Is Renting A Car In Cancun Worth It?: 15 Reasons Why You Should!

Is Renting A Car In Cancun Worth It?

The short answer is: Yes, it is worth it unless you are planning to stay locked up in one of the spectacular all-inclusive resorts and get pampered, which is a great option too. But in that case, you wouldn’t need a car.

However, if you are interested in exploring Cancun and the Riviera Maya, then yes, I would recommend renting a car. I have lived in Cancun for more than 10 years and every time I go back now I rent a car because it gives me the freedom to explore and be independent from taxi or public transports.

But there are many more reasons why renting a car in Cancun is worth it and that’s what I will talk about in this post.

Aerial view of Isla Mujeres Playa Norte.
IS RENTING A CAR IN CANCUN WORTH IT?

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15 Reasons Why Renting A Car In Cancun Is Worth It

Renting a car can be daunting. Comparing prices, finding the right car, and understanding what kind of insurance you need.

I have covered all the stressful parts in my article on how to rent a car in Cancun that will help you figure all that out.

Once you have got all of that out of the way, having a rental car gives you the freedom to explore new areas on your own schedule. Here is why renting a car in Cancun is worth it:

Bus on a busy road in Cancun Hotel Zone.
IS RENTING A CAR IN CANCUN WORTH IT?

1. It Allows You to Travel at Your Own Pace

Cancun is such a popular destination that you can find tours to take you all over the area. Whether you want to see ruins, swim in a cenote, or go shopping, you can sign up for a private or shared tour.

For many people, tours are a great way to meet other travelers and not have to worry about the logistics while sightseeing.

However, tours run on schedules. When you rent a car you are free to move at your own speed. This means you can stay as long (or short) as you want at each destination you visit. 

Having the freedom to move at your own pace can also help you avoid crowds.

You can either get up early and beat tour buses to popular sites, such as the Chichen Itza ruins, or go later in the day when large groups have already left. 

IS RENTING A CAR IN CANCUN WORTH IT?

2. It Provides Privacy and Personal Space

Renting a car provides you with privacy and personal space that using public transportation cannot.

When you rent a car for you and your travel buddies, you can travel exactly how you want to listening to music, talking, or relaxing and enjoying the scenery.

Renting a car can also be more comfortable because you have more space and can spread out your belongings.

On day tours and in public transportation you need to be careful to keep all of your stuff together so it does not get lost or forgotten. Renting a car lets you relax and enjoy more personal space and privacy.

IS RENTING A CAR IN CANCUN WORTH IT?

3. It Makes Day Trips Convenient and Easy

There are a lot of great day trips to take while staying in Cancun. You can visit ruins, and cenotes, or swim with turtles at Akumal Bay.

Having a rental car makes day trips fun and easy. You will get to your destination faster than if you use the public buses or colectivos, and the journey will be more comfortable too.

One of the best parts of doing day trips with a rental car is that you can stop and explore anywhere you want. If you pass through a small pueblo, you can stop for a drink or snack and have the chance to eat truly authentic regional food. 

With modern technology, it is safe and easy to explore new areas. GPS maps are very accurate for the area, and you can easily cruise to new destinations without worrying about getting lost. 

Aerial view of Playa Langosta.
IS RENTING A CAR IN CANCUN WORTH IT?

4. It Gives You More Storage for Your Belongings

One of the best parts of day trips in the Riviera Maya is that you can hit up several attractions in one day.

Many of the must-see sights are located close together, so you can easily visit ruins in the morning and then cool off with a swim in a cenote.

Having a rental car makes it easy to pack all you need for the day – sunscreen, towel, bath suits, dry clothes, and not have to carry it around with you at every stop you make. 

IS RENTING A CAR IN CANCUN WORTH IT?

5. It Can Be Much Cheaper than Taking a Taxi

It is easy to flag down a taxi in Cancun, and taxi drivers will take you just about anywhere you want to go, no matter how far away it is. Taxis are easy and convenient but can get expensive fast.

If you plan a day trip with multiple spots, the taxi fare will add up quickly, or, if you want to visit more remote beaches, ruins, or cenotes, you will need to ask the drivers to wait for you while you enjoy and ensure you have a taxi ride home.

The taxi will be happy to do this for you but will charge you for the service. 

If you plan to move around a lot and visit many different attractions, or if you are traveling with a companion or in a small group and can split the cost, renting a car can be more budget-friendly than taking taxis. 

IS RENTING A CAR IN CANCUN WORTH IT?

6. It Gets You Directly to Your Destinations

Whether you take public transportation or a day tour, if you are not traveling in a rental car, you are probably not traveling directly to your destination.

While there are affordable and reliable public transportation options in Mexico, they often make several stops between where you get on and where you are going.

Day tours often include quick stops for people to buy food or do some quick shopping, but if you are not interested in these stops, it can be nice to have a rental car and head directly where you want to go.

Bus at the Cancun Hotel Zone Kukulcan Plaza.
IS RENTING A CAR IN CANCUN WORTH IT?

7. It Could Reach Inaccessible Places for Public Transport

Not only does a rental car get you to your destination faster than public transportation (so you can spend more time enjoying it) but it can also get you off the beaten path to places where public transportation does not go.

The Yucatan Peninsula is filled with natural wonders, such as the cenotes, and there are many spots that public transportation does not go to.

Places like the pink lakes of Las Coloradas are only reachable with tours or in a rental car. 

IS RENTING A CAR IN CANCUN WORTH IT?

8. It Eliminates the Hassle of Other Transport Options

Renting a car can be a hassle, but once you have it, you are free to travel as you wish.

If you plan to see the Riviera Maya from Cancun with day tours and public transportation, you will constantly need to check pick-up times and meeting locations.

Your rental car will eliminate all of these hassles, and let you move where you want to go when you want to go.

IS RENTING A CAR IN CANCUN WORTH IT?

9. It Saves You Time for More Places to Visit

The real reward of not having to use public transportation that makes a lot of stops or a tour that takes longer to get you around is that you will spend more time enjoying your vacation.

Instead of spending time in transit or waiting for tours to start, you can be doing what you really wanted to do on vacation!

Whether that is snorkeling, jumping into a cenote, or seeing ancient Mayan ruins, the advantage of the rental car means you will have more time to enjoy your vacation!

View of Playa Delfines.
IS RENTING A CAR IN CANCUN WORTH IT?

10. It Provides a Sense of Security 

Traveling in a rental car can make you feel safe. You can travel off the beaten path and not need to worry about how you will return to your hotel.

You know exactly who you will be traveling with. You can control what time of the day you travel. This level of control is very comforting to many travelers.

IS RENTING A CAR IN CANCUN WORTH IT?

11. It Offers a More Immersive Travel Experience

The experience of renting a car, needing to navigate to your destination, and having the freedom to stop wherever you want to explore will give you a richer travel experience than if you just take day tours or hire taxis.

You will need to pay attention more to your surroundings, and in turn, notice things that you would not otherwise. 

IS RENTING A CAR IN CANCUN WORTH IT?

12. It Ensures Your Safety Through Insurance Coverage

When you rent a car you will need to make sure you purchase insurance. Most comprehensive plans will cover you in the event of a theft, liability in accidents, and any other issue you will have.

You can feel confident driving in Cancun knowing the insurance will cover you if you need it.

View of the sunset in Isla Mujeres and Carribean coast -where to rent a car in Cancun?
IS RENTING A CAR IN CANCUN WORTH IT?

13. It is Ideal for Group and Family Trips

Renting a car is a great option if you are traveling with your family or a small group.

You can split the cost of the rental car, and it is often cheaper than paying for public transportation or a taxi. You can rent the size car you need for your group and always move around together.

14. It Usually Offers Emergency Assistance

You do not need to worry about being stuck on the side of the road with car rentals. All reliable companies will give you emergency contact information in the unlikely case that you break down or are in an accident.

The car rental company will have someone available to walk you through what to do, and usually even come pick you up. 

IS RENTING A CAR IN CANCUN WORTH IT?

15. It Gives You Late-Night Convenience

It is not recommended to drive long distances on the highway at night in Mexico.

However, having a rental car, and designated driver, is a great option if you plan to go out late at night. It ensures you a safe ride home to your hotel whenever you are ready to be done partying. 

Entrance of Coral Negro Flea Market in Cancun.
IS RENTING A CAR IN CANCUN WORTH IT?

Cancun Best Car Rental Company – DiscoverCars.com

Finding the best rental car can be stressful. Discover Cars do the hard work for you and make it easy to find great deals on rental cars.

Discover Cars is an online platform that works with hundreds of different rental car companies.

It’s an easy-to-use website that lets you compare different rental cars, read customer reviews, and easily book a rental car.

All you need to do is pick a pick-up location and specify which dates you need the car, and Discover Cars shows you what is available.

Best of all, the platform will show you the full price of the rental car, so you will not have any unexpected fees when you pick the car up. 

IS RENTING A CAR IN CANCUN WORTH IT?

Is Renting a Car in Cancun Worth it?: FAQ

Is it Safe to Rent a Car in Cancun?

Yes, it is safe to rent a car in Cancun. The roads are well-marked and well-maintained. Once you get outside of Cancun the traffic is mild and people generally drive safely. 

How Much Does Renting a Car in Cancun Cost?

Prices will vary depending on the time of year you travel, but in general you can expect to pay about $60-75 dollars a day for a small or midsize car, $75-90 a day for a large car, $100-120 for an SUV, and $220-300 for a van. 
Cancun drone view of Playa Langosta

Is a Car Rental Needed in Cancun? 

No, if you do not want to rent a car you can easily move around in taxis, the public bus system, or hire private shuttles.

You can also sign up for tours and day trips that include transportation to major attractions in the area.

Do You Need a Car to Get Around in Cancun Mexico? 

No, you do not. Renting a car is a great option if you want more freedom in your schedule, to control where you will be stopping, and to explore off-the-beaten-path areas. 
Is renting a car in Cancun Worth It? This Young woman driver is taking out suite case bag of her car.

Is it Better to Rent a Car in Cancun or Uber? 

It depends on you and your needs! If you plan to spend a lot of your time at your resort or doing tours that include transportation, Uber is a great option.

Or, if you and everyone you are traveling with plan to be drinking, you should not be driving.

However, if you plan to do lots of exploring and will need transportation several times a day, it might be a better option to rent a car.

Is it Safe to Rent a Car and Drive from Cancun to Tulum? 

Yes! The highway between Cancun and Tulum is well-maintained and easy to navigate.

In Mexico, it is always recommended that you avoid driving on highways late at night. 
Hotel Zone Walkable area.

Can Foreigners Drive in Cancun? 

Yes, as long as you have a valid driver’s license from your country. You do not need an international driver’s license. 
Aerial view of Punta Cancun.

Final Thoughts: Is renting a Car in Cancun Worth it?

This depends on what your vacation plans are. If you want to spend the majority of your vacation relaxing at your resort, you probably do not need a rental car.

However, if you plan to get out and explore the many amazing sites around Cancun, a rental car is a great way to do it.

Rental cars give you the freedom to go where you want (without making unwanted pit stops) when you want, and with only the people you want.

Plus, if you are traveling with a partner or small group of people and will split the cost of a rental car, it is an affordable way to travel.

To top it all off, the roads around the Cancun area are well-marked, well-maintained, and easy to navigate. 

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