Renting a Car in Tulum

Is renting a car in Tulum the right choice for you? In this guide, you’ll learn all about renting a car in Tulum – including the requirements, best car rental option, and tips if you decide to rent a car. Let’s dive in!

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When should you rent a car in Tulum?

If you’re planning a self-guided excursion outside of Tulum to destinations like Chichen Itza, Coba, or Bacalar, renting a car is often a decent choice, especially if you’re a bit of an adventurer. If you’re looking for a more stress-free experience you can hire a private driver. If you’re more budget conscious you can take the ADO bus or the ‘colectivo‘ (a budget shared shuttle service).

The new high speed ‘Maya train’ is also an option for some destinations, although at the time of writing, the track to Bacalar is not open yet.

When should you NOT rent a car in Tulum?

We don’t recommend renting a car for going to Tulum beach (the hotel zone). Although renting a car might sound like a good way to avoid expensive taxi fares, the road along the beach often experiences a lot of traffic congestion and the parking is both limited and costly.

Additionally, if you plan on having a few drinks in the hotel zone, it’s worth noting that drinking and driving here is extra risky. There’s a decent chance you’ll be stopped by the police when leaving the area at night—especially with rental plates, as they frequently check tourists, hoping to get some money out of them. If they catch you intoxicated, you’re likely facing a hefty ‘fine.’

When planning a sober trip to the hotel zone, renting an ATV, bike, or scooter can be a convenient choice. But if you’re thinking of enjoying a few drinks, hiring a private driver is likely the best way to ensure a safe and comfortable night out.

Price of a rental car in Tulum

Renting a car typically costs $30 per day (500 Pesos). However, it’s important to note that prices are subject to seasonal variations. Anticipate (much) higher rates during the peak tourist season, notably in December and January.

You can find several car rental agencies situated along Avenida Coba, the primary route from downtown Tulum to the beach.

Requirements for renting a Car in Tulum

When it comes to renting a car in Tulum, there are specific prerequisites you’ll need to fulfill:

A valid driver’s license (driver’s licenses from most countries are valid in Mexico).
A valid credit card.
The minimum age for renting a car in Mexico is typically 21, but keep in mind that an additional fee may apply for renters aged 21 to 24.
Car insurance is mandatory for all rental vehicles

Online Prices Can Be Misleading Often the prices that are quoted online don't include the mandatory insurance which is often quite expensive

Best car rental companies in Tulum, Mexico

Hertz has consistently met or exceeded our expectations. That’s why Hertz is our preferred rental company in Mexico. You can find Hertz’s Tulum office next to the Super Aki supermarket. Although we prefer Hertz, most car rental companies in Mexico are hassle-free and provide a good customer experience in our experience. Be skeptical of online advertised prices though. Usually they fail to include obligatory additional fees like insurance.

What to watch out for when renting a car in Tulum?

We have read some horror stories about car rental companies on other websites, but we can’t attest to any of that. Perhaps that’s because we’ve only used the more established and bigger brands. Anyways, we have not encountered unsatisfactory practices when making use of rental companies in Mexico. That doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen of course, it’s just not our experience at all.

But, what we found rather annoying was the prevalent practice of advertising rates that exclude insurance costs, especially since it’s mandatory and always a large part of the expense in Mexico (and that seems intentional). This means that online advertised rates are quite useless. Instead, you’ll have to contact each rental company to request the cost including insurance before you can make a meaningful comparison.

Tips when renting a car in Mexico

Surprisingly (to us), our overall experience with car rentals in Mexico has often proven to be more efficient in comparison to Western countries. For example, extending the rental period was usually as straightforward as sending a text message. Returning the car to a different location presented no challenges either. Even bringing back our car covered in mud inside and out, only incurred a minor cleaning fee.

That said, do exercise caution when driving in Mexico:

Speed bumps may lack clear indicators and can be quite high.
Keep in mind that road conditions and traffic regulations in the region might slightly differ from what you’re accustomed to.

In the event of a police stop, remain calm. Although police might stall in hopes of getting offered a bribe, patience often offers a good remedy if you didn’t do anything wrong. In fact, it’s worth noting that in Quintana Roo, the state in which Tulum is located, there’s a law stating that foreigners are not obligated to pay for “minor traffic violations” like not wearing a seatbelt or using a phone while driving (as per Article 241 of the state traffic code).

If you get stopped for things like speeding or driving under influence, you’ll have to pay up though (with or without getting an actual ticket).

Conclusion: Should you rent a car in Tulum?

Ultimately, the decision to rent a car in Tulum of course depends on your personal preferences. It can definitely be practical for exploring the Riviera Maya region. If you want to go fully off-road, opt for a jeep rental in Tulum. Just remember: exercise caution and, above all, try to enjoy every moment in beautiful Mexico!

Finally, if you’re considering renting a car, you might want to read our tips for driving to Tulum and/or our article about driving in Tulum.