Cheap Car Rental in Cabo San Lucas

Car Rental in Cabo San Lucas: driving to one of the most beautiful destinations in Mexico

Located at the tip of Baja California Sur, Cabo San Lucas is an increasingly popular destination for keen fishers, watersports aficionados and lovers of the beach alike. While the excellent nightlife of Cabo San Lucas is likely to keep you busy, make a point of planning some road trips during your visit as well. The city is fairly navigable by car, and you’ll definitely want to stay mobile during your visit to Mexico’s famous peninsula in order to make the most of Cabo San Lucas and its surroundings. Book your rental car today!

Cabo San Lucas is particularly popular to visit during spring break and school vacations, so to avoid the crowds visit the city in May or during the fall. The weather is particularly comfortable in June, July, and from October through December.

The de facto national language of Mexico is Spanish, which is the primary language spoken by most residents in and around Cabo San Lucas. The primary language spoken by the original inhabitants of the Cabo San Lucas area was Pericú. Most of the employees at tourist destinations throughout Cabo San Lucas also understand English.

Cabo San Lucas is located in the Mountain Standard Time Zone, UTC-7.

The currency in Mexico is the peso and is most easily received through currency exchange from American dollars or via ATMs, which are plentiful throughout Cabo San Lucas. While large restaurants and hotels are likely to accept credit cards, it is a good idea to always have cash on hand.

Car hire is available in 7 locations throughout Cabo San Lucas, including downtown, at Sunset Beach, and at the Hotel Hacienda.

Visa Regulations

Travellers arriving to Mexico from many Western European countries, Chile, Argentina, the United States, Canada, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand can enter without a visa. They will purchase a tourist card valid for 90 days (though you can extend this to 180 days for an extra fee). All other visitors are required to apply for a visa before they arrive.

Driving in Cabo San Lucas

While some hotels offer complementary shuttles, renting a car is typically the most convenient and independent means of transportation in Cabo San Lucas. Just be wary of the area’s many speed bumps and plan ahead for some bumper-to-bumper traffic throughout the day.

Right-Hand Driving

• Traffic proceeds on the right-hand side of the road throughout Mexico.

Speed Limits

• On unmarked streets: typically 60 km/h
• On urban throughways: 60 to 80 km/h
• On rural highways: 70 to 90 km/h
• On major highways outside of cities: 110 km/h

Other Regulations

1. Street parking is available on streets marked with a white curb. Keep an eye out for signs that designate whether or not these areas require the payment of a fee. There are also numerous paid parking lots throughout the city.
2. An international driver’s permit is required for driving throughout Mexico, in addition to your valid domestic driver’s license.
3. Most highways are tolled throughout Mexico, including the highway to the airport near Cabo San Lucas. Plan to have around 30 pesos in cash on hand per tollbooth for your travels throughout the region.
4. The minimum driving age in Mexico is 18, and drivers are rarely permitted to rent cars under the age of 25.
5. Purchasing Mexican car insurance for the length of your rental contract is required in Mexico; if you are stopped by the police or at any of the country’s frequent checkpoints, you will be required to show proof of insurance.

Cheap Car Rental in Cabo San Lucas

Car hire in Cabo San Lucas typically starts at around $10 a day. Here are some of the best deals in Cabo San Lucas:

• Nissan March or similar (economy class) – $12/day
• Chevrolet Spark or similar (compact class) – $14/day
• Chevrolet Aveo or similar (intermediate class) – $18/day
• Volkswagen Vento or similar (standard class) – $22/day
• Volkswagen Jetta or similar (fullsize class) – $31/day

Note that prices vary depending on the availability of each specific car and the season in which you rent. For the most accurate offers, use the search bar above.

Tips for Renting a Car Inexpensively in Cabo San Lucas

There is some seasonal variation in price in Cabo San Lucas, but regardless of the slightly increased prices of peak tourist seasons, you can typically find rental cars under $10 a day at the downtown rental locations. Book your rental car within 8 months of your arrival to ensure that you receive these remarkably low prices, which are primarily offered by Hertz in downtown Cabo San Lucas. Even mid-sized cars are available from Hertz for less than $10 a day!

Keep an eye out for discounts of around 11% that make hiring a car in Cabo San Lucas particularly cheap. Regardless of whether you book these extraordinarily cheap cars or decide for more expensive agencies such as Avis, you can also save at least $2 a day by extending your rental period to over a week.