Why do people dont recommend others to rent a car in Maya Riviera?

Question

I am staying at Marina El Cid in Puerto Morales and its far away from attractions like Selvatica Canopy, Playa del Carmen, Tulum Xel Ha and Cancun. I have a family of 5 and I am planning to visit those places and I dont want to pay all the time for tours or transportation because itll be expensive.

BTW is it hard to find parking in those places? Do i have to worry about corrupted cops? How are the road conditions? Is it easy to get lost? Would I need a navigation system? What are the problems with insurance?

Answer 1

I am originally from Mexico but I have lived in Michigan for the last 15 years. I go to the canCun area almost every year. The Maya Riviera is pretty safe and cops usually are decent. They know that the tourism are the main attaction on this area and usually the tourist are well protected...... If you rent a car I would suggest you pay for their full insurance (stolen car or any kind of damage). it usually runs for 25-30 USD day depending on the car but you do not have to worry about anything and yes the probability to have an incident with the car is higher than in the USA. The roads on the riviera maya are very decent. If you go to Chichenitza. make sure you take the toll road otherwise the public road will be dangerous. The highway from Cancun to Xcaret is fine. No problems. Shopping malls will charge for parking but most of the places are free (not for long ....)....... anyway.... have fun enjoy the sun and relax in Cancun

Answer 2

I've driven around the Yucatan peninsula several times and never hada problem witha single cop. There are plenty on signs directing you to points of interest. But a little bit of Spanish would be helpful. Donde esta el camino a Coba? = Where is the road to Coba? Xel-ha, Xcaret and Chichen Itza have large parking lots. Parking was never a problem. the biggest problem is TOPES (speed bumps) every little village has them and you could break an axle if you hit them too fast.

See the map in the link below, and you'll see that it's pretty hard to get lost in the Yucatan.  There's only one road that goes from Cancun to Chetumal

Answer 3

Driving is different down here than in the states.  It's like a competitive sport at times.  

However, I would suggest you rent a car for your family of 5.  BE SURE to go over it with a fine tooth comb before you leave the rental agency and note every little dent or mark.  ALSO, check the spare tire to make sure that it is full of air and has no damages on either side.  DO NOT rent a jeep as they are a huge target for the local policia.  Find out if your credit card covers rental car insurance in Mexico and follow their instruction.  If they don't offer it, buy it all from the rental agency.

Of course, do not drive recklessly, drunk, or too fast.  If you are stopped, don't give in to demands for money.  If they want to write you a legitimate ticket, let them.  I would suggest that you photocopy your driver's license, front and back, then carefully cut it out and laminate it and give that to the officer who stops you, in lieu of your real license, as they sometimes keep it.  Some people carry a "fake" wallet with them, with an expired license, a few pesos, some fake credit cards, and little more.  Pull THAT one out, if you are stopped, and show them that you have no cash.

Parking can be a problem in Playa del Carmen, Cancun Centro, and Tulum town.  DO NOT park anywhere with a yellow line on the curb.  In Playa, it's often best to just park in the Walmart lot and walk everywhere from there, or pay to park in an established lot.  Traffic in Cancun, and sometimes Playa, can be dreadful.  

The main roads are fine.  Side streets off the beaten path can be horrible.  It's easy to get lost in Cancun, but not so much in the other places.  There is really just one main road from Cancun to Belize, and a GPS would be no help.

Be alert, safe, cautious, and aware and you will have a great trip!

Answer 4

deffinitely yes, with 5 ppl is better 2 rent a car

ur not gonna get lost cause its really easy 2 go frm 1 place 2 the other, u juss have 2 take the highway 2 any part, and the cityes r small, besides the way the streets r drawn is so easy, the road conditions r good and u dont need  a gps cause there r the necessary signs on the roads.

its a bit hard 2 find parking places in playa del carmen, specially at night.  all the eco parks have big parkings so its not gonna b a problem there.

dont worry abt corrupted cops...leave tht 4 when u visit mex city.

for some comments ive heard its cheaper 2 make the reservation of the car on internet.

enjoy ur holidays in the paradise...ull love it !