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Would
you like the freedom of using a car during your trip to Mexico
without the hassle of taking your own vehicle across the border?
Luckily, renting a car in Mexico is a relatively simple process.
There are a variety of local and international rental car
companies that are more than willing to help you cruise around
Mexico in one of their rentals. Here's what you need to know
when it comes to renting a car in Mexico:
Do I really need a Rental Car?
In Mexico City, car rental is probably not a very good idea,
unless you're familiar with the city and plan to do a lot of
traveling about from place to place inside the capital. Public
transport in towns and cities across Mexico is excellent and
travel by taxi in Mexico is affordable.
Car rental is most colonial cities is not a good idea either.
Most colonial cities are best experienced on foot, using taxis
to travel longer distances between major attractions, or back to
your hotel after a long day's exploration.
Instances where car rental is a good idea is when you are
touring a region(s) of Mexico and need to get from city to city
(and the towns and villages in-between) without being beholden
to public transport schedules. For example, if you were touring
the Yucatan, and staying at various small Hotels there, renting
a car would be an excellent choice.
Another good way to rent a car in Mexico is to rent a car from
the city or town you are based at so that you can go out on day
trips and explore rural areas which are poorly served by public
transport and/or are too far away to take a taxi.
Mexico Car Rental Requirements
The requirements necessary to rent a car in Mexico are similar
to those found in the United States. As long as you are 25 years
old, have a valid driver's license and carry a credit card, then
you shouldn't have any problem renting a car for your vacation.
Also, don't worry about having an international driver's license
-- while on a Mexico vacation, they will accept licenses from
anywhere in the world.
Shopping for Car Rental Rates in Mexico
Car rental rates can vary widely based on the region of Mexico
you are in, the day you are renting and the type of car you
would like to rent. Be sure to shop around to find the best rate
that is available. Hertz, Avis, Budget and Argus are just a few
of the reliable rental companies worth looking into. If you want
to save additional money, consider scheduling your vacation to
occur mid-week. Weekend rental rates are typically higher than
other days in the week when you travel to Mexico.
Be Aware of Additional Fees on Mexico Car Rentals
Multiplying the daily rental price of your car by the number of
days you will drive it will not give you your final rental cost.
In Mexico, it is customary to tack on a Value Added Tax (VAT) of
15 percent to the total rental bill. This tax can fluctuate
during holiday seasons, so be sure to review the applicable VAT
that comes with your car prior to renting it. You should also be
aware of gas charges and late fees. Mexico rental companies have
gained a rather infamous reputation for charging exorbitant fees
in the event you drop off your car after the agreed upon time.
For such a blunder, you can expect to pay an additional 20 to 40
percent on top of your original bill.
Do You Need Car Rental Insurance in Mexico?
Buy Mexican car insurance. If you pay for your car rental
with a credit card, you are automatically covered. It doesn't
matter. Pay for the Mexican insurance anyway. If you get into an
accident without it, you will see the inside of a Mexican jail.
The cops in Mexico are real sticklers for insurance, and there
is no shortage of nightmare stories on the Internet from people
who had an accident without it. Don't take the chance.
Inspect Your Car Before Driving it Off the Lot
It is recommended that you make note of any dings, scratches or
dents that are visible on your rental car prior to driving it.
Point out any damage to an attendant and take a picture if
possible. This will prevent you from paying for someone else's
mistake upon returning the vehicle at the end of your trip. |
