The ins and outs of renting a car in Mexico.
You've heard all of the rumors and stories about renting a car. But here are some FACTS to help you make your decision. There is so much to see and do outside of Playa del Carmen, that I still think it's worth it. But DO NOT rent a car to drive around the city of Playa de Carmen. The streets are mostly one way, narrow, and not always marked well. Parking can be extremely limited and confusing. We have reserved parking right outside our condo, but within the City, it's much more challenging. If you do end up parking in Playa del Carmen, here are some tips on using the app for the meters.
When renting a car, I strongly suggest you check the lights (headlights, blinkers, brake lights) during your rental walk through, if there are any lights out, tell them you want a different car. These are commonly overlooked and could result in being pulled over by a cop.
Buying fuel
- Pemex is no longer the only gas stations in Mexico. BP, Exxon, Arco and others are now breaking into this market. You will start to see better pricing and other competitive measures.
- There are no self serve pumps in Mexico. Service people who will do this for you. You're supposed to just sit in the car and wait but stay alert and read the scam alert below.
- You tip these guys around $5-10 pesos. If you ask for another service like your windscreen washed, tires or oil checked, then you should tip them another $5 pesos on top. If they do it without you asking, it's up to you whether you want to pay or not.
- SCAM alert - make sure that the service person zeros out the pump before fueling. Or you may be charged more than you should be.
- There are other scams at the gas station. Here's a good list and how to avoid them
How to handle a stop by the Police. In my experience, if you're following the speed limits and doing all of the right things, you won't be pulled over. But, here's a measure that may work, just in case. I've never tried this yet and hope I won't need it.
Toll Roads
There are two tolls roads you will encounter between Quintana Roo State and Yucatan State. These are the 180 that runs from Cancun to Merida and the 305 which connects Playa Del Carmen to the 180.
Tolls must be paid in pesos. There is no ATM and they do not accept credit cards. So be prepared with cash. A round trip can involve a couple hundred pesos in tolls. Toll operators always have change.
There are alternatives to the two toll roads but these will take you much longer to get to where you want to. Only if you want the scenic route with lots of topes (speed bumps), take the local route.
What to do when you car breaks down while driving in Mexico
The first thing you should do is call your rental car company. If you have an emergency and you are on a main road. you can call 911 for the emergency services (yes 911 is for most things in Mexico, not just super important emergencies). However there is an organization called the Green Angels that drives the roads and provides free services to stranded motorist. If you are stuck on a main road, put your hood up as a sign of trouble. If you want to call them directly their number is 01-55-5250-8221. English is most likely spoken as well as Spanish.
In most small towns there usually is someone that is a mechanic but you most likely will need to speak Spanish and ask around.
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