Outside of major cities, parking is generally unrestricted; however you should take care to only use designated parking lots and well-lit areas if you rent a car in Mexico. Street parking can either be metered or regulated by automated machines, so carry some pesos with you in case credit cards are not accepted. Additionally, there are few assigned spots for disabled parking, so take note if you fall into this category.
All major highways and expressways in Mexico have toll stations, and not all of them accept credit cards; therefore, having some change on your person is a good idea. There are alternative routes around toll stations that you may choose to use, and though the drive is a bit longer, the scenery should prove more interesting.
If you didn’t pick up a rental at the airport when you arrive and later decide you wish to do so, there are some companies, like Alamo, that will deliver a vehicle to your door free of charge, as long as you are staying in a major city. If you wish to share driving duties while in Mexico, there are fees that apply for any additional drivers, for example around 133.75 MXN (7 USD) with Alamo.
For those who are serious driving enthusiasts, cross-border travel is not typically permitted when you rent a car in Mexico, so you cannot explore Central American countries like Belize or Guatemala unless you make your own arrangements. That said, some companies, like Alamo, will permit you to travel across the US border from select cities, including Monterrey, Tijuana, and Mexicali.
25% of our users found rental cars in Mexico for $30 or less
Book your rental car in Mexico at least 1 day before your trip in order to get a below-average price
Economy rental cars in Mexico are around 67% cheaper than other car types, on average
FAQs about hiring a car in Mexico
On average a car hire in Mexico costs $75 per day.
Economy (Class Economy Car or similar) is the most frequently booked car hire type in Mexico.
In the past 72 hours, the cheapest car hires were found at keddy by Europcar ($36/day), Mas By Mex ($39/day) and America Car Rental ($68/day).
Based on ratings and reviews from real users on KAYAK, the best car hire in Mexico is Enterprise Rent-A-Car (6.1, 61 reviews).
Take a look at our extensive car hire location map to find the best car hire deals near you.
Based on car searches on KAYAK, the most popular cities to hire a car in Mexico are Cabo San Lucas (20% of total searches of users looking to hire a car in Mexico), Puerto Vallarta (20%) and Oaxaca (13%).
On average a car hire in Mexico costs $56 per week ($8 per day).
On average a car hire in Mexico costs $242 per month ($8 per day).
The law states that you must use the right side of the road when driving in Mexico and that all occupants riding in vehicles must wear a seatbelt. If you are traveling with minors, any child age 7 or under is required to be secured in a child seat. These can be provided when you rent a car in Mexico, so there is no need to travel with your own.
At the time of rental, the driver must be a minimum of 21 years old (maximum of 75 with Alamo) to rent a car in Mexico, as long as you’ve been driving for two years. Young drivers under 25 will incur a daily penalty with most major agencies. For example, about 480 MXN (25 USD) per day with Alamo. Valid licenses from the US are okay without an International Driver’s Permit.
At some point, you will need to stop for gas. When you do, you will have to pay an average of about 20.72 MXN (1.09 USD) for a liter of petrol (around 4.11 USD per gallon), but if you have chosen a diesel car, then the price average is about the same for petrol per liter and approximately 78.74 MXN (4.13 USD) for a gallon.
You should follow the speed limit guidelines of 30-70 km/h (18-43 mph) within city areas, while 90 km/h (56 mph) is permitted outside of city limits. Driving on Mexican highways and motorways allows for speeds between 100 and 120 km/h (62-74 mph). Be aware that limits can vary in some areas, so pay attention to posted speed signs when you encounter them.
The rates displayed include all taxes and fees for hire cars for the class listed and were found by KAYAK users in the last 48 hours. Offers are subject to change and may not be available on all car hires listed or dates of travel. Some hire car providers charge additional fees for other services (GPS, infant car seats, etc.). Please check the website of the respective hire car provider.