Rental Cars/Driving in PV

Old Dec 18th, 2010, 09:44 AM
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Rental Cars/Driving in PV

We want to rent a car in PV for a day or two. Our primary destinations are the PV Botanical Gardens and Chico's Paradise. A secondary destination which we're considering is to drive to a place like San Sebastian de Oeste. National Car Rental at the Marriott has some very low daily rates on automatics (which I need) but I'm not sure what insurance coverage is the best to get as you can imagine it gets very expensive very quickly. My credit card provides some coverage but I don't like to take chances so any guidance on what I need would be appreciated.

Also, as I have no idea what traffic is like on weekdays versus on a Sunday, any guidance along those lines would be appreciated. The gardens are closed on Monday so they would have to be on Sunday or Tuesday. Any thoughts on which days are better or worse?
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Old Dec 19th, 2010, 07:15 AM
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Your CC insurance is not valid here.
I highly recommend Gecko Car Rental, it's in Bucerias but they will come and get you. The only car rental people who I've never seen a complaint about.
You're aware that it's very easy to get to the Botanical Gardens by bus ?
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Old Dec 19th, 2010, 07:37 AM
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Have you driven a rental car in Mexico before? In the Puerto Vallarta area? It's more than a bit crazy, you might want to wait until you arrive and see the situation before arranging a rental car. For what you describe I would hire a driver or go by taxi or tour.
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Old Dec 19th, 2010, 10:11 AM
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we were just there and friends got car from hertz. they drove south to chico's and beyond and we went with them north as far Guayabitos. No problems whatsoever. drive safe and sane. keep your eyes open as many people drive fast and pass when they shouldnt. not for the faint of heart.
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Old Dec 20th, 2010, 04:06 PM
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Cabron, I learned many years ago that there are people like you at Fodor who give authoritative answers that are, in fact, wrong. My credit card insurance, according to the issuer directly and in writing, is valid in Mexico for CDW. Suze, I've driven in PV and I've driven in places that would make PV look like a Sunday afternoon in a cornfield in Kansas. My question is whether traffic is better (or worse) on weekdays or weekends or is there no difference?

Any comments on my driving to San Sebastian (or am I supposed to get there by bus, too)?
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Old Dec 21st, 2010, 07:55 AM
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<I've driven in places that would make PV look like a Sunday afternoon in a cornfield in Kansas>

Sorry I answered. Just trying to help. How would I know your past driving experience in foreign countries?

There aren't that many people on Fodor's who know Puerto Vallarta, and you've just managed to insult two of them.
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Old Dec 21st, 2010, 09:07 AM
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Reports I have received here were that the rental companies will not accept that form of insurance, but you can try.
More traffic on Sundays since many are off work.
The drive to San Sebastian is easy, watch out for unmarked "Topes" speed bumps, especially between Ixtapa and Las Palmas.
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Old Dec 21st, 2010, 10:23 AM
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Cabron, I took strong exception to your categorical statement that "Your CC insurance is not valid here." If someone perceived you to be an expert on the topic they could well spend an additional large sum of money per day for CDW coverage they don't need.

As a result of your statement I contacted my Visa provider, Chase. They confirmed to me that my Visa card is valid in Mexico. I then contacted National Car Rental with whom I've contracted for a rental in PV and they confirmed that my Visa card is valid for CDW in Mexico. I now have a letter from Visa stating the same.

If you do not know something to be a fact, then please state it as an opinion rather than an absolute piece of information.
I am sure you mean well as indicated by your other posts. It is your credibility that would lead people to take your advice. You undermine that credibility when you give out erroneous information.

Thanks for validating my suspicion that Sundays would bring out more drivers which means, of course, that there will be more "Sunday drivers" with all the hazards that stereotype evokes.

Thanks also for the warning on the "sleeping policemen."
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Old Dec 21st, 2010, 10:28 AM
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Suze, if you are offended by my reply I apologize for that. You couldn't know my past driving experience in foreign countries but then I didn't ask for cautionary advice on driving in Mexico, did I? What I asked for was whether or not there is a difference in traffic volumes on weekends versus weekdays. If Cabron is offended by my taking exception to his providing misleading and potentially expensive misinformation then he might consider being more cautious in replies he gives in the future. You will see above that there are implications to stating as facts things which are not. Opinions and advice are what people look for here. Facts, if correct, are always appreciated.
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