I am considering renting a car while visiting the Riviera Maya. I was wondering how easy the process is at the Cancun airport and whether or not it is a safe idea for a single woman with two kids? Are the roads easily navigable?

In my opinion, driving in Mexico is not safe (I did it once and will not do it again). The roads are typically not in good condition, native drivers are unpredictable and their traffic laws are very scary if something bad happens. I would recommend a shuttle if you can manage it.

I had the exact opposite experience that "yale". The car rental offices (Avis, Hertz, etc.) are all located right across the street from the airport and we were in our rental car and on our way in less than 15 minutes after walking out of the airport. The road from the airport to the Riviera Maya is a straight divided highway for almost the entire distance and we encountered hardly any traffic. We travelled all over the area visiting many of the major attractions such as the ruins at Tulum, Xcarte (sp?), etc. without a single problem. If you are a good driver then you should have no problems. When I'm in a foreign country I always get the optional insurance (but have never needed it) just to be on the safe side in the event of an accident.

playadelcarmeninfo.com has tips for driving in Mexico.

I agree with the post of Sunnyboy. I have driven in Mexico for many years without a problem. This gives you so much flexibility for seeing the sites and avoiding the throngs on the tour buses.
The roads are generally very good and in good condition. And, to me, the drivers no more scary and unpredictable than drivers in major US cities!
Do as Sunnyboy suggests and take full insurance coverage to avoid any chance of a problem!
Enjoy!

If you do decide to rent a car, pay close attention to the type of vehicle you are reserving. Some people are surprised to find manual transmission vehicles as rentals. And Mexican regulations do not require air bags, so if that is important be sure to ask in advance.

Who knows if there is toll road (and how much) from Cancun to Chichen Itza and Tulum?

My recollection is that the main road from Cancun to Chichen Itza is a toll road (can't remember the fee). The road from Cancun to Tulum does not have a toll.

We have rented a car from Cancun to Tulum several times. Rental companies are easy to deal with -- don't go with the extra xelha trip time-share thing they want for $10. The road from Cancun to Playa/Tulum is very easy and not a problem driving.

Another vote for renting a car - we've done it several times and found it quite easy and love the flexibility. THe road to Tulum is not toll, it's in good shape and quite well marked. There really is no way to get lost. There is a toll road to Chitchen Itza that is not cheap but really is the way to go - it's like expressway driving the whole way.

A few caveats: First, all the cars we've rented had manual transmissions. Second, find an AAA or FOdors book or the website mentioned above and read about Mexican driving habits. They are not hard but they are different. On the two lane part of the road down to Tulum they sort of make it a four lane - slower drivers are expected to drive on the side and let faster ones pass, and often they use their left turn signal to mean "go ahead and pass me" as opposed to meaning they are going to make a left hand turn. There are not many gas stations in the area so when you see a Pemex fill up if you have less than half of a tank. This is especially true on the toll road - we saw one service area and VERY few cars, so make sure you have cold water and a full tank. Finally, don't drive at night, as there are often speedbumps and livestock on the roads.

Enjoy your trip!

we rented a car this summer, and found the rental process at Executive Car rental incredibly quick and easy. Never experience such ease renting a car anywhere in the US or Europe before. And we got a car that in good shape. (Not an ad here, but I was a bit astounded by their efficiency!)
As long as you are a good, alert driver, seems like a great idea to me. There are only a few roads, so everything pretty easily navigable, although signage isn't always the best!

There IS a toll road/4-lane/divided turnpike between Cancun and Chichen. The tolls were about $17.00 if I remember correctly (five years ago).

A couple cautions: there are VERY few exits and perhaps only one or two opportunities for gas. (we stupidly left Chichen with a low tank expecrting to gas up at Valladolid and missed the exit - literally coasted into Cancun on fumes - if we had run dry there was very little traffic so who knows how long to get a lift...)

Since then we have always used the "old" highway - it's a bit slower, of course, and Pemex stations (gas) are still few and far between (gas up every time you see a Pemex, and you'll feel better!), but there's more to see, interesting places to stop for a break, and more Mexico.

I wouldn't make the highway drive at night (killer cows on the road), but daytime is fine.

Take the kids to the "chewing gum museum" (serious exhibits about the chicleros whose explorations of the juingle put Wrigley on the map)in Valladolid! It's a hoot.

Good post by jhw. I am in Valladolid often and knew nothing about the "chewing gum museum". Where is it located--would love to check it out!

We were in Cancun in July 2004 and rented a car from our hotel's in-house Budget rental agency. The road from Cancun to Tulum is in very good shape (ie zero potholes) and in fact it was being repaved while we were there.

I needed a car that would fit 4 adults, a 3 year old in a carseat AND has automatic transmission. I got a Honda Accord and it was expensive (Friday afternoon to Monday morning was almost $300). BTW, the Accord was in the "luxury car" category for Budget in Mexico.