Mexico - Cabo--Rental Car--Myth or Fact?

Hello All,

My girlfriend and I are heading down to Cabo from Aug. 13-18. We are staying in the corridor area and arriving at SJD. After lots of research both here and in travel books...I still can't make up my mind about whether or not to rent a car there. I know about the strong taxi union, so most fares anywhere are inflated. But I've been hearing some horror stories about rental car scams (unnecessary damage costs) and the sometimes hassle of dealing with the local police not to mention the confusion about car insurance down there. PLEASE, anyone with some experience or any new ideas for me?:confused:

My goal-to visit Cabo San Lucas at least one or two days, and possibly San Jose Del Cabo one or two. Thanks!:D

Hi!

I can't comment specifically as my experience goes back several years, however, when we arrived home the company had tried to charge us twice for the rental. The credit card company removed the second charge and that was the end of it. We did not have any issues driving there at the time - but we also had previous experience with Mexican road rules. Have a nice trip!

Please continue to follow this thread in the FT Mexico Forum.
Thanks..
Obscure2k
TravelBuzz Moderator

FYI, I own a condo in San Jose del Cabo, and I ALWAYS rent a car when I'm down there. Taxis are very expensive, and in particular, if you want to go places in both towns, and along the corridor, you need a car if you don't want to waste half of your vacation trying to avoid paying $25-50 every time you need to get somewhere that's not right near where you already are, and another $25-50 to get back to your hotel.

Insurance coverage IS expensive there, figure on $15-17 a day just for coverage - and you'll want it. Just figure on an extra $100-120 a week in cost, but having a car, with coverage, is simply the cost of being there.

Typically, I've gotten the best rates from either Dollar, or Payless, but occassionally from National. Generally speaking, including coverage, you should be able to get an economy car for something in the $250-$300 range a week if you shop around.

Not having a car will end up constraining your trip. Having one will allow you to freely get to either town - and I expect that you will certainly want to. If I were staying on the corridor, I would consider a car to be absolutely essential. The ONLY way I'd consider not renting one would be if I was staying somewhere in Cabo San Lucas near Medano Beach and the center of town, and only expected to go to San Jose once during the trip.

I was just in Cabo (mid July) and rented through Avis for about $30/day. I think there are decent weekly rental rates as well. I thought Avis was very professional and not as shady as some of the others can be.

In general, if you are staying in the Corridor, you'll definitely want to rent a car. (We didn't take insurance, but many people recommend it - I think it was $12/day). As taxi rates are stupid high in Cabo, the car is very, very convenient. San Lucas has good parking for cheap (10 or 20 pesos) at the large mall located on the left, lower side of the harbor as you enter from the highway. In addition, you may want to visit San Jose which is easy to navigate via car.

In addition, there is a Walmart and Sam's Club on your way into Los Cabos (on right, large complex - you'll see it). Very good prices and good place to stock up on essentials (read: rum) instead of paying ridiculous resort prices.

I really enjoyed having my own transportation - very easy to drive in the area - and you get to know the towns much better.

As a final comment, you can either take the new toll roads to/from the airport or the free regular "highway" (several lights). We took both and there was no noticeable difference, although locals indicated sometimes the regular highway can have traffic at certain times of day.

Go for the car and $15 insurance per day. You'll end up saving a lot in the long-run with your own car and will be free to drive up to any small towns on a whim.

Wow, thanks for all of the responses. This is exactly why I love this forum.
As an update, we are starting to lean in the "rent a car" option. I read on another post of the suggestion of taking pictures of your car and of any preexisting damage before you drive off the lot. But I feel that is solid advice for any part of the world. I'll keep checking to see if there are any more votes on the car rental thing here but so far, I'm thinking to do it. Thanks again everyone.:D

good place to stock up on essentials (read: rum)

No way...in Mexico it's cheapo Cuervo.

You must be thinking about the trip to STT. :D

One other point - always pay CASH for gasoline. I learned that the hard way, when one guy at the Pemex in downtown Cabo San Lucas told me my card had been denied, and then found out when I got my bill that he had put a $120 charge on it. Fortunately, the signature was such an obvious forgery that I won the dispute with my credit card company.

And when paying cash, pay close attention to what size bills you give the guy - they love to try to tell you that you gave them a 20 peso bill instead of a 200 peso bill.