Comments on: Is renting a car in Mexico always a nightmare?

By: Susan

Susan — Tue, 24 Oct 2023 21:54:46 +0000

As a general rule I pre-book on Expedia. 99% of my rentals start in Reynosa. I have rented in CDMX, but never in any of the common tourist places. Long wait times can be real, but someone usually knows how to get a hold of someone. I have had excellent, courteous and friendly service. I try to get the whatsapp contact before I leave the counter – it is the most effective way to communicate. My spanish is terrible and yet I do not feel that has really been more than comical, making the process bearable! I always buy the full insurance, I have the car detailed before I return it (usually the concierge at the hotel will have this done for $50 USD, which is well worth the appreciation on return). The only real problem I have with rental cars is the fact it makes me an obvious tourist! When given the choice I choose the worst car available – no hub caps, dents, scratches, missing bumper – perfect! I guarantee you, that as with everything in Mexico, a little patience, respect and humor will solve almost every problem and make things easier 🙂

By: Morris Floyd

Morris Floyd — Tue, 24 Oct 2023 16:37:44 +0000

Living in Cuernavaca, we’ve had several occasions to rent from Europcar. (There are several local brands advertised here, but I’ve never found any of those offices to be open.) We’ve also rented from Avis in CDMX and Hertz in Acapulco. Our experiences have been consistently positive. Advanced reservations made through the company’s own website seems to be a key factor. As a result you can approach the counter with a printed confirmation showing all costs. The local brands don’t offer this, unless you are booking through a 3rd party site; and those sites won’t/can’t lift a finger to help you. The confirmation should help with realistic expectations. In the US, the daily cost of a car rental can easily reach $100, even more in Europe or Asia. There’s no reason to expect something different here.

By: Robert Mitchell

Robert Mitchell — Tue, 24 Oct 2023 16:30:42 +0000

A problem you didn’t mention is when your drivers license is less than a year old, not because you have just passed your test but because after several years the license needs to be renewed. I was refused a car in the Mexico City airport for this reason, even though the rental company had confirmed my reservation. Fortunately another company rented me a car.

By: Vicente Mendez

Vicente Mendez — Sun, 22 Oct 2023 19:31:22 +0000

I rent often in Mexico. I only rent from companies that include ALI in their price quote and make the reservation from the US site. ALI is the “required” insurance in Mexico. My credit card includes primary coverage for the rental car. That saves a lot of money. You will have to sign a paper where you are responsible for damages to the car. The worst experiences have been from Hertz in Guadalajara. Avis has been really good both in Guadalajara and Leon. National was good in Guadalajara but I could not contact their office last time I was there.

By: robert schraitle

robert schraitle — Fri, 20 Oct 2023 21:22:06 +0000

I have rented from most of the chains. Avis screwed me the most. I now always use National Car Rental and make the reservation here in the states before I travel. It has always been smooth and the cost is exactly what National quoted me when making the reservation.

By: btrebble4@gmail.com

btrebble4@gmail.com — Fri, 20 Oct 2023 16:16:21 +0000

I will NEVER rent a vehicle in Mazatlan Mexico again after going through ALL THE ADD ONS BY THE RENTAL COMPANIES that is not TRANSPARENT on the confirmed reservation. $10 dollars a day plus taxes. NO MENTION OF THE MEXICO TAX, which could amount to $40 bucks a day extra, which is only known, after arriving at the rental desk. I call this THIEVERY. NO MORE RENTALS FOR ME!!!

By: Douglas j Taylor

Douglas j Taylor — Fri, 20 Oct 2023 16:06:35 +0000

I have also rented cars in Mexico well over 20 times and never once did I not have some sort of problem. It’s usually the insurance but there has also been many other issues too many to explain. The last time I was at the Mexico City airport and had pre rented a car from Hertz. When I went to the counter there was a Mexican man next to me yelling at the guy behind the counter about what a sham they were as I approached the counter to another representative. I started the process till I got to the dreaded insurance quote which she said would be $5000. I said that can’t be right that must be pesos. She said no that’s right. I said are you sure. Yes. I said well that’s not going to happen and walked out with no car now to start my journey to Pacheco. So I had to walk to all the rest of their car rental agencies next to Hertz which I believe there is 5 and the last one was able to get me a car. That took me around 3 hours and a lot of frustration. I had that car for a month and then flew to Guadalajara and rented one from Sixt. When I went to turn the car back in a month later at the airport the the office was closed and abandoned. I went next door to another car rental agency and they called to find out that they closed that office with no sign on it and moved a couple miles out of the airport. I could go on and on. Just once I would like to have a decent experience. I dread going through it every time and I am renting 2 more in a few months. Can’t wait!

By: Arthur Santos

Arthur Santos — Fri, 20 Oct 2023 08:35:41 +0000

Considering that Cabo is, has been and will be an american playground of choice it is overdue the rental cars business streamline the process. It’s not about things being done differently in Mexico. It’s about using a custom-centered approach. I see a good opportunity here for competition.

By: Susan Gale

Susan Gale — Fri, 20 Oct 2023 05:46:50 +0000

When my son tried to fill the tank before returning the rental car, the attendant said the charge was not going through. Meanwhile the credit card company sent him a message to ask if he was using his card at a Cabo gas station to which he replied yes. When he got his credit card statement, there was a $2,000 DOLLAR charge. The credit card company would not remove the charge because they said he approved it. Do not go to any gas station close to the Cabo airport.

By: Charles

Charles — Fri, 20 Oct 2023 04:31:56 +0000

On a recent trip to Los Cabos we rented a car from Cactus Car Rental in San Jose del Cabo. The price quoted during the reservation process included Mexican Insurance, there were no surprises, the process took about 25 minutes and customer service was great. While parking at our hotel the bumper got hooked on a high curb and became partially detached while backing out. I thought “Oh, the Gringo will have to pay hundreds to repair this!”. When returning the car, staff inspected the damage and decided they could repair it themselves and there would be no charge to us. Cactus will be our choice for future rentals in Los Cabos.