Cabo Car Rental

[RetireAge50]

Going to Cabo San Lucas for 5 days just to get some sun. Has anyone rented a car there recently? Looks like $4/day plus $30/day for insurance. Seems strange. We typically decline all the insurance but the rules seem different down there.

Do we even need a car, in the past we just jumped on a public bus and/or walked.

[audreyh1]

I think I would buy insurance for car rental in Mexico because their liability laws are really strict and fines steep.

We travelled by bus between Cabo Luis and San Jose del Cabo and otherwise did fine on foot. What is it you want to reach by car? There are regular busses that run that section of the coast.

Most hotels will offer transfer service to and from the airport. I don't remember how we got to the airport but it was easy. (Otherwise I would have remembered)

[marko]

Look into AMEX who has an insurance for $25 which covers you for 6 weeks of rental. (This is separate from their usual card coverage; and you must use their card for the rental)

Not sure if it applies outside of the US, but the idea is that you don't need to take the rental agency's usurious rate, plus if you do get into an accident your personal insurance won't whack you because they don't even know about it.

[JDARNELL]

I was there a month ago. No car as I took shuttle from airport. No issue.


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[RetireAge50]

Thanks for feedback. I think we will stick with bus and shuttles. Rental car probably not worth money/worry.

[txtig]

Just got back from Cabo a few weeks ago. We hired a private car from the airport (in San Jose del Cabo) to Cabo san Lucas. About $80 each way plus tip (which includes cold cervesas!!). You can get much cheaper shuttle buses, but they stop at numerous resorts, so the ride takes much longer. Getting cabs within Cabo san Lucas is very easy and averages around $10 per trip. We really didn't want the hassle or risk of driving in Mexico.


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[txtig]

One other thing that may interest you. . . the car we hired included a 30 minute stop at Costco, WalMart or Mega to load up on groceries / booze. We were doing an all-inclusive so we didn't need the stop. But, If you're not doing an A.I., it's a nice option.


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[Tailgate]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RetireAge50 Thanks for feedback. I think we will stick with bus and shuttles. Rental car probably not worth money/worry.

good choice.. we've been a number of times and just bit the bullet and used taxis... there are only 2 taxi companies and they are as corrupt as the government. My expat friend in Cabo says if you rent/drive a car and have an accident, no matter whose fault it is, the Gringo will have to pay dearly.

Airport shuttles are easy to arrange online.. sounds like you've been there, but if not, make sure you read up on the timeshare sharks at the airport..

[RetireAge50]

Arrived today. Went straight past the timeshares, taxis, and shuttle busses. Hopped on air conditioned public bus for $5 each. Took less than an hour to downtown Cabo San Lucas.

[audreyh1]

Have a great time!

We really enjoyed hoping the bus over to San Luis del Cabo, walking the town square and having lunch, then walking over to the park land along the estuary/bay. That bay is where Sir Francis Drake used to lie in wait for the Spanish galleons coming from Manila to Acapulco over 400 years ago.

Sounds like there is some trail damage from a 2014 hurricane.