Below we have outlined all the booking conditions of our car rental agency in Mexico. We've tried to be as comprehensive as possible but should you have any other questions, please give us a call or send an email.
Local service and free additional driver
- Our car rental company, Europcar is the only rental company in Mexico that does not operate with franchise offices. There is direct management of the local offices which means that assistance is better organised, client-friendly and efficient.
- Booking through Mexico Travel Plan means surcharge for an additional driver is always included. Because nearly all our travellers travel (our drive) together it can save you €5-7 a day!
Included in car hire Mexico:
Unlimited mileage, local tax (rental car pick-up in Cancun, Playa del Carmen total), standard CDW and LDW (theft) insurance with 10% liability, second driver, route maps and general information. Support from our English-speaking agent where necessary.
Not included local surcharges:
At least:
- fuel (approx 0.55 p/ltr)
- optional additional insurance, see below
- optional extras such as infant seat
- deposit (from approx US$600,- by credit card) see further below
All local fees and costs are subject to change. The car rental company reserves the right to change without prior notification. All locally booked extras subject to local tax. Tax in Quintana Roo 10% (Playa del Carmen and Cancun), rest of Mexico 15%.
Non-compulsory insurance (local):
100% liability waiver CDW/LDW.
All rental cars include standard CDW/LDW insurance. Liability is 10% of the current car value. Liability waiver costs US$15,- per day plus local tax. In the event of damage there is no personal liability. Liability waiver does not include damage to windows and tires and damage caused by sand and/or water. Comprehensive terms & conditions can be found on your booking form when you pick up the car. Liability waiver is not applicable for LDW. Europcar cars are kitted with a special security system which makes them inoperable without a key. Car theft is therefore only possible if the thief is in possession of the key and this rarely happens. ALI (Additional Liability Insurance)
All rental cars include a standard liability insurance (Third Party) with a limit of US$80.000,- in the event of bodily injury and damage to car and/or properties.
Although this may be low by UK standards, it is not possible to increase the limit. Other car rental companies (Hertz, Alamo etc) offer an even lower limit: US$35.000,- which you can then increase for a daily fee of US$12,- PAI (Personal Accident Insurance)
This costs US$ 3,50 plus local tax. If you've got a good travel insurance which covers all medical costs you probably won't need this PAI. Travel insurance is therefore compulsory for a self-drive in Mexico but you don't necessarily need to take out this insurance through us. Comprehensive insurance terms & conditions are available at the rental location. Ask for them when you pick up the car as sometimes they try to make a little extra by recommending PAI. It's just so you know. Rights to insurance are waivered if rental agreement is breeched (e.g. driving under the influence). Surcharges apply for processed fines. Local insurance for pick-up outside Quintana Roo
If you pick up your car in a province other than Quintana Roo for example Mexico City or Chetumal, tax over locally purchased insurance is 15% instead of 10%.
Fuel/ final bill:
Unleaded petrol costs 6 pesos/litre (US$ 0,55) so it's not expensive. Petrol stations may be scarce in some places so it's wise to keep your tank as full as possible. When you're visiting Holbox and driving on to Rio Lagartos for example, fill up in the village where the ferry from Holbox arrives. Petrol stations generally accept credit cards, but sometimes cash only and an official receipt isn't available everywhere. On collection you will pay a fuel deposit for a full tank (by credit card) and you'll drop off the car with a full tank again. Don't accept any other options. When dropping off the car we recommend asking for a comprehensive signed contract and signed credit card receipt so unexpected costs can't be added to your final bill later on.
One-way costs:
In Mexico car rental companies charge drop-off costs for one-way journeys. Standard costs per km: 0- 250 km US$ 50,-; 251-500 km US$ 100,- ;500-1500 km US$ 300,- above 1500km US$ 600,-. Mexico Travel Plan's car rental agent Europcar has several drop-off options with special rates:
SPECIAL: Pick-up location rental car Mexico City and drop-off Cancun or Playa del Carmen (PdC) or vice versa: US$ 250,-
Other rates:
Pick-up location rental car Cancun/PdC and drop-off in Tulum or vv: from approx US$ 15,-
Pick-up location rental car Cancun/PdC and drop-off in Chetumal: approx US$ 145,-
Pick-up location rental car Cancun/PdC and drop-off in San Cristobal de las Casas: approx US$ 405,-
Pick-up location rental car Cancun/PdC and drop off in Palenque: approx US$ 298,-
Between Cancun and Playa del Carmen for car hire less than 7 days: approx US$ 18,-.
For category FVAR, the Chrysler Voyager, other drop-off rates apply. Please ask us for details.
Drop-off rates are paid locally in US$ and are excluding VAT (in Mexico the 'iva' 15%)
Airport fees:
If you're picking up the car at the airport you'll be charged a so-called "airport fee", usually 10-12% of the rental fee so not a very wise choice. Picking up the car at a city office is a lot cheaper, and dropping off the car at the airport funnily enough doesn't cost anything extra.
Contract fee, Frequent Flyers:
Vehicle Licence Fee doesn't apply with Europcar's rental agreement. Frequent Flyer benefits don't apply to our pre-booked special rates.
Additional drivers:
All additional drivers must be mentioned in the rental agreement. Mexico Travel Plan doesn't charge you for an additional driver.
Extras:
A baby seat (for 0-2 years: US$6,- per day plus local tax) or infant seat (3-5 years: US$7,- per day plus local tax) is strongly recommended. Seatbelts are compulsory for backseat passengers. Car seats must be requested with booking in the UK, but paid locally.
Deposit:
Deposit and other costs are charged locally to the driver's credit card. These include the personal liability depending on the car model (approx 10% of current car value, between US$600,- and US$1500,-), plus the deposit for a full tank and any optional extras. Cars are given with full tank and should be dropped off with a full tank. Deposit is charged back if you drop off your car with a full tank and of course damage-free.
Driver's licence:
Each driver must present a driver's licence held for at least one year. An International Driver's Licence isn't compulsory but strongly recommended. Both driver's licences need to be presented!
Age:
Minimum age of driver and additional drivers is 21 years, maximum 75 years. Drivers under 25 years of age are subject to a surcharge of US$6,- per day plus local tax.
Rental period:
Minimum rental period is 3 days (one day =24 hours) and driving to surrounding countries is not permitted. In the event of late drop-off you will be charged extra hours or days rental fee against the local rate (not our special rate) and excludes taxes. Restitution is not possible in the event of early drop-off.
Pick-up/drop-off:
You can pick up the car at the airport or city office during office opening hours. Make sure you do this within 1 hour of the agreed pick-up time to ensure your reservation is kept. Our agent will give you directions. In the unfortunate event of late drop-off you will be charged (part of) the daily rental fee against local tariff. In Cancun and Playa del Carmen the rental office will pick you up at the hotel at the agreed time.
Car category:
As is commonplace with car rental companies, reservations are based on category and not specific make and model. Mentioned models are examples only. If the requested category is not available an upgrade will be offered against the same rate. If you want to upgrade at pick-up, you will be charged a surcharge based on local tariffs.
Luggage:
Luggage space is always limited and travellers often bring more luggage than there's room for especially when travelling with more than 2 people. Soft bags are always better than hard-case suitcases. For more information see car categories.
In case of emergency:
The car rental office has a local 24-hour emergency number and you can also contact our local English-speaking agent for further assistance.
Subject to change:
All information on local tariffs, drop-off fees, insurance fees and terms and conditions are subject to change without prior notice and/or under local legislation. Details terms and conditions can be found in the rental agreement on collection of the car.
Road network:
Cars are suitable for all paved roads. On collection you will receive up-to-date information on the condition of the roads. Average speed on the main roads is 80km/per hour, on the smaller (country) roads 60 km/ per hour.
Route:
Most travellers that choose a self-drive Mexico trip fly into Cancun, spend a couple of days on the beach at Playa del Carmen and pick up the car there. In order to avoid high drop-off fees, make a round trip of Yucatan and drop off your car back at Cancun Airport.
Driving in Guatemala / Belize:
You are not permitted to cross the border in a Mexican rental car. Should you want to travel on to Belize and/or Guatemala you can drop off the car at the Belizean border at Chetumal, in San Cristobal de las Casas or Palenque and then continue your trip by bus.
For more information go to Mexico, general information. |