Mexico Driving Information

Renting a automotive in Mexico and driving across the nation your self is an excellent technique to expertise the Land of the Maya. Right here’s some recommendation about the easiest way to do it.

I like Mexico. I’ve each lived & vacationed there for a few years, with most of my time spent within the nation’s Yucatan Peninsula space. Mexico is a really massive nation with lots to supply!

At any time when I go to, I ALWAYS lease a automotive to discover by myself. It’s far more enjoyable!

Renting a automotive in Mexico and driving your self can have its quirks and challenges, however they’re minimal and shouldn’t deter you.

I like the liberty of street journeys and planning my very own journey itineraries. Mexico is such a various nation that it is sensible to lease a automotive so you’ll be able to cease wherever to find small villages, historical Mayan ruins like Chichen Itza, and hidden seashores or secret cenotes at your personal tempo.

Not on some strict (lower than ideally suited) schedule with a tour firm.

Listed here are some necessary suggestions we discovered from our many experiences renting a automotive in Mexico, that will help you get monetary savings and keep secure whereas driving across the nation!

Hello, I’m Matthew Karsten

I’ve been touring the world for 10+ years as an expert photographer & author. I hope you take pleasure in my Mexico driving suggestions! When you discover them helpful, utilizing my affiliate hyperlinks will give me a small fee, at no further value to you. Thanks!

How To Hire A Automotive In Mexico

1. Ought to You Self-Drive In Mexico?

Hey, for those who love these massive group bus excursions, by all means, go e book one. It’s a good technique to see Mexico for those who don’t have loads of time.

No planning, no driving, simply sit again and let another person do all of the work!

However for those who’re like me, you favor the journey of impartial journey.

No set schedule or timetable — driving round Mexico with the liberty to cease anyplace cool you discover alongside the best way.

If that’s the sort of traveler you might be, renting a automotive in Mexico is the best way to go!

Simply take into account that some roads in Mexico might be complicated, and a few drivers are aggressive too. However with some observe, you’ll achieve confidence driving there!

One other good factor we loved about having a automotive was the power to retailer issues within the trunk, stopping off in small Mexican villages with journey backpacks moderately than hauling baggage all over the place.

2. The place To Hire Your Automotive In Mexico

Some widespread automotive rental firms in Mexico embody Enterprise, Sixt, Hertz, an area one referred to as Fox Leases, and plenty of extra.

However one of the best website to e book your automotive is Uncover Automobiles. They search each native and worldwide automotive rental firms that will help you discover the absolute best value. That is the best technique to lease a automotive in Mexico.

We regularly lease our automobiles in Cancun or Playa del Carmen. From there it’s very simple to drive down the coast exploring the well-known Mexican Riviera Maya.

Cancun Airport: Plan to choose up your automotive about 60 minutes after your flight arrives. When departing, attempt to be on the airport not less than 2.5 hours earlier than your flight leaves. As a result of returning your rental automotive and catching a shuttle again to the airport can take as much as half-hour.

Playa Del Carmen: There are various Mexican automotive rental firms primarily based in downtown Playa del Carmen. You might resolve to choose up your automotive in Playa del Carmen after you get dropped off at your resort from the Cancun Airport Shuttle. Leases primarily based in Playa are sometimes a bit cheaper than Cancun.

Hire A Automotive In Mexico

Search each native and worldwide automotive rental firms that will help you discover a whole lot.

3. Automotive Rental Insurance coverage In Mexico

A number of the rumors about driving in Mexico are true, and the roads aren’t at all times maintained properly, and drivers might be considerably aggressive. Don’t fear, I’ll share some suggestions for coping with them under.

Because of this I extremely suggest getting full insurance coverage protection.

Many vacationers e book rental automobiles utilizing a journey pleasant bank card that features automotive rental insurance coverage hoping that can save them some cash, however in Mexico they received’t settle for your bank card’s insurance coverage, and can insist you purchase extra Private Legal responsibility insurance coverage that prices $10-20 USD a day.

Some Mexican automotive rental firms will allow you to decline the insurance coverage for those who pay a big refundable deposit in your bank card (normally round $2500 USD). But when one thing occurs that prices far more than that deposit, you’re paying out of pocket past that.

If it’s your first time driving in Mexico, I’d suggest getting the insurance coverage simply to be secure.

4. How A lot Does It Value To Hire A Automotive In Mexico?

Renting a automotive in Mexico goes to value you round $20-$50 USD a day, relying on the kind of automotive you get. Our 4 door sedan was about $30 per day.

I like to recommend renting a automotive with an precise trunk (no hatchbacks) to cover your baggage from prying eyes. It helps to forestall break-ins if thieves can’t see your stuff.

Gasoline Costs

Gasoline (petrol) costs in Mexico might sound low-cost to People, however keep in mind that the remainder of the world quotes fuel in Liters, not Gallons (1 Gallon = 3.78 Liters). Presently, fuel prices about $5.14 per gallon ($1.39 per liter) in Mexico. Diesel automobiles will typically prevent some cash on fuel.

Automated vs Handbook

Automated automobiles are costlier to lease than guide automobiles and you need to specify what sort you need when reserving. When you’ve by no means pushed a guide automotive earlier than, don’t begin in Mexico! It’s safer to pre-book an computerized.

One-Means Leases

There’s an extra price for one-way automotive leases in Mexico, which might range by firm. For instance, if you wish to drop off the automotive in a unique metropolis than the place you began from.

5. Age Necessities For Renting A Automotive

The minimal age for driving in Mexico is eighteen years outdated, nonetheless most automotive rental firms implement their very own age restrict of 21 years outdated to lease a automotive. Additionally they cost an extra price for those who’re underneath 24 years outdated.

6. Mexican Driving Legal guidelines Vacationers Ought to Know

Watch out with parking tickets! When you park illegally in Mexico (like not paying for a metered parking spot), you’ll possible get a ticket together with the police eradicating your license plate or booting your automotive’s wheel till you’ve paid.

In lots of elements of Mexico you could come throughout occasional police street blocks. Typically you simply drive by way of them slowly until an officer tells you to tug over. Don’t be scared or nervous, they’re normal observe.

The velocity restrict on native roads is mostly round 90 km/h whereas on nationwide highways it’s as much as 100 km/h.

Dashing Tickets In Mexico (Bribing The Police)

When you get pulled over for rushing whereas driving in Mexico, Mexican law enforcement officials will usually be on the lookout for a bribe (aka “La Mordida”) from vacationers. It’s simply how issues work. The quantity is about $10 – $20 USD.

When you attempt to combat it, or ask for an official ticket as a substitute, put together to cope with loads of trouble and paperwork that can definitely smash the remainder of your day.

7. Worldwide Driver’s License

No, you don’t want an worldwide driver’s license to drive in Mexico or lease a automotive there. Simply carry your passport, bank card, and your driver’s license from your property nation.

8. Useful Ideas For Driving In Mexico

You don’t need to cease for folks! Pedestrians usually don’t have the suitable of approach in Mexico, which suggests automobiles received’t cease for folks strolling throughout the road. This took some getting used to for me.

When you might be further good and cease for them anyway, it’s worthwhile to watch out as a result of any native drivers behind you’ll NOT expect that, which may end up in a nasty accident. They hit you, you hit the folks.

Merging onto a freeway could be very completely different than within the US. Typically automobiles are stopped on the ramp ready for a gap. And for those who miss your opening (irrespective of how tight it might appear), you’ll definitely get honked at by these ready behind you.

Watch out for hidden velocity bumps (referred to as “Topes). Whereas more often than not there shall be a street signal saying an upcoming velocity bump, typically the indicators are lacking, and the velocity bump paint has been worn off, and also you’ll be rudely shocked by a really aggressive velocity bump (that might wreck your suspension). You’ll usually discover them as you enter and exit small cities.

Dashing drivers who’re in a rush could tailgate you whereas flashing their lights. They only need you to tug over a bit to allow them to proceed rushing previous you. So long as it’s secure to take action, I’d suggest doing it to keep away from any street rage incidents.

9. Additional Recommendation For Renting A Automotive In Mexico

• Gasoline Station Scams: In Mexico, fuel station attendants fill your automotive for you. Some attendants will attempt to rip-off vacationers in the event that they suppose they’ll get away with it. Both by not resetting the pump (so it seems such as you acquired extra fuel than you actually did), or pretending you didn’t give them sufficient money utilizing slight of hand. Preserve your eye on the attendant & the fuel pump display screen always
• Don’t e book a automotive with out studying the corporate evaluations. You’ll discover loads of unhealthy evaluations for each firm (folks like to complain on-line), however attempt to decide one with the LEAST unhealthy evaluations.
• You might not at all times get the make/mannequin/sort of automotive you booked. If they provide you a smaller automotive, or a guide whenever you requested for an computerized, be pushy and ask for an improve.
• Examine your automotive completely and file video in your smartphone declaring harm earlier than you allow. This can be a backup in the event that they try to cost you for harm that was already there. This can be a widespread automotive rental rip-off in Mexico….
• Take note of in case your Mexican rental automotive takes common petrol or diesel gasoline, so that you refill with the proper sort at fuel stations.
• Use Google Maps in your smartphone for instructions as a substitute of renting a GPS gadget. Merely use your personal hands-free automotive mount and a good worldwide cellular phone plan.

10. Accident & Breakdown Info

In a street emergency on a freeway, you’ll be able to dial the Inexperienced Angles (Ángeles Verdes) in Mexico by dialing 078. Alternatively, you’ll be able to name: 250-82-21. They supply free journey data, mechanical help, and medical assist for nationals and vacationers.

In case your automotive must be towed, otherwise you want mechanical help, ran out of fuel, or acquired in a wreck, you’ll be able to name them for assist.

Typically the rental firm’s personal emergency roadside help quantity situated on the rental settlement.

Get pleasure from Your Mexico Highway Journey!

Exploring the small villages, hidden seashores, lush jungle, and coastal cities of Mexico in a rental automotive was positively the suitable alternative for us.

Self-drive street journeys get off the crushed observe to see issues most individuals miss! ★

Hire A Automotive In Mexico

Search each native and worldwide automotive rental firms that will help you discover a whole lot.