Car Rentals in Mexico

If you are planning on renting a car in Mexico, make sure you do your due diligence and make sure you shop around as car rental fees and conditions do vary from agency to agency. While it may be convenient to pick up your rental car directly at the airport of your arrival, oftentimes car rental companies conveniently stationed at the airport pay hefty rental fees to maintain a fleet at the airport's premises. Those fees are passed on to the renter. Check to see if there are nearby car rental agencies with better prices that also offer free shuttle services to their location. While car rental agencies located directly in the town or city of where you may be traveling may be even less expensive, you need to evaluate whether the savings counter balances the inconvenience not to mention bus or taxi fare of getting there in the first place. Make sure that if you do decide to rent a vehicle for your trip to Mexico that you make reservations prior to your departure, otherwise, you will not only risk paying last-minute surcharges but might also possibly end up with no card, period.

If you don't rent a car in Mexico and prefer taking taxis, there are a few things that you should be aware of regarding Mexican taxis, particularly in Mexico City. In fact, the US State Department has issued this information:

"U.S. citizens visiting Mexico City should absolutely avoid taking any taxi not summoned by telephone or on their behalf by a responsible individual or contracted in advance at the airport. Robbery assaults on passengers in taxis have become more frequent and violent, with passengers subjected to beatings, sexual assault and in December 1997, the murder of a U.S. citizen. When in need of a taxi, telephone a radio taxi or "sitio" (pronounced "C-T-O"). Ask the dispatcher for the driver s name and the cab s license plate number. If you walk to a "sitio" taxi stnd, use only a driver known to you. Ask the hotel concierge or other responsible individual calling on your behalf to write down the license plate number. Passengers arriving at Mexico City s Benito Juarez International Airport should take only airport taxis (yellow with an airport symbol on the door) after pre-paying the fare at one of the special booths inside the airport. Radio taxis may be called at telephone numbers: 271-9146, 271-9058 and 272-6125. U.S. citizens should avoid taking taxis parked outside the Bellas Artes theater, in front of nightclubs, restaurants or cruising throughout the city."

Here is some information and safety tips on actually driving in Mexico.
Driving in Mexico can be a great way to see additional parts of the town or even country outside of your Acapulco resort (or wherever else you may be). However, please realize that driving in Mexico is a far cry from driving in the US - even compared to the conditions in mid town Manhattan. First of all, the condition of the roads can sometimes be dangerous. There may be debris on the roads that, especially when wet, can create a dangerous cocktail. For instance, the combination of water, dust and oil creates an extremely slick surface that is probably better suited for playing hockey than maneuvering a 3,000 lb vehicle.

Learn local driving customs. In Mexico, just because a road is marked for two lanes doesn't necessarily mean that drivers will not create a third lane. In fact, in situations where there is a bit of traffic, you can usually bank on the fact that a third (or fourth) lane will quickly be created. This approach seems to work well and don't be surprised or feel provoked if other drivers play a little game of chicken while merging into your lane.

Drive defensively. Mexican drivers oftentimes do now bother to signal before making turns. As a matter of fact, their signal lights are often broken or burnt out. This goes for the brake light as well so please keep this in mind while driving lest you find out the hard way. Also, what may appear to be the right of way in your mind might not necessarily coincide with what other drivers think. Therefore, leave your "right of way" concepts at home and drive defensively!

Watch out for the beasts! Especially cattle. In some areas of Mexico, traffic accidents with other animals sharing the same roads as vehicles accounts for nearly half of all traffic accidents. Especially if you are not used to cows being on the road, pay extra close attention to this hazard!

Don't drive at night if you can avoid it. Basically, all the above reasons, especially the fact that not everyone's lights maybe operational.

If you will be renting a car in Mexico City, be advised that there is one day per week that vehicles are not permitted to circulate in order to help reduce smog.

If you have an emergency while driving, call the Ministry of Tourism s hotline or (91)(5) 250-8221/8555 et. 130/297 to obtain help from the "Green Angels," a fleet of radio dispatched trucks with bilingual crews that operate daily. Services include protection, medical first aid, mechanical aid for your car, and basic supplies. You will not be charged for services, only for parts, gas, and oil. The Green Angels patrol daily, from dawn until sunset.

Last but not least, make sure you have a Cellular Abroad phone for Mexico with you in case of an emergency!

In closing, the above information is in no way intended to be a deterrent for those planning their trip to Mexico. In fact, thousands of visitors from the US and other countries rent cars in Mexico on a regular basis and renting a car is a great way to be able to further enjoy your trip. As is true with all countries, there are certain differences between driving in Mexico and driving in your home town and it is important that you are aware of these differences.