Cancun:
A bird’s eye-view:
Ancient
Maya ruins and powder white beaches attract hundreds of visitors
to this Mexican port city every day! Cancun consists of two parts:
One is the island and the other is in the mainland. They are connected
by two bridges. The city’s tourist attractions include limestone
sand beaches, coastal ruins of Tulum, ruins of Chichen and ultra
modern sites such as the interactive aquarium. Visitors can experience
an immensely interesting culture in which modernity and traditions
integrate colorfully.
Except
in the rainy season, which is from August to October, Cancun is
generally sunny. Late June is the hottest season.The
city is home to nearly 500, 000 people, of whom most are indigenous
Mexicans and a growing number, from the rest of America and from
across the Atlantic.
Although
the city’s tourism industry suffered a severe setback due to Hurricane
Wilma that swept the region on October 22, 2005, it restored normalcy
soon, with nearly 200 flights operating to and from Cancun per day.
Today,
the city, which shot to fame in the 70's by the French explorer
Jaques Cousteau, accommodates its floating population in nearly
150 two to five star hotels.As soon as tourists reach Cancun airport,
they can hire taxis for $10 to $20 to reach any of the hotels. Many
visitors make use of car rental services provided by several companies
with offices based in the city.
Cancun
car rental tips:
1.
Locate car rentals cancun companies by using Yellow pages,
online search or by consulting your travel agent.
2.
Even if you possess a confirmed car rental, you may be rejected
at the counter for traffic violations within the past few years.
It is important that your driving record is clean.
3.
Accidents are not uncommon in Cancun. Even a small mishap may cost
you heavily. So it is safe to have some kind of insurance coverage
for you and the car.
4.
Study all your insurance policies [including health, auto and homeowner]
to see whether they cover car rentals. If you're not sure, consult
a recognized insurance company for advice.
5.
Consider the size of the car. A small car
rentals cancun can sometimes be uncomfortable. Renting a large
car costs more. As terms such as "compact," "mid-size," and "luxury"
differ among companies, it is important to actually look at the
car and decide.
6.
Work out as to how long you would rent the car. Daily rentals are
usually more cost effective if the car is needed for three days
or less.
7.
Car rentals are calculated based on the following fees:
Airport
surcharges:
This applies when you pick up or drop off the car at the air port.
On the other hand, if you rent a car at an off-airport location,
it will be cheaper.
Drop-off
fees: These are fees charged when you drop off the car
at a location different from the pick-up point.
Fuel
charge: When the rental company delivers the car along
with fuel, the company charges this fee. It's often much higher
than in a gas station. Hence, it is better to get the car refueled
by yourself in a gas station.
Mileage
fees: These are set at per-mile basis or as a flat fee
when you exceed the “free mileage cap” [free mileage limit] set
by the car rental company.
Additional
driver fees: If you allow an additional driver to drive
the car, the company charges this fee.
Fees
for additional accessories: If the car is fitted with accessories
such as infant seat, CD player, roof rack etc. the rental may include
additional fees.
Out-of-state
and out of country charges:
These are charged when you drive the car of the state or country
from where you rented it. If you are renting a car while in the
U.S. your car rental company may charge this fee.
As
the abovementioned fees tell you whether a rental is cost effective
or not, it is advisable that you compare details from different
car rental companies before you decide and sign the rental agreement
with the company.
8.
Car rentals cost less when booked in advance.
9.
If the car that you had booked for is suddenly not available at
the counter, don't feel shy to ask for a free upgrade.
10.
Before driving the car, get the car's interior and exterior fully
examined for any dents and scratches, and get it noted by the car
rental firm. See that the car has good windshield wipers.
Financial
tips:
1.
Some credit card companies and motor clubs provide car rental benefits
to consumers who use their cards.
2.
Some airlines or rail lines offer discounted car rental fees. You
may identify the one that is most suitable for you.
3.
Booking for car rental at least 4 months in advance, can save a
lot of money.
4.
It is also a good idea to consult your travel agent to know about
special discounts specific to Cancun. Special car rental discounts
are common in Cancun and they are advertised in print as well as
online.
Driving
precautions needed in Cancun:
1.
Obey the road signs such as "Cuide suVida: no se distraiga"which
means “Take care of your life, don't get distracted”. They mean
a lot.
2.
Avoid driving in heavy rain. It may cause skidding.
3.
Avoid driving after it gets dark.
4.
Watch out for commuters on motorbikes and scooters, or people walking
with farm animals.
5.
Get yourself familiarized with Mexican road traffic regulations.
The
Consumer Literacy Consortium, a working group of federal and state
government agencies, consumer groups, business organizations, and
educational institutions based in the U.S, in its publication “66
Ways to Save Money”, advices consumers to consider fees and insurance,
when looking for the best car rental.
Once
you are familiar with the above mentioned points, you are ready
to launch your action plan in finding an appropriate car
rentals cancun, so that your visit to the city will be memorable
to you and your family in the years to come!
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