Best Car Rental in Cancun: How to Find it & What to Expect!

Renting a car in Cancun is a great way to get around and explore the area. But how to find the best car rental in Cancun when there are so many rental companies to choose from?

I know this struggle from personal experience – my first rental car experience in Cancun was a disaster. From poor service to getting ripped off by Mexican car insurance, it was a headache I never want to relive.

But don’t worry, because I’ve learned my lessons and I’m here to share my tips with you!

Best Car Rental in Cancun

My Go-To Site for Renting a Car in Cancun: Discover Cars

Don’t have time to read the whole article? Learn from my experience and choose Discover Cars for reliable car rental and full coverage insurance at the cheapest rates. 

Find Car Rental Deals in Mexico With Discover Cars

With the right knowledge and a bit of planning, you can avoid the pitfalls and make your rental car experience in Cancun a smooth and enjoyable one. In this guide, I will show you how to find the best car rental in Cancun, what to expect, and how to avoid getting ripped off.

Luxury under Budget aims at helping you get the best deals by maximizing the value of your time and money. My recommendations are based on first-hand experiences and a full analysis of costs vs. benefits. This post may contain affiliate links, which means that I may get a small commission when you make a purchase, at no extra cost to you. This helps support my blog and enables me to provide more free and helpful content. Now, let’s go get you that luxury travel while staying under the budget!

Have You Got These Items For Your Trip Yet?

• Credit Card: I recommend Chase Sapphire Preferred®
• Flights & Accommodations: I recommend Expedia
• Car Rental: I recommend Discover Cars
• Travel Accessories: I recommend Amazon Coupons
• Tours/Experiences: I recommend Viator 

Best Car Rental in Cancun & Riviera Maya: What to Consider

When looking for the best car rental in Cancun, there are a few things you’ll want to consider.

–The company’s reputation: Make sure to read reviews of the rental companies before making a decision. This will give you an idea of what others have experienced with different companies.

–The price: Of course, you want to find the best deals for your rental car. But be careful, sometimes the cheapest option is not the best one. I actually learned this the hard way and I will share with you my horrible experience of booking the cheapest car rental in Cancun below.

–The location: Will you have to go out of your way to pick up or drop off the car rental? If so, you will need to factor in the cost for the pick-up and drop-off.

–The type of car: Depending on your needs, you might want to rent a small car, an SUV, or even a van. The roads within Cancun are nice and well-maintained, so a smaller car would do just fine. However, if you want to visit other cities like Tulum or Chichen Itza, you may want a bigger car for a more comfortable ride.

–The insurance: This is very important! Make sure to understand the rental company’s policy on insurance and get Mexican car insurance if you’re going to be driving in Mexico (even if you have Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) coverage from the U.S credit card companies). I will be including all the details you need to know about Mexican car insurance in this post.

My Experience Renting A Cheap Car Rental in Cancun

I made the mistake of renting the cheapest car rental in Cancun when I first visited and it was a disaster. I reserved a car rental with Fox Rent a Car in the Cancun Hotel Zone through Expedia.com, which was supposed to cost only $30 for 2 days (with all taxes and fees included). Since my credit card comes with free auto rental insurance, I have never had to pay extra for any additional rental car insurance.

However, when I got to the car rental agency to pick up the car, the staff told me that I needed to buy their insurance – for an extra $150/day. I argued with them and gave them my credit card policy that detailed the auto rental insurance benefits. However, they refused to accept it, stating that it wasn’t Mexican insurance.

I spent over an hour arguing with these people, trying to prove that my credit card would cover the expenses if anything happens. You can imagine how frustrating it was! They just wouldn’t budge.

After two hours, they told me that If I wanted to avoid paying for their Mexican insurance, I would have to put down a deposit of $20,000 U.S dollars. That is a ridiculous amount of money to put down as a deposit for a car rental!

At this point, I had already wasted so much time with them. I was exhausted, frustrated, and just wanted to get the car and be on my way. So I ended up paying $340 for 2 days – which was more than 10 times the original price I was quoted. It was a complete rip-off! Luckily, it was the first and last time I had such a horrible experience with renting a car in Cancun and Mexico.

If you’re looking for a cheap and reliable car rental in Cancun, I strongly recommend Discover Cars. Even though there are many websites and apps that allow you to compare prices, DiscoverCars typically has the best deals for car rental. Most importantly, it offers full coverage Mexican insurance for as low as $7 per day and gives you peace of mind!

Discover Cars not only has the cheapest rates for car rental in Mexico but also offers full coverage Mexican insurance for only $7 per day. ✔️BOOK NOW

Car rental agencies in Cancun won’t be able to give you a hard time with Mexican car insurance because you already have FULL COVERAGE. There is no more opportunity for them to upsell their insurances and overcharge you!

Renting a Car in Cancun & Riviera Maya: What to Expect

Bring a valid driver’s license

You can rent a car in Mexico with a valid license if your country uses the Roman alphabet. Drivers from countries like Japan, Korea, and China, which use the logographic characters, may need to provide an International Driving Permit. The International Driving Permit (IDP) translates your driver’s license into 10 different languages, which allows you to drive in more than 150 countries.

Bring a credit card or debit card

Renting a car in Mexico will require you to swipe your debit or credit card. This is so they have a record of your card in case you damage the car.

Get full coverage Mexican insurance with Discover Cars for only $7 per day to avoid large deposit on hold✔️BOOK NOW

Mexican Car Rental Insurance: What You Need to Know

Do you need insurance to rent a car in Cancun?

In theory – no, but in reality, yes. If you refuse to pay for the mandatory Mexican insurance, the rental companies may either not agree to let you rent a car or ask you to put down a ridiculous amount of money on hold.

Like I said from my experience, I was asked to have $20,000 on hold from my credit card. That means I would be responsible for any damages to the vehicle, and that hold wouldn’t be released until everything is settled – which could take months!

How much is Mexican car insurance?

From my experiences with Discover Cars, Personal Liability Insurance (the minimum coverage legally required) costs between $6-10 USD per day. For full coverage insurance, you can expect to pay about $7-15USD per day.

With Personal Liability Insurance, you will be responsible for a deductible ($1000 to $5,000), whereas, with the full coverage insurance, your deductible would typically be $0.

What is a deductible with car insurance?

Rental car insurance deductible works just like health insurance deductible or any other insurance deductible. For example, if you cause damage of $2,100 while your insurance has a $2,000 deductible, you will be responsible for paying the $2,000 deductible, and insurance will only cover the remaining $100. In that case, the insurance is pretty useless, isn’t it? That’s why you should consider purchasing full coverage insurance with a low or $0 deductible.

Do you still need to purchase Mexican Car Insurance if you have Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver through your credit card?

Some travel credit cards, such as Chase Sapphire Preferred, will provide auto rental Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) as one of the travel protection benefits. In most cases, Collision Damage Waiver allows you to decline the rental car company’s coverage with confidence and still be covered. I have never had issues with my credit card auto insurance in any other country, but as I have told you above, it was a different story in Cancun, Mexico.

In Mexico, it’s at the rental car company’s discretion whether they want to accept Collision Damage Waiver or not. Unfortunately, in most cases, they won’t. If you don’t purchase car insurance in advance and wait till you check in to pick up the car, they will charge a ridiculous amount of money for the insurance or require a security deposit of up to $20,000!

It’s honestly not worth the trouble of arguing with the rental car company, so I’d suggest you add insurance as you make the purchase online.

Another thing to keep in mind is that if you opt for the auto rental insurance that comes with your credit card, you will still need to pay for all damages when you return the car in Mexico. On top of all this, filing a claim with the credit card company can take weeks or even months to complete. In some cases, you may not get the full reimbursement.

The full coverage insurance allows you to essentially return the car in any condition, without having to pay anything!

Best Car Rental at Cancun International Airport

If you’re looking for convenience and affordability, the best place to rent a car in Cancun is at Cancun International Airport (where you will fly in and fly out). You’ll find a wide range of rental car companies there, with vehicles to suit all needs.

From my experiences, Avis typically has good rates, excellent customer services, and relatively new cars at Cancun International Airport. For slightly cheaper options, you can consider Sixt Rent A Car and America Car Rental.

If you stay at all-inclusive resorts in Cancun, you may only need a car rental for part of your stay since almost everything is included in your hotel nightly rates. In that case, you can pick up your car in the Hotel Zone – there are plenty of car rental companies along the strip – and drop it off at Cancun International Airport when you leave or the other way around (pick up at the airport and drop off in Hotel Zone), whichever way you find more convenient.

Most of the time, I didn’t have to pay anything extra to pick up a car rental in Cancun Hotel Zone and drop it off at Cancun International Airport or vice versa! It’s actually very convenient and saves a lot of money as well.

When returning your rental car at Cancun International Airport, you can follow the signs for Terminal 2 and Terminal 3, then look for the name of the company you rented from. After you drop off the car, there will be a shuttle that takes you to your check-in terminal.

10 Tips for Renting a Car and Driving in Cancun

If you’re renting a car in Mexico, take some precautions to protect yourself and your vehicle. Here are a few tips to make sure you have a smooth experience:

1. Don’t fall for the extra insurance scam

By now, you have already known that Mexican car insurance is required. However, don’t let the rental car companies upsell you for extra insurance costs – it’s important to buy insurance with your online rental car reservation so that they can’t upsell when you get there. If you purchase full coverage insurance with Discover Cars, you should be all set – no need to purchase any extra insurance.

2. Take photos of the rental car before leaving

Take photos of the rental car before leaving the parking lot. This way, you will have documentation of any preexisting damage. Make sure to capture any scratches, dents, or stains on the exterior, as well as any damage on the interior. If you find any big scratches or damages, you can have the staff add them to the rental agreement.

3. Watch out for gas station scam

Gas station scams are becoming more and more common, so be on the lookout! Make sure you see that the meter is reset before the attendant starts filling your tank.

In addition, the attendant may swap your $200 peso bill for a $20 peso bill while you’re not looking, then ask you to give more money and pocket the extra $200. This is called the bill swap or wrong payment scam. In order to avoid this, be sure to count your bills one by one in front of the attendant!

4. Avoid driving at night

When driving at night, it’s best to stick to the main roads and highways. The paid highways or toll roads, also called couta roads, are the safest option.

5. Download an offline map when you drive outside of Cancun

If you’re planning to drive outside of Cancun, be sure to download an offline map from Google Maps on your cell phone. This way, you won’t have to worry about losing cell service and getting lost!

6. Know that speed limit signs are not miles per hour

In Mexico, the speed limit signs are in kilometers per hour instead of miles per hour. Be sure to adjust your speed accordingly! The sign, in Spanish of course, reads “La velocidad máxima en km/h” (Max Speed in km/h).

Since 1 mile is 1.6 kilometers, if you see a speed limit sign of 80 km/h, it’s actually only 50 mph. You don’t have to do the math, just make sure to keep your car’s speedometer number (in km/h) below the speed limit sign.

7. Know Driving Laws in Mexico

Same as in the United States, people in Mexico drive on the right side of the road and seat belts are required. It’s also illegal in Mexico to use a cell phone while driving.

8. Don’t get freaked out when someone approaches to clean your car windshield

When traveling in Mexico, one thing you can expect to encounter are people approaching to clean your car’s windshield at stoplights. This practice may seem unusual, but it is actually quite common and shouldn’t be cause for concern. If you aren’t interested in this service, simply shake your head and wave your hands once the vendor approaches your window. However, if you would like for them to clean your windshield, simply hand over some cash – typically between 5 and 20 Mexican pesos or about $0.25 – $1 USD.

9. Be aware of the traffic light pattern

If you’re ever in Mexico, you’ll soon realize that the stoplights work a little differently than in other countries. Most of the time, the light will go from green to yellow, and then to a flashing yellow for a few seconds before finally turning red.

This can be a little confusing if you’re not used to it, so it’s important to be aware of the flashing yellow light. It usually means that you have a few seconds to make your decision – whether to stop or keep going. If you’re not sure what to do, it’s always better to err on the side of caution and stop at the light.

10. Bribing the police may get you away from a ticket

In Mexico, it is actually a common practice to bribe a police officer to avoid getting a ticket. I’m not saying you should or should not do it, but if you ever get pulled over by the police in Mexico because of speeding or using your cell phone while driving, just know that bribing is one of your options!

Best Places near Cancun to Explore with a Car Rental

1. Playa del Carmen & Cozumel

Playa del Carmen is a charming coastal resort town in Riviera Maya that’s just about one hour drive from Cancun. It’s known for its vibrant Quinta Avenida (Fifth Avenue) and some of the best all-inclusive resorts in Mexico. With its proximity to ancient ruins like Tulum and the ferry to Cozumel, Playa del Carmen is the perfect gateway to your dream vacation.

While you’re in Playa del Carmen, don’t miss out on the eco-tourism theme parks of Xcaret. Some of my favorite parks are Xplor (for ATV adventures and stalactite river underground expedition), Xcaret (cultural activities and amazing night show), and Xel Ha (eco water parks with zip-lines and hammock splash).

Cozumel is a beautiful island located off the Yucatan Peninsula, a ferry away from Playa del Carmen. It’s famous for its clear turquoise waters, powdery white-sand beaches, and bustling downtown area. Cozumel is a very popular Mexican destination for Caribbean cruises, but it doesn’t mean that you can’t find quiet beaches to relax.

The best beaches in Cozumel would be the private beaches in the top Cozumel all-inclusive resorts. However, if you are on a day trip to Cozumel, you can also just buy a Beach Club All-Inclusive Day Pass to enjoy a safe private beach and its amenities.

If you want more adventure, you can take a submarine, join a glass-bottom boat snorkeling tour, or explore the reefs by diving or fishing charter!

2. Tulum

Tulum is a small, bohemian beach town in the Mexican state of Quintana Roo that faces the Caribbean Sea. It is known as one of the safest beach destinations in Mexico.

Here, you’ll find everything from oceanfront all-inclusive resorts to chic hotels, as well as an impressive selection of great restaurants and bars. With swaying palm trees and white-sand beaches, it’s easy to relax and let your worries melt away.

But a beach vacation is not all you can get in Tulum, the town is also known for its incredible archeological site and Mayan ruins. The ruins of the ancient Mayan port city are picturesque and make for some great photography, while also providing insight into Mexico’s rich history.

3. Akumal

Akumal is a coastal resort town on Mexico’s Riviera Maya, located about 30 minutes north of the popular town of Tulum, and about two hours south of Cancun. It is a must-see destination for visitors who love white sands, coral reefs, warm waters, and sea turtles. In recent years, residents have had to limit the number of visitors in order to protect the rare sea turtles and marine life in the area.

You will be safe in Akumal with its added security measure as the all-inclusive hotels and resorts are located in a gated community.

One thing worth doing during an Akumal visit is exploring the nearby Yal Ku Lagoon – this protected lagoon combines both freshwaters with saltwater from tides, making it an incredible spot for snorkeling and finding turtles.

4. Bacalar

If you’re looking for a beautiful and enchanting Magic Town to visit, Bacalar is the perfect place for you. Located in the Yucatan Peninsula about three hours south of Tulum and five hours south of Cancun, Bacalar has become more and more popular in recent years thanks to viral social media posts.

Bacalar is known for its natural attractions, which include a huge expanse of shallow water called the “Laguna de Los Siete Colores” (Lake of Seven Colors). This lagoon is home to brilliantly blue tones, thanks to the compositions of crystals present in the water.

There’s also plenty of history and adventure to be experienced in Bacalar – including a Piracy Museum in The Fort of San Felipe which tells the story of the town’s relationship with pirates. You can also enjoy swimming, snorkeling, and diving in the Rapids of Bacalar, Cenote Cocalitos, Emerald Cenote, Black Cenote, and Cenote Azul.

5. Valladolid & Chichen Itza

Get tired of the beach? You will find Valladolid – a charming colonial city with a mix of Old World and New World vibes – worth a visit. Located in Yucatan state in the Yucatan Peninsula, Valladolid is a perfect stop to break the distance of driving from Cancun to Chichen Itza, one of the seven wonders of the world.

As you walk around the city, you’ll fall in love with the beautiful colonial-style buildings and haciendas that are now home to funky little cafes, open-air restaurants, and boutiques. Downtown Valladolid boasts numerous things to see, whether you’re a lover of art, history, or nature.

The Wrap Up: Best Car Rental in Mexico

Now that you know how to find the best car rental in Cancun and what to expect, you’re ready to hit the road! With a little planning and preparation, you can have a great time driving around Mexico. Just be sure to drive safely, watch out for scams, and enjoy the ride!

Make sure you reserve your car with a reputable company like Discover Cars and purchase Mexican car insurance, even if you have coverage from U.S credit card companies. ✔️BOOK NOW

Cancun Travel Resources

1. Travel Insurance:
   • No one wants to think about what could go wrong on a vacation, but the truth is that accidents can happen anywhere, at any time. That’s why it’s always a good idea to have travel insurance, so you can relax and enjoy your trip knowing that you’re covered if something does go wrong. Don’t take the risk when you can be covered for cheap.
   • Safety Wing is a great option for budget-conscious travelers, as policies start at just $40 USD for a whole month! Basic policies cover travel emergencies, medical costs, and medical expenses while you’re in Mexico as well as transportation back to your home country under circumstances.
2. Getting around Cancun
   • Best Car Rental in Cancun: How to Find it & What to Expect!
   • How to Get from Cancun to Tulum, Mexico: Is there Uber/Lyft?
   • How to Get to Cozumel from Cancun and Playa del Carmen
3. Car Rental Scam
   • Don’t fall for car rental scams in Mexico! Make sure you have full coverage when you make the reservation so car rental agencies can’t upsell their insurance.
   • Discover Cars offers the cheapest car rental rates in Mexico and full coverage insurance for as low as $7 per day. 
4. Best Places to Stay in and near Cancun
   • Where to Stay in Cancun: Best Non All-Inclusive vs All-Inclusive Hotels
   • Best Value & Affordable All-Inclusive Resorts in Cancun, Mexico
   • Best Hotels and Resorts to Stay in Cozumel, Mexico
   • Temptation Cancun Resort – Best All-Inclusive Resort for Nightlife
   • Hotel Xcaret Arte Review – Best Overall Value Adults-Only All-Inclusive Resort
   • Hotel Xcaret Mexico Review – Best Overall Value Family All-Inclusive Resort
   • La Casa de la Playa by Xcaret – Best Luxury Boutique Hotel
5. Best Attractions & Activities in Cancun
   • 37 Top Things to Do & Best Places to Visit in Cancun
   • Thrilling Cancun Activities: Spinnaker vs. Parasailing!
   • Xplor vs Xplor Fuego Adventure Cancun Park Review!
   • Xelha Water Park Review, Coupons & Tips for a Perfect Day!
   • What to See & Do in Cozumel on A Day Trip!
   • The Maldives of Mexico: Is Bacalar Lagoon worth visiting?

Bonus: 61+ Best Cancun Quotes for Instagram & Social Media Captions!