{"id":21043,"date":"2022-04-10T12:52:46","date_gmt":"2022-04-10T17:52:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mexplor.co\/?p=21043"},"modified":"2025-08-29T17:19:47","modified_gmt":"2025-08-29T22:19:47","slug":"renting-a-car-in-mexico","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mexplor.co\/es\/renting-a-car-in-mexico\/","title":{"rendered":"Everything You Need to Know About Renting a Car in Mexico"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Renting a car in Mexico<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Considering renting a car in Mexico? It can be a bit nerve-wracking if you\u2019ve never done it. After all, driving in a foreign country comes with its own sets of rules, safety concerns, and potential scams. It doesn\u2019t have to be a daunting idea, though. It\u2019s actually surprisingly easy to rent a car in Mexico, and this guide will help you stay safe while avoiding getting ripped off.<\/p>

Benefits of Renting a Car in Mexico<\/h2>

You have more freedom to move.<\/h3>

This almost goes without saying, but renting a car in Mexico means you get to go where you want to, when<\/em> you want to. You don\u2019t have to worry about chasing down buses to get from place to place or tours that only allow a certain amount of time at each stop.<\/p>

You will have the chance to stop in the little villages along the way and discover the hidden places in Mexico.<\/p>

You can get off the beaten path.<\/h3>

Especially if you\u2019ll be flying into tourist hotspots such as Canc\u00fan, Puerto Vallarta, or Cabo San Lucas, it can feel like you\u2019ve just gone to a Mexican version of the US in some places. If you want to get off the beaten path in Mexico, a rental car might be necessary.<\/p>

Renting a car in Mexico allows you the mobility to get to smaller cities and towns that would otherwise be a pain to reach via public transportation. You can also access secret beaches, secluded cenotes, and other natural areas that are far less crowded.<\/p>

Take the Riviera Maya, for example. If you have a rental car, you can get to places like Xpu-ha, Punta Allen, and other small beach towns that other tourists don\u2019t visit as much.<\/p>

You can see more of Mexico.<\/h3>

If you want to travel from one city to another, renting a car is a great option, because buses that travel long distances often take several more hours than driving on your own would. Renting a car allows you to go further, quicker. You\u2019ll be able to see more in a shorter amount of time, taking in each moment and truly savoring the magic of Mexico.<\/p>

It\u2019s fun!<\/h3>

My absolute favorite road trips have all been in Mexico. I love how the terrain here changes drastically, making for a stimulating road trip whether you\u2019re with a partner, friends, or solo. If you\u2019re open to adventure, you\u2019re sure to find plenty of spontaneous stops along the way. You might encounter a roadside elote<\/em> stand, a nature preserve, or a pueblo m\u00e1gico<\/em> (\u201cmagic town\u201d).<\/p>

With a rental car, you get to truly enjoy the journey without so much focus on the destination, which is such a fun way to experience Mexico.<\/p>

Drawbacks of Renting a Car in Mexico<\/h2>

It can be pricey.<\/h3>

Especially if you opt for full-coverage insurance with no deductible (more on this later), the daily cost to rent a car in Mexico can get quite expensive. Tack on the ever-fluctuating price of gas and it can even be tricky to predict how much you\u2019re likely to spend on a rental car.<\/p>

Compare car rental prices in Mexico here<\/a>!<\/p>

Forget about city driving.<\/h3>

We do not recommend renting a car in Mexico City if you plan to use it within the city. The traffic is absolutely insane, and driving there is not only stressful but can actually take longer than hopping on the metro. It\u2019s also quite dangerous to navigate Mexico City if you\u2019ve never driven there before, as many drivers don\u2019t follow traffic rules. It sound stressful because it is<\/em> stressful.<\/p>

Smaller cities like Oaxaca and M\u00e9rida are much more drivable, but unless you are planning to leave the city, a car isn\u2019t totally necessary because most small cities in Mexico have decent public transportation.<\/p>

You\u2019re limited to driving only during the day.<\/h3>

For safety reasons, it\u2019s not a great idea to drive your rental car at night in Mexico. There\u2019s no law or explicit rule that says you can\u2019t, but I don\u2019t recommend risking it.<\/p>

For example, the highway between Tulum and Bacalar becomes dangerous at night, as organized crime groups are known to create blockades and extort drivers. This happens in other parts of Mexico as well, mostly on poorly lit highways and in areas where there is no cell reception.<\/p>

Within a city or town, it\u2019s probably no big deal, but avoid highways as much as possible if you absolutely have to drive after dark.<\/p>

Avoiding Hidden Fees<\/h2>

You can save money on car rentals (and spend more on fun activities like this one) without being scammed.<\/p>

If you Googled \u201crental cars in Mexico\u201d and saw companies advertising rates as low as $5\/day, we promise you that it\u2019s too good to be true. Some car rental agencies use these low base rates to lure customers to their site. That $5\/day rate doesn\u2019t include any insurance (which is mandatory in Mexico) or other fees. If you fall for this, you\u2019ll likely arrive to pick up the car you reserved online and be slapped with a bill much higher than you imagined.<\/p>

The minimum you can expect to pay per day on insurance alone is $7-10 for the bare minimum coverage. See why $5 a day for a rental car is too good to be true?<\/p>

To avoid falling for this scam, check out various companies online and make sure to pay close attention to what the daily price includes. Will you need an extra driver? How much is insurance? Is there a deductible?<\/p>

Where to Rent a Car in Mexico<\/h2>

Online<\/h3>

One reputable site that is great for browsing and booking rental cars is rentalcars.com<\/a>. There you\u2019ll get a full picture of what you\u2019re paying for, with no hidden fees. The site allows you to see options from several companies, making comparing them easier than ever.<\/p>

A sweet feature of rentalcars.com<\/a> is that you can partially pay when you book, and pay the rest when you pick the car up at the airport or in town. (This feature isn\u2019t available for all cars; some rentals require full payment at time of booking.)<\/p>

At the airport<\/h3>

If you want to wait until you arrive to Mexico<\/a> to book your rental car, the airport is often the best place. Not only do you have several companies in one location for easy comparison, but you also won\u2019t have to worry about transportation to and from the airport. If you\u2019re flying in somewhere like Canc\u00fan<\/a> but plan to spend most of your time elsewhere, this is the best option to save time and money.<\/p>

Another perk of waiting to get to the airport is being able to talk to an actual person when deciding what car to rent, which insurance to purchase, and so forth. Most employees at these companies in the airport locations speak English as well and can answer any questions you have.<\/p>

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Cost for Renting a Car in Mexico<\/h2>

Car rentals in Mexico typically start at $30 per day for basic economy manual vehicles and the minimum insurance requirement (an extra $7-10 per day). Full-coverage insurance runs about $12-20 per day, depending on the vehicle, on top of the base cost of the car. Keep in mind that automatic vehicles cost extra and are more difficult to come by than manual ones. If you drive stick, this is your time to save some cash!<\/p>

Compare car rental prices in Mexico here<\/a>!<\/p>

To add an additional driver, you can expect to pay around $10-15 extra, per day.<\/p>

Larger and 4\u00d74 vehicles start around $50 per day with basic insurance. Since small cars are more popular, you could end up with a large vehicle if you don\u2019t book ahead during high season (spring break and November to December).<\/p>

Choosing the Right Car<\/h2>

Sayulita is another great place in Mexico with tons of things to do around it. Renting a car is ideal here<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>

To choose the right car for your Mexican adventure, the first step is deciding if you want a manual or automatic vehicle. In the States, it\u2019s a given that the rental cars are automatic, but that isn\u2019t the case in Mexico, so make sure you double-check before booking.<\/p>

You should also have a clear idea of where you plan to go, as you might need a 4\u00d74 vehicle to get to certain destinations. For the most part, 4-wheel drive isn\u2019t necessary in places like the Riviera Maya (between Canc\u00fan and Tulum<\/a>). However, if you plan to explore some remote Mayan ruins or hidden beaches, you might consider it.<\/p>

For a winding road trip through the mountains in Oaxaca and driving from Bacalar to the ferry for Holbox, we found a basic economy car to be just fine. To get to most of the cenotes near Tulum and Canc\u00fan, you don\u2019t need a 4\u00d74 either.<\/p>

Rental cars in Mexico, like the States, usually are newer models and have bluetooth, USB ports, and built-in navigation systems. The makes and models of the cars are about the same as you\u2019d find stateside as well.<\/p>

What You Need Before Renting a Car in Mexico<\/h2>

To be at least 25 years old<\/h3>

Just like in the United States, you must be 25 or older to rent a car in Mexico. Some companies like Europcar and Mex Car will make an exception and rent to drivers between 21 and 25 for an extra fee of $10-20 per day.<\/p>

There are very few companies that will rent a car to drivers between 18 and 21 years old, but they do exist.<\/p>

A valid driver\u2019s license<\/h3>

You don\u2019t need an international driver\u2019s license to rent a car in Mexico. You can easily use your valid driver\u2019s license from home and be good to go. However, if your home country\u2019s official language does not use the Latin alphabet, you will need an international driver\u2019s license.<\/p>

A credit card with at least $1,000 of available credit<\/h3>

In order to book your rental car in Mexico, the car rental company will most likely need to place a hold of at least $1,000 USD on your credit card. Sometimes you can get around this by purchasing full-coverage insurance, though I\u2019ve never tried this myself.<\/p>

I have been able to book a rental car using a debit card, but this isn\u2019t always possible with every company. It\u2019s best to do so with a credit card, as they will place a hold rather than pulling out the money from your account and reimbursing you when you return the car.<\/p>

Driving in Mexico<\/h2>

Playa Zipolite is the perfect place to have a rental car because of how many different beaches there are nearby.<\/p>

Even if you decide to grab a Mexican SIM card, there\u2019s a chance you\u2019ll drive through a dead zone during your road trip. To avoid getting lost, download an offline map to use. To do this, you can open Google Maps and search the area that you plan to drive.<\/p>

If you\u2019re doing a long trip, you can zoom out to download the entire area. Even if you don\u2019t have cell service, you\u2019ll be able to see your location on the map, which will help you navigate.<\/p>

Gas stations and potential scams<\/h3>

Almost all gas stations in Mexico are serviced, meaning you don\u2019t have to pump your own gas or leave your vehicle if you don\u2019t want to. One potential scam can happen at the gas station, though, if you pay with a card. I once had an attendant overcharge me on the terminal by 100 pesos, thinking I wouldn\u2019t notice. When I saw my receipt, I saw the overcharge and pointed it out. He gave me my 100 pesos reluctantly, but it was a close call.<\/p>

I\u2019ve since heard that this is quite common, so make sure to check the amount before you insert your card.<\/p>

Sometimes the attendants will say that the terminals are offline, so you can\u2019t use a card. This might be true in some cases, so just make sure you have enough cash on hand to pay for gas for your whole trip.<\/p>

Ask your accommodations about parking beforehand<\/h3>

It\u2019s not a given that your Airbnb or even hotel or hostel will have a designated parking spot. Ask your host before booking to make sure there\u2019s a safe, ideally enclosed, space to park your car overnight. I ran into this issue because I didn\u2019t ask ahead of time and ended up having to park on the street, which was risky. Nothing happened, but it made me nervous to leave my rental car in the street overnight. Live and learn, right?<\/p>

Speed limits are in kilometers per hour<\/h3>

Remember that Mexico uses the metric system. You might think the \u201c100\u201d speed limit signs are shocking until you realize that\u2019s only about 60 miles per hour.<\/p>

It seems like people only take these limits as a gentle suggestion, but I always obey them for fear of being pulled over. It\u2019s best to play it safe.<\/p>

What happens if I get pulled over?<\/h3>

Chances are, you\u2019ll only be pulled over by Mexican police if you are blatantly breaking the law. Unfortunately, bribing police officers is still very common here. If you get pulled over, the officer might hint at a bribe to avoid ticketing you, which can be very expensive.<\/p>

I don\u2019t have a strong opinion on this one way or another, because I understand that this is a complicated issue around the world and not just in Mexico. If handing over a couple hundred pesos for a bribe sounds fine, you do you. I have rented a car several times here and never been pulled over, so I\u2019m not sure what I would do. Thoughts?<\/p>

Ready to start your Mexican road trip? We hope this helps you stay safe on the road and avoid getting scammed.<\/p><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Book your trip<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Are you ready to book your trip?\u00a0 .Here are the websites you can use to book your trip, get inspired with the best things to do in your destinations and travel smarter.<\/p>