Renting a car in Cozumel - the good, the bad and the ugly

[JustAGirl79]

Would love to hear from anyone who has rented a car in Cozumel. We're docking at the International Pier and would like to drive on our own to the ruins of San Gervaiso and do some other sight-seeing (no interest in beaches and the ship tours combine San Gervaiso with beaches). Probably spend some time in San Miguel too.

 

Best rental car service?

Things to watch out for?

Is driving 'safe' in Cozumel?

[ellie1145]

We have rented a car several times in Cozumel. It's very easy as there are several car hire companies nearby and they are keen to get your business so will give you a good deal - go with a mainstream company rather than a local one. There is only one main road which goes all round the island, so its difficult to get lost, and its a great way to see more of the 'real' Cozumel and much less costly than taking taxis. It means you can stop off when you want to, as well.

 

Make sure you have a telephone number for emergencies, check the car thoroughly for bumps and scratches and make sure these are noted BEFORE you drive away (VERY IMPORTANT as the vehicles are often well worn and pretty beat up, even from the main dealers), take the upgraded insurance and then enjoy your trip. We have found it very safe, and the Atlantic coast is very different from the more built up side.

Edited September 24, 2014 by ellie1145

[mzloolue]

Do yourself a favor and get a cab.

 

Renting a car on Cozumel has the potential to be very expensive.

 

You can get a cab for the day for 60 to 80 dollars for four people.

He will take you where ever you want and stop whenever you want.

Edited September 25, 2014 by mzloolue

[ellie1145]

Do yourself a favor and get a cab.

 

Renting a car on Cozumel has the potential to be very expensive.

 

You can get a cab for the day for 60 to 80 dollars for four people.

He will take you where ever you want and stop whenever you want.

 

Not sure why it should be expensive?

 

We have found it very cost effective and less than a taxi.

 

Each to their own...taxi? Rent a car? Whatever takes your fancy..

[HannaBelle]

We have rented a car several times in Cozumel. It's very easy as there are several car hire companies nearby and they are keen to get your business so will give you a good deal - go with a mainstream company rather than a local one. There is only one main road which goes all round the island, so its difficult to get lost, and its a great way to see more of the 'real' Cozumel and much less costly than taking taxis. It means you can stop off when you want to, as well.

 

Make sure you have a telephone number for emergencies, check the car thoroughly for bumps and scratches and make sure these are noted BEFORE you drive away (VERY IMPORTANT as the vehicles are often well worn and pretty beat up, even from the main dealers), take the upgraded insurance and then enjoy your trip. We have found it very safe, and the Atlantic coast is very different from the more built up side.

Who have you rented from in the past ellie1145?

 

Looking at google maps, it does not look a road goes all the way around the island, do we need a jeep or will a standard convertible work? TIA!

[hogwildcruzers]

I'm renting a jeep from Alamo for $98 for the day, the road cuts back across the island about half way.....great way to see Cozumel, have done this 3 or 4 times before and never had a problem in any way.....the water and beaches on the windward side are awesome and so are the few beach bars!......have fun and enjoy your trip!......jeep or convertible would work either way.

Edited September 26, 2014 by hogwildcruzers

[snorkelman]

I would avoid renting an old VW bug, no matter how good the deal is. Some fellow passengers rented one and saw us about to take a taxi downtown and these fellow passengers convinced us that they were just leaving in their rental VW Bug and would kindly drop us off downtown.

 

Well, the brakes stopped working half way to town, and the driver had to rub against the curb to slow it down. I have heard that this is not the first time people have experienced this type of problem with rentals of older vehicles that were a "great deal."

[ellie1145]

Who have you rented from in the past ellie1145?

 

Looking at google maps, it does not look a road goes all the way around the island, do we need a jeep or will a standard convertible work? TIA!

 

If you turn right when you leave the cruise port the road takes you along the coast, then around and along the windier and more remote side of the island, and then it does, indeed, cut back across the centre of the island and back into the town. It takes you around most of the island, as you should not drive on the dirt roads. Just be careful not to swim on the wild side of the island, there are rip tides and strong currents.

 

We have hired a variety of vehicles, jeep, ordinary saloon cars etc. We have always found the cars to be less pristine than in the USA, for example, so it is important to use a mainstream rental company such as Alamo, Avis, and do check the car out thoroughly before you take it away. DO take the extra insurance, too, its worth it for peace of mind.

 

And when refuelling check the pump has been set back to zero!

[skittl1321]

Advice: GET ALL THE INSURANCE.

 

Also read up a little bit on the internet about what to do if you are in an accident in Mexico, just to be prepared. These things are handled very differently there than here.

[KroozFoolz]

http://www.wadeburleson.org/2011/03/saved-from-hell-in-jail-cell-at-cozumel.html

[lastone/off/the/boat]

ive rented from ernesto's three times. he has jeeps to rent. very friendly and fair. i just rented a vw bug from isis for a whole week in sept. drove it all over the island, never had a problem with our old vehicle. driving outside of san miguel is easy. driving inside san miguel can be tricky.

calle's have no stop signs, but ave have stop signs every intersection.

for a port day i rent a jeep from ernesto and go to the east side by going south. there are great beach bars over there. rarely crowded and great food.

[semichigan]

Advice: GET ALL THE INSURANCE.

 

Also read up a little bit on the internet about what to do if you are in an accident in Mexico, just to be prepared. These things are handled very differently there than here.

 

 

And read the story posted below by Krooz foolz...critical point is that a traffic accident is a criminal offense

 

 

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[ILUVCRUZEN]

We've rented vehicles several times from both Puerto Maya and International Pier. We have always used Avis and had no problems although once I noticed that one of the tires was very bald on the back so we refused that vehicle. Get the 100% coverage. Always check your vehicle really well for scratches dents and make sure they are documented before driving away. Check how much fuel is in your vehicle because you are only required to bring it back with same amount and that doesnt mean it is always full when you get it. Get out of your vehicle when attendant pumps your gas so you can make sure the gas pump is set to zero or you will be paying for your gas plus the guys gas who was there before you. We went all the way around the island and made about 3 stops and when we filled up it was only about $10 us dollars. That is with an economy 4 door car not a jeep.