Rent a Car in Playa Del Carmen - Avoid Scams! (2023)

We spend more than a year in Playa and always rent a car in Playa del Carmen. We've rented in Playa del Carmen at least 20 times, and if you're considering it for the first time,It's totally worth it and not that difficult..

We will explain how to rent a car in Playa del Carmen. It really is the best way to explore all the incrediblewhat to do in playa del carmenand nearby attractions.

Should I rent a car in Playa del Carmen?

Playa del Carmen itself is a very walkable city, with beautiful pedestrianized streets like 5th Avenue, but it definitely helps to have a car.

If you are visiting allbest restaurants in playa del carmen, takingday trips near the beach, or just shopping: a rental car makes visiting Playa del Carmen that much more enjoyable.

Here's everything you need to know about car rentals in Playa del Carmen, Mexico!

Is it safe to rent a car in Playa del Carmen?

Yes, it's completely safe.Car rental in Playa del Carmenif you are a good and confident driver. All the crazy thoughts you might have from watching too many movies, none of that will happen to you here. I drive in this part of Mexico with my two very young children with no worries.

The bad things that can happen are largely preventable and just normal traffic accidents. Take your time driving and read all the tips I have below for safe driving with the little things that are different here than at home.

Please take a few minutes and read to the end of this post.

Where to rent a car in Playa del Carmen?

Almost all major car rental companies have offices in Playa del Carmen. We like to rent with some of the smaller local Mexican companies. They tend to have better prices and less company policies to deal with.

We've had great success renting from Mex, Ace, Fox and ADO. We like to book online. Booking in person on the same day or in advance appears to be significantly more expensive.

He cansearch for prices online here and book online in advance.

Car size rental in Playa del Carmen and Mexico

In Mexico, you will notice that cars are smaller than in the US, and finding larger rental cars in Playa del Carmen can be difficult. You shouldn't expect to be able to rent anything larger than what we would consider a mid-size to compact car in the US. Even the cars they listed as full size aren't really that "full size".

We used to rent a car at the Cancun airport for our travels, but since we now have two small children and lots of luggage, we started totake this private transfer from Cancun airport to Playa del Carmenand then rent a car once we get there. This is mainly due to the size of the car and the availability of large cars.Here's our step-by-step guide to getting from Cancun Airport to Playa del Carmen.

If you rent a large SUV or minivan, be prepared that the car rental agency may not have one available. Then you will have to take whatever car they have. We often rent the cheapest economy car because we know that bigger cars are hard to find and cost more.

Speaking of children, if you are traveling with a baby, we HIGHLY recommend thedoona cart, which is a stroller and a car seat. It makes traveling so much easier.Here's our in-depth Doona review.

Tips for renting a car in Playa del Carmen

Availability of rental cars

As in the rest of the world right now, rental companies in Playa del Carmen are running low on cars. Also, tourism is all the rage due to Mexico's relaxed COVID regulations.

It seems that there is more demand than supply. Make sure you book in advance and be prepared to have to change to a different type or model of car. You might have a better chance of getting a car if you can drive a manual car.

Record a video while inspecting your rental car

The easiest way to document damage to your rental car is to record a video as you walk with the representative. In all the cars I've rented in Mexico, I've never been charged for any damage.

I didn't create any damage and they never tried to say the previous damage was mine. Cars are often dented, so it's best to document everything.

Write down the gas level and return to it

Rental cars in Playa are generally not full at the time of pick-up. Which is very annoying... So write down the gas level and try to return it with the same amount. This can be tricky, but give yourself a few minutes at the gas station and you should be fine.

I think the easiest way to remember is to just take a picture of the instrument panel for reference.

What insurance do I need to rent a car in Playa del Carmen?

Insurance is the trickiest part of renting a car in Mexico. Each rental car will include the legally required minimum amount of $750,000 MXP of liability insurance. Even thesuper cheap cars you can find online– here is our favorite site to book will have the bare minimum.

However, this is not enough to adequately cover you if something bad happens. Therefore, you must have or purchase an insurance policy that covers you, your car, and others.

Does my national car insurance cover me while driving a rental car in Mexico?

No, most car insurance policies only work in your home country. You can ask your insurance agent to be sure, but they generally don't cover you in Mexico.

How to decline additional insurance at the rental counter in Mexico

In theory, your rental car has all the insurance required by law to remove it from the lot, but it's not that simple anymore. The money for the rental agency is in the insurance policy; So if you want to refuse your insurance, you have to go through some hoops.

Additional coverage for your rental car may be declined if you can provide proof of coverage through another source. The most common type of coverage would be via a credit card or additional rental policy purchased at the time of booking.

With a credit card

If your credit card offers rental car insurance, you will need to prove this in writing. In order for the rental company to accept your credit card policy, you will need a letter from your credit card company. The letter should state your benefits. Print the letter and show it to the agent.

You will also need to book the rental car with this credit card. Lastly, you'll need to place a substantial hold on your credit card. Some companies require a reserve of +$10,000 USD.

You will need to make sure you have a high enough limit to cover this. Additionally, you will need to contact your credit card company to allow this transaction to take place. Most larger transactions from Mexico will be blocked automatically on the first try.

With third party insurance

You will need to bring a printed copy of your policy. You could still be subject to a large hold on your credit card. This is because the policy is not the agency's and they need to protect themselves. It's also another way of trying to get you to accept their insurance.

Long term and monthly car rental in Playa del Carmen

We stay in Playa del Carmen at least one month a year and often rent a car for a month at a time. We've found that the best way to rent a car for a month is to continue using traditional rental companies just as you would for a few days.

When you rent a car long term in Playa del Carmen it gets much cheaper per day. For the past few years, we've rented a car with basic insurance for $525-$650 a month. For a monthly car rental, expect to pay between $20 and $30 a day.

With long-term rentals, it's much more difficult to refuse the rental company's insurance. The real money seems to be in the insurance, so taking one of your cars out of the fleet for a month isn't as cost effective without insurance.

Driving a rental car in Playa del Carmen

Driving in Playa del Carmen comes with a few extra things to keep in mind on the roads than usual. Nothing too crazy, just a few things to keep in mind. I will guide you through all of them.

one-way streets

Almost all streets in Playa del Carmen are one-way, with the exception of a few main streets. The city is still fairly easy to get around, but you have to pay close attention to the signs. The signs will have an arrow indicating the direction the street runs. Don't just look at the way cars are parked. Cars are often parked facing the wrong way in only one direction.

The roads are well marked, take it easy and you'll be fine.

Speed ​​Reducers (Bumper)

Badenes, or “Topes” in Spanish, are everywhere. In the city, they are not very well signposted and can approach you, especially at night.

Outside Playa del Carmen, on the highway, they are usually well signposted, but always be aware when approaching a town.

highway entrances

Highway access ramps in Playa del Carmen have a no-crossing stop sign. You must come to a complete stop and wait for a gap in traffic to enter the highway.

It doesn't take long, but this is not normal for visitors and can cause a serious accident if you are not prepared for it.

Parking fees in Playa del Carmen

In recent years in Playa del Carmen they have adopted a parking payment system in most places in the city. There are pay stations on every block where you must pay to park. Take mexican peso coins to pay. There is an app, but non-local phone numbers will not be able to activate an account, so bring peso coins.

Also, you must insert a card when paying, so take a picture to help you remember your numbers. The machines will print a ticket, which must be displayed on the board.

Failure to pay and show may result in a fine if you are caught. In Playa del Carmen they goput a jump starter in your caror, in some cases,get your faceplateto ensure you pay your fare at your local police station.

Related article: The best restaurants in Playa del Carmen

yellow curbs

In areas where parking is not allowed, curbs are painted yellow. Also, look at street signs for additional parking restrictions. Parking spaces can be painted white or unpainted at all.

police checkpoints

Outside the city, along the highway, there are several police checkpoints on the main road 307. There will be some speed bumps in front of them, and occasionally the police will be watching as you drive slowly. Do not worry. Follow the rules, drive slowly and don't talk on the phone.

Using a cell phone while driving is illegal.

Talking on the phone at head level while driving is not permitted. You may be stopped at a police checkpoint. Happened to me, that's how I know it's illegal. They were kind to me about it, and I wasn't fined or had to pay a fine.

stop and start lights

Another thing to keep in mind is that the stop and start traffic light system is different in Mexico. Only one traffic direction at a time can pass a green light. This makes left turns easier, but the lights can take a while.

Turning right on red seems to be generally allowed. I've done this in front of the police, but I'm not sure if it's technically allowed or not.

uncontrolled intersections

Most intersections have stop signs for at least one direction of traffic. There are only a few that don't and they are usually controlled by a larger speed bump painted yellow as you enter the intersection. The first car to enter the elevated section of the intersection must go through first.

Gasoline posts and coups in Playa del Carmen

Gas stations in this part of Mexico are notorious for ripping off visitors and locals alike. All gas stations are full service and an attendant will top up your fuel. Mages are known to attempt blows. Here are some of the most common ones to help you avoid them.

All of these scams are easily avoided if you just watch the gauge as they fill up your car. It's annoying, but keep an eye on him and you'll be fine.

Do not reset counter since last purchase

Always make sure the meter is reset to $0.00 before the attendant starts filling your tank. How this scam works is if the previous car was filled with, say, 300 pesos ($15 USD). The attendant will simply start filling up your car with the value that is already on the taximeter and will charge sales and pocket the difference.

the distraction

Whenever there is more than one attendant near your car, be very careful with scams. Typically, one person will tell you that something is wrong with their car, like a tire or something minor, while the other is tampering with the gauge in some way.

Manual entry of sales price after pumping

It's common to ask your car to be filled with a certain number of weights, and then the gauge goes off at that number. However, in this scam, they will fill you in less than that and if you are not looking, they will enter the numbers you asked for on the screen. It makes it look like they stuffed it so much and pocketed the difference.

wrong exchange scam

This scam usually affects visitors who trust the currency. Let's say you pay for gas with a 500 peso bill. The attendant will promptly change it to 50. They will then turn to you and say you made a simple mistake and gave them the wrong bill.

The best way to avoid this is to give the clerk your money, one bill at a time, and announce each bill. This was tried on me several times, and I called them, and they quickly dropped the scam.

Tip to gas attendant

If you had a good experience at the gas station and they didn't play with the meter, tip them. We usually give them 10-20 pesos depending on whether they wash the windshield etc. Be sure to read ourtuition fees in mexico guidefor more random tipping places in Mexico and suggested tip amounts.

Related article: Rent a car in Cancun Airport Guide

Over the years renting cars in Cancun and Playa del Carmen, we've taken amazing day trips and spent more time exploring the area. Be sure to read some of our other travel articles to find places you can explore with your rental car.

• Holbox Island
• chimneys
• Izamal Yellow City Mexico
• The best cenotes in Mexico
• Las Coloradas – or pink lake of Mexico
• Tulum
• Merida
• valladolid