Renting a Car in Playa del Carmen: What You Need to Know to Avoid Scams

Need a Playa del Carmen Car Rental for your trip?
You’re in the right place as I live in Mexico, and I’m going to walk you through the process of renting a car in Playa del Carmen. I’ve rented cars in five cities in Mexico, so I’m here to demystify everything for you.
By the end of the article, you’re going to feel comfortable with the entire Mexico car rental process — and have 10 Tips about driving a rental car in Mexico that will boost your confidence.
First and foremost, most travelers want to know about the best place to rent a car in Playa del Carmen. When I rent a car in Mexico, I recommend and always use Discover Cars, and you’ll see why in this article.
OUR PICK
BEST MEXICO CAR RENTAL COMPANY: Discover Cars
When booking your Mexico car rental online, I recommend and use Discover Cars. They search international corporations and local Mexican companies, so you get the best deal — and have FREE cancellation up to 48 hours before your rental.
If you’ve looked for tips on renting a car in Playa del Carmen Mexico, you may have encountered conflicting info. There are official rules for how to rent a car in Playa del Carmen — and then there’s how things play out in the real world.
Don’t worry: We’re going to clear all that up in this article. You’re also going to get 10 Useful Mexico Driving Tips so you feel confident while driving a rental car in Mexico.
If you’ve seen mentions of Playa del Carmen car rental scams, we’ll cover that so you’re not caught off guard by hidden fees. You’ll find out about Mexican car insurance, which is mandatory for all car rentals in Playa del Carmen Mexico.
Ready to learn the ins and outs of renting a car in Playa del Carmen? Let’s get to it, starting with my personal experience renting a car in Mexico with Discover Cars, and ending with a renting cars in Playa del Carmen Mexico FAQ.
Renting A Car in Playa del Carmen Mexico
Renting A Car in Mexico With Discover Cars

I have been living in Mexico since 2018, and travel frequently within the country. What I am going to explain is my personal experience renting a car about 10 times, in five cities throughout Mexico (including Cancun).
When I book a Mexico car rental online, I recommend and use Discover Cars.
I use them because they have always had the best deals when I’ve searched, and they offer FREE cancellations up to 48 hours before your reservation. Here is the exact process I have followed to get my rental car:
Renting A Car in Cancun
1. Reserve Your Car Online with Discover Cars
Head to the Discover Cars website, and input your travel dates and preferred pick-up location. For more travelers, this will be the airport in the city you’re visiting, which is CUN Airport in Cancun.
⭐️ Only rent from well-rated places

I advise you to filter by ratings because while everyone wants to get those sweet Mexico car rental deals, the cheapest place is rarely the best.
Personally, I don’t rent from locations with less than a 7 out of 10 Stars rating. It’s like the saying goes: You get what you pay for; for me, it’s not worth sacrificing some money for terrible customer service on my vacation.
Renting A Car in Cancun
2. Opt for Full Coverage with Discover Cars

I always opt for their Full Coverage when I rent with Discover Cars — and I’m not alone! According to the Discover Cars site, 85% of customers use their Full Coverage Policy to enjoy peace of mind when renting in Mexico.
For about $7-10 USD per day, Discover Cars covers up to $58,500 pesos (about $3,250 USD) of damage to the rental car. This includes body repair work, dings, scratches, windows/glass, tires, towing, lost keys, and more.
Renting A Car in Cancun
What’s covered with Discover Cars? (And what’s not covered?)

🤔 Will car Rental companies accept this Policy?
Legally, they have to, and personally, any company I have used has accepted this third party policy through Discover Cars. This is just one reason I encourage you to rent from a well-rated company known for good customer service.
What has happened almost every time I’ve rented is that they will try to up-sell me to their insurance, which I decline. As mentioned, the Discover Cars policy does legally satisfy any Mexico car rental insurance requirements.
When you decline the car rental company’s insurance, they will hold about $50,000 pesos ($2,700 USD) on your credit card. When you bring the rental car back with no damage, they return your deposit in full.
If you bring the rental car back with damage, they will take it out of your deposit. From there, you’ll have to make a claim with Discover Cars, which is usually processed in 48 hours or less, according to their site.
As long as the damage is under $58,500 MXN pesos (about $3,250 USD) — which does cover a lot — Discover Cars will reimburse you under their Full Coverage Policy.
🤔 How do I make a Claim with Discover Cars?

If you need to file a claim with Discover Cars, the process is easy. You’ll find your login credentials in your booking confirmation email, which you can use to login via your laptop or the Discover Cars app (📲 Android; 🍎 Apple).
At just $7-10 USD per day, the Discover Cars Full Coverage Policy is far cheaper than any I’ve been offered through the car rental companies themselves. With direct policies, they usually charge about $30 USD per day.
If you would rather get full coverage Mexican insurance from the company directly, you can also do that and still rent with Discover Cars to take advantage of their great rates and NO FEE cancellation policy.
🚨 Disclaimer
This information is my first-hand experience of renting cars about 10 times in five Mexican cities. Unfortunately, I have no way of knowing how your rental process will play out, but I do hope this info was helpful for your Mexico trip.
If you need further clarification on Discover Cars, please contact the company directly. You can also read Discover Cars reviews on TrustPilot, where they have a 4.5 out of 5 Star rating, and about 100,000 reviews.
Renting A Car in Playa del Carmen Mexico: FAQ
Is it safe to rent a car in Playa del Carmen Mexico?
Yes — For the vast majority of travelers, Playa del Carmen is one of the overall safest places in Mexico.
That’s not to say bad things don’t happen in Playa del Carmen Mexico; they do. However, if you’re prepared (which you will be after you read this article), you should be perfectly safe renting a car in Playa del Carmen.
For a deep dive into this topic, check out Is Playa del Carmen Safe to Travel to Right Now?
Renting A Car in Playa del Carmen Mexico
Is it safe to drive in Playa del Carmen Mexico?
For the most part, it is considered safe to drive in Playa del Carmen, the Yucatan, and nearly all of Mexico.

The one obvious caveat is that you’ll be driving in a foreign country, with different driving laws than your home country. Check out these 10 Mexico driving tips for Playa del Carmen that will help you get comfortable.
Renting A Car in Playa del Carmen Mexico
How are the roads in Playa del Carmen?
Most roads in Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, which includes Quintana Roo State roads, Riviera Maya roads and Playa del Carmen roads, are quite good and generally well-maintained.

Unless you’re venturing off the beaten path on a road trip, you’ll be just fine with mid-size or economy cars. If you’re planning to drive in the more rural parts of the Yucatan Peninsula, consider a full-size car, Jeep or SUV.
Note: You can also find SUV and Jeep rental Playa del Carmen options on the Discover Cars site, as well as sports cars and other speciality vehicles.
Renting A Car in Playa del Carmen Mexico
Should I rent a car in Playa del Carmen?
Car rentals in Playa del Carmen give you freedom, so if you’re planning to take quite a few Playa del Carmen day trips, a car is much more economical than booking Playa del Carmen tours to see the sites.

Wondering, Should I rent a car in Playa del Carmen Mexico? It depends on your Playa del Carmen itinerary. You’ll find an explanation below for why you should, and why you should not.
With your own car, you can venture off the beaten path in Mexico to see the lesser-visited cenotes, pueblos magicos (magic towns) like Valladolid and Izamal, ancient sites and Mayan Ruins near Cancun.
🏝️ Planning to visit Cozumel Island? You can’t take your rental car to the island!
Now, if you just want to lay on a Playa del Carmen beach, drink in hand while soaking up the sun, skip the rental.
Instead, opt for Cancun Airport Transportation to your hotel and use taxis or public transportation to get around. To see the sites, you can book these Playa del Carmen group tours.
🟢 Here’s Why you should rent a car in Playa del Carmen

Car rentals in Playa del Carmen Mx give you freedom. Even if you don’t want a rental for your entire trip, you can do a one day car or truck rental.
With your own car, you can venture off the beaten path to the lesser-visited beaches near Playa del Carmen. These include Playa Paamul and Playa Maroma, home to the best overwater bungalows in Mexico.
There’s also amazing Yucatan pueblos magicos (Mexico magic towns) nearby, like Bacalar, AKA “The Lagoon of Seven Colors.” You can also visit Valladolid and “The Yellow City” of Izamal, both located in Yucatan state.
🏝 Looking for more things to do in Playa del Carmen Mexico? You have plenty of options, including swimming in the Playa del Carmen cenotes and visiting the Mayan Ruins near Playa del Carmen.
🛑 Here’s Why you should not rent a car in Playa del Carmen
Now, if you just want to lay on the Playa del Carmen beaches, drink in hand while soaking up the sun — skip the rental car in Playa del Carmen Mexico!
Instead, opt for this private Cancun to Playa del Carmen shuttle with Cancun Airport Transportation to get to your hotel safely. From there, you can and use taxis to get around.
To see the sites, you can book some of these best Playa del Carmen tours.
Renting A Car in Playa del Carmen Mexico
What’s the best place to rent a car in Playa del Carmen?
The best place to rent a car in Playa del Carmen is actually Cancun International Airport (code: CUN) because it has such a large selection in the area.

Since you’re flying into Cancun Airport anyway, and then you have to drive to Playa del Carmen, the best place to rent a car in Playa del Carmen is actually CUN Cancun Airport.
You’ll find the most rental car companies there, with a wide range of vehicles to choose from. With so many companies on-site, rental cars in Cancun Airport are usually cheaper than even the cheapest Playa del Carmen car rentals.
While a car rental in Cancun Airport might be a bit more than an off-site agency in Cancun, you spend more in taxis to get to off-site car rental locations than you save in rental costs.
It also saves you time to rent a car in Cancun Airport — and extra time is the most precious of all travel commodities. Now, if you’re already in Playa del Carmen and need a rental, check out the info just below ⤵
🚙 Playa del Carmen Car Rentals (Online via Discover Cars)
If you’re already in Playa del Carmen and want a rental car, head to Discover Cars and look for a rental car that way. This option works best if you’re renting a day or more in advance.
🚙 Playa del Carmen Car Rentals (In Person)
If you’re looking for a same day Playa del Carmen car rental, you’ll want to do that in person. There are several Playa del Carmen car rental locations off La Avenida Quinta (5th Avenue). This is the main street near the beach.
🛬 Cancun Airport Car Rentals
Since you’re flying into Cancun Airport anyway, and then you have to drive to Playa del Carmen, the best place to rent a car in Playa del Carmen is actually Cancun International Airport (code: CUN).
You’ll find the most rental car companies there, with a wide range of vehicles to choose from. With so many companies on-site, rental cars in Cancun Airport are usually cheaper than even the cheapest Playa del Carmen car rentals.
What’s the best car rental in Cancun Airport?
There’s no official best car rental at Cancun Airport. You’ll find all the major car rental companies there, like Hertz in Cancun, National, Sixt and Alamo Cancun, but do read reviews before booking.

I love renting with Discover Cars because I can see reviews from recent customers. Also, their FREE cancellation policy gives me a lot of piece of mind in case my travel plans change.
5 Tips for renting a car at Cancun Airport
- Rent with a reputable company like Discover Cars, the company I recommend and have used myself about 10 times.
- Take photos and/or video of all scratches, dings and dents to the car’s exterior. You’ll want to do the same for the car’s interior, noting stains, rips in the fabric, etc.
- Have all your emails accessible with any rental agreement booking information. If you want, you can print them out, though it’s not necessary.
- Some companies will not let you take the car if you don’t have Mexico car insurance, so be prepared with a backup plan.
- When returning your rental car at Cancun Airport, you’ll want to follow the signs for Terminal 2 and 3, and then look for the sign of whichever company you rented from.
Renting A Car in Playa del Carmen Mexico
What’s the best company for cheap car rentals in Playa del Carmen?
I recommend and use Discover Cars. Since moving to Mexico in 2018, I have used Discover Cars in cities all over the country, from Mexico City to the Yucatan Peninsula — and never had an issue.
I recommend and use Discover Cars. On their platform, you can narrow your search by price to always find the cheapest car rental in Playa del Carmen. However, don’t ever skimp on good reviews for a cheap price.
🚨 Note: It is imperative you read Playa del Carmen car rental reviews, as not all companies are created equal — and you don’t want your vacation ruined over a rental car.
They compare local, national and international companies so you always get the best rates from any Playa del Carmen car rental services, even in the high season from November to March, when rates are highest.
I’ve found the cheapest Playa del Carmen car rentals from Isis Car Rental Playa del Carmen, Mex Rent A Car Playa del Carmen and America Car Rental Playa del Carmen, which all have pretty good reviews.
Based on many bad reviews, Fox Rent A Car Playa del Carmen seems to be the worst place to rent a car in Playa del Carmen Mexico.
Note: Always remember not to skimp on excellent service for a cheap car rental, because you get what you pay for.
How much does renting a car in Playa del Carmen cost?
Wondering, How much does it actually cost to rent a car in Playa del Carmen? Playa del Carmen car rental rates vary, but plan for about $30 USD per day for an economy car with full coverage insurance.

In this article, you’ll see why you can’t believe the first price you see quoted online, and discover your options for Mexican car insurance, which will effect the rental price.
Renting A Car in Playa del Carmen Mexico
Can I rent a car in Playa del Carmen Mexico?
As far as what’s required to rent a car in Playa del Carmen, there are four things you need to get a Mexico rental car: 1) valid driver’s license, 2) credit card, 3) to be of age (25 or older), and 4) Mexican insurance.

Wondering, How do I rent a car in Playa del Carmen?, or What do I need to rent a car in Mexico? It’s a pretty simple process, but these are the four things you need to get a Mexico rental car:
1. A Valid Driver’s License (or IDP)
If you have a valid driver’s license in a language that uses the Roman alphabet (this alphabet!), you can rent a car in Playa del Carmen with your country’s license.
Drivers from countries like Japan and China, which use the character alphabet, will need to get an International Driving Permit, or IDP. 🪪 Need an IDP? You can apply here.
2. Mexico Car Insurance is mandatory
You do need car insurance to drive in Mexico. There’s a whole section of this article that covers everything you need to know about getting the best Mexican auto insurance, as it’s a big topic.
If you want to jump ahead, use this link to find out all about mandatory insurance in Mexico.
3. A Valid Credit Card or Debit Card
When renting a car in Playa del Carmen, they will swipe your credit or debit card to have on file in the event of damage to the car.
Different companies hold a different amount of money, but it’s usually about $1,000-3,000 USD. When you return the car undamaged, you’ll get that money back.
🚨 Here’s one of my top car rental Playa del Carmen Mexico tips: When leaving a card on file for any Playa del Carmen car rental, opt for your credit card over debit card.
When you use debit cards, the company will remove the money from your account, meaning you could be out several thousand dollars on your vacation. However, with a credit card, the money is just on hold, rather than taken.
4. with most companies, You must be 25 years old
As with the U.S., anyone aged 25 and older can rent a car in Playa del Carmen from any car company without restrictions.
Some companies do rent to drivers aged 21-24, though they often have a $10-20 USD per day surcharge for underage drivers.
There is a small minority of Mexico car rental companies in Playa del Carmen that rent to drivers aged 18-20.
For 18- to 24-year-olds renting a car in Playa del Carmen, make sure to double check each company’s policy before booking to see which one offers the best option for underage renters.
Renting A Car in Playa del Carmen Mexico
What kind of Mexican cars are for rent in Playa del Carmen?
For the most part, you’ll find the same makes and models you will in the U.S., with Nissan, Chevrolet, Volkswagen and Kia as the most common.

Besides those, some common companies in Mexico that aren’t common in the U.S. include Peugeot and Renault, both French companies.
Are most rental cars in Mexico automatic or stick shift?
Most Playa del Carmen rentals are automatic, unless you’re renting a specialty vehicle like a dune buggy, sports car or any of the top name luxury cars.
When I book with Discover Cars, all cars are labeled as automatic or manual (stick shift), so you know what you’re getting. However, about 90% of rental cars are going to be automatic.
What side of the road do they drive on in Mexico?
In Mexico, you’ll drive on the right side of the road; the same as the U.S. and Canada.
Note: If you have any general questions like this, don’t hesitate to ask when you pick up your reservation at the car rental agency. They are there to help you be as comfortable driving in Mexico as possible.
Renting A Car in Playa del Carmen Mexico
What’s the best car rental in Playa del Carmen?
There’s no official best car rental in Playa del Carmen Mexico. However, all the big name U.S. car rental companies have a rental office in Cancun — National, Sixt, Alamo Playa del Carmen, Budget and Hertz Playa del Carmen.

If you prefer to use a Mexican company to support the national economy, one of the best car rental companies in Mexico is Mex Rent A Car.
🚙💨 Car Rental Playa del Carmen Tips: Wherever you choose to rent a car in Playa del Carmen, make sure to read reviews about that particular location.
While some brands and companies are generally considered good overall, many car rental companies are franchises. This means they might have a location that’s sub-par — and you don’t want to rent from there.
WHAT’S THE easiest way to book a car rental in Playa del Carmen?
I have found that the best place to book a car in Playa del Carmen is Discover Cars because there are NO hidden fees — and I always know the total cost when I book.
Using an aggregate search service like Discover Cars means you get the best deals. As Discover Cars checks all Playa del Carmen car rental company options at once, you know you get the best price at the highest-rated companies.
Renting A Car in Playa del Carmen Mexico
Is there Uber in Playa del Carmen?
No — There’s no Uber in Playa del Carmen, no Lyft in Playa del Carmen and no ride-shares in Playa del Carmen of any kind. There are only Playa del Carmen taxis and very limited public transportation in Playa del Carmen to use.

While there’s Uber in Cancun, they can’t legally pick you up at the Cancun Airport. Note: Cancun Airport (code: CUN) is the closest airport near Playa del Carmen.
Without a Playa del Carmen car rental, you’ll want to book this Cancun to Playa del Carmen Airport Shuttle. It is the easiest, safest, fastest and best way to get to Cancun from Playa del Carmen for those who aren’t renting a car.
Renting A Car in Playa del Carmen Mexico
What’s the best way to get around in Playa del Carmen?
Playa del Carmen is pretty walkable, especially if you stick to the main tourist area near 5th Avenue. Also, you can take a taxi in Playa del Carmen when you need to go anywhere else.
As you can see in this section on Why you should not rent a car in Playa del Carmen, I don’t recommend a Playa del Carmen car rental for everyone.
In fact, if you’re just staying in Playa del Carmen itself, you might want to skip the rental car. Now, for the best Playa del Carmen day trips, a rental car is the way to go, especially if you want to do a few day trips from Playa del Carmen.
🚲 Renting bikes in Playa del Carmen

However, for in-town travel, a Playa del Carmen bike rental is the better option.
Playa del Carmen traffic is usually awful, and parking fees can get outrageous, especially on or near the Playa del Carmen beaches. For these reasons, a bike is better for getting around in Playa del Carmen Mexico itself.
For rentals, Playarida Bike Rentals is a great option — and they will usually deliver the bike to your hotel or condo! Playa del Carmen bike rentals average about $10-15 USD per day.
🛵 Renting scooters in Playa del Carmen
You can also rent a moped or scooter, if you’re comfortable driving one.
For these, CocoMotos Playa del Carmen Scooter Rentals has a great reputation for customer service.
Playa del Carmen moped rentals average about $40 USD per day.
🛻 atv playa del carmen Rentals
It is not common for people to drive the streets of Playa del Carmen on an ATV or quad.
However, you can book this ATV, Ziplines, Cenotes and Rappelling Adventure Tour to enjoy an ATV ride in the jungle.
Renting A Car in Playa del Carmen Mexico
Do I need Mexican car insurance for Playa del Carmen?
Yes — You do need insurance for driving in Playa del Carmen, and for driving to Mexico.

At the minimum, you must have Mexican Personal Liability Insurance to legally drive in Mexico, and some car rental companies won’t let you take their cars unless you purchase it from them.
🤔 Wondering, Do I Need Travel Insurance for Mexico? Legally, no. You don’t need travel insurance to visit Mexico — but you do need Mexico driving insurance to drive in Mexico.
While Mexico car rental companies aren’t legally allowed to make you buy insurance from them.
Here, the most you can do is argue with them, and as a worst case scenario, they just won’t let you rent the car.
This has become especially true of people who try to use U.S. credit card insurance. (More on insurance through a credit card in a minute.)
I rent cars in Mexico a few times each year, and have never had any issues using the Full Coverage Policy I have purchased through Discover Cars.
Legally, third party insurance is completely valid.
However, that’s not to say an agent won’t try to up-sell you their company’s insurance. They will!
Some companies actually encourage employees to do so — which is why you want to read reviews before booking.
While Mexico car rental companies aren’t technically allowed to make you buy insurance from them, the most you can do is argue with them.
As a worst case scenario, they just won’t let you rent the car.
For the least amount of headaches on your Mexico trip, buy insurance from the company you’re renting from.
If you get full coverage, you could essentially return it in any condition, and should not have to pay them a single cent.
Renting A Car in Playa del Carmen Mexico
How much is Mexican car insurance?
Different companies price coverage differently, but in general, Personal Liability Insurance (the minimum coverage legally required) is about $15 USD per day. For full coverage insurance, plan to pay about $30 USD per day.

When I’m renting a car in Mexico, I always use Discover Cars. Their full coverage policies only cost about $7-10 USD per day. ▶︎ Book now with Discover Cars.
With just Personal Liability Insurance, you’ll usually have about a $2,000+ USD deductible.
The full coverage deductible is often $0, because you’re already fully covered (though Terms and Conditions can vary by company).
What is a CAR INSURANCE deductible?
If you aren’t familiar with what a deductible is, here’s a quick explanation.
If you have a $5,000 USD deductible, and you cause $5,250 in damages to the car, you will be responsible for paying the $5,000 deductible.
The insurance will cover the remaining $250, after you cover the deductible amount.
As what you select will depend on your budget, do know that cheap Mexican car insurance is one of those “you get what you pay for” type of situations.
If you’re wondering what’s the best Mexican car insurance, that would be full coverage with no deductible.
Renting A Car in Playa del Carmen Mexico
Is Mexican car insurance through a credit card valid?
Some U.S. credit cards provide Collision Damage Waiver (CDW insurance) for card holders. This is not the equivalent of Personal Liability Insurance, which you’re required to have.
Now, some car companies will let you take a rental car with just CDW insurance; but some won’t since it’s not Personal Liability Insurance.
This is just one more reason I always opt for Full Coverage when I rent with Discover Cars.
Their policy means I am fully covered in Mexico for any damages to the car up to $58,500 pesos, and I won’t pay out of pocket.
The last time I rented a car in Mexico City (notoriously more expensive than most Playa del Carmen rental agencies), I paid just $10 USD per day for a Discover Cars Full Coverage Policy.
With this I am legally covered in Mexico — and no company can deny my rental.
Renting A Car in Playa del Carmen Mexico
Horror stories of using credit card insurance in Mexico
I have been in Mexico long enough, and heard enough horror stories, that I always tell people not to rely on credit card insurance.
If you do opt for it, you’ll want to call the credit card company and double check their policies (even the fine print), so you know you’re comfortable with it.
Also, know that if anything happens to the car, you will likely have to pay for 100% of the damages out of pocket when you return the car in Playa del Carmen Mexico.
You’ll then file a claim with the credit card company, and hope they fully reimburse you 🤞 Spoiler: They don’t always do so!
Purchase Third Party Mexico Car insurance
You can also buy a separate Mexican auto insurance policy from a Mexican insurance company or a U.S. company that works with Mexican insurers, like Baja Bound, Allstate and Geico.
🚙💨 Driving to Mexico with your own car? Get your FREE quote on Mexican Insurance from Baja Bound so you can cross the U.S.-Mexico border without any issues or delays.
This is called Third Party Liability Insurance (sometimes called TPL insurance, or PLI insurance), it is 100% legal.
It is also enough to satisfy the Mexico Personal Liability Insurance requirement.
Depending on where you’re renting, this can be the cheapest Mexico car insurance for drivers who need extra coverage.
Purchase general Mexico travel insurance With a car insurance add on
Another option is to purchase a travel insurance policy for Mexico, and get an upgrade to include your Playa del Carmen rental car (or Cancun car rental).
For this, purchase the Explorer Plan with World Nomads, one of the best Mexican travel insurance providers and top names in travel insurance.
↳ Click here to get your FREE quote with World Nomads travel insurance.
Renting A Car in Playa del Carmen Mexico
What’s the Mexican Car Rental Scam?
What’s commonly known as a scam that’s specific to renting a car in Mexico, is a common practice at U.S. car rental companies as well.

How this is legal anywhere, we may never know, but here’s the rundown:
Months before writing this article, I booked a Miami rental car online. When I picked it up, I had to pay $200 USD in extra charges, taxes and additional insurance costs.
If this has also happened to you, you’re already familiar with the “Mexico car rental scam” — which isn’t exclusive to Mexico at all.
If you’re lucky enough to have never fallen victim, the scam in question is that most renters don’t read the fine print (who does?!) and aren’t aware of the fees, taxes, etc., that get tacked on.
For many, the price you end up paying is double what you saw online when you booked the car.
Renting A Car in Playa del Carmen Mexico
How to avoid the Playa del Carmen rental car travel scam

When renting a car in Mexico, you may see rates as low as $5-10 USD per day — and if this seems too good to be true, it is.
This base cost doesn’t factor in a whole slew of fees, taxes and the legally-required Mexico car rental insurance, all of which you do have to pay for.
To avoid this most notorious of Mexico travel scams, simply double the price you see online listed as the base price for the car if you’re taking the minimum insurance, and triple it for full coverage.
This new amount is closer to what you end up paying anyway — and now you won’t feel scammed.
✅ Best way to calculate Playa del Carmen car rental costs
For a car rental listed online at $10 USD per day, assume you’ll pay closer to $20 per day for this car with taxes, fees and Mexico Personal Liability Insurance (minimum required coverage).
For this same car with full Mexican insurance coverage, plan to pay about $30 USD per day.
Annoying? Yes, it sure is.
However, this is just how car rental companies seem to work. The price you see listed is the starting price or base price, but won’t be the final price.
Renting A Car in Playa del Carmen Mexico
3 Other common Playa del Carmen travel scams

⛽️ Non-Reset Pump Scam
In Mexico, you don’t pump your own gas. When you get to the pump, there will be an attendant who pumps and takes your payment.
When you pull up, make sure the pump is zeroed out — meaning the pump is set to $0. Some attendants will even ask you to verify before they start pumping.
📑 Extra Insurance Scam
Unless you purchase Mexico car insurance from the rental agency directly, they will try to upsell you extra services and coverage that they provide.
There is no need to pay this extra insurance cost if you already have a full Coverage Policy coverage — which I purchase when renting with Discover Cars, as it’s the cheapest I’ve seen.
💸 Quick Change scam
This is a pretty standard bill swap, or wrong payment scam.
If you’re paying in cash, count the bills one by one in front of the attendant, otherwise they can quickly change the bills with sleight of hand after you hand them the money.
With this scam, they’d take your money and quickly swap out a $500 peso bill with a $20 peso bill, saying you gave them a $20 MXN pesos when it should have been a $500 — you’ll then give them a $500, which they will pocket.
This has never happened to me in Mexico, as I pay with a credit card.
Renting A Car in Playa del Carmen Mexico
10 Playa del Carmen Driving Tips for Mexico
Wondering, Is it easy to drive in Mexico? For the most part, it’s not too dissimilar from the U.S. or Canada. However, here are 10 things to keep in mind when driving in Mexico:
1. Avoid driving at night in Mexico
When you live in Mexico as long as I have, you realize many people simply avoid driving at night, if possible.
If you do drive at night, stick to only main roads and paid highways, called cuota roads.
2. Always use the cuota roads (Toll roads in Mexico)
In Mexico, there are libre roads (free roads), and cuota roads (paid toll roads).
For longer drives, and when traveling between cities, always opt for the cuota roads.
While they do cost more, they are better maintained and generally considered safer for drivers.
💸 Car Rental Playa del Carmen Tips: When driving in Playa del Carmen, have small bills and coins to pay for the tolls. Some rental cars come with an automatic toll payment system or pre-paid card, but the majority don’t.
Renting A Car in Playa del Carmen Mexico
3. Beware of topes (Speed bumps in Mexico)

Mexico roads are notorious for an abundance of topes (pronounced toe-pays, and meaning “speed bumps”).
While some roads have bright yellow road signs that do alert you to the topes, keep your eyes on the road at all times, as some topes don’t have a sign — and can cause serious damage to your Playa del Carmen rental car.
4. Download an offline map for driving in Playa del Carmen
Your cell signal may go in and out as you’re driving in Playa del Carmen, especially when venturing to more rural places in the Yucatan Peninsula — so you’ll want to download an offline map from Google Maps or Maps.Me.
📲 Car Rental Playa del Carmen Tips: For the best possible cell signal, get a Mexico SIM Card.
Renting A Car in Playa del Carmen Mexico
5. Don’t use your cell phone while driving in Mexico

Not only is it unsafe to use your phone while driving, it’s also illegal in Mexico. (🇲🇽 Mexico Fun Fact: It’s also illegal to put on make-up or shave while driving.)
In fact, even simply holding your phone is an easy way for you to get pulled over.
To be fully compliant with Mexican laws, you’ll want to add this hands-free phone holder to your Mexico packing list.
6. Window cleaners may approach you at stop lights
When you’re at stop lights in Playa del Carmen, you may be approached by someone offering to clean the car windshield.
There’s no set amount to pay for this, but $10 pesos ($0.50 USD) is a standard amount — and well worth it for a nice, clean windshield.
Renting A Car in Playa del Carmen Mexico
7. Mexico speed limits are in kilometers per hour

Mexico street signs are not in not miles per hour; they are in kilometers per hour. For those who are curious, 1 mile is 1.6 kilometers.
Rather than having to do math as you’re driving in Yucatan and Playa del Carmen, just make sure the number on the speed limit sign matches the number on your speedometer.
As you might imagine, the street signs and highway signs in Mexico are also in Spanish. Here are a few you’ll want to know:
- 🛑 Alto: Stop
- 🔁 Retorno: Turn-around, which is where you make legal U-turns
- Entrada: Entrance
- Salida: Exit
- ⛔️ Restringido: Restricted area
- ❌ Prohibido: Entry prohibited
8. Mexico gas stations are not self-serve
When you stop for gas, an attendant will pump it for you and take the payment. Many attendants don’t work for the gas station, and live off tips.
When they finish, it’s customary to tip them $10-20 Mexican pesos ($0.50-1 USD), or more if you ask them to perform a service like checking your tires.
Renting A Car in Playa del Carmen Mexico
9. Mexico traffic lights have an extra step
In Mexico, stop lights go from green to yellow, to flashing yellow for a few seconds, to finally, a red light.
Some lights go from green to flashing green for a few seconds, to yellow, to finally, a red light.
🚦 Car Rental Cancun Tips: You are still legally supposed to stop at the yellow light, just like in the U.S.
10. Yes, Mexico cops do take bribes
If the cops pull you over — and they usually only will if you give them a reason to — they often expect a cash “payment” in exchange for not ticketing you.
The best ways to insure this doesn’t happen to you is to: 1) not speed, 2) not be on your phone, and 3) not break any other Mexico driving laws.
Now, I’m not in any way defending this practice, and what I am about to say might be controversial for some.
However, the easiest way to make this problem go away is by paying them 🤷♀️
The worst thing you can do is argue because they can take you to jail — and is that where you want to spend your Playa del Carmen vacation?
🚔 Article 152 & Tarjeton Turistico
About 10 years ago, the Mexican government implemented Article 152, though efforts fell flat.
The Tarjetón Turístico tourist card was intended to end police bribes on tourists, so it’s sad the program failed, but if you see anything about Mexico Article 152 online, it’s no longer operational.
Final Thoughts: Renting A Car in Playa del Carmen Mexico
Renting a car in Playa del Carmen is usually a simple, hassle-free process. However, picking the right company to rent with could mean the difference between a fun Playa del Carmen vacation and a headache!
For the sake of convenience, pick your rental up at Cancun International Airport when you fly in. This is the airport closest to Playa del Carmen, and it has plenty of international companies and local rental agencies on site.
You can also rent a car in Playa del Carmen itself, but Cancun will have the bigger selection. Since you’ll likely have to get to Playa del Carmen from Cancun anyway, the easiest way to do that will be in your rental car.
One of the most important things to keep in mind for a Playa del Carmen car rental is to rent with a reputable company like Discover Cars. I also recommend their Full Coverage Policy, which I always use.
If not, make sure you also purchase Mexican car insurance, as you’re not covered in any way through your U.S. or Canadian policy.
Looking to rent a car in other parts of Mexico?
Check out these linked guides so you understand the process at car rental agencies throughout the country, and you avoid getting scammed when renting a car in Mexico.
🚙 Renting a car in Yucatan Peninsula
🚙 Renting a car in Baja Mexico
- Renting a Car in Cabo San Lucas
- Renting a Car in San Jose del Cabo
- Renting a Car in La Paz Mexico
- Renting a Car in Loreto Mexico

