Car rental in Chetumal

6POSTS

8 years ago

Just saw a drastic difference in car rental rates in Chetumal, M茅xico vs Belize City. Serious savings

I am arriving in Belize City around noon. I saw that there is a bus that goes from Belize City to Chetumal. Not sure of the schedule yet.

It seems to me that a bus ride to Chetumal would be a nice start to seeing the countryside passing through at least Orange Walk and Corozal. Then I could rent the far cheaper vehicle and make the drive back down and stay the night in Corozal or Orange Walk and explore that area before heading towards San Ignacio. I was originally heading for my initial destination immediately, but this seems like a great way to start.

Has anyone done this? Is it worth it. I know there are complexities of crossing the border in a rental.

See also

Travelling around Belize - Guide
Car Rental - 3 Replies
car registration - 2 Replies
Car storage - 1 Reply
bring a car to belize - 18 Replies
Car warranty - 3 Replies
Car rentals - 4 Replies

karenjoe Serial expat

384POSTS

8 years ago

There are potential issues with registration and particularly insurance. Some companies will not insure you if you cross the border, and you will have to have liability insurance in Belize. If you don't have Belize plates and registration stickers, you are more likely to encounter problems at police check points as well.

Aerodex Serial expat

259POSTS

8 years ago

Another added cost will be two boarder exit fees for each person in the group instead of just one at the airport (usually included in the airline ticket cost).

Putwriter New member

6POSTS

8 years ago

Your input is greatly appreciated. I am also going to get ahold of the realtor you recommended. I like their website and it looks as though they are very thorough.

It sounds as though I'm going to have to stay with car rentals in Belize. At least it's far more convenient

I appreciate your insight. I am anxious for my trip. Wish I hadn't put it out so far, but the time will pass before I know it.

Thank you

Ron

TUSK Member

21POSTS

8 years ago

While we're on the topic of Car Rentals:

I'd like some recommendations for the best value.聽 I tried the "search feature" and was unable to locate any meaningful information.

I'll be flying BHM to BZE in late October/November and be bouncing across the country for anywhere from 2 weeks to 2 months.

Thanks!

TUSK

Monkey Town brew Serial expat

294POSTS

8 years ago

There was recently a car rental discussion. I think the general consensus was Crystal if you will be returning to the airport.

karenjoe Serial expat

384POSTS

8 years ago

I usually rent a 4WD Jeep, as my property is remote and there is limited access. Crystal might give you a better rate for a longer term -聽 I would inquire. Interesting you are flying out of BHM, as that is my home town.

ferriswhitfield Active member

35POSTS

8 years ago

I'm flying into BZE too, and renting a Hertz in Chetumal at the airport since it is so much cheaper.聽 I clicked on the rentalcars.com or another cheap cars and I'm renting for $17 / day in Chetumal and in BZE it was $651 for 7 days.聽 I'm allowing for getting from Corozal where my hotel is to the Chetumal airport, then returning the car a day before I leave, same airport.聽 The entire five days is costing $95.聽 Of course I will need car ins. for Mexico and also for BZE as the border will need to see the insurance stickers when I cross the border both times.聽 I originally used hotwire to book my Oct. round trip, but my moving trip one-way was booked through justfly.com and got a great deal.聽 Hope this helps!

Will The Old Serial expat

418POSTS

8 years ago

ferriswhitfield wrote:
I'm flying into BZE too, and renting a Hertz in Chetumal at the airport since it is so much cheaper.

Oh Oh.....

Things I don't think you factored in on an already short trip:

1) Transportation cost to get to the other airport in another country.
2) The time is will take to get to the rental car agent in another country.
3) The Belize border exit fee going to the other country to get the car.
4) Transportation cost to get back to BZE airport from another country.
5) The time is will take to get from the rental car agent in another country back to BZE for your return flight.
6) The Belize border exit fee going to the other country to return the car.

I might be wrong, but I bet there are other time consuming Delays, Fees,聽 Charges and unknowns that will pop up unexpectedly. I do admire your spirit and sense of adventure, please let us know how it goes.

One other thought, make sure all cost comparisons are in the same currency.

Esteswaco Active member

27POSTS

8 years ago

#10

With all the fixed wing from mainland bze to the islands and wanting to avoid mx and entire scene does anyone know the laws for autogyros in bze. Rick

Will The Old Serial expat

418POSTS

8 years ago

#11

Esteswaco wrote:
With all the fixed wing from mainland bze to the islands and wanting to avoid mx and entire scene does anyone know the laws for autogyros in bze. Rick

Having grown up in an Aviation family, and worked in Aviation most of my life (non pilot) I have loved Autogyros and Mr Beson's Gyrocopter since I first read about them in the pages of Popular Mechanics in the mid-50's.
The first Gyrocopter I ever saw was one of the towed versions (kit built) belonging to a neighbor. Unfortunately聽 I saw聽 him crash it on an early flight when the rotor tilted too far aft and hit the ground behind him.

I googled BELIZE CIVIL AVIATION REGULATIONS, among the many links the newest I found was a PDF from 2009.聽

Searching in the PDF, Other than Helicopters I saw only one reference to a聽 rotary winged vehicle.

I love the idea of exploring the country from one. The ability to take off and land almost anywhere would be great!

Unfortunately that same ability will alarm the local law enforcement departments because it would be ideal for drug smuggler use. There have already been cases of stolen airplanes landed on roads and fields, unloaded and all that remained was a burnt or burning aircraft when the locals showed up.

Please let us know what you find out!

Esteswaco Active member

27POSTS

8 years ago

#12

The new German mades r better. I dont know if I will ever make it to Belize: however, drug hysteria is rampant in the u.s...Being in health care Im not allowed to use anything except beer. The gyros was one evolving from flying autos and doesnt require a pilots liscence. With little review I could help out some with hyperbarics or engineer something better. In much time ofcourse. Thanks, an offer came across my desk and Im entertaing ideas. We as veterans and my patients have been there for some time. I was gonna attend med school in Jamaica but War causes atypical problems. Hope to meet u. Im an Airborne Ranger from U.S., Rick

Esteswaco Active member

27POSTS

8 years ago

#13

Thanks for info on the go gadget. I will figure....Rick

TUSK Member

21POSTS

8 years ago

#14

KJ,

I grew up and currently live 50 miles due west of Tuscaloosa...

Rural area close to the MS/AL line....

Peace!

TUSK

bznorte Active member

62POSTS

8 years ago

#15

Just be sure to ask your MX rental company if they allow their vehicles to cross into Belize.聽 Some do, some not.

Esteswaco Active member

27POSTS

8 years ago

#16

There was a man who lost half his foot in the war. He married a young Italiona. Sure nuff on their wedding night she saw and ran upstairs to her momma.聽 Oh God momma Luigis got a foot and a half. Oh hell, she said, Sounds like a job for momma.,,,buenos noches, Rick

ferriswhitfield Active member

35POSTS

8 years ago

#17

I am doing that.聽 I will pick up my Hertz rental at the Chetumal airport and go back over the border to Corozal.聽 Hertz said I was allowed to do this.聽 You will need Mexican car insurance and Belize insurance.聽 You get a sticker saying you are in a rental (I guess) so you can go back and forth.聽 A little complicated, but at $17 a day, I think it will be worth it.

Will The Old Serial expat

418POSTS

8 years ago

#18

ferriswhitfield wrote:
I am doing that.聽 I will pick up my Hertz rental at the Chetumal airport and go back over the border to Corozal.聽 Hertz said I was allowed to do this.聽 You will need Mexican car insurance and Belize insurance.聽 You get a sticker saying you are in a rental (I guess) so you can go back and forth.聽 A little complicated, but at $17 a day, I think it will be worth it.

I hope it all works out as inexpensivly in money and time as you expect!

It would be nice if you keep track of the both planned and the unexpected expenses you will have so we can all learn from this.

1 member reacted to this post

ferriswhitfield Active member

35POSTS

8 years ago

#19

Will do!

Putwriter New member

6POSTS

8 years ago

#20

Would be nice to know

TUSK Member

21POSTS

8 years ago

#21

To echo what Will said...聽 please document the process so that I may replicate it....

I understand there is a considerable difference in cost Belize v Mexico....

Thanks!!!!

Tusk

hrlee7804 New member

5POSTS

8 years ago

#22

When traveling to Belize from the states we usually fly to Cancun and rent a car from Eurocar or maybe it is Europcar at the airport. They allow travel to Belize and I believe the only company that does allow it. Make sure you get a SIGNED authorization for taking the car to Belize from the rental company...again personally SIGNED from agent. I learned that the hard way! For a 2 week stay we saved many hundreds of dollars renting in Mexico ($30/ day vs $90 as memory serves). The drive down the Riviera is really nice and only about 200 miles.

TUSK Member

21POSTS

8 years ago

#23

Thanks, so much!!!!

NoSnow New member

6POSTS

8 years ago

#24

Hi, I was wondering if anyone has an update on renting a car from Chetumal. Been following this thread but I see it is a bit out dated. We are working out the details for a 10 day stay in Belize in June and need a car. Hope to decide where to return to in the fall for long term rental. Flying into Chetumal would be fun. Any info would be appreciated.

Will The Old Serial expat

418POSTS

8 years ago

#25

NoSnow wrote:
Hi, I was wondering if anyone has an update on renting a car from Chetumal. Been following this thread but I see it is a bit out dated. We are working out the details for a 10 day stay in Belize in June and need a car. Hope to decide where to return to in the fall for long term rental. Flying into Chetumal would be fun. Any info would be appreciated.

I have not seen any post from the folks that were going to do this last October. I can only assume this did not work out well as they have disappeared from this forum after being very enthusiastic about their planned trip to Belize.

telus01 New member

6POSTS

8 years ago

#26

You should confirm if your rate is all inclusive. Sometimes they want to charge you that much just for liability.

obg2708 Member

10POSTS

8 years ago

#27

We haven't tried coming in using that route. We have only flown into Belize City and rented a car. But, I can tell you it's no bargain to get a rental car that way. VERY expensive!!