Option 2: Rental car with liability coverage through a Mexican insurance company = approx. $20-30 USD/day
Tip #1: Never Buy Car Insurance Online
Yes, we do know that websites like Expedia and Kayak will display rental cars for $1 / day, however, these
are offers pre-car insurance and are what have lead many a tourist to start off their Mexico adventure with a
headache, lots of stress, and feelings of having just been ripped off. Why? Because none of the insurance
offers online through websites like Expedia or Kayak will be honored in Mexico. If you did purchase car
insurance, online you will be forced to buy Mexican insurance separately in Mexico once you arrive.
Tip #2 : Purchase Car Insurance After Arriving in Mexico
Go ahead and reserve your car online, often times for just $1-2 per day, just do not purchase your car
insurance online at the same time or the money will be wasted. Instead, once you arrive in Mexico and pick
up your vehicle, simply purchase the insurance coverage that is right for you directly through the car rental
company. If the online website offers free liability, that is OK, just do not pay extra for any sort of car
insurance.
Tip #3: Save Money by Renting from a Carrier Not Located at the Cancun International Airport
OK. So this is not absolutely necessary, but if you book a rental through an agency not located at the Cancun
International Airport you will save by avoiding a 16-18% “airport tax” on your rental. Rental agencies that are
offsite will come pick you up at the airport in a shuttle and take you to their place of business. It simple to do
but does add a small amount of transit time before getting your rental car.
Tip #4: Take Cell Phone Pictures of the Car and Check the Spare Tire
While no ComeKiteWithUs clients have had any issues returning rental cars in Cancun, there are plenty of
Trip Advisor reviews for most rental agencies complaining about being charged for damage to the car that
was already present upon rental. If you take pictures of the car and any damage, then you can prove that the
car already had a dent or scrape prior to your travels in Mexico. Additionally, check to make sure the spare
tire is in the car and that the rim is not damaged. Some reviews by Trip Advisor users mentioned getting
charged for missing spare tires, or for replacing a rim that was damaged, even though they had never
touched the spare tire. It is important to note that some people claimed the rim was damaged on the bottom
side that was not visible at the time of rental, but when they returned the car the spare was removed and the
damage discovered. Be as diligent as you see fit, although, as mentioned above, none of our clients have
had issues in this area.
Tip #5: Drive the Speed Limit in Mexico
Here is the deal; we have driven on a daily basis in Mexico and have never been harassed or had the police
stop us for a “speeding ticket” and ask for a payout / bribe. That being said, we always drive the speed limit
and ignore cars that may be passing us while hurrying on their way. We know for a fact that when a Mexican
local or taxi driver gets pulled over for speeding, they will likely pay the cop 200 pesos and then be let go;
however, if you are a gringo or US citizen, typically you will be asked to pay a “fine” in the $100-200 USD
range.
So, don’t speed even a little. In fact, when in doubt keep your speed under the speed limit and you
should be fine. If you are pulled over driving slower than the speed limit, calmly and with confidence tell the
officer you were in no way driving faster than the speed limit and that you refuse to pay a fine for speeding.
Insist they take you to the police station if necessary (they won’t, they just want money). Most likely if you
are pulled over for speeding they will have a radar gun when they are legitimately catching speeders, so if
you really were speeding get out your wallet.
Note: On the way in and out of Cancun there are almost always cops with radar guns hidden along the 180,
catching speeding motorists, so be careful and go the speed limit to insure you don’t have to bribe a cop
before heading to El Cuyo for your kite vacation.
To read complete article click here.
Source: http://www.comekitewithus.com/
