Renting A Car in Mexico
The 14th-largest country in the world, Mexico has much more
to offer beyond the well-known beach resorts such as Cancun.
Its sheer size provides a traveller with many opportunities
and a few challenges. Even if travelling on business, taking
a few days to see some of the country is rewarding. There
are many interesting places that tourist excursions or public
transport don`t reach. You can have an adventure in out-of-the-way
places, especially if your Spanish isn`t up to understanding
the local street version. Having your own vehicle at your
disposal can free you from many constraints. There are many
places to hire a vehicle in Mexico, but a few points should
be taken into account.
Vehicle Insurance
Your credit cards may provide some vehicle insurance if you
use them to pay for car hire. This might seem tempting
but quiz them on what exactly is covered and to what degree.
In particular, check whether and to what extent it covers
collision damage waiver, loss of use and third-party liability
in Mexico. The latter can be particularly onerous as the
guilty party in a traffic accident may be liable for the
other party`s medical bills and also support for them and
their dependants until they have recovered. You may find
that the insurance offered by the vehicle-hire firm is
a better deal since it will take account of local conditions
and requirements.
Vehicle Type
It`s best to research what type of vehicle you might get.
The vehicles available in the common hire-car categories
may not be to the same specification as those you`re familiar
with.
Driving Licence
Your own driving licence is usually acceptable as long as
it has your photo. If it doesn`t, you`ll need some other
form of photo ID, such as a passport, to go with it.
Driving Around
There are many toll roads in Mexico, often with free roads
running alongside or close to them. The toll roads are
much quicker, although the free ones often go through small
towns and villages that may be worth seeing. Toll roads
only accept payment in pesos, so carry some with you if
you plan to use them.
You may find it more convenient to book your hire vehicle
on the internet at home before travelling. Trying to hire
a vehicle outside of the main centres can be challenging
if your Spanish isn`t that good and the hire-car office`s
personnel don`t speak English. You can also go through all
of the choices available online and consider the options
that suit you best.
If you are looking for car
hire, Mexico has many options. Having your own vehicle
provides many benefits for the traveller. Some research
and a few simple preparations can go a long way to unlocking
the rewards this fascinating country can offer
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