Renting
a car is simple in Cancun, as all the major car companies
have locations in the airport. Some also have offices downtown
and in the Hotel Zone. An economy car with air-conditioning,
manual transmission, and unlimited mileage begins at $50
a day or about $300 a week. This does not include the 10%
tax.
To
rent, you must be at least 25 years old with a driver’s
license and a major credit card. Read the small print on
your contract – generally you are responsible for
any damages (property, personal or to the car) as well as
loss of the vehicle. Before signing make note of any dents
or scratches. Mileage given will depend on the individual
company. You should also check to see what coverage your
personal auto-insurance policy and credit cards provide.
Regardless of any coverage you may have you must buy Mexican
auto-liability insurance. The fee for this insurance is
usually included in the cost of the car. Before leaving
with your car make sure you have proof of purchase for the
insurance—driving without it against the law and you
will be held liable for all damages. If you are in an accident
without insurance you will be put in jail until proven innocent
or until you have paid for all damages. Note: Certain rental
cars (such as Nissan Taurus) are targeted as easy prospects
for thieves. Never leave anything of value in the trunk
of the car for any extended period of time. If you return
to your vehicle and experience problems opening the trunk
with your key, a thief has most likely paid you a visit.
The
main coastal highway extending from Cancun to Chetumal is
Highway 307. From Cancun down to Xcaret this highway road
is a well-lit, four-lane highway with traffic lights. It
is also is a very busy stretch of road with many drivers
commuting from Cancun to Playa del Carmen. Defensive driving
is a must. Past Xcaret, the road converts to a well-maintained
two-lane coastal highway until Chetumal. Past Tulum traffic
slows down considerably. Also at Tulum is another main highway
that goes inland to Cobá and then up north to Chichén
Itzá. Side roads off Highway 307 turn towards the
beach or into the jungle; their condition varies from pot-holed
dirt tracks to decent double lane roads. Highway 180 is
the main highway from Cancun to Mérida. This is known
as the free road and passes through many small villages.
The speed bumps on the outskirts of the various villages
can slow you down considerably. There is also a toll road
that resembles a super highway.
All the road signs are in Spanish but are easily recognizable.
Speed limits are: 40 kph (25 mph) for downtown Cancun; 60
kph (40 mph) in the Hotel Zone; 85 to 100 kph (55 to 75
mph) on the highway. Watch for the speed bumps both in town
and on the highway indicated by the yellow signs with little
mountains in them.
