Should I rent a car in Cancun / Playa del Carmen?

[divebrasil]

Hi,
I will be in Playa del Carmen for memorial weekend and was wondering if I need to rent a car?
I will arrive in cancun airport and will need transport to PDC. Just the price of taxi to hotel or private shuttle is about $70. It seems I can rent a car for $40 a day.
Doesn't it make sense?

Or should I just get cabs to move arround? I am also planning to go to cozumel one day and will need transport to get there.

I appreciate your suggestions.

Thanks,

Yan

 

[sasscuba]

Hi,
I will be in Playa del Carmen for memorial weekend and was wondering if I need to rent a car?
I will arrive in cancun airport and will need transport to PDC. Just the price of taxi to hotel or private shuttle is about $70. It seems I can rent a car for $40 a day.
Doesn't it make sense?

Or should I just get cabs to move arround? I am also planning to go to cozumel one day and will need transport to get there.

I appreciate your suggestions.

Thanks,

Yan

I would rent one as long as you purchase full coverage insuance. You cannot drive to cozumel but you can take the ferry from Playa for $10 and takes 30 minutes to get over there.

 

[divebrasil]

I have insurance. I could probably get the basic insurance from them.

 

[divebrasil]

I have insurance. I could probably get the basic insurance from them.

 

[ShakaZulu]

http://www.hiddenworlds.com.mx/

Call up these guys, they can give you some advice. I took a shuttle to my hotel, and rented a car at the hotel I stayed at. I stayed in Playa Del Carmen. From there you can drive to Cancun to party, and be right be the ferry for Cozumel the next day. Have fun.

 

[Diver Lori]

I have insurance. I could probably get the basic insurance from them.

You don't HAVE mexican insurance do you? If not, you're not covered. US insurance will not cover you for a rental in Mexico. Nor will your credit card in most cases.

 

[joeabroad]

Hi,
I will be in Playa del Carmen for memorial weekend and was wondering if I need to rent a car?
I will arrive in cancun airport and will need transport to PDC. Just the price of taxi to hotel or private shuttle is about $70. It seems I can rent a car for $40 a day.
Doesn't it make sense?

Or should I just get cabs to move arround? I am also planning to go to cozumel one day and will need transport to get there.

Better yet, take the nonstop bus from the airport to PDC and save a ton--it's $6 each way. Taxis are quite cheap once you're in Playa. Transport to Cozumel, of course, is by boat so a rental car is irrelevant. Have a look at this web site for transportation information. Also, the web site is from a company that makes wonderful guide/maps for PDC and Cozumel, among other places. Highly recommended:

www.mapchick.com/howtogetto.html

 

[ScubaMike05]

The other thing to consider is the following:

1. Roads in Mexico are not as well kept as in the U.S. They have plenty of potholes, killer speed bumps, etc.

2. Drivers are crazy in Mexico and the driving style is different like it's more aggressive and not as curteous as in the United States, as you're used to. I learned to drive in Mexico City and let me tell you that it really teaches you to expect the unexpected.

3. I agree with that Cancun- PDC transport. It is really cheap and hassle free. Takes 45 minutes.

4. To be honest, all the sites to see in PDC are right there within walking distance. You really have no need for a car or a taxi. It's more of a hassle to park it and all that nonsense.

All in all, don't rent a car!

 

[pablovi]

The other thing to consider is the following:

1. Roads in Mexico are not as well kept as in the U.S. They have plenty of potholes, killer speed bumps, etc.

2. Drivers are crazy in Mexico and the driving style is different like it's more aggressive and not as curteous as in the United States, as you're used to. I learned to drive in Mexico City and let me tell you that it really teaches you to expect the unexpected.

3. I agree with that Cancun- PDC transport. It is really cheap and hassle free. Takes 45 minutes.

4. To be honest, all the sites to see in PDC are right there within walking distance. You really have no need for a car or a taxi. It's more of a hassle to park it and all that nonsense.

All in all, don't rent a car!

Well, driving in Riviera Maya has nothing to do with driving in Mexico city, and beside most of the drivers in that area ara tourists! And i think the 307 road is very well kept. Besides driving in Mexico city is similar to NYC because of it's size.

 

[pablovi]

Hi,
I will be in Playa del Carmen for memorial weekend and was wondering if I need to rent a car?
I will arrive in cancun airport and will need transport to PDC. Just the price of taxi to hotel or private shuttle is about $70. It seems I can rent a car for $40 a day.
Doesn't it make sense?

Or should I just get cabs to move arround? I am also planning to go to cozumel one day and will need transport to get there.

I appreciate your suggestions.

Thanks,

Yan

You're gonna be there what, 3 days? You can live without a car, specially if you're spending most of the time diving.

I always rent a car when I go there, but I like to stay in Soliman or tankah bay and then go have dinner in PDC or Cancun, or Puerto Aventuras, or go during the day to Tulum etc... I drive a lot when I'm there.