Booked a trip to Tulum in April. Thinking of renting a car instead of transfers to and from Resort. Do I need to buy insurance from rental company?
Thanks

Credit Cards usually only cover Collison Damage Waiver (CDW) which means you still need to get Third Party (TPL) IF the rental agency doesn't include it in their rental prices. Also if using your credit card CDW, make sure to take a letter from them as proof of insurance or they may force you to buy theirs to rent their vehicles( Had that happen at Cancun Enterprise). I haven't needed it since but I take one everywhere now just in case. You also should be grabbing a $25 International Drivers permit from AMA. If you get pulled over or in an accident they could potentially fine you $2500 for not having it. I'm a better safe than sorry kind of girl.

Thanks. Talked my insurance company. They told me I will need third party insurance in Mexico. Think that will be $15/day

If there is a SIXT Car Rental agency book with them as they supply the third party insurance also book with your travel credit card and you tgen get collision as well.

We rent a car for 3 months at a time in Mexico and have never had any issues nor have we had to have a different drivers license.

It's like insurance.. You only need it, when you need it.

Be VERY careful with insurance right from the rental outfit...and yes, strongly recommend you buy it....expensive but very good piece of mind....if you've ever driven in Mexico, you'll know why. If you've been down there for a while, you DO get accustomed to it but if you're just there for a short stint, it makes you wonder how they survive...not quite so bad in the areas you'll likely visit but if you drive in Cancun or other cities, you'll soon experience the risk....

I heard that a lot of locals don’t even have insurance down there

Oh, quite likely...and thus the reason it is so important for you to have yours...fyi, one thing we heard when we stayed in Yucatan (Progreso area)...buses ALWAYS have right of way...so be very careful and give them their space...

I second this. I think the area you will be driving in will be ok, since there are a lot of tourists there. But they deal with car accidents differently in Mexico. The roads are crazy! It’s just the way it is...Get all the insurance you can. And be careful of shady gas station attendants. Be certain to check the amount you are handing them in cash clearly and carefully in front of them, or else they will claim you only gave them 50 pesos instead of 500 or whatever, and you owe them more money. It’s their classic tourist scam, you’ll end up paying $100 Canadian for a tank of gas.

On this same note, one thing we we were warned about is ensuring you see the attendant actually ZERO the pump. Presumably, there is a way for attendants to have the pump start with an amount showing and you then pay the full amount once your tank is filled. Again, not sure if this really does happen but I always got out of the car to ensure I could see them starting the pump at $0.00. FOR ALL....have any of you actually seen this??

Kevin I have definitely heard of that scenario you mentioned. My husband (who is always the driver...and Mexican, so aware of all the tricks, as they are not unique to this specific area) always gets out of the vehicle and spends the entire time watching the process. I never really asked him why. Its always good to be extra careful! I will ask him if there is anything else to watch out for.

Thanks. Rented a car a few years ago down there. However, it was one day and done at the resort. Have to decide what we want to do

Check out Canada transfers. You can get a private van ( stocked with beverages of your choice ) for a very reasonable price. You can pay in Canadian dollars through PayPal

Rent a car. Go to some ruins. And go to Valladolid. Almost free cenote and great restaurants.

Only if it gets stolen

Also, check with your own car insurance company. Often, for minimal cost, they can add comprehensive coverage for rental cars.

I would avoid renting. It’s one of the easiest areas to get around. We hired a car & driver for several days at a very reasonable rate and he had great suggestions and took us places off the beaten track.