Driving in Cancun will be a wonderful experience. Visit its wonderful beaches, considered among the best in the Caribbean, walk the streets of the majestic and modern Hotel Zone, visit the shopping centers, restaurants, tacos and small shops in the city center and then visit the suburbs, the coastal areas, where are the original settlements, the most humble neighborhoods, but which best convey the feelings of the Yucatan people, descendants of the wonderful Mayan civilization.
How to do it all in one day. Renting a car in Cancun is the best option. What is the best rental car in Cancun? The answer to that question will depend on the type of trip you will take, your budget, the number of people traveling with you, as well as your own taste. If you are traveling on a budget and do not plan to go out of the city, or if you only intend to travel on highways or main roads then perhaps you should rent a compact. This type of car is very economical and with it you can move comfortably throughout the city.
If you are traveling in a large group, it is best to rent a Van or a minivan.
But if what you want is to live an adventure in all the dimensions of the word then the best thing is to rent a suv in Cancun.
In the coastal areas of Cancun you will find sandy terrain as well as rocky areas in other parts of the coast. If you are also willing to visit the jungle areas around Cancun, a 4-wheel drive vehicle will be very useful, since in this way you will not have to worry about obstacles on the road, the weeds, the terrain swampy or muddy or steep slopes.
Requirements for driving in Cancun
For driving in Cancun you need your Mexican ID, or your passport in case you are a foreigner. You must also carry your valid driving license.
Regarding age, to drive a car in Mexico you must be 18 years or older. To rent you must be at least 21 years old, although some rental companies allow you to rent a car with less age, however, they charge an extra tax for this service.
Among the general rules that you should keep in mind to drive a car in Mexico are:
Correct use of the seat belt for the driver as well as the front seat passenger.
Cell phone use while driving is prohibited.
Children under the age of 5 must be transported in a special infant seat. You can buy it as an accessory when you make the rent.
Driving under the influence of alcohol is prohibited. Even low levels of alcohol in the blood are considered an offense, so it is recommended that you drink absolutely no alcoholic beverages, even in low amounts, before driving a vehicle in Mexico.
What insurance should I buy when renting a car in Cancun
Public Liability Insurance is mandatory in Mexico, so to rent a car you must pay for this insurance.
However, it is recommended that you include other insurance if you rent a car in Mexico so that you are better protected.
Keep in mind that if you want to make your trip cheaper, you can find out if your credit card covers any of the insurance on your car rental. Find out with your credit card issuing company what insurance it covers and if this is valid in Mexico.
If you have your own insurance service it could also be valid, although not all car rental companies accept it. Call the company where you rent your car in advance to find out about it.
Speed limits in Mexico
The speed limits in Mexico for a light car are:
• Urban areas: 30 to 70 km / h, depending on the signs.
• Rural areas: 90 km / h
• On highways: Maximum of 120 km / h although it varies by section depending on the corresponding traffic signal.
The highway from Cancun to Mérida is perhaps the best known. Keep in this highway you will have to pay at the toll points.
On which side of the road should I drive in Cancun?
As in the United States and most European countries, in Mexico you drive on the right side of the road. The left side should only be used to pass a car.
Parking in Cancun
In most hotels and other destinations of interest you can find free parking. In some areas, such as the beach area and other places where tourists go, you will find private parking lots.
Some places have parking meters, such is the case of some shopping centers. When entering the parking lot you must collect the ticket that must be marked at the cash register once the service has been paid.
In most of the streets of the city, however, parking is free. You only have to take into account parking in the areas allowed according to the regulations.
transit ions. Therefore, you should not park in areas where there is a yellow stripe on the curb, or where the vertical sign prohibits it.
Make sure to keep the required distance of half a meter between cars when parking and to keep the distance of no more than 10 cm from the curb.
Although Cancun is not a city that is characterized by violence or theft, you must have a minimum of precautions to avoid the theft of your car or its accessories. In this way, make sure to park your car in busy areas, never in remote areas or streets of the suburbs of the city. At night, park only in well-lit areas. Make sure to leave your car windows tightly closed and doors locked. If your car has an alarm system then leave it activated. Of course, never leave your vehicle keys within the reach of a stranger.
Traffic police in Cancun
Occasionally you will meet a traffic officer on the road. If you drive correctly and do not commit any infraction you should not worry. If you commit an offense and they impose a fine, you will not pay it on the spot but you have several days to execute the payment at the corresponding offices. Never try to bribe a policeman, as he is punishable by law.
What to do in an emergency with my car in Cancun?
If your car is rented you should call the company where you rented the car immediately. In case of breakages or accidents they have the mechanisms to help you.
In the event of an accident in which they have not been injured, it is recommended that you take pictures of the scene and the car. Then you should move the car off the road so that it does not obstruct traffic.
In the event that someone is injured, you should immediately call the police and medical services. If the vehicles are not a danger to others, they should be left in place.
