Should we rent a car??

[felony]

UP to this point, we thought we wouldn't need a car. Taking the ADO from Cancun to PDC, then thought we would take it again to Tulum. My husband just thinks we can taxi to cenotes, etc, but I think we might be better off having a car (we are staying at Posada Dos Ceibas and Cabanas Copal).

What do you think?:confused:

[dcap]

You can Taxi where ever you want to go. They'll meet you back at a certain time or you can catch another one. We did this on our first trip. Last visit, the day we left for Tulum. we rented a car in PDC. We stopped on the way saw a few things, detoured in to Oscar Y Lalos, stopped at the SF Market hit the ATM in Tulum, finnally ended up at Copal. We enjoyed having the Rental Car, and will always rent in the future. Rental fees w/ tax & Ins. will range from 35-50 USD per day. Depending. Compare that to losing the freedom of being able to go when and where you want any time, to having to find and wait for a taxi, fare, tip etc. Probably a wash money wise, but you lose the convience of moving around and exploring.
Dave

[felony]

Thanks! I just reserved a car for our Tulum portion of our trip. We'll do like you did, rent it in PDC and return it there on the way back. Got a good rate $80 for a 5 day rental (that would be hard to beat in bus and taxi fare).

Debbie:)

[Steve O]

felony.....If you reserved a car for $80 for 5 days, you can expect the price to jump another $70 to $150 when you add on the insurance. I'll bet you end up paying close to $200 for full coverage for 5 days. You do need the insurance.

[skywalker]

felony, I am looking at renting a car also. Where did you find that rate at? I checked out buster's car rental and got a price of $280 for a week.

[felony]

I spoke with my credit card company and they assured me they would cover the car in Mexico if I declined the Damage waiver. So, the only think I may add is the third party liablility for $7 a day. Still not bad!

[felony]

felony, I am looking at renting a car also. Where did you find that rate at? I checked out buster's car rental and got a price of $280 for a week.

It's National Car Rental in Playa Del Carmen (they must have one in Cancun, too). nationalcar.com

[Steve O]

felony.....I understand what you are saying but what your credit card company tells you and what they do can be two different things. I've been renting cars down there for years and still don't really understand the insurance thing.

Check with your credit card company. Ask them if I get into an accident and my rental car is totaled and my credit limit is only $2500, will they pay off the damage to the car or do I have to pay it off and they will reimburse me? If you are in an accident in Mexico, all damages, fines, lost wages, etc. have to be paid before you are allowed to leave the country otherwise you will sit in jail. You are responsible for the cost of the car if you decline the insurance. What I am trying to say is, will your credit card company pay for the damages up front or do you have to put up the cash first and get it back later?

Odds are, you won't have an accident but it's nice to cover all bases.

[Gale in KY]

Dos Ceibas is quite a ways down the beachroad and taxi fees back and forth to anywhere you may want to visit will quickly add up. While you can easily taxi anywhere you want to go, you can have your own vehicle for about the same cost per day as what you may find yourself spending on cabs. Even at Copal, alot closer to town and attractions, you will be suprized at the expense of cabs if you use them often.

I would probably take the bus to Playa, on to Tulum, and then take a cab to the hotel..rent a car on the days you think you will need it..certainly I would want a car the entire stay at Dos Ceibas, due to the distance from Tulum.

As for the insurance..I know you can get coverage via credit card companies, but can you trust that they will take care of you in the event of an accident? Since all damages must be settled before departing the country, I much prefer to purchase my coverage in the country I will be driving in, rather than worry about will it be covered or won't it..when will they pay it, do I have to cover the damage and be reimbursed etc. etc. The credit card company may say they cover the entire car, but what about the damages to others if you are at fault in an accident? CYA and take all the insurance coverage you can get, it is worth the cost for the peace of mind and being able to enjoy your vacation.

While it may seem costly, it would be much more costly to need coverage and not have what you think you have. Why risk it? I sure don't want to sit in a Mexican jail instead of on the beach or at home in comfort when my vacation is over.

[dcap]

The car we rented in PDC was also from National, small office on 5th. They quoted a similar price for the car. But when it came down to signing an agreement the price went up to 223.57 for 5 Days. We bought all the insurance they offered. My CC company told me the same thing but warned me that all may not be covered. We bought the dam. waivers, the at fault insurance they offered I said give it all to me. I did not want to spend any time in a Mexican jail:eek: my fault or not. So like I said earlier figure on about 35-55 USD per day. Depending on how much protection you want. Even with the fee's, insurance it is much better to have a car. In My opinion anyway.
Dave