Based on the recommendations here and elsewhere online, I rented with Easy Way as they were one-third the price of the major brands. $135 for 4 days including zero-deductible insurance was a very good deal. Prompt pick up at the airport by a friendly employee, quick paperwork process and a thorough review (a la Enterprise style) of the manual transmission Dodge Attitude. Return was a 1-minute process and we were promptly returned to the airport by an employee in the same car we had just returned. I experienced better service than some of the elite-level Avis properties I have used.
One of our driving days, my wife and I drove from Playa del Carmen to Chichen Itza. Using the major highway on the way back, we passed a police inspection point right at the state line between Yucatan and Quintana Roo. I was flagged down and told to pull over. The officer asked for my license and passport.
Having read numerous other posts online on how to deal with Mexican police, I did not panic and knew exactly how to get out of the situation. Never give them your passport!!! It'll be held hostage until money exchanges hands. Drivers license isn't such a big deal as I can get that replaced back home in a matter of hours. Anyway. I gave him my license but told him the passports were back at the hotel. Of course, he said this was a major problem and the fine for not having our passports with us was $4000 MEX for each of us.
Never get upset. Never suggest a lesser amount. Always be exceedingly polite and respectful, ask them to spell their name and provide you with their badge number. Make a point of writing it all down including their license plate number. Never take photos as I have heard this will freak out many of the dirty cops.
If you plan to drive in Quintana Roo and/or Yucatan, the most important thing you can do is to ABSOLUTELY print and tape a small piece of paper to the back of your drivers license with the following details:
Sindicatura del Gobierno Municipos
Benito Juárez, Cancún, Quintana Roo
Municipal Palace, Av. Tulum No. 5 Sm. 5
CP 77500, Benito Juárez
Tel. (998) 881 28 00 x8100
Dirección de la Policía Municipal
Estado de Yucatan
Calle 57 número 459 entre 52 y 54, Colonia Centro
Tel. (999) 942 00 70
Mario Arturo Romero Escalante
Comisionado - Director
[email protected]
Lic. Juan Eduardo Maza Poot
Coordinador de Servicios Internos
Departamento de Asuntos Internos y Averiguaciones
[email protected]
x 83015
Sindicatura del Gobierno Municipos
Benito Juárez, Cancún, Quintana Roo
Municipal Palace, Av. Tulum No. 5 Sm. 5
CP 77500, Benito Juárez
Tel. (998) 881 28 00 x8100
Dirección de la Policía Municipal
Estado de Yucatan
Calle 57 número 459 entre 52 y 54, Colonia Centro
Tel. (999) 942 00 70
Mario Arturo Romero Escalante
Comisionado - Director
[email protected]
Lic. Juan Eduardo Maza Poot
Coordinador de Servicios Internos
Departamento de Asuntos Internos y Averiguaciones
[email protected]
x 83015
This info contains the public worker's union officiants specifically charged with investigating police matters,and firing corrupt officials. It is called the "Sindicatura," and it is a name you should remember. It is pronounced "seen-dee-kah-too-ra."
It does not matter if the officer speaks English, or understands anything of what you are saying. When he hears that word, the game is usually over. It has been said by a Mexican observer, "Sindicatura to a police officer is like a crucifix to a vampire." They are the "untouchables" of the local government.
Guess what? IT WORKED! Police officer 1 opened the small, folded document I printed and taped to my license and looked at me. All I said was "informacion de sindicatura" and he quickly walked to the police car behind me to discuss it with officer 2. I could see officer 2 in my rearview mirror carefully reading the note and then laughing. He waved off officer 1 who came back to my window, handed me my license and said I can leave. No pleasantries or warning, just...go!