Riviera Maya car rentals

Driver's age: 26-65

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Cheap car hire in Riviera Maya

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Economy car
Economy
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Compact car
Compact
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Intermediate car
Intermediate
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Standard car
Standard
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Full-size car
Full-size
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Luxury car
Luxury
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People carrier car
People carrier
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Passenger van car
Passenger van
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Commercial car
Commercial
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Pick-up truck car
Pick-up truck
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Top tips for hiring a car in Riviera Maya

  • On some highways in the Riviera Maya, there aren't many exits on one side of the road. On these stretches, you may find 'Retornos' - spots where you're allowed to make a U-turn and cross the highway, to get to the exits on the other side of the highway. While these are useful, it's important to be very careful when making one of these turns, as you leave and re-enter traffic. Another useful thing to be aware of on the highway, is that if the car in front of you turns on their turn signal, they may be indicating that it's okay to pass them on that side.
  • When you're using a hire car in Riviera Maya, you'll want to be extra aware of speed bumps. Driving at full speed over a speed bump you're unaware of has the potential to cause damage to the vehicle, incurring potential fees from your Riviera Maya car hire company. They are very common throughout the region and while there are usually signs indicating their presence they are sometimes missing or easy to miss. Look out for a sign that reads 'Tope' with a distance indicator. In between towns, they'll be less common, but as you get to more residential areas, you can expect them.
  • While laws regarding child seats and restraints are not widely enforced for children under 12, they are strongly recommended, so most Riviera Maya car hire companies can provide them. It's best to check and book this ahead of time, so you can organise alternative arrangements if necessary. Your UK car seat may not be approved in Mexico, so it's often best to hire one from your car hire company or a baby equipment company. They can usually provide both child restraints and booster seats. Note that it is mandated that children under the age of 12 sit in the back seats of the car and all passengers must wear seat belts.
  • You may encounter police checkpoints while visiting Riviera Maya. For example, if you pick up your vehicle in Cancún, there is often a checkpoint near the airport. You may also encounter checkpoints when you arrive at and leave Playa del Carmen. Make sure you have your licence, registration, and rental agreement ready to show, and you'll likely be on your way quickly.
  • Book your rental car in Riviera Maya at least 1 day before your trip in order to get a below-average price
  • Intermediate rental cars in Riviera Maya are around 30% cheaper than other car types, on average

FAQs about hiring a car in Riviera Maya

  • What is the most popular car hire in Riviera Maya?

    Intermediate (Nissan X-Trail or similar) is the most frequently booked car hire type in Riviera Maya.

  • How can I find car hires near me in Riviera Maya?

    Take a look at our extensive car hire location map to find the best car hire deals near you.

  • Where should I hire a car in Riviera Maya?

    Based on car searches on KAYAK, the most popular cities to hire a car in Riviera Maya are Tulum (88% of total searches of users looking to hire a car in Riviera Maya) and Cancún (13%).

  • Should I hire a car in Riviera Maya?

    Hiring a car is one of the best ways to explore this beautiful region packed with popular tourist destinations. It's just south of Cancún, one of Mexico's biggest tourist hotspots, and it's the home of the beautiful Playa Del Carmen. You'll often otherwise need to use tour buses or local buses that will generally be much more restricted in terms of your schedule and destinations. You can get from Playa del Carmen to Tulum in around 50 minutes by car, and there aren't usually regular bus departures between the two cities.

  • What is driving like in Riviera Maya?

    Driving in Riviera Maya is usually a pleasant experience. You will likely need to use occasional toll roads (make sure to have change on hand). The 307 highway that takes you from Cancún and Tulum is known to become tricky to drive on during and after rain. There isn't much run off, so puddles can form and leave the road wet. Slow down where necessary and apply the same principle on rural roads throughout the region.

  • How old do you have to be to hire a car in Riviera Maya?

    International car hire companies that have offices in Riviera Maya will often hire cars to drivers over the age of 21, though they will generally charge an extra fee for drivers between 21 and 25. Local companies will often have stricter restrictions, requiring all drivers of the vehicle be at least 25 years old. You can generally use your normal UK driving licence to hire a car and drive in Riviera Maya.

Car rental locations in Riviera Maya

Car rental directory

  • avis

    Avis car hire locations in Riviera Maya

    30 Locations

  • europcar

    Europcar car hire locations in Riviera Maya

    24 Locations

  • hertz

    Hertz car hire locations in Riviera Maya

    23 Locations

  • sunnycars

    Sunnycars car hire locations in Riviera Maya

    21 Locations

  • payless

    Payless car hire locations in Riviera Maya

    18 Locations

  • keddy

    keddy by Europcar car hire locations in Riviera Maya

    17 Locations

  • americacarrental

    America Car Rental car hire locations in Riviera Maya

    13 Locations

  • dollar

    Dollar car hire locations in Riviera Maya

    13 Locations

  • budget

    Budget car hire locations in Riviera Maya

    12 Locations

  • thrifty

    Thrifty car hire locations in Riviera Maya

    12 Locations

  • enterprise

    Enterprise Rent-A-Car car hire locations in Riviera Maya

    11 Locations

  • national

    National car hire locations in Riviera Maya

    11 Locations

Good to know

Most popular car type

Intermediate

When to book a rental car in Riviera Maya

Average daily price per month
Car hire prices as pick-up date approaches

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