Rental Cars

[guana 1]

Where is the best place to rent a car in Cancun??? We are heading to Tulum in June, have the house rented all we need is a car....

Thanks

[Gale in KY]

If possible, pre-book your car before you go.
I like to use the local companies, the locals need the $$$ now more than ever. Two I have used with good results are

www.easywayrentacar.com
www.busterrentacar.com

Their prices include needed insurance. You can also pay in cash when you return the car for a discount. They are off airport property, so you don't have to pay the extra tax the companys on airport property charge. They will pick you up at the airport and drop you off when you leave.

I booked with Avis my first trip down, thinking an international company had to be "better". When I arrived, they were on strike and we were stuck with no car! I have never heard a word from Avis about this.

Buster's saved the day by offering me a better car (newer, less miles and AC) for the same price.

I will stick with the local guys now, very satisfied with them!!:D

[bill2354]

We always use Alamo, as they seem to have the best prices, and we've never had any hassles-I think that's the main reason we've never changed to anyone else-don't want to risk it!
We take digital pics of the exterior of the car just to cover ourselves, but they've never seemed to really even check. We rent a 'cheapo' 4 door with A/C and nothing else. Works just fine for us for driving up and down the coast-we really do use it to go to diffeent place every year.
Have fun!!!!:D

[John in DC]

All the US national chains are represented at CUN, and it would be worth it to check out expedia or similar sites to compare prices. That said, I'm going to investigate Easyway and Buster for my trip in June. People who know keep saying good things about these Mexican companies.

[Sand Flea]

We've booked thru Avis (at the airport) for our March trip. I called to see what the deposit was and were told the approx. amount of the rental for the time period you have it plus 30% which is good to know. Last summer we rented with Executive and were surprised with a $500 hold on our credit card which we weren't planning on (It just never crossed my mind when we booked about a deposit - duh) Anyway, we learn something new every time we travel to Mexico...at least this time we will be versed in the car rental area hopefully. Hummmm...wonder what we'll be surprised with this trip?! The cost of our rental this time is approx. $186.00 for seven days, picking up and dropping off at the Cancun airport. If you have a VISA card and use it for the rental, it covers you for the ins. so that's about $15 a day you can save!

[Gale in KY]

The local guys I use don't place a hold on your credit card for the deductible..they make a paper voucher (remember those credit card slips from way back when?) and hold that..when you return the car in good shape, they return the slip to you so you can destroy it. Neither Easyway or Buster place a hold on your card.

Visa Card Insurance: Don't assume this will cover you for a rental in Mexico. Call the company to confirm. I have two visa's, and both offer insurance, but only one would cover it for Mexico.

That's why I like Easyway and Buster...no surprizes! After being stranded at the Cancun Airport without the car I booked with Avis..I don't want any surprizes!

[Sand Flea]

I'm certain the ins. is good in Mexico but I guess there's no guarantee that the car will be available! The backup plan is to hop the bus to Playa and rent there if need be. I will keep Easyway and Buster in mind. Thanks so much!

[Ginger]

The local guys I use don't place a hold on your credit card for the deductible..they make a paper voucher (remember those credit card slips from way back when?) and hold that..when you return the car in good shape, they return the slip to you so you can destroy it. Neither Easyway or Buster place a hold on your card.

Visa Card Insurance: Don't assume this will cover you for a rental in Mexico. Call the company to confirm. I have two visa's, and both offer insurance, but only one would cover it for Mexico.

That's why I like Easyway and Buster...no surprizes! After being stranded at the Cancun Airport without the car I booked with Avis..I don't want any surprizes!

Thats great info, Gale. Thanks for posting this. We are renting a car at the end of the month, will use one of these for sure. I looked at their rates, which are good and also include the insurance, which is good.

Do you know where either of them are located in Playa? We will want to rent from there to travel to Tulum for a few days.

[Gale in KY]

Hi Ginger, You can pre book online if you know the day you need the car. They will bring it to you in Playa, not sure if either has an office there, but I do know Buster has a location in Tulum. They will also pick the car up in Playa when you return.

The cars I have used have always been late models too, the last time was a Tsuru, brand new, had 60 miles on it. I know this is a concern for alot of folks, they invision getting a 1970 something or other..haha..have never had an problems with mechanics or breakdowns either.