Car Rental and Driving Tips in the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico

Renting a car to get around the Yucatan is a great idea, but there are certain things to be aware of before you do.

Search online to find the best deals before you go, but be aware the price you are quoted is unlikely to be anywhere near what you will actually have to pay. A cursory search will kick up some deals that sound incredible, but then when you come to pay you’ll realize every car has to have mandatory Mexican insurance, which increases the price many times over.

It’s a legal requirement to have this insurance, so don’t believe any provider that says you can get away without paying it. If you can afford the increased price, make sure to confirm it includes all of the coverage you need. In September 2017 sample rates per day were 900 pesos ($46) for a compact car and 1,320 pesos ($69) per day for a Jeep.

Once you’re in the car, be aware local police are always on the lookout for speeding foreigners. In fact you are liable to be pulled over by police for a range of offenses, so make sure you stick to the speed limit and have all of your papers with you at all times.

Anecdotal evidence suggests many police officers are looking for bribes, but it is advisable to treat the subject delicately if you are pulled over. Sometimes the best method is to pretend you don’t speak Spanish and see what transpires.