Car Rental in Puerto Vallarta

Car Rental

When you think about renting a car, bear in mind that you will be sharing the road with local drivers whose customs and ideas of acceptable behavior are different than your own. Also, be prepared for different rules of the road and for challenging road conditions. Check on conditions before you rent, and do your best not to drive on desolate roads between cities at night.

Mexico manufactures Chrysler, Ford, General Motors, Honda, Nissan, and Volkswagen vehicles. With the exception of Volkswagen, you can get the same kind of midsize and luxury cars in Mexico that you can rent in the United States and Canada. Economy usually refers to a Volkswagen Beetle or a Chevy Aveo or Joy, which may or may not come with air-conditioning or automatic transmission.

It can really pay to shop around: in Puerto Vallarta, rates for a compact car with air-conditioning, manual transmission, and unlimited mileage range from $25 a day and $150 a week to $50 or even $60 a day and $300-$400 a week. Insurance averages $18 a day. While shopping for a good deal, stick with the major companies because they tend to be more reliable.

You can also hire a car with a driver (who generally doubles as a tour guide) through your hotel. The going rate is about $25 an hour within town, usually with a three-hour minimum. Limousine service runs about $65 an hour and up, with a three- to five-hour minimum. Rates for out-of-town trips are higher. Negotiate a price beforehand if you'll need the service for more than one day. If your hotel can't arrange limousine or car service, ask the concierge to refer you to a reliable sitio (cab stand).

Insurance

You could be jailed during investigations after an accident unless you have adequate liability and collision insurance. Some people are covered for collision by their own insurance or the credit card they use to rent the car, however it's imperative to know exactly what is covered before waiving the rental agency's coverage.

Most Mexicans want to avoid dealing with the authorities, and after an accident might simply pull over, discuss things, arrive at an impromptu cash settlement on the spot if necessary, and continue on their way, rather than dealing with the authorities. Unfortunately, another common way to deal with the situation is for the driver at fault to simply get out of their car and run.

Requirements & Restrictions

In Mexico the minimum driving age is 18, but most rental-car agencies have a minimum age requirement ranging from 21 to 25. Your own country's driver's license is perfectly acceptable.

Surcharges

Surcharges for additional drivers are around $5 per day plus tax. Children's car seats run about the same, but not all companies have them.

Before you pick up a car in one city and leave it in another, ask about drop-off charges or one-way service fees, which can be substantial. Also inquire about early-return policies; some rental agencies charge extra if you return the car before the time specified in your contract while others give you a refund for the days not used. Note the tank's fuel level on your contract; to avoid a hefty refueling fee, return the car with the same tank level. If the tank was full, refill it just before you turn in the car, but be aware that gas stations near the rental outlet may overcharge.