implement their very own age restrict of 21 years previous to hire a automobile. They additionally cost a further price should you’re beneath 24 years previous.

6. Mexican Driving Laws Tourists Should Know

Be cautious with parking tickets! If you park illegally in Mexico (like not paying for a metered parking spot), you’ll seemingly get a ticket together with the police eradicating your license plate or booting your automobile’s wheel till you’ve paid.

In many components of Mexico it’s possible you’ll come throughout occasional police street blocks. Often you simply drive by them slowly except an officer tells you to tug over. Don’t be scared or nervous, they’re commonplace follow.

The velocity restrict on native roads is mostly round 90 km/h whereas on nationwide highways it’s as much as 100 km/h.

Speeding Tickets In Mexico (Bribing The Police)

If you get pulled over for dashing whereas driving in Mexico, Mexican cops will typically be on the lookout for a bribe (aka “La Mordida”) from vacationers. It’s simply how issues work. The quantity is about $10 – $20 USD.

If you attempt to battle it, or ask for an official ticket as a substitute, put together to cope with a whole lot of problem and paperwork that can definitely smash the remainder of your day.

7. International Driver’s License

No, you don’t want an international driver’s license to drive in Mexico or hire a automobile there. Just carry your passport, bank card, and your driver’s license from your private home nation.

8. Helpful Tips For Driving In Mexico

You don’t must cease for individuals! Pedestrians typically don’t have the precise of method in Mexico, which implies automobiles gained’t cease for individuals strolling throughout the road. This took some getting used to for me.

While you might be further good and cease for them anyway, you have to watch out as a result of any native drivers behind you’ll NOT expect that, which may end up in a nasty accident. They hit you, you hit the individuals.

Merging onto a freeway could be very totally different than within the US. Often automobiles are stopped on the ramp ready for a gap. And should you miss your opening (irrespective of how tight it could appear), you’ll definitely get honked at by these ready behind you.

Beware of hidden velocity bumps (referred to as “Topes). While more often than not there will likely be a street signal asserting an upcoming velocity bump, generally the indicators are lacking, and the velocity bump paint has been worn off, and also you’ll be rudely stunned by a really aggressive velocity bump (that might wreck your suspension). You’ll typically discover them as you enter and exit small cities.

Speeding drivers who’re in a rush could tailgate you whereas flashing their lights. They simply need you to tug over a bit to allow them to proceed dashing previous you. As lengthy because it’s secure to take action, I’d advocate doing it to keep away from any street rage incidents.

9. Extra Advice For Renting A Car In Mexico

• Gas Station Scams: In Mexico, gasoline station attendants fill your automobile for you. Some attendants will attempt to rip-off vacationers in the event that they suppose they’ll get away with it. Either by not resetting the pump (so it appears such as you obtained extra gasoline than you actually did), or pretending you didn’t give them sufficient money utilizing slight of hand. Keep your eye on the attendant & the gasoline pump display screen always
• Don’t ebook a automobile with out studying the corporate evaluations. You’ll discover loads of dangerous evaluations for each firm (individuals like to complain on-line), however attempt to decide one with the LEAST dangerous evaluations.
• You could not at all times get the make/mannequin/sort of automobile you booked. If they provide you a smaller automobile, or a handbook while you requested for an automated, be pushy and ask for an improve.
• Inspect your automobile completely and document video in your smartphone stating injury earlier than you allow. This is a backup in the event that they try and cost you for injury that was already there. This is a typical automobile rental rip-off in Mexico….
• Pay consideration to in case your Mexican rental automobile takes common petrol or diesel gasoline, so that you refill with the proper sort at gasoline stations.
• Use Google Maps in your smartphone for instructions as a substitute of renting a GPS machine. Simply use your individual hands-free automobile mount and a good worldwide cellular phone plan.

10. Accident & Breakdown Information

In a street emergency on a freeway, you possibly can dial the Green Angles (Ángeles Verdes) in Mexico by dialing 078. Alternatively, you possibly can name: 250-82-21. They present free journey data, mechanical help, and medical assist for nationals and vacationers.

If your automobile must be towed, otherwise you want mechanical help, ran out of gasoline, or obtained in a wreck, you possibly can name them for assist.

Often the rental firm’s personal emergency roadside help quantity positioned on the rental settlement.

Enjoy Your Mexico Road Trip!

Exploring the small villages, hidden seashores, lush jungle, and coastal cities of Mexico in a rental automobile was positively the precise selection for us.

Self-drive street journeys get off the crushed observe to see issues most individuals miss! ★

Rent A Car In Mexico

Search each native and worldwide automobile rental corporations that can assist you discover a whole lot.