Zihuatanejo-Ixtapa Message Board - Rental car or taxi?

Rental car or taxi? (reply)

Helene — Sun, 09 Oct 2016 19:11:05 +0000

I always rent a car when I'm in Zih but I also need one as i live on the south end of la Ropa, up a hill and i can't get around like I used to. My landlord owns the car and has all the proper insurance in place. My only complaint is the lack of parking in high season. I do love having it as I can go anywhere.

Rental car or taxi? (reply)

frostbite — Fri, 30 Sep 2016 14:02:59 +0000

I can't answer the security question. I've heard horror stories on one end and nothing but wonderful experiences on the other. Maybe LadyM can chime in; she's driven a lot in Mexico. As to the guy with the van: let me know if you want to contact him and I'll send you his e-mail address and phone number.

Rental car or taxi? (reply)

Talley Ho — Fri, 30 Sep 2016 04:27:10 +0000

Mexico corporate prices are arranged in advance.

It all has to do with your comfort zone. Personally, we feel more secure in Mexico/Zihuatanejo, while realizing that we live in one those little "crime free" enclaves in California on the beach.

It's all a personal call...

Rental car or taxi? (reply)

mb — Fri, 30 Sep 2016 03:54:47 +0000

it's not the driving or other drivers which worries me. it's the security situation--i'm not used to places where extortion/kidnapping/possibly by the government happens at anything beyond 'makes national news' levels.

last pace i rented a car was morroco. call a few places 'i'd like to rent a car today. how much?' 'well, what are the other guys asking'. how to i get the car? 'we'll pick you up at your hotel'. in 3 hours. where do i fill out paperwork? 'drop me near the mechanics shop so i can pick up another car, we'll just do some paperwork on the side of the road'. how do i return the car? 'just text me when you're near, i'll track you on gps and flag you off the side of the road outside the airport. hand me a random amount of cash for the extra day's rental and be on your way'.

Rental car or taxi? (reply)

Talley Ho — Fri, 30 Sep 2016 01:47:34 +0000

We have been driving in Mexico since 1980, in an RV since 1990. We actually drive more in Mexico than in the US. The driving in Mexico is different. Not to discourage you in any way, but it's like shopping, dining, or asking a question-different. Only you can decide your comfort zone, and face it, whatever decision you make, you will spend less than at home. It's all an adventure!

Rental car or taxi? (reply)

mb — Fri, 30 Sep 2016 01:35:31 +0000

Thanks for the advice. No I am not walking from the airport! But I might email about the van.
Europcar (which I've read is the most reliable?) Price with insurance is a bit more than a taxi, so that's silly.

But how about driving to DF via someplace like taxco after. Rental cost split a few ways matches airfare for a few people (~$300us), and it's a chance to see someplace interesting which is hard to get to buy public transport.

Then again, maybe your guy with a van would take us there for the same price, then we could go on by bus the next day. How's the security of that?

Rental car or taxi? (reply)

upnortnick — Thu, 29 Sep 2016 13:38:15 +0000

Hey cantankerous, you should take the time to read the original post. I'm beating you never walked from the airport and back.

Rental car or taxi? (reply)

frostbite — Thu, 29 Sep 2016 13:26:06 +0000

We took a side trip to Troncones, a few years ago, and hit the one unpainted, unmarked tope hidden in the shade. Although we were not speeding, we hit that "sleeping policeman" so hard, that the rearview mirror broke off the windshield.

Rental car or taxi? (reply)

Canadian Rainbirds — Thu, 29 Sep 2016 06:23:00 +0000

No question, avoid the rental car.
Here is a link to Woodall's RVing in Mexico forum, and we have contributed to this current discussion:

http://forums.woodalls.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/29046662.cfm

Yes, Rod, we ride with you regularly to Comer, and we ALL miss that first tope!

Been coming to Z since 2013 and still hit that tope several times each trip!

Rental car or taxi? (reply)

frostbite — Thu, 29 Sep 2016 01:56:41 +0000

No idea. If you want to e-mail him directly, I can send you his contact info.

Rental car or taxi? (reply)

La Cumbre — Thu, 29 Sep 2016 01:43:14 +0000

Are you able to tell me how many people will fit in the van?

Rental car or taxi? (reply)

Talley Ho — Thu, 29 Sep 2016 00:29:48 +0000

No question, avoid the rental car.
Here is a link to Woodall's RVing in Mexico forum, and we have contributed to this current discussion:

http://forums.woodalls.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/29046662.cfm

Yes, Rod, we ride with you regularly to Comer, and we ALL miss that first tope!

Rental car or taxi? (reply)

carolina — Wed, 28 Sep 2016 21:28:39 +0000

My experience has been that the car I thought I was renting was "not available" when I arrived... and you know the rest - what was available was more expensive. Taxis are reasonable, easy to find, and a much better choice in my opinion - driving and parking can be tricky. Enjoy your stay and leave the driving to the taxistas.

Rental car or taxi? (reply)

frostbite — Wed, 28 Sep 2016 21:20:53 +0000

Driving - and parking - is not particularly entertaining in Zihua. Having someone else do the driving is more relaxing and you can see more. If you're interested, I can send you the contact info for the guy we use. He also has a van and speaks perfect English.

Rental car or taxi? (reply)

cantinero46 — Wed, 28 Sep 2016 20:54:15 +0000

Up your whatever,my advice is WALK,you'll see more,enjoy the city's finest spots,but taxi taxi,try a combi?

Rental car or taxi? (reply)

upnortnick — Wed, 28 Sep 2016 19:55:47 +0000

Parking is a big problem all by itself. In addition, you will need to purchase Mexican auto insurance which may be more per day the quoted rental amount. I say "need" because without it, should something happen, your stay may be extended in quarters not near as nice as the worst hotel there. My advice is taxi, taxi, taxi.

Rental car or taxi?

mb — Wed, 28 Sep 2016 19:16:21 +0000

Planning on a long weekend in November.

No real need for a rental car. But a few weeks ago, I found rental cars for $US2/day from Payless and a bit more from Europcar. Now it's more expensive, but still only $25US to rent a car over several days. Given that the airport taxi costs about $20USD one way (and much less on the way back)... does it make sense to rent a car? What's the hassle factor getting in/out of the airport, gas (I've bought gas elsewhere in mx, and the attendant kept the change as a 'tip'), parking, etc? Vs the benefit (how's parking in, say, downtown Zihua)?

Of course if the exchange rate crashes any further, the taxi is the obvious option.