Renting a car

Here’s how to rent a car in Mexico.

Renting a car

When in Mexico, having a car is very convenient. Having a car gives you the freedom to move around as you please and at your own pace. Renting a car gives you that liberty without the hassle of owning a car.

Car rentals are more expensive and this option may not be worth it if you plan on being in Mexico for a long time, but it does give you the freedom to move around as you please. There is a large selection of car rental companies. Your options here include the following groups: Enterprise, Sixt, Budget, Avis, and Hertz.

If you make the reservation online, print out all the documents and present them at the pick-up office. They might try to charge a higher rate, so it’s good to have physical proof of the original quote. You can also just rent a car for weekend trips - if you don’t need one during the week. If you plan on renting during busy holidays, book in advance - it will save you considerably. Renting an automatic car is more expensive, so if you’re comfortable with a manual car this will be more affordable.

Don’t forget to check the car’s condition before signing the rental contract. You don’t want to be blamed for pre-existing damages. Finally, make sure you know whether or not you have unlimited kilometers.

Requirements 

You need to be 25-years old in order to rent a car in Mexico. You will be asked to provide a credit card for a security deposit, and a valid driver’s licence. Upon return, the car must come with the same amount of fuel as when you received it. 

Insurance

It is essential to have Mexican insurance and any rental company will offer it. If you are uninsured and are involved in an accident, you could be arrested until the damages are paid. You can get Supplemental Liability Insurance, Personal Accident Insurance or a loss damage waiver that can be covered by your credit card. If you carry a credit card that provides you with insurance and you want to keep that insurance, make sure you turn down all insurance that is offered by the company - but still keep in mind that it will probably not be recognized by the Mexican authorities. Try not to book your rental through third-party websites as they generally don’t include the insurance fee in your original quote and it will be added once you get to the pick-up desk for your rental.

Further reading

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