Tulum car rental guide
Top 10 Car Rental Companies in Tulum
The best car rental companies in Tulum are Hertz, Avis, Europcar. Prices start from MXN 700/day for an economy car, the minimum age is 21, and airport pickup adds about 10%.
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Ranked comparison
Top 10 rental companies in Tulum
Ranked by customer rating, price transparency and pickup convenience. Each opens a pre-filled search.
#1
Hertz
Editor’s pickFull-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from MXN 8000Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
FromMXN 760/day
all-in estimate
View Hertz deal
#2
Avis
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from MXN 8000Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
FromMXN 740/day
all-in estimate
View Avis deal
#3
Europcar
Top ratedFull-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from MXN 7600Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
FromMXN 720/day
all-in estimate
View Europcar deal
#4
Budget
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from MXN 7600Min age 21Free cancellationAirport
FromMXN 700/day
all-in estimate
View Budget deal
#5
Sixt
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from MXN 8400Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
FromMXN 800/day
all-in estimate
View Sixt deal
#6
National
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from MXN 8000Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
FromMXN 780/day
all-in estimate
View National deal
#7
Alamo
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from MXN 7600Min age 21Free cancellationAirport
FromMXN 720/day
all-in estimate
View Alamo deal
#8
Thrifty
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from MXN 7000Min age 21Free cancellationAirport
FromMXN 660/day
base rate
View Thrifty deal
#9
America Car Rental
Local pickFull-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from MXN 6000Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
FromMXN 600/day
base rate
View America Car Rental deal
Prices are indicative market estimates · Last checked 2026-07-22 · 2 public sources (DiscoverCars + market data)
Price guide
Prices by car type in Tulum
| Car type | From / day | Example | Seats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | MXN 700 | Nissan Versa | 5 |
| Compact | MXN 820 | Chevrolet Aveo | 5 |
| SUV | MXN 1200 | Nissan Kicks | 5 |
| Minivan (7-seat) | MXN 1750 | Chevrolet Suburban | 7 |
| Luxury | MXN 2200 | BMW 3 Series | 5 |
Pickup locations
Where to pick up a car in Tulum
Airport — Tulum "Felipe Carrillo Puerto" International Airport (TQO)
TQO opened in December 2023 and sits about 25km southwest of Tulum town, roughly a 30-minute drive. Some agencies still route pickups through Cancún (CUN), about 120km north, with delivery to Tulum. Mexico drives on the right.
Downtown — Tulum town
Downtown desks near Tulum town suit travelers who want a car mainly for the ruins, beach road, and cenotes rather than a Cancún-based trip.
Fees
Fees at a glance
| Fee | Typical amount | When it applies |
|---|---|---|
| Mandatory Mexican liability insurance | 200–360 MXN/day | Required by law, often not included in the quoted rate |
| Airport surcharge | ~10% of base rate | TQO or CUN airport pickup |
| Young-driver fee (21–24) | 160–300 MXN/day | Drivers under 25 |
| Additional driver | 100–160 MXN/day | Per extra driver |
| Toll roads (Cuota 307) | 40–160 MXN per toll, cash preferred | Driving to Playa del Carmen or Cancun |
| Refundable deposit | 6,000–8,400 MXN | Standard credit-card hold at pickup |
Local intelligence
Things to know before renting in Tulum
- Tulum's own airport, TQO, opened in December 2023 about 25km southwest of town — some rental companies still primarily serve Tulum via Cancún (CUN), about 120km north, with vehicle delivery.
- Mexican law requires third-party liability insurance that most foreign credit cards and home auto policies do not cover — budget for it separately from the quoted rate.
- Mexico drives on the right, the same side as the US and Canada.
- Prices are displayed in MXN, the local currency.
- The unpaved roads into the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve, south of Tulum, are rough — a standard sedan can struggle, and an SUV or high-clearance vehicle is recommended.
- Topes (speed bumps) are frequent along the beach road and near the Tulum ruins — slow down well in advance.
- Hurricane season runs roughly June to November, with the highest risk of tropical storms in September and October.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about renting a car in Tulum
Do you need a car in Tulum?
The beach road, ruins, and cenotes are spread out, so a car (or scooter/taxi combination) is genuinely useful for getting around.
How far is Tulum airport (TQO) from town?
About 25km, roughly a 30-minute drive. It opened in December 2023, so some companies still route through Cancún (CUN) with delivery to Tulum instead.
Should I fly into TQO or CUN for Tulum?
TQO is closer and increasingly well served, but CUN still has more rental company counters — check whether your chosen company has a desk at TQO before booking.
Is mandatory insurance really required in Tulum?
Yes. Mexican law requires third-party liability insurance that most foreign credit cards and home policies don't cover, so budget for it even if your quote looks low.
What currency are prices shown in for Tulum?
Prices are displayed in MXN, the local currency.
Can I drive into the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve?
Yes, but the roads are unpaved and rough south of Tulum — an SUV or high-clearance vehicle is recommended over a standard sedan.
What is the cheapest car type in Tulum?
Economy cars like a Nissan Versa start around 700 MXN/day. An SUV starts around 1,200 MXN/day.
Nearby trips
