ginger50

I need to rent a car for a week. We will be flying in and out of Cancun, staying in PDC. So far Priceline is the cheapest, $108/week totaling $148 including taxes and fees thru Budget.

I am assuming my credit card covers collision, I will find out. From what I read on line, there will be threats and innuendos if I do not buy their insurance. Also, there is some form of mandatory insurance I will have to buy for Mexico at the counter? What is this?

Thanks for any info about rentals in MExico.

Ginger

hopefulist

I can't help much but hope you have a wonderful trip! We rented for 5 days when staying in Tulum for a week at the start of our June 2010 trip; we'd read about the bullying but also that our insurance wouldn't cover some things. We had the folks at our little hotel make a deal for us and signed on for extra insurance without looking back.

In December 2010 our son-in-law made the arrangements for a killer deal from Budget for the week we stayed with them near PDC. After booking we read negative reviews about bait and switch - being told there weren't the size/model of car we'd reserved and having to pay more for a bigger vehicle. He called ahead and talked to people about that, got manager's names, etc., and still had to argue his way through that but in the end got the deal and car he'd reserved. He refused extra insurance saying his credit card would cover everything his own car insurance wouldn't; don't know if that was true but we didn't need to find out.

We had 2 wonderful trips, very different from each other. You can see photos, the blog, reports, and reviews below. Happy trails!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/staceyholeman/collections

hopefulist

The December week rental was from the CUN airport and back.

zootsi

When in Mexico it's recommended you get all the insurances. The insurance is usually more expensive than the actual rental, but that's how it is in Mexico. If you want to save money, some of the local rental companies like America and Executive will give you a full rental/insurance package at considerably less than the major chains. The drawback is they are a few miles from the airport (they will shuttle you), and the cars are not as pristine as the big chains.

colokid

Take all of the insurance, it is not worth the cost of peace of mind. Seriously.
Take pictures of the car before and after your rental.
Check for a full, inflated spare tire.
Make sure your tags are current.
Make sure everything works.
Drive the speed limit.
Watch out for topes.
Do not leave valuables in your car or luggage within plain sight.
Check with your credit card company about the insurance. It is doubtful they will pay at the scene and you will be held responsible for any damages in case of accident. You will then have to submit paperwork to your cc company upon your return. You could be taken to the police station along with everyone else involved in an accident until the details are sorted out.
Make sure that full insurance is for EVERYTHING. As in, you can walk away from any situation without paying for damages.
A word about gas stations: Pay in small bills; ask for specific amounts; watch the pump; don't be distracted.
Sorry if this sounds negative but I have rented many times in MX and have had good and not so great experiences. I haven't rented in a couple of years because of the last negative experience. I take the bus, taxis, colectivos or walk.

120aks

First off I am not sure you really need a car. I have flown into Cancun and stayed in PDC and taken a shuttle from the airport. Once in PDC the bus service or taxis will take you wherever you want to go and if you want to go to Tulum or other sites the hotel can arrange it for you. Next, I would not assume that your credit card will provide insurance for you in Mexico. I would check first. The laws in Mexico are VERY DIFFERENT and if you are in an accident and not properly insured you will be taken to the police station and held or jailed until you have settled the damage. Mexico is not the place to cut corners on insurance !

ginger50

All good things to think about. At this point, the colectivo/bus/taxi/shuttle scenario is looking better and better.

hopefulist

You could also consider renting for just a day or 2 to get to places that aren't convenient with the other modes.