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Car rentals
Car rentals can be easily found in the main cities of Mexico.
Prices are moderate to expensive, and as distances are quite large journeys
in rented cars can be extremely inconvenient compared to bus transfers.
Modern privately run toll highways connect all Mexican main cities.
The tolls are quite expensive, but these new four-lane roads are very
well maintained and offer a great alternative to older roads which lack
maintenance and safety.
Secondary and country roads are not always in the best condition: sometimes
they are not properly marked or lit and you should watch for speed bumps,
potholes… and animals!
Drivers in Mexico are not exactly well behaved: driving in the big cities
will not be easy if you are not already used to slaloming in heavy traffic
or if patience is not one of your main virtues. A basic knowledge of
Spanish would also be helpful.
In spite of this renting a car is still a good option if you are in
the mood for exploring isolated areas, for example small villages, and
some archaeological sites or natural parks.
Fuel can be easily found everywhere, as there are full service petrol
stations all over the country: just look for the green sign of PEMEX,
the state-owned company which has the monopoly on fuel supply in Mexico.
It's never a good idea relying too much on credit cards while driving
in Mexico: make sure you always have enough cash for fuel and general
expenses, especially if you leave the main roads.
If you are planning to rent a car in the U.S. and enter Mexico by land,
you will need to purchase Mexican Automobile Liability Insurance at
the U.S. rental location. This insurance is available only at specific
locations in Texas, Arizona and California. It is not available in Mexico.
The main car rentals in Mexico are Alamo,
Avis,
Budget,
Hertz, National
Car Rental, Executive
(Playa del Carmen and Cancun only), and Dollar
rent a Car (Baja California only).
Taxis
If you need a taxi we suggest you to use only the official taxis,
especially in Mexico City, where taxi crime has been reported in
the past few years. The best option is choosing a cab that is associated
with a Taxi Rank (Sitio). Taxis can be metered or charged by zones.
It is always a good idea asking the driver in advance what the rate
will be for your journey.
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