Want to avoid sticker shock at Tulum International Airport from transportation costs which have been leading to tourist complaints?
Decide, like many recent travelers have done lately, to go it alone instead and rent a car.
Car Rentals Up in Tulum
Car rental companies at Tulum are experiencing their best moment due to the high airport transportation costs for tourists.
That’s according to the Association of Vehicle Rental Companies of Quintana Roo President Alma Elena Reynoso Zambrano.
“Tulum is practically a boom right now,” she said in a published report on the issue. “All of the rental companies that have opened in that destination no longer have vehicles; they are at 100% occupancy with the number of flights that arrive.”
That’s because tourists, especially international travelers, are discovering that renting a car is simply easier, cheaper, and more convenient than using taxis and rideshares.
Expanding Car Rentals
That has led to the Association of Vehicle Rental Companies of Quintana Roo calling for more car rental facilities near the airport and additional car rental companies operating at Tulum International Airport to keep up with the tourist demand.
“Only some brands serve the airport,” she said. “More facilities need to be opened so that there is more competition.”
Travelers who reserve a car far enough in advance can definitely receive good deals.
For example, looking at dates in early August, Hertz had compact automatic vehicles available at Tulum International Airport available for only $35 per day base rate.
Meanwhile, Avis has a compact manual vehicle available at the same airport in August for only $28.50 per day base rate.
Those two car rental companies alone are very competitive with using rideshares and taxis to get around town on a vacation getaway.
Maya Train Postponed Indefinitely
The situation is not expected to improve any time soon for travelers as a court in Quintana Roo recently suspended the construction of the highly anticipated train line between Tulum and Playa del Carmen indefinitely.
Travelers were looking forward to having that service in place to create affordable mass transportation options from Tulum International Airport to Playa del Carmen and Cancun.
This court action means you will need to find alternative transportation to areas north of Tulum and rideshare and taxi companies have raised their prices due to increased demand with little competition.
That’s why the demand for rental cars has skyrocketed until some resolution is found to the environmental challenges about underground caverns and cenotes faced by the Maya Train.
Tips for Travelers
For now, visitors flying to Tulum International Airport to enjoy a vacation getaway in the sun, sand and surf of more northern Mexican Caribbean tourist hotspots will have to rely on high priced rideshares and taxis along with lower priced buses to access the area unless they decide to rent a car.
Travelers may just uncover that renting a car at Tulum International Airport may be an easier, more convenient and cheaper alternative to get around the Mexican Caribbean on their vacation including destinations like Cancun and Playa del Carmen.
Visitors deciding to rent a car on their own are highly recommended to reserve their vehicle well in advance. The options at the airport are extremely limited and often sold out.
The more advanced the reservation, the better the chance to get a good rate and guarantee a vehicle reservation.
Travelers can look to discounts from their insurance company, credit card and even the Automobile Association of America to save money on their vacation car rental.
Tourists reserving a car at Tulum International Airport will want to review car rental insurance options from their credit card company or even purchase travel insurance to cover their potential liability.
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