MEXICAN CAR RENTAL - YUCATAN

Old Jan 6th, 2003, 11:20 AM
  #1  
Charlie
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MEXICAN CAR RENTAL - YUCATAN

Looking for pros/cons on renting a car for day trips. We will be staying in Cancun at the JW Marriott in mid-April. Am thinking of renting a car for day trip down to Playa Del Carmen and that area. Maybe also to Chicen Itza. Looking for advice from anyone that has done same. Is this wise? How are the driving conditions, the parking, safety of using a rental car, etc? I am not overly concerned about the driving part as I have driven in many countries outside of US, but not in Mexico. I also have read that Mexican rental cars use a special tag that clearly flags them as rentals, thus a flag for anyone interested in ripping off a tourist. Is this still the case? Anyway, any information that can be shared will be greatly appreciated.
 
Old Jan 6th, 2003, 11:42 AM
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Sabine
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Hi Charlie,
I rented a car in Playa Del Carmen for a week last year and was so glad I did. It was great having the freedom of being able to get up and go without having to rely on taxis. The driving on the main roads is easy, clearly marked and the main road that runs between Cancun and Tulum is brand new. The smaller roads are pothole heaven, but oh well, just makes the drive more interesting. I highly reccomend renting a car, the rental agency will give you maps to Chichen Itza and wherever else you may want to go. One word or advice..... reserve your rental car before you go! It is much , much cheaper this way. We reserved out car through Budget.com and had a great experience with them.Once you are in Mexico and rent a car there, the prices go way up.
Enjoy and make sure you get the rental car insurance .
Also, don't worry about people picking on you because you are a tourist.... the people are mostly very friendly and the crime there is no different than anywhere in the states ( actually I felt much safer there than I do here in Los Angeles)
 
Old Jan 7th, 2003, 04:07 AM
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Charlie
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Sabine
Thanks for info, sounds like a reasonable thing to do. How did you find the parking situation? Are the rules pretty cleary marked in the towns, parking lots available, etc?
thanks
 
Old Jan 7th, 2003, 04:33 AM
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Earl
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We always rent a car when ever we are in the Yucatan. Driving is easy. There is a very good toll road to Chichen Itza, and we have never had any problems.
Rent from a major chain, before you go. Prices are beter on line. They seem to have newer cars. Last few trips we have had Nissan Tsuru's (Sentra) with a/c. Also if you rent from a major and have any problems it is probably easier to get repairs or what ever. (Just my guess since we have never had any trouble.) Buy the Mexican insurance. $13 to $15 extra per day, but well worth it if you are involved in an accident.
Avoid driving after dark. All kinds of stuff is on the roads at night, animals, vehicles without lights and pedestrians.
If you drive yourself the big advantage is that you can leave very early in the morning and get to the ruins at Tulum and Chichen Itza before the tour busses. The ruins are magnificent and very mystical before the throngs of people arrive. Eme for more info if you wish.
 
Old Jan 7th, 2003, 03:40 PM
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Sabine
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Hi Charlie,
Yes, I suppose the rules are clearly marked. If you are reffereing to traffic signs etc. If you just go with the flow, and move to the right when others want to pass you will have no problem. Also, parking was generally very easy, no problem at all. Compared to what I am used to here in Los Angeles, driving in the Yucatan was a breeze. Try reserving your car online at Budget.com or you can also look at Expedia and all the other usual suspects. One more thing, we even drove at night, no problems at all with that either, but I suppose it all has to do with what road you are on.
 
Old Jan 8th, 2003, 07:03 AM
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afdip
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One thing to always remember when driving on the back roads of the Yucatan, is never make a left turn if a car is immediately behind you. This is how people signal to a driver behind that it is clear to pass. This has always seemed a bit odd, but that's how it is....If someone is directly behind you or is coming up behind you pretty quickly, you must continue until you can find a place to turn around and then from the right lane make your turn.
 
Old Apr 25th, 2016, 10:59 PM
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Interested in hearing from someone that has rented for 2/3 weeks and driven throughout the Pennisula, experiences good or bad.
thanks
JerryElisabeth is offline  
Old Apr 26th, 2016, 11:24 AM
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Please start a new thread, this one is over 12 years old.
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