If you can avoid renting a car in Mexico, then do it. I personally prefer using a combo of private and publictransportation. Popular car rental brands such as Avis, Budgetand Hertz doesn’t mean they won’t rip you off in Mexico.
Making an online car rental reservation in advance will inevitably skip over the details of auto insurance, and is almost never included in the final rental cost that you are quoted. For example, I made an initial reservation for $2/day, but it does not include the insurance and other fees. It turned out the final costs totaled $300 for 4 days.
The Two Principal Components of Auto Insurance (there are quite a few more, but these are the basics):
1. Collision Damage Waiver (CDW)/ Loss of Use
Certain credit cards promote insurance coverage as complimentary if you use the card to make the reservation and to make payment for the rental. It will generally cover Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) and Loss of Use. If not, you will have to purchase it at the rental counter, and it will add approximately $35/day to the cost of the rental. If your card covers it, you can DECLINE the coverage, even though they will often attempt to insist that you must have it. If they do, walk away.
2. Third Party Liability
This is mandatory in order to rent and drive a car in Mexico. Your credit card WILL NOT provide this coverage. Your personal auto insurance policy back home in the U.S. won’t cover it (it will if you drive your own car into Mexico).The rental car company might provide basic liability coverage as part of the daily rental charge.
Basically, between your credit card and rental car company, you can decline any and all additional insurance coverage suggested or demanded by the rental counter agent.
Declining additional coverages over and above the mandatory Third Party Liability while thinking that your credit may give you this protection is not wise. Ifyou choose to decline, then some companies may “extort” you with a demand for a credit card hold or deposit that may range from 10% to 100% of the rental vehicle value. Even if your credit card covers 100% of Collision, Theft and Personal Injury Medical Expenses, they may refuse to recognize this and demanda deposit.
Here are our general tips before you rent a car in Mexico:
- Check with your U.S. car insurance company and your major credit card (My AMEX Platinum and Chase Sapphire cards have car rental insurance), so you know what types of insurance they cover. They can help you to avoid spending more on insurance from the car rental company than you have to.
- Notify your credit card company that you’d be in Mexico before your trip, so charges will be covered.
- Be careful of airport fees and rent away from the airport if possible. Companies increase the rental price by 10 percent if they are located near an airport or give you a ride to or from an airport.
- Familiarize yourself with the real prices of a rental car in Mexico are before you book a reservation (roughly $30 a day for an “economy” vehicle), and use that price when budgeting for your trip.
- Take pictures (even videos)ofthe car, every scratch, bump, chip, and check the gas. Use your travel credit card as much you can.
- Try to seek gas stations that take credit cards, most only take cash, and they usually rip you off.
- Keep your U.S. insurance policy in the vehicle’s glove box as well as the basic personal liability insurance you purchase from the company. In fact, keep copies of everything, take pictures of the rental agreement, in case it gets lost.
- Research companies and find one with a good reputation and honest business practices.
We’ve rented and drove around Mexico in car rentals for 2-4 persons, which was manageable. There are plenty of speed bumps, pitch-black night driving, potholes, lack of signage, and jay walkers to consider. In cities or small towns, excellent parallel parking skills are required. We recommend if you’re with a large group, to pitch in for private shuttles for tours, excursions, etc. It might be cost-effective, especially if you’re staying beachfront, like Tulum. Our Tulum brand, Go Tulum Travel, offers private transportation, including VIP service, for your convenience.
If you’d like to arrange airport transfers from Cancun Airport to Tulum or need private transportation to the Puerto Aventuras marina, see Go Tulum Travel’s prices here and contact us for other transportation services in or around Tulum. We are one of the few transportation services in Tulum who list pricing.
Good luck and leave a comment below if you can recommend trustworthy car rental companies in Mexico. 🚗
FAQs
The four things you need to rent a car in Mexico are a valid driver's license and passport, a credit card, a driver who is 25 or older (some accept 21 and up), and Mexican Personal Liability Insurance.
Can I rent a car in Mexico with a US driver's license? ›
You can rent a car in Mexico with your U.S. or Canadian driver's license, but you can't drive in Mexico with car insurance that isn't from Mexico. You HAVE TO buy temporary auto insurance in Mexico if you want to drive any car in Mexico.
What kind of rental car insurance do you need in Mexico? ›
Third Party Damage Liability (TPL) protection is mandatory on all rentals without exception. In Mexico, the Protection of Damages to Third Parties (Civil Liability) is required by Law in all vehicles.
What happens if you take a rental car to Mexico? ›
Renters driving into Mexico must be U.S. residents. Only corporate customers can go into Mexico. Renters must inform staff at the rental counters that they are planning on traveling into Mexico. You will need to purchase Mexican Automobile Liability Insurance.
How much is Mexican car insurance per day? ›
How Much is Mexican Car Insurance Per Day? The costs average between $2 and $40 a day. The cost depend on several factors including type of vehicle, length of stay and the type of coverage you choose. You can purchase a policy for a day, a month, or a year.
What do I need to be able to take my car to Mexico? ›
What documents are required to drive to Mexico?
- A U.S. Passport (or Green Card)
- A U.S. Driver's License (or International Driving Permit)
- Proof of car registration.
- A Temporary Vehicle Importation Permit (TVIP)
- A Mexico Tourist Card/Entry Permit (FMM)
- A Mexico tourist auto insurance policy.
When visiting another country as a U.S. citizen: Your state driver's license is valid while driving in Canada and Mexico. In other countries, you may need to get an IDP for foreign drivers.
Is it safe to drive in Mexico with US plates? ›
The short answer to the titled question is yes, it is safe to drive in Mexico with US plates. No major issues will present themselves.
Is it easy to drive in Mexico? ›
Learn the different road elements
Here are some common road conditions to look out for, according to USA today: Topes: Mexican speed bumps ("topes") are not always marked with yellow paint and there may not be warning signs. Potholes: Many roads in Mexico aren't government regulated and may have large potholes.
Will my auto insurance cover me in Mexico? ›
Yes, car insurance is required for visitors to Mexico, and your United States auto insurance policy won't be valid there. To be protected, you'll need a separate Mexico car insurance policy that covers you for liability while you're in the country.
Yes, it is possible to rent a car in the U.S. and drive it into Mexico at select Avis locations. To do so, you must be a U.S. resident and have a corporate AWD (Avis discount number). Avis does not allow customers to pick up a car in the United States and return it in Mexico.
Does Progressive have coverage in Mexico? ›
Get the right car insurance before your trip to Mexico
Fortunately, you can drive protected with Progressive® Mexico Auto Insurance by MexPro.
What is needed to drive a rental car in Mexico? ›
In order to rent a car in Mexico, you must be at least 18 years old and have held your license for a minimum of two years (restrictions may vary upon the car rental category and supplier). Drivers under 25 may incur a young driver surcharge while a few suppliers harbor a maximum age limit of 75 on select vehicles.
Does Hertz charge a cross-border fee? ›
Driving abroad and cross-border travel: You may only drive the vehicle in the country of rental. If you want to drive the vehicle in any other country you must gain our prior permission and the Cross Border Fee will apply.
Can I rent a car and drop it off in Mexico? ›
Of course you can! With Hertz Mexico you can drop off the rental car at a different location than the one where it was rented, as long as there is an office in both cities. It is important to know that there is no charge only if the office where you return the vehicle is in the same city where it was rented.
Can I rent a car in Mexico with a debit card? ›
In case you do not have a license in Roman alphabet, you must present a valid international driver's license during the rental period. The following are accepted for rental payment: Debit or Credit Cards (Visa, Master Card, American Express and JCB). No cash or vouchers of any kind are accepted.
Can you rent a car in Mexico and return it in the US? ›
It is possible, the only restriction is that the vehicle must circulate within the limits of the Mexican Republic; In case you need to exceed the northern border that limits with the United States of America, you must contact the office where you rented the car or call our Call Center from Mexico at 800-737 3722 to ...
Do you need credit to rent in Mexico? ›
Renting in Mexico as a Foreigner
While some landlords or agencies only ask for a deposit, others require a credit check or some referencing. In Mexico, it is also common if they ask for someone to co-sign your lease, known as a fiador.
What is the legal age to drive in Mexico? ›
Mexico Driving Rules and Regulations
Here are some of the rules and regulations that you should take notice of before you start driving in Mexico: In Mexico, they drive on the right-hand side of the road and over take on the left. The legal driving age is 18.
