Cabo rental cars?

[ambere]

We are going to Cabo after Christmas for a week, staying at Sirena Del Mar. The last 2 times we did a private shuttle from/to airport and Ubers, which was convenient, and worked well. But this time, thinking about doing some day trips to Cerritos for surfing, La Paz, etc., and would be nice to have a car to get groceries. But last time we rented a car, we ended up with a ton of upcharges that was really frustrating. Any reputable car rental companies w/ no hidden fees? Thanks!

 

[geist1223]

In Cabo I normally rent from Hertz. I do it online from my Home before we go. Car rental companies in Mexico are required to have liability insurance that covers any damage to other people and property caused by one of their rental cars. This is part of their cost of doing business. Though they are happy to more than collect the costs from tourists. They can not make you pay for this. This required insurance does not cover the cost of damage to their vehicles. This is what they really want you to pay. At Hertz I decline and they simply put about a $2,000 hold on my Credit Card. Hertz never hassles me when I decline. When I have talked to Expats in Cabo the costs of their car insurance for complete coverage for a year is less than what Mexican Car Rental Companies want to charge for a couple weeks. When I make this Reservation for the the Rental Car Hertz picks me up just outside the terminal and drives us to their office. So they need to know your flight number and approximate time of arrival. And when we leave after we drop off the car they provide transportation back to the terminal.

 

[chalucky]

The third party liability or supplemental liability coverage is a undisclosed expense they hit you with at the counter and it is in the fine print when you reserve your car. It can double the cost of your rental. Have you declined it successfully? I have never had that luck.

PS Try Cactus Rent a Car for a total price rental. They did not do bait and switch on pricing.

 

[geist1223]

Yes.

 

[sun starved Gayle]

Another vote for Cactus. We have a friend who is married to a native of La Paz . They told us to rent from no one else but Cactus, so that is who we went with. We had no problems at all, and would definitely rent from them again.

 

[PamMo]

We’ve also rented from Cactus and will continue to use them. The last time was in October for two weeks, and our all-in price for two weeks was less than my brother’s rental for one week with another car rental company. Their website is http://www.cactuscar.com or you can email them here to ask for a quote cactusbaja@cactuscar.com

 

[buzglyd]

I’ve rented from Cactus and both Alamo locations in San Lucas and San Jose. We usually do the shuttle from the airport one way and then rent a car in town for the days we want to use it. Alamo allows a return to the airport if you rent from the city locations so I don’t have to pay for a shuttle back.

 

[easyrider]

We use Avis, Budget or Hertz for all of our trips to anyplace Mexico because these companies include the third party liability in their rate and using our American Express enrolled in the enhanced auto rental coverage covers the car with no deductible. To use any of the major rental franchises the requirement is to reserve off their website as they do not recognize third party insurance bought online from sites like Expedia because they can't verify it exists.

We always take pictures and a video of the car before we leave the car rental center. While I don't crawl under the car I do take some pictures and run the video to include the under area. This has saved us a couple of times, once with a dented wheel and another with a scratch.

Our last experience with a local car rental company in Cabo was years ago and it was bad. We have had good experiences with locals in Cabo too but the one bad one did it for me.

For this next trip we are using Hertz and it's about $150 a week for a compact car. On our last trip, three weeks in Cabo last winter, the car rental cost was paid for by attending a presentation.


Bill

 

[ambere]

All great tips, everybody; thanks so much! I'm going to check out Hertz and Cactus for now.

 

[ambere]

Oh my gosh, the rates on Hertz for Sat. Dec. 27- Sat. Jan. 4 start at $1,016/week for their smallest Economy size! I guess for next time, need to book further in advance, especially for high season.

 

[ambere]

Contacted Cactus, and they were very friendly (can call toll-free from US 866-225-9220). Sounds like there is a shortage of available rental cars right now over the holidays. They did have a VW Birtus (Intermediate) for $700/week, including 3rd party liability and taxes. But, I think we'll just stick w/ the private van to/from airport for $200 for 4 people (arranged through La Sirena), and might rent a car for a day from La Sirena; they deliver right to the resort: $140/24 hours including all taxes for compact; $145/ intermediate or $150/standard. Next time will book in advance. Thanks again!