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Traveling in Mexico by car

Mexico is the fourteenth largest country on the planet. The distance between its cities is quite large, and if you want to visit places far from each other, such as Teotihuacan Pyramids or San Juan- Chamula in Chiapas, get ready for long journeys and the need to choose vehicles. There are few trains and not many buses in Mexico, so the traveler usually has to choose between two options: fly from city to city or rent a car.

Mexico 1

Since tourists usually start their journey from the capital, I would like to recommend them to stay in the city Mexico City for a couple of days to see its sights. These are the Constitution Square, which is impressive in size and acts as a place for the celebration of cultural events and demonstrations, the Baroque Cathedral and the National Palace. Not far from the square lie the ruins of the Templo Mayor, an ancient Aztec temple. To explore the city, leave your rental car in a paid parking lot, where it will be safe.

For Frida Kahlo it is worth driving to Coyocan, an area located south of the city and considered the bohemian quarter of artists and sculptors. Don't forget to visit Casa Azul, the house where Diego Rivera lived with his wife. Today there is a museum.

Before you set off to travel around the country, check out the list of "pueblos mágicos" - those towns and villages that will interest visitors with bright colors. They are listed here: www.gob.mx.

Also worth seeing are the mining roads from Durango to Zacatecas, along which you can admire temples with ancient architecture, rocky landscapes, old ranches, Mexican and American film sets and visit museums. The distance between Durango and Zacatecas is 350 km.

The car route from Morelia to Guanajuato will allow you to admire colonial art and get acquainted with the traditions of mining, observe volcanic landscapes and lagoons, try local fish and strawberry dishes.

Departure to the Sierra Norte de Puebla will give the traveler an introduction to volcanoes, such as Sitlaltepepel with its snow-covered surface and its neighboring three other volcanoes and wooded mountains. The city of Puebla attracts attention with temples, former colonial monasteries, and next to it there are hot springs and waterfalls in the gorges.

Mexico 2

And finally, the main thing a place not to be missed in Mexico is the pyramids of Teotihuacan, ruins 50 km from Mexico City, which in ancient times were the largest pre-Hispanic city on the continent. Read more about them in Wikipedia. Climb the Pyramid of the Sun, one of the tallest in the world, walk along the Calzada de los Muertos and reach the Pyramid of the Moon, which offers incredible views of the archaeological complex.

How to rent a car in Mexico without a franchise?

There are several types of highways in Mexico, and there are so many gas stations that it will not be difficult to fill up gasoline wherever you are. Therefore, renting a car in cities will be an attractive idea, besides, the country has its own rental companies that offer to rent a car without a franchise and avoid unnecessary expenses.

1. TouraCancun

This company has a large selection of rental cars, so every driver will find a car to their liking and save fuel or get extra cargo space. Whichever car is chosen, its technical condition will be optimal and guarantee the tourist a safe trip without any problems. The firm has two advantages: zero deductible for each type of rental with 100% insurance and unlimited mileage. It is also worth noting the possibility to rent a car online without using a credit card and pay for the order on the spot. There is nothing to worry about: the original price will not change.

2. Rentamerica

This company, headquartered at Acapulco, has become popular with millions of travelers to Mexico from all over the world. Rentamerica prides itself on working with reliable companies in the sector and reasonable prices that do not depend on the season. The main advantages of the company include unlimited mileage, insurance and professional service.

To rent a car without a franchise, take advantage of the parallel registration of insurance against all risks, and in the event of an accident or theft of a car, you will be relieved of having to pay extra money.

3. Avis Mexico

This is a car rental company that has flourished in the last decade. After merging with Budget Rent a Car Mexico, it has become the car rental company in Mexico with the largest number of cars available for rent at every airport in the country. If you're a premium traveler, book a car, earn points and take advantage of the special Avis Preferred Mexico program, which offers loyalty bonuses, 24/7 personalized assistance at no extra cost for accidents and other misfortunes along the way.

Mexico 3

Peculiarities of driving in Mexico

Tourists who prefer to rent a car in Mexico should take care of obtaining full information about roads, parking lots, gas stations and driving nuances in advance.

The country has private toll highways, which can be driven much faster than the national highway. The toll includes insurance. Outside motorways, the roads are in poor condition, so it is recommended to be careful and not violate the speed limit. The speed limits in the country are as follows:

in the city: from 10 to 60 km/h;
on the highway 100 km/h;
on highway 110 km/h

Mexico 4

Mexico is a relatively safe country for tourists, but avoid overnight trips. In addition, you must carry an international driver's license and passport and do not carry excess cash. If you are traveling during the hurricane season, from May to June or September to November, be aware that some roads are often flooded. Also take note of the following tips:

keep the doors closed, even during brief stops;
keep things in the trunk;
park in private parking lots that guarded;
drive carefully;
don't draw attention to yourself;
be careful of traffic lights behind intersections.

Fines

Fines for traffic violations while driving on the streets vary by state or city. However, the following are considered major offenses:

Parking in prohibited areas such as ramps, driveways or double lanes.
Not wearing a seat belt.
Reluctance to give way when approaching a pedestrian crossing
Using a mobile phone or other electronic device
Failure to follow traffic safety measures
Failure to follow the rules established program "Hoy no circula". ("A day without traffic").
Exceeding the speed limit.
No insurance.

Mexico 5

Renting an electric car in Mexico

Until recently, until the spring of 2022, there was no possibility of renting electric cars in Mexico. But now some rental companies are announcing the availability of such an option in the near future. For example, Budget Rent-A-Car announced that its customers will soon be able to rent an electric JAC E10X in Mexico City. At the first stage, this model will be available only in the capital through the Budget Rent-A-Car Mexico website and directly at the rental office at Benito Juarez International Airport. Then the service will begin to spread to the cities of the country.

If you are planning to travel around Mexico, remember that the minimum age for renting a car in this country is 21 years old, while customers in this age category are required to pay an additional amount for things that include for novice drivers. Some companies set the maximum age for car rental at 75 years. Therefore, do not waste your time and go on such an exciting trip right now.

Good to know

Monthly price chart. Approximate prices for 7 days rental

January

€84

February

€68

March

€73

April

€123

May

€114

June

€138

July

€148

August

€116

September

€85

October

€76

November

€80

December

€149

The most popular cars in Mexico

Fiat 500

€13 / Day

Citroen C1

€14 / Day

Ford Fiesta

€18 / Day

Ford Focus

€23 / Day

Opel Astra Estate

€28 / Day

Audi A4

€32 / Day

BMW X1

€33 / Day

Ford Foxus Estate

€33 / Day

Mercedes C Class

€43 / Day

BMW 5 series

€45 / Day

Ford Tourneo

€55 / Day

BMW 4 Cabrio

€65 / Day

Audi A6

€70 / Day

Audi A5 Cabrio

€75 / Day

Mercedes Vito

€80 / Day

Popular rental locations in Mexico

Cancun - Airport International

Merida - Airport

Mexico City - Benito Juárez Intl Airport

Monterrey - Mariano Escobedo Intl. Airport

Morelia Airport

Puerto Vallarta Airport

Chetumal Airport

Cozumel Airport

Oaxaca Airport

Acapulco Airport

Veracruz Airport

Ciudad Obregón Airport

Guaymas Airport

Del Bajio Airport

Cuernavaca Airport

Mexico City - Downtown

Playa Del Carmen - Downtown

Los Cabos

Puerto Vallarta

Cozumel

Oaxaca

Acapulco

List of required documents

Driving license

Credit card

Voucher

Passport

A valid international driver's license is required!

Car rental tips in Mexico

Download desired area of Google maps for offline access

Download the map in the Google Maps mobile app in advance. Select the desired area, type "OK MAPS" in the search box and start the search. Then wait for the map to save. Ready! Navigation will work even without an internet connection - thanks to the GPS function. It is present in all modern smartphones. You can not only find the desired address, but also build a route. And all this is free.

Mexico 6

Early Booking Discount

Mexico is now in ever-increasing demand, which affects the high demand for car rental. By booking online, you can avoid any unpleasant surprises after you arrive at your destination. Both with the car itself and with its rent.

It is better to book a car at least one and a half months before the trip. As the required date approaches, the number of available offers is reduced, and the cost of the remaining models increases. If plans change and the trip is postponed, then you can cancel the rental without any sanctions 2 days before it starts.

Which car to choose

The compact model is relevant for city trips in Mexico. It can be Renault Twingo or Opel Astra. Mountain routes require a more powerful four-wheel drive vehicle - Ford Foxus Estate or similar model. You can order an SUV for just €33 per day;

What you need to pay attention to at the time of receiving a car

Before picking up, you are required to carefully inspect the car and point out to the rental company manager for scratches, damage and defects, such as dirty seat upholstery. You should check the ignition and the fuel level in the tank. You need to know the conditions for returning the car - where exactly, with what amount of fuel to return the car.

The rental agreement must include a telephone number to contact the rental company. It is designed so that customers can get help in emergency situations, such as when a car breaks down or in the event of an accident. A call to the rental company should be done first, even before the arrival of the police.

Insurance recommendations

Rental companies in Mexico may offer different insurance options. They differ in price and set of options. Here are the basic types:

Third Party Liability (TPL)/Third Liability Protection (TLP). This is a third party liability protection. If you are the culprit of an accident, the insurance will compensate for the costs of the victims for you.
Collision Damage Waiver (CDW). This is to protect your vehicle from any damage. She works with a franchise. This is the amount that you will have to pay in case of damage in any case. The company will cover anything over the limit. The insurance does not cover theft.
Theft Insurance (TI)/Theft Protection (TP)/Theft Waiver (TW). This is car theft protection. Operates with a franchise.
Super Loss Damage Waiver (SLDW)/Theft Protection+Collision Damage Waiver (TP+CDW). Full protection against theft and damage, even if you are the culprit of the accident.
Personal Accident Insurance (PAI). This is medical insurance for the driver and passengers.

If you want to save money and choose the cheapest insurance, carefully inspect the car upon receipt. Make sure the machine is not damaged. Mexico 7

Fuel prepayment terms

When you pick up your car, you may be asked to pay for a full tank of fuel right away. This condition will suit you if you plan to travel long distances. For a couple of trips around the city, you don’t need so much fuel, and therefore it doesn’t make sense to overpay. Pay attention to the fuel policy when booking a car. If necessary, use the special filter to select the most convenient option for you.

Mexico 8

Rent without mileage limit

Before renting a car, you should check with the rental company if there is a limit on the daily mileage for a car. Typically, tourists use a rental car to travel not only around the city, but also to travel to neighboring cities and even countries. If such a restriction exists, it is recommended to choose a rental option where there is no limit. In this case, the total cost of mileage will be lower, since you will not have to pay extra for exceeding the mileage. On our site, in the search results, check the filter "Unlimited mileage" to see the offers you need.

Mexico 9

Compare prices and conditions from different car rental companies

When choosing a rental car in Mexico, you should carefully read all the terms of the rental. This is due to the fact that different companies may differ not only in rental prices, but also in conditions for limiting mileage, the cost of additional services, and the amount of the deposit. To compare rental conditions, it is convenient to use the search and booking system on our website.

Which rental company to choose

It is recommended to rent a car in trusted companies, that is, in those whose services you have already used. You can also focus on the rating of our site, which is displayed next to the name of the company in the search results.

Ceteris paribus, preference should be given to larger companies that have a high level of service and a large selection of cars. The best rental companies in Mexico are EUROPCAR with an average rating of 9.9 points and SIXT (rating - 9).

Getting a car at a rental office

Before signing a car rental agreement, it should be carefully checked for damage and defects. Do not be shy to point out the identified problems and problems - then you will not have to answer for them. When returning, pay attention to the fuel in the tank. Its volume must correspond to that prescribed in the agreement.

Also, do not ignore the phone number provided by the technical support representative when concluding the contract. After all, even the most experienced driver is not insured against a breakdown, accident or other force majeure event. In such a case, contact a specialist before the arrival of the police.

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Based on 8255 reviews

Tony

4,8

Without a doubt, I will continue to use Bookingautos on a regular basis. Thank you very much for your assistance!

Michael

4,7

Excellent value for money. The pick-up process was a little confusing, but I would use it again!

Luna

4,5

The search was very simple to use, the price was really low, and there were no problems with the rental car company.

Jody

4,9

Everything proceeded as expected. The complete coverage compensation really worked.

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