rental car in Cancun
 

Any suggestions for one rental car company over another at the Cancun airport?

Based on last month's experience, I'm NOT recommending Caribbean Rental Car (also known as American Rental Car). I posted a trip report in this forum that provides excruciating detail on my car rental woes - the only real negative of a wonderful trip.

Unfortunately you will possibly have some inconveniences at just about any Cancun rental operation - agencies are somewhat independent of the parent corporation, and you are left with the luck of the draw as to whose business ethics, work ethic, and internal clock are in charge ona ny given day. I have had experience with all the "major" outfits (Avis, Hertz, Thrifty, Alamo) and some local "Rentadora" operations - without exception an outfit that gave outstanding service, excellent equipment, no hassles at return - is just as likely to not have a vehicle available on time, dance around the agreed upon rate, or try to get insurance money for a mosquito dent or rust.

That said, at present it looks to me as if Alamo has the best current prices (e.g. for a mini-van - disn't compare for sedans). They're just across the street the airport and have a shuttle. Avis has always had faster processing on arrival. I've used the local agencies only for renting via hotel desks - can't tell you how they work picking you up at the airport.

You'll save a whopping 12% (Yes, 12%) if you pick up and return at a downtown or hotel zone location (12% airport pickup fee/taxes), but figure in shuttle or cab to hotel, plus cab each way for pickup/return.

Get the insurance - the jail is nasty - usually about 30.00 or more a day. Some companies reservation system aganets are clueless about the policies and costs, so be careful you don't get a nasty surprise when at the pickup location.

We used these folks. They delivered the car to our hotel and picked it up there but you can pick up at the airport too.

http://www.cancunrentacar.com/

Rates include insurance.

We actually had a great experience with AVIS at CUN airport. The Jeep we rented had a back door that would not open, something we didn't realize until we got to PDC (and that was with kids in the back seat). In any event, when we called them they were very helpful, had no problem bringing a new car to us and crediting some amount for the inconvenience. They had another branch in PDC and we could've addressed the problem there too. And, incredibly, AVIS was cheaper than most other outfits.

We have used Alamo, America, and Executive/Ace, and were happy with all of them, although at America (which was the cheapest) the cars weren't in as good condition. I think than all around, Executive/Ace had the best combination of price and service.