Playa del Carmen Car Rental — Downtown Office, Insurance Included
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About our Playa del Carmen office
Our Playa del Carmen office is on Avenida 10 Norte between Calle 2 and Calle 4, in the center of town and two blocks from Quinta Avenida (5th Avenue), the ADO bus station and the Cozumel ferry pier. Every rental includes third-party liability insurance, unlimited mileage and 24/7 roadside assistance, with no hidden fees: the all-inclusive price you see online is the price you pay.
How the Playa del Carmen office works
We are open every day from 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM. Pick up and return at the office, or ask us to deliver the car to your hotel or condo in Playa, Playacar or the hotel corridor toward Puerto Morelos (subject to availability). Bring your driver's license, passport and a credit card in the driver's name for the security deposit.
Pick up at Cancun Airport, drop off in Playa del Carmen
Cancun International Airport (CUN) is about 55 km (34 miles) north of Playa, 50 to 60 minutes on Federal Highway 307. You can pick up at our Cancun Airport office with free shuttle from the terminal and:
- Return in Cancun at the end of your trip. No extra fee.
- Return in Playa del Carmen (one-way). A fixed drop-off fee applies by vehicle category; see the table below. It is the cheapest option for most stays in Playa: you avoid the airport transfer and the trip back to Cancun on your last day.
Driving and parking in Playa del Carmen
Downtown
5th Avenue is pedestrian only. The streets around it are one way and the center has metered street parking; the easiest option is one of the paid parking lots on Avenida 10 and Avenida 30, which charge by the hour or by the day. Playacar, the gated area south of the ferry pier, has quiet streets and parking at most hotels.
Cozumel ferry
Passenger ferries to Cozumel leave from the pier at the end of 5th Avenue and do not carry cars. Leave the car in a lot near the pier for the day, or drive to the Calica (Punta Venado) car ferry, 10 minutes south, if you want to take it to the island.
Highway 307
The highway runs along the west side of town and takes you to every beach and park on the Riviera Maya in under an hour. Watch for the speed bumps at each exit and use the return lanes (retornos) to change direction.
Day trips from Playa del Carmen by car
- Xcaret, Xplor and Xenses (10 minutes): the parks are just south of Playacar and have free parking.
- Cenotes (20 to 30 minutes): Cenote Azul, Jardín del Edén, Cristalino and Chikin Ha are right off the highway between Playa and Akumal.
- Akumal (25 minutes): snorkeling with sea turtles; arrive early to find parking near the beach.
- Puerto Morelos (30 minutes): a quiet fishing village with the best-preserved reef in the area.
- Tulum (1 hour): ruins, beach road and the cenotes on the road to Cobá.
- Chichén Itzá (2.5 hours): take the 180D toll highway from Cancun or the free road through Valladolid.
Do you need a Jeep or SUV in Playa del Carmen?
No. Everything on this list is on paved roads, so a compact or midsize car is enough and cheaper on fuel. Choose an SUV or minivan if you travel with four or more people and luggage, or if you plan to drive to Sian Ka'an or the Costa Maya, where some stretches are unpaved.
Practical tips
- Gas stations: several on Highway 307 in Playa and on the way to Cancun. Pay in pesos or by card and check that the pump starts at zero.
- Traffic: Avenida 30 and the highway exits get busy between 5:00 and 7:00 PM. Plan airport runs with margin.
- Cash: parking lots, cenotes and beach clubs are often cash only. Carry some Mexican pesos.
Pick up at Cancun Airport, drop off in Playa del Carmen
Land at Cancun International Airport (CUN), pick up your car there and return it at our Playa del Carmen office. The one-way drop-off fee is fixed per vehicle category and is added once to your booking. Round trips from Cancun have no fee.
Quote CUN â Playa del Carmen| Category | Drop-off fee (one way) |
|---|---|
| Full size | $ 60.00 |
| Compact | $ 60.00 |
| Midsize | $ 60.00 |
| Minivan | $ 70.00 |
| SUV | $ 70.00 |
| Express Van | $ 80.00 |
Fees in USD, paid once per rental. Choose "Cancun Airport" as pickup and "Playa del Carmen" as return in the search box to see it in your quote.
Cars available today in Playa del Carmen
Rates for pickup today Fri 25 Sep, 18:30 and return Sat 26 Sep, 18:30 (1 day). Change the dates above to quote your full trip.
Frequently asked questions about renting a car in Playa del Carmen
Yes. One-way rentals from Cancun Airport to our Playa del Carmen office are available every day. A fixed drop-off fee applies by vehicle category (see the table on this page) and it is shown before you confirm your booking.
About 55 km (34 miles) on Federal Highway 307, which takes 50 to 60 minutes in normal traffic. Allow extra time between 5:00 and 7:00 PM and on Sunday afternoons.
5th Avenue is pedestrian only. Use the paid parking lots on Avenida 10 and Avenida 30 (hourly or daily rates) or the parking at your hotel. Street parking in the center is metered.
The passenger ferries from the downtown pier do not carry cars. Most visitors leave the car in a lot near the pier for the day. If you want the car on the island, the car ferry leaves from Calica (Punta Venado), 10 minutes south of Playa; ask us before you book.
No. Playa, the cenotes, the parks and Tulum are all on paved roads, so a compact or midsize car is enough. An SUV or minivan makes sense for groups of four or more with luggage.
