Hi guys, is it safe to hire a car and drive in Cancun? I've heard it can be dangerous but would like to visit the ruins in the morning before the mass tourist invasion. Thanks
Lots of people drive in Cancun. Lots of places to rent cars around the airport. Lots of taxi's too. They can be pricey from the airport and hotel zone but in other places rates arn't so bad. The airport rate makes a little sense considering it is a 10, 15 or 20 km ride. I drove in mexico without getting into an accident with another car. I found that Metamoros was more hectic than other parts of mexico. Just keep an eye out and consider driving at night to be a needs only thing if the area isn't lit. If a car doesn't appear to be moving infront of you on a highway it may not be... Cancun roads are in pretty good condition unlike some other areas that have much more dangerous roads such as some of the public highways in remote areas, or areas under construction, or areas without roads upkept. Note there are topes in Cancun.. but not as many speed bumps.. but enough that it has a Mexican road feel. I advise against driving any car with a low bottom in mexico.. get a foot or more of clearance. Look for good shocks and suspension for ride quality but otherwise Cancun has a pretty good road system with generally many one way and roads divided by physical barriers. I think it is safer to drive than walk in Cancun. To be honest I havn't seen a single car accident in cancun at all.
