How to Renting a Car in Cancun, Mexico (2024)

Are you traveling to Cancun and thinking about renting a car? Renting a car in Cancun can seem expensive or daunting, but if you do a little research, it’s simple and safe.

Renting a car in Mexico is one of the best ways to explore this beautiful country and visit the hidden gems or underrated destinations. Discover the best places to visit in the Yucatan Peninsula on a fantastic road trip.

In our travel guide, you’ll find out where to rent a car in Cancun, how to avoid scams in Mexico, and some tips on driving.

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Table Of Contents

How to Renting a Car in Cancun, Mexico (2024)
Is it Safe to Rent a Car in Cancun?
- The Most Common Scams in Mexico
Before Renting a Car in Cancun, You Need to Know
Is it Safe to Drive in Mexico?
Is it Worth Renting a Car in Cancun?
What are the Requirements to Rent a Car in Cancun?
Renting a Car in Cancun
How Much Does Renting a Car Cost in Cancun, Mexico?

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Is it Safe to Rent a Car in Cancun?

Cancun is the best place to rent a car in Mexico, and you can drive to the beautiful places to visit in the Riviera Maya, the state of Yucatan, and Quintana Roo.

Buy an eSIM and data package for Mexico.

If you avoid the most common Mexican scams and do a little research, you can safely rent a car in Cancun.

Recommended post → How to Get from Cancun Airport to City Center

The Most Common Scams in Mexico

1. Don’t Book on Untrustworthy Sites

If you see super-low prices on a car rental site, for example, with a daily cost of 5-10 USD, they probably don’t include insurance, taxes, and other fees. Always read all contract terms carefully before booking your car to avoid car rental scams and hidden prices.

We rented a car in Mexico through Discover Cars and had a positive experience.

Book your car in advance to get the best price! Check car rental prices and availability HERE.

2. Extra Insurance Scam

All cars rented in Mexico have the legally required Third-party liability insurance (TPL). Therefore, you don’t have to pay this extra insurance cost if you already have liability cover!

3. Gas Station Scam

You can’t pump your own gas in Mexico, and there is no self-service at petrol stations! That’s why one of the most common scams in Mexico is to pay for more petrol than you pumped out. But you can avoid this if you check that it is set to zero before filling up.

4. Some Mexican Cops are Corrupt

Mexican police can be corrupt, and if you are stopped, you may have to pay a bribe. However, in our opinion, if you don’t give them a reason, such as not driving fast, not using your mobile phone while driving, and wearing your seatbelt, they won’t stop you.

See also → Things to Do in Bacalar

Before Renting a Car in Cancun, You Need to Know

Read the reviews of the car rental company and compare prices and conditions.
Check what is included in your booking, such as insurance, free cancellation, transfers, young driver fees, etc.
From Cancun Airport, free shuttles will take you to car rental offices where you can pick up your car.
Before you sign the rental terms and conditions, check the vehicle! Write down any problems on the contract, and take photos and videos of any scratches or dents on the car’s exterior.
Check the inside to be sure everything works, such as air conditioning, windows, wipers, doors lock and unlock, trunk, etc.
Plan your trip in advance, and check the location of gas stations. Get a Telcel SIM card with internet access or download an offline map.
Toll roads can only be paid for in Mexican pesos, and often, you can’t even pay by card at petrol stations, so always bring cash.
Book accommodation with free parking, or ask your hotel where and how you can park safely.
Use regular gasoline, not premium.

Recommended post → Ultimate Yucatan Peninsula Itinerary

Is it Safe to Drive in Mexico?

One of the most frequently asked questions about renting a car in Cancun. We don’t recommend car hire in all areas of Mexico! But we have found driving on the Yucatan Peninsula safe and easy, so we highly recommend renting a car in Cancun.

It is a bit more stressful for everyone to drive an unknown vehicle in a foreign country. But you can ensure a safer trip in Mexico by taking a few precautions. You should plan your route, do defensive driving, not drive at night, obey speed limits, avoid distractions while driving, and always set off with a full tank.

Don’t forget to buy travel insurance! We always choose SafetyWing for our travels.

Traffic and Road Conditions in the Yucatan Peninsula

In Mexico, as in the U.S. and most of Europe, you should drive on the right-hand side of the road. There are many checkpoints between cities, lots of police cars in the tourist areas, and unlike the city centers, there are few cars on the highways. The roads are good, well-maintained, and safe to drive.

Traffic in the downtown areas of Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum can be chaotic, but what major city isn’t?

If you only want to visit the tourist areas, you probably don’t need a 4×4. There are dirt roads to some cenotes and beaches, but a standard car rental is enough in the Yucatan Peninsula. The road signs will always be in Spanish, but they are often displayed and very simple to understand and follow.

TIP
You can usually park anywhere, but avoid yellow curbs in the towns or around no-parking signs as they prohibit parking.

Read more → Places to Visit in the Yucatan Peninsula

What Should I Do if I Have an Accident in Mexico?

In case of an emergency or accident, you should call 911 and report the incident or call the Green Angels if you need roadside assistance. Contact the car rental company and report the accident to your health insurer.

Green Angel’s services are free for 24 hours. They speak English and can be reached simply by calling 078 or 01-800-987-8224.

Read our → Chichen Itza Travel Guide

Driving Tips to the Yucatan Peninsula

We have put together the most important and safe driving tips for Mexico. Just be confident, drive safely, and follow the rules!

Don’t underestimate the distances.
Always have Mexican pesos with you.
There are few gas stations along the highway, so always set off with a full tank.
Beware of the potholes and speed bumps (topes)!
Avoid driving at night.
Download an offline map.
Buy an eSIM and data package for Mexico.
Don’t use your cell phone while driving.
Always wear your seat belt.
Don’t leave valuables in your vehicle.
Use the couta (toll) roads in Mexico.
Obey the speed limits and rules.
Don’t pick up hitchhikers.
Animals are often on the roads.
Don’t drive drunk.

Is it Worth Renting a Car in Cancun?

Absolutely! We did our 14-day Yucatan Peninsula Itinerary by rental car and enjoyed exploring the sights at our own pace.

Mexico is one of the largest countries in the world, and many people underestimate the distances. If you don’t know how to drive or don’t want to rent a car, you can get around Mexico by ADO bus, rent a private driver, take a taxi, or join a private or group tour.

TIP
Use Bookaway to book bus tickets or transfers in Mexico.

Keep reading → How to Visit the Yellow City of Izamal

But if you want to visit Chichen Itza at your own pace and spend more time in the best cenotes or explore the smaller towns, renting a car is the best way to explore Mexico.

When you rent a car in Cancun, you will get more freedom and save a lot of time! You can easily visit places such as Playa del Carmen, Valladolid, Merida, Bacalar, and Tulum with a rental car.

During the high season (December to April), car rental prices can be extremely high! Therefore, we strongly recommend that you book your car in advance!

See also → Best Cenotes in Tulum

What are the Requirements to Rent a Car in Cancun?

Wondering what you need to rent a car in Cancun? There are only a few Mexico car rental requirements.

Use iVisa to check if you need a tourist visa for Mexico and apply for an e-visa online.

1. Passport and Driver’s License

Check your passport and driver’s license before you travel to Mexico, as they must be valid! We recommend you make copies of these and do not lose them during your journey.

2. International Driving Permit (IDP)

Do I need an international driving permit (IDP) to drive in Mexico? Depending on the country you are coming from, you’ll probably need an international driving permit in Mexico.

If your driver’s license is not in English, you’ll need to bring an IDP and always keep it with your driver’s license.

3. Credit Card

When we were in Mexico, we didn’t have a credit card, so instead of 250 USD, they deducted 500 USD from our deposit. But after returning the car, we only had to wait a few business days, and we got a full refund without any problems.

Some car hire companies only accept credit cards, so use one or contact the company if you don’t have a credit card.

Good to know
You can only use the driver’s credit or debit card for payment!

4. Mexican Liability Insurance

Third-party liability insurance (TPL) is required when renting a car in Cancun, Mexico. You can add the TPL to your online booking or at the car rental counter when you pick up your car.

It’s good to know that the advertised price rarely includes insurance, which will definitely increase the cost. If the insurance is not included, you will have to pay a daily fee of up to 10-20 USD per day, although this can be more expensive. So you should read the details of the rental policy carefully!

You can also add a lot of additional insurance to your booking. We recommend buying full insurance with zero deductible charges for damage or theft!

Mexican car rental companies will not allow you to rent a car without mandatory insurance!

Don’t forget to buy travel insurance! We always choose SafetyWing for our travels.

5. The minimum age to rent a car in Mexico is 21

Generally, you must be 25 years or older to rent a car from any car hire company in Mexico. However, some car rental services also allow drivers aged 18-24 to rent a car if they pay an extra of around 10-20 USD for a young driver’s fee.

Read more → How to Spend 3 Days in Valladolid

Renting a Car in Cancun

One of the most important questions is where and how to rent a car in Cancun, Mexico. The Cancun International Airport is the best place to rent a car, where you’ll find all the major car rental companies and some Mexican rental agencies.

You can book on arrival at the car rental counters or online. Read the reviews of the car rental company and compare prices and conditions. You should check what is included in your reservation, such as insurance, free cancellation, airport transfers, taxes, young driver fees, etc.

During our travels, we always use Discover Cars for car rentals. Because they always offer the best deals and provide free cancellation 48 hours before your reservation.

Check car rental prices and availability HERE.

We spent 14 days on the Yucatan Peninsula and enjoyed the road trip with our rental car in Mexico.

See also → Most Instagrammable Places in Tulum

How Much Does Renting a Car Cost in Cancun, Mexico?

Car rental rates in Cancun vary depending on which car rental company you book with or what type of car you choose. The car rental costs will be different when you travel to Mexico in high season or shoulder season and rent a car in advance or at the last minute.

But you will spend around 30-40 USD daily for a basic car with full coverage.

Book your car in advance to get the best price! Check car rental prices and availability HERE.

TIP
Save money, avoid ATM transaction fees when going abroad, and pay in local currency with a Wise Card.

We hope our Cancun Car Rental Guide will help you plan your next trip to Mexico. If you have any questions or thoughts about renting a car in Cancun, let us know in the comment below.

Travel Resources

Hotels – Booking.com
Car Rentals – Discover Cars
Flights – Skyscanner
eSIM: – Airalo
Travel Insurance – SafetyWing
Tours & Attractions – GetYourGuide
Bus/Transfer – Bookaway

How to Renting a Car in Cancun, Mexico (2024)