This year Karen and I decided to opt for an all inclusive over a cruise. We will be at a resort about 50 miles south of Cancun. We plan to rent a car at the airport, which is less expensive than having a van drive us to our resort. This will also give us the ability to tour some on our own rather than use the group tours. Since we have been to this area several times we feel comfortable driving from the airport as well as to and from Playa del Carmen. My long winded question is; does anyone have tips for driving in Mexico?
You will have to purchase the insurance provided by the rental company. It's not an option in Mexico, even though the insurance provided by your Credit Card will cover it, and your personal vehicle's insurance is primary outside the US.
I have driven in the Yucatan many times.
Here are a few tips:
Don't drive at night - there may be livestock in the road and often if people have a breakdown, they put rocks in the road. The roads are not well lit and there often isn't a shoulder. I have driven at night during a horrendous thunderstorm when all the power was out. That was fun.
Oh, forgot to mention that some people think that driving without lights saves the battery, so they just don't bother turning their lights on.
Pay attention to turn signals. They don't always mean what you think. Sometimes if somebody puts on their left turn signal, it means that it is ok for you to pass. As far as left turns go, you often pull over into a right lane to a side road. Then you go straight across the road that you were just on instead of making a left turn.
The road from Cancun to Tulum is now a 4-lane highway and in good condition. Some of the roads in the interior aren't so great, so just take it slow.
It's usually cheaper to rent a car from the US than it is to rent one in Mexico. Manuals are cheaper and more popular.
Watch out for the topes. These are sleeping policeman, speed bumps often found in the smaller towns. They aren't always easy to see, but usually there is a topes sign alerting you.
It looks like a series of hills.
If you have a breakdown, you can wait for the Green Angels to come along. They patrol the major roads. They have white and green trucks.
When you get gas, the attendant will fill your tank. It's customary to tip him.
Stop signs often seem to be mere suggestions.
Lot of people ride bicycles, so pay attention to them.
The toll road to Chichen isn't used that much. It's relatively expensive and more interesting to take the other roads.
In cities, it might be a good idea to park in an attended lot.
I have been to the Yucatan many times and know if well. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask. I wish that I were going there. I love the Yucatan.
Glad to hear that you will go out and explore and get to know the real Mexico.
The Yucatecans are a special people. We have always had a wonderful time during our
many visits to the countryside. We also bicycled around the Yucatan for a month at a time, so
we know it pretty well. Just reading about your trip makes me feel that I need to plan a trip there.
We enjoy the archaeological sites and haven't visited those in the south yet, but can give any info on others. If you have any interest in this, I highly recommend a visit to Coba to see a site that is still in the jungle.
Feel free to ask any questions that you may have.
Which AI are you staying in?
We lived in New Mexico for 9 years and use to drive down to Mexico every year for vacation. And no, I don't mean the border towns, I mean 5 hours south of the border. We'd stay there for 2-3 weeks every year in a condo on the Sea of Cortez. We, too, have rented cars and driven many times while staying in all-inclusive resorts in and south of Cancun. Contrary to what you may have heard from others, the roads are fairly good, the people are friendly, and there are few problems.
Bottom line is to be extra cautious, make sure you get the insurance, don't drive at night if you can avoid it, and most of all, have a great time.
Thanks again every one all for the input. We did have a car for a day last February. We just drove from our resort to Playa and then to Tulum. Your comments have been reassuring to Karen who was a bit more apprehensive about this than I. Ma Cruise, we are staying at the Aventura Palace Spa. This is where we stayed last year and love it
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