Are You Getting Ripped Off by Renting a Car in Mexico?

Mexico car rentals are a great way to get around the Riviera Maya Mexico!

The freedom is great, to be able to go where you want to and when you want to. When thinking about car rentals, you have a few different options.

1) Rent a car from the airport

2) Rent a vehicle from your hotel or resort

3) Rent a car the cheapest way and while sitting in your hotel room

Let's look at these a bit closer.

If you fly into the Cancun or Cozumel airports, you will have the option to get mexico car rentals in cancun Mexico or Cozumel from the airport and drive it to your hotel, resort or destination.

This is a very easy option.

It may take you an extra hour from the time you arrive at the airport until you drive away in the car, because it is Mexico and things take a little longer.

You will pay the most money renting a car this way, but it is very convenient.

You can also rent a car through the resort or hotel that you are staying in. Most resorts have the ability to set that up for you at the hotel. This will of course be a more expensive option and is comparable in price to renting one from the airport. However, if you just want one for one day to do a day trip somewhere then it may be the best option for you.

The cheapest option and easy transportation in Mexico in the Riviera Maya would be to call a local car rentals place in Cancun Mexico and arrange with them to bring the car to where you are.

Whether it is your all inclusive resort, hotel or restaurant.

They are great with working out the details and you will save a ton of money doing this!!

So how do you do this, you might ask. Well, since getting a car at the airport is very expensive, arrange with your hotel or who you booked your hotel through to take the shuttle from the airport to your hotel.

This is how most people get to their hotel and it is like a well oiled machine at the airport so it is quite easy to figure out which shuttle you need to get on.

When you get to your hotel, checked in, relaxed, maybe have a drink or two...then you can call a local Cancun car rental place. You can get your rental car that day or arrange it for a few days into your trip.

You will get a great deal either way, but the longer you book it for, the cheaper the price will be per day.

The things to make sure of are:

1) That they can drop off the car and pick it back up from your hotel or resort. They are used to this, so do not think it is a strange request.

2) Either get rental car insurance in Mexico, or make sure that your personal car insurance will cover it. Some insurances will cover it up to a certain amount of miles into Mexico (if your from the US), but you will need to make sure.

3) Get car insurance!! Yep, I said it again because it is that important. Mexico is different than other countries and you do not want to end up in trouble because you wrecked the car.

You do not need anything keeping you from your return flight home. So pay the extra few bucks.

Curious how much my husband and I paid for a week of car rental in the Riviera Maya Mexico?

Traveling in Mexico: Where to Stay in Cancun Without Spending Your Inheritance

WHERE TO STAY IN CANCUN:

If you're dreaming of a bungalow on the beach and living with the sounds of waves lapping crystal sands as music to your ears lulling you like a lullaby - return to earth - those places cost far more than you'll probably ever be able to afford as a working English language teacher here. If you'll consider living as the locals do, then you'll be off the beach, but only a few minutes bus ride away from the powdery, sugar-like sands of one of the world's most pristine stretches of diatomaceous beach. Still interested?

Most of Cancun's more affordable hotels are near the main bus terminal on the Avenida Uxmal or the Avenida Tulum. It's an easy area to get to or away from starting from any point in the Cancun area. Buses to the beach and resorts run along the Avenida Tulum. It's also a relatively safe area at night with plenty of places to eat, shop, and work located nearby. Note: Prices in Cancun are higher than in most other Mexican cities for the same or similar services and from there rise dramatically during the Winter months.

Hotel El Alux

Avenida Uxmal No. 21

884 - 0662, 884 - 0556

This small hotel has reasonably-priced air-conditioned (you'll need it) rooms with TV, phone and hot water for 220 pesos, single or 240 pesos for a double. Staff is friendly and helpful. A travel agent and car rental agency are on the ground floor with tour information and budget-priced vehicles available. You can walk here from the bus station, just go to the corner of Avenida Uxmal, cross the street and go left for one block. It's the multi-story pink building.

Hotel Cotty

Avenida Uxmal No. 44

884 - 1319, 884 - 0550

For about the same prices as the Hotel Alux, you can get lodging in this motel-style inn across and down the street a bit. It's not as nice, but the services are adequate and rooms are clean. There are only two floors, so an elevator isn't necessary and rooms open onto a central courtyard that doubles as a parking area. Make sure to get an air-conditioned room, the Yucatan sizzles in Summer. A restaurant is on the premises with inexpensive fare on the menu. It's also open late.

Hotel Uxmal

Avenida Uxmal No. 111

884 - 2266, 884 - 2355

Two blocks further along the Avenida Uxmal, near Berlitz, this inexpensive, family-run hotel is popular with the locals as a "love motel", since the Avenida Yaxchilan is closeby. No "working girls" or "ladies of the evening" though. So, it's OK as an alternate if you're having trouble finding a place soon after arrival. Check the room first before paying as quality can vary widely. Rooms with A/C are more, but worth it if available. Prices are around 160 pesos to 180 pesos. Some rooms are even less, but without A/C, though they do have a fan.

Traveling in Mexico: Don't Fall for the Latin Fantasy Tourist Scam

THE "LATIN FANTASY": A SCAM YOU MUSTN'T GO FOR:

They're WAITING for you...Don't get caught!

Strolling down a sunlit street in Cancun (or another Mexican beach resort town), a sea breeze gently tossing your hair, window-shopping in a luxurious mall, passing along a beachfront boardwalk, day-dreaming of fresh, succulent seafood as its aroma wafts from a nearby restaurant. "Excuse me", you hear. You stop and turn to see a smiling face. "Where are you from?"

"I'm from ...", you respond politely.

"How's your vacation?", the smiling face continues. You exchange pleasantries.

"Can I offer you a free pass...a night's stay...a free lunch or dinner...a day at this new resort hotel?", the smiling face offers. "It's to promote a new hotel, ...resort...facility...or service that isn't well-known to foreign tourists yet. And we want our hotel...facility...resort...or service to be known so you can tell your friends about it."

You receive a genuine-looking piece of paper and perhaps a brochure and map. (somewhere in the back of your mind, your parent's words- or mine- appear, "There ain't no free lunches in this world") But, "Looks good", you think, and accept.

"Take this and go this afternoon...tomorrow or whatever and everything will be taken care of with no obligation", the hook advances.

And then the clincher words strike home, like a harpoon in the side of a great white whale, "Be sure to bring your credit card!" "Oh, it's not essential", the smiling face continues, "Maybe you'll just have to flash it, to show you're not Mexican", "...or a serious tourist", or whatever.

At this point BAIL OUT - drop everything and leave - go, keep going and don't listen or look back. If you don't, you'll be sorry - for years and years to come.

What they want is your credit card number, by any means necessary - your signature too, if possible, on anything; a ticket stub, free car rental agreement or thank you note; anything. It'll be used to charge dozens, scores, even hundreds of items - next week, next month, next year, etc., etc., etc. Getting the charges off your card will be a next to impossible nightmare and cost you hundreds in legal fees. You won't be able to get back at "them" or recover the merchandise, products, even real estate charged off to your account. Millions are made by "them" and irretrievably lost by unsuspecting tourists each year. Don't YOU be next! Just say, "NO". And keep saying "NO".

FINALLY ..., Some helpful websites for more information

http://www.cancun.com/

Provides more than 100 hotels to reserve, airfare, coupons, maps, tours reservations, nightlife, restaurants and other general information.

http://www.cancunblast.com/

An online Travel Guide For Cancun And The Mayan Riviera

http://www.allaboutcancun.com/

All About Cancun helps travelers seeking information about Cancun including a complete City Guide

http://www.visitcancun.com/

Includes details of local activities, accommodations, dining, shopping and other information for visitors.

Convenient and Affordable Day Trips For Cancun Visitors at Xel Ha

Though there is plenty of excitement to be found within the bustling Hotel Zone of Cancun, ecotourists and adventurous families have long enjoyed the city for its unique day-trip opportunities and proximity to diverse natural sights. Located 60 miles from Cancun, the eco-park known as Xel Ha has quickly become one of the area's top destinations. Known primarily for its incredible array of water sport activities, the eco-park is also an excellent relaxation destination, as it boasts secluded beaches, dense rainforests and a lengthy maze of placid rivers and lagoons. Additionally, like many of Cancun's best day trip opportunities, Xel Ha caters to all ages and is remarkably easy to reach from the Hotel Zone.

As it is located along a picturesque stretch of the Caribbean coast, water sports stand as the park's biggest draw. One of the most popular activities - the Dolphin Swim - is staged within a scenic lagoon near the shore. The park employs several experienced dolphin trainers that have helped these gentle animals learn a number of games and impressive tricks. They offers two distinct programs at the lagoon: one that allows visitors of all ages to interact and play with the trained dolphins and a fully-interactive experience that allows swimmers to the be pushed along the surface of the water. Visitors that want to see dolphins in their natural habitat can also sign up for the Delphinus Trek tour, a guided underwater walk with armored, deep-sea-style suits and oxygen systems. The park also offers a similar Sea Trek program that explores a vibrant area of coral reefs and tropical fish.

Crystal-clear lagoons similar to the dolphins' home can be found throughout, as the park rests atop a major section of the Yucatan Peninsula's famous underwater river system. The numerous lagoons and cenotes - surface openings that provide access to a maze of rivers and caverns - can be explored by travelers during snorkeling or scuba diving tours. The park also offers snorkel and scuba tours along the Caribbean coast, allowing visitors to witness some of the Mayan Riviera's most impressive offshore destinations. Regardless of where visitors choose to explore the park's underwater sights, a vast array of tropical fish species and other underwater creatures will always be on display. A snorkeling school is also available for those new to the sport, where young explorers and first-time snorkelers can learn basic techniques and receive hands-on instruction. The rivers and lagoons can also be explored by kayak, while special destinations such as Stingray City allow visitors to interact with some of the Caribbean's most fascinating creatures.

Despite the seemingly endless water sport opportunities available, there are also plenty of activities for visitors hoping to stay dry. One of the most popular destinations is the secluded white-sand beach located along the Caribbean shoreline. Much like the beaches of Cancun, the beach at Xel-Ha is a great place to relax and enjoy the scenery that made the Mayan Riviera famous. Those in search of outdoor relaxation should also visit Hammock Island, a scenic area overlooking the dolphin pools that features a full-service bar, while the vast jungle of the park is home to activities and opportunities such as the Jungle Train bus tour, numerous mountain biking trails and preservation projects such as the park's plant nursery and apiary. After experiencing the natural sights, visitors can find locally-produced souvenirs at the park's several boutiques or enjoy massages and other treatments at the park's scenic, environmentally-conscious spa known as the Xpa.

The park also boasts a remarkable history, as the area served as a vital port for the Mayan city of Coba. Just inside the main entrance to the park, visitors will find a small collection of Mayan ruins, including some structures that are yet to be fully excavated. Near the shoreline, visitors can visit the Mayan Wall, a remnant of a protective fortress that dates to the height of the Mayan Kingdom. Xel Ha also played an important role in colonial history, as the Spanish conquistadors used the fertile area as a base for expeditions into the Yucatan Peninsula.

Though Xel Ha is located 60 miles from Cancun along a remote stretch of the Mayan Riviera, the park has become a convenient day-trip destination. The park operates a private shuttle that picks visitors up each morning along Boulevard Kukulkan, the heart of Cancun's Hotel Zone. After enjoying a day at the park, the shuttle returns day trippers to their Cancun resorts around 7 PM. Travelers with rental cars or other forms of transportation can visit Xel Ha every day throughout the year from 8:30 AM to 6 PM.

Families hoping to experience the natural beauty of the Cancun area need not look any further than the conveniently-located Xel Ha. Boasting some of Mexico's best preserved and most diverse ecological sights, Xel Ha has quickly become one of the top ecotourism and outdoor recreation destinations in the country. As the park also features affordable entrance and tour rates year-round, Xel Ha stands as one of the best sightseeing values in the Mayan Riviera.

Rental Car Insurance - Will it Break the Bank Or Save You Money?

Mexico car insurance is a necessity if your planning on getting a rental car in Mexico.

You're planning your vacation in the Riviera Maya Mexico and I can imagine how many questions you may have. Which hotel or resort to choose? How long to stay? Should I rent a car? Should I pay the extra bucks for car insurance?

Well, the decision is of course up to you, but I would highly recommend that you get car insurance for your rental car in Mexico.

Before you decide, call your current car insurance and find out what they cover. Some will cover a rental car up to 15 miles across the border, but even if this is so, you need to think about how far away your hotel or resort is.

You may be able to increase your current insurance to actually allow you more coverage for Mexico car insurance on a rental. So, look at these two things before you make any decisions, because you definitely do not want to pay for rental car insurance when you actually have the coverage already.

If you do not have enough rental insurance coverage through your own policy, then you will want to go ahead and get the rental car insurance in Mexico that is offered through the rental car company.

There are two different types of Mexico car insurance coverage available. Full coverage insurance and Collision Damage Waiver insurance. These are different and do not offer the same coverage!

Full coverage will costs you about $50 USD extra per day, but if you get into an accident you will not have to pay anything(except maybe a deductible) and it will save you a ton of hassle and time. If you got a scratch on the car during your rental period, when you return it, it is all covered under the full coverage.

Collision damage waiver insurance is not full coverage insurance. Most rental car companies offer this coverage. If you get into an accident, then they determine how much you pay based on the value of the car. If the car costs $18000, then you would be responsible for paying $1800 out of your own pocket if the car is damaged or stolen.

A rental car company will most likely not offer information to you on the Mexico car insurance they offer. They will simply tell you how much it is to add car insurance for Mexico to your daily rental.

You will need to ask to make sure you know what you are getting and make sure you are ok with this.

There are several rental car companies that do offer Mexico car liability full coverage such as: Hertz, Executive, Cancun Car Rental, America, Explore and Continental.

I would recommend going with a car rental company that can offer you the full coverage, because you do not want to be stuck paying a lot of money if you get into an accident.

It is worth it to pay a little more on the front end, to avoid paying a lot of money in the end (that is just in case you were to get into an accident).

Remember, your in Mexico. Things are done very differently in Mexico than in any other county. The Riviera Maya is a beautiful place and you will enjoy seeing it through the windows of a rental car much more than a taxi.

Mexico For Less

Now that the threat of a H1N1 pandemic in Mexico has subsided, it is considered safe for the reasonably healthy to travel there. Relying heavily on tourism, many cities have been hard hit by the travel restrictions that were imposed during the height of the crisis. It has been reported that in Mexico City alone the losses are in excess of four million USD per day. In an effort to bounce back from the financial trauma inflicted on the local economy by the flu virus and the preceding global financial crisis, most resorts and hotels are offering amazing deals in an effort to rebuild. Tour operators and airlines, also hard hit, are offering promotions and upgrades in the hopes of returning to some semblance of normalcy.  

If you have ever wanted to explore Mexico and wish to stretch your dollar as far as possible, this is your golden opportunity. With airfares slashed as low as 45% below 2008 rates and hotels/resorts as much as 15%, the time to book is now. Those lucky enough to have guests are extending over the top service hoping that word will get around and the tourists will start flowing in.

Never has it been so easy or inexpensive to visit this amazing country full of history and natural beauty. Your travel options are virtually unlimited. Book a stay at a full service resort or rent a cheap car [http://www.autoeurope.com/car-rental/Mexico.cfm] and tour the countryside. There are scores of cheap hotels (made even cheaper due to current events!) from Cancun to Monterrey and beyond. Start your holiday on the perfect beaches of Cancun and then head out on the open road stopping in the small towns and big cities along the way.

No matter what your budget or taste, there is something in Mexico for everyone. From the historic center of Mexico City to the Mayan ruins of Tulum to the stunning beaches of Acapulco, there is something in Mexico for everyone at a price that fits all budgets!

All Inclusive Cancun Vacations - Find Deals on Flying, Sailing, & More

Cancun is the most popular resort city in Mexico. It's known for being an exotic beach with clear waters, luxurious resorts, entertainment, exciting nightlife, and so forth. It's been a top, spring break tourist spot for a decade or so now. College kids in the US and Canada, newlyweds, and travelers who simply want to get away and enjoy themselves for a couple of days take advantage of all inclusive Cancun vacations every single year.

It's hard to believe that just 30 years ago, the city was a tiny fishing village with less than 125 people! These days, tourists come in from all over the world every single year, bringing a lot of money with them. If you want to be a tourist this year, your best bet is to go with a vacation package rather than trying to pay for everything separately.

Since it's such a hot spot for tourists, the resorts, restaurants, and entertainment centers in the area offer amazing deals as part of a package. Just look online for all inclusive Cancun vacations and you will find countless options. Cruise ships usually stop in the area and let passengers spend a day enjoying excursions as well. Whether you want to fly there or sail, you can find some great discounts and coupon offers that will help you save.

The most popular travel websites, such as Travelocity and Expedia, should be the first places you look. Hotels, resorts, airlines, cruise lines, etc. all team up to provide consumers with all inclusive Cancun vacations. These packages are advertised at the most well known travel sites. You can also visit forums and blogs to see if you can find any deals. Bloggers, webmasters, and other travelers will keep others updated on deals.

Since Cancun caters to every type of traveler, you might be eligible for certain discounts. For instance, there are tons of honeymoon vacation packages to choose from, as well as family-friendly vacations, student discounts, and so forth. Even if you just want to go by yourself, you can still find some money saving opportunities.

You can avoid crowds by not going during spring break. Airfare and accommodation are usually cheaper during the fall. In winter, tourists from Europe flock to Cancun to get away from cold weather. In spring, American and Canadian college students all like to visit.

However, if money isn't an issue, and you want to go this winter or spring yourself, just look online to check out all inclusive Cancun vacations. You should be able to find a good package that includes everything, including airfare, cruise deals (if you want to go on a cruise), hotel accommodation, car rental, dining, and so forth.