cheap rental car La Ventana?

knuckledragger · Since 01 Aug 2010 14 Posts

First trip here in Jan-Feb and looking for vehicle. Any suggestions?

Justsmile · Since 20 Jul 2009 1527 Posts Not Portland XTreme Poster

I think we used budget and paid about 170 bucks for the week minis the insurance you can get away from. Rent with your American Express Smile

!!

OG · Since 07 Jun 2011 594 Posts Addicted

i used fox last time i was down, feel like i got treated well. The insurance is usually more expensive than the rental. It seems like this issue is kind of a moving target, but here is what I know. When I last checked in march, my visa covered the insurance on my car as long as i didn't get additional coverage. Fox Car rental was fine with this, but put a $20k hold on my card until it was returned in good shape. A friend i was traveling with was not ok with this and just got the insurance (i think it was twice the cost of the car, cost of insurance scaled with cost of car).

Before I left i called visa, got their coverage stuff confirmed, and printed it out. The hold part was a surprise to me, but it all worked out. Fox was recommended to us by the person that owned the house we rented. All 3 of the families i went down with used them, we all had a good experience. It was convenient and i didn't feel like i was getting 'closed'. I feel comfortable recommending them and will use them again.

My one little piece of additional advice is get a rig big enough for your gear and something that you can lock all up. Not saying that everyone in mexico is hell bent on taking your things, just saying that though the jeep is tempting it's not going to keep your gear secure.

jasonq · Since 12 Jan 2009 245 Posts hood river Stoked

My advice is that unless you are staying somewhere far from a launch, plan on exploring baja, or trying los barrilles, skip the car entirely. you just don't need it there. We have gone to la ventana about 6 times, and only once when we rented a house outside el sargento did we rent a car. Just arrange a shuttle from whichever airport you are flying into, there are several good reliable shuttle services.

But if you do rent, and you do rely on your credit card insurance, yes, absolutely make sure it does cover mexico, and make sure it has the coverage you need, and print out the coverage in mexico to take with you, and a customer service contact name and number for good measure. If you are in an accident and don't have the proper insurance coverage, I have heard they will prevent you from leaving the country until the bill is paid.

I also recommend getting travel medical insurance coverage with an action sports coverage if your primary medical insurance doesn't cover emergency medical evacuation, etc when out of the country. the policies are cheap, like $50 bucks for me and my wife and covers evac back home, as well as a bunch of other stuff. I have bought thru http://www.insuremytrip.com/, which gives you a bunch of choices. I think have used sevenseas with the action sports adder.

Anthony · Since 07 Oct 2008 362 Posts Salem Obsessed **CGKA Member**

I have rented a car the last three times I was there. It can be very expense. Mexican insurance is such a rip. No matter what you are still liable for at least 10-15% of the car cost as a deductible. In Cozumel they covered it 100%. I had some kid on bike put a pedal dent in a door. In the USA is would have cost me $600+. I got lucky it was only $90. The whole 10 day trip car cost was over $650. Ouch! It is gamble, very time you go there. Be sure you have a safe place to park while down there. If you add up the cost of the whole trip, Hawaii is cheaper if you get the car. If you have two people on the trip who kite you can share the cost. I really wish Alaska would bring back the LAX to LAP flights.

http://www.nwkite.com/forums/t-27745.html&highlight=

http://www.nwkite.com/forums/t-28574.html&highlight=

jasonq · Since 12 Jan 2009 245 Posts hood river Stoked

I think aeromexico took over the LAX->LAP flight. i checked travelocity the other week for flights around xmas, and those came up. Think the days and times were the same as the old alaska fights. I think it results in the price being about $100 more round trip than i remember.

Justsmile · Since 20 Jul 2009 1527 Posts Not Portland XTreme Poster

Don't fly into lapaz. Fly into cabo. Cheaper flights. More time to choose and not a bad drive since you have more options to pick on flights etc:-). Just my two cents !

shred_da_gorge · Fri Aug 02, 13 2:40 pm

knuckledragger · Since 01 Aug 2010 14 Posts

I think we are going with Fox for rental car in Ventana. Thanks everyone.

sirmichaelo · Since 26 Mar 2010 353 Posts Maui Obsessed

You'll be in Mexico.

You'll be drinking many different tequilas.

See which car you wake up with in your driveway.

That's your cheap rental.