Hi All,

I'm new to posting here at flyertalk, but have been lurking for some time now. I'd like to ask the veterans here what your opinion is on driving in Mexico. I'll be in Cancun & Cozumel next week and wanted to rent a car to drive to Chichen-Itza. Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks!

You don't say if you're american or else.
The principal problem with driving in Mexico is that some people don't follow the rules. Many pass by the right side, don't use the direction lights, don't stop at the stoplight, etc. Also, the police is not very helpful and many will try to get a bribe.

This is not so true at the tourist zone, and shouldn't be in any case a reason for not driving in Mexico, but you should take this into account.

It's pretty easy to drive in Mexico, although there are some nuances.

Older road engineering often has traffic exiting the road on the right shoulder to stop, let traffic pass, and then make a left turn instead of making a left turn from the left lane. (I've seen the same thing in Melbourne, except opposite since they drive on the left side of the road.)

Most mexicans pay attention to their driving, so passing in the left lane and yield to drivers going faster than you is common and a courtesy (unlike U.S. drivers).

Thanks for the replies. Yes, I am American, but I drive the speed limit, pass on the left and generally don't mess around. (I've seen too many deadly accidents to know better)

Can anyone say about how far from Tulum, how long it would take to get there?

And is there any word on safety?

Thanks again!

Takes about 1.5 hours to get to Tulum. From Cozumel...it'd be a little tricky.

Use your head, and it's completely safe.

It's safe.

Can anyone recommend a car rental agency to use in Playa del Carmen?

You will save alot of money by renting a car over the internet. You will want to rent in Cancun. Playa is a bit more noney. Driving is easy in Mexico. It will take you a few days to learn the way they drive and you will be on your way.

Welcome to FT!

No problems at all driving around there; it's not nearly as scary as it is in more urban areas. Chichen Itza from Tulum is about an hour on a good two-lane road to Valladolid, then a shorter trip on a four-lane limited-access toll road the rest of the way.

Main thing to be aware of is the speed bumps ("topes"). They can be nasty if you don't slow way down, especially the kind that is lots of small steel bumps instead of one big concrete up-and-down, and they're not always well marked. You won't find them in rural stretches or on the toll road, but even small villages that other roads pass through are likely to have a couple. Within towns, you'll find them approaching crosswalks, traffic lights, intersections, fire stations, and other random spots.

I rented a car at CUN airport and drove down to Xel-Ha and return. Safe roads and most drivers were normal. Oh yes, there are a few agressive ones that will pass with extreme disregard for safety but I see that in many European countries as well.

The more appropriate word of caution is to be sure of the safety of your rental vehicle. Even from big names such as Avis and Hertz, be sure to check out tire wear, wiper useage and brakes before driving off the lot. Cars generally have much more wear on them in Latin America than other places in the world.

Excellent point, also be sure to note the damage before taking the vehicle (as there will inevitably be some). Mexican car rental agents don't overlook scrapes and bruises like their U.S. counterparts.

And make sure all the damage is reported on the paperwork before you
drive away from your rental location. Take pictures if you can.

Once again, thanks for the replies everyone. I am back from Cozumel already, we ended up flying into Cancun and getting a rental car to drive to the ferry dock to get to the island (and a day late), rather than flying into the island as originally planned, due to recent US east coast weather.

The topes really are nasty! That's does seem to be the only thing to worry about, of course, to always regular common sense too.