Does anyone know of a place in or around Calexico that will rent cars for travel into Mexico. I'm looking to visit my folks in San Felipe but don't
have a car suitable to make the trip.
I saw this post LINK but those rental agencies were all in San Diego.
Any recommendations?bajalou - 3-29-2010 at 02:02 PM
Imperial County Airport in El Centro has auto rentals. Don't know about taking them to Mexico.grace59 - 3-29-2010 at 07:02 PM
I know that the staff at the Hertz counter there can write up a Mexican Insurance policy for a rental car there....I rented a car once in Palm Springs
from the Hertz Counter and was going to drive to San Felipe from there...the company that writes their policies was closed so I stopped in El Centro
and they wrote the policy there...so I am assuming that they allow there rentals to go into Mexico if they have the means to write and sell Mexican
insurance. Just call Hertz and ask them about it.BajaErin - 3-30-2010 at 09:03 AM
You can see if they have an Enterprise Rent-A-Car.... (pause).... here ya go (closest):
EL CENTRO AP OFFSITE
299 W. MAIN ST
EL CENTRO, CA 92243-2514
Tel.: (760) 353-3600
You can call and ask about getting Mexican Car Ins for a rental to San Felipe. I have not used this branch, but use San Diego's for quick trips to
San Felipe (via Tecate Toll Road). The number is for the direct office, so you are asking the right people (bad experience with Budget rental once
due to local office saying what 1-800 confirmed with me didn't apply at their office). Only bad part is that the Mex. Ins. costs like $30 a day,
which is often more than rental cost per day.
The other option (to try and get cheaper) would be to find a smaller rental agency (with hopefully good running cars) and have them agree to let you
go to San Felipe and purchase the Mex. Car. Ins. before you cross the border for an agreed upon value. This may take a lot of phone calls and is not
guaranteed to work.
When I crossed at Tecate heading North nine days ago, I was asked for rental agreement and proof of Mex. Ins. paperwork.
[Edited on 3-30-2010 by BajaErin]
[Edited on 3-30-2010 by BajaErin]
[Edited on 3-30-2010 by BajaErin]stevodadevo - 3-30-2010 at 09:08 AM
Thanks for the info guys!BajaErin - 3-30-2010 at 09:17 AM
Almost forgot, once you confirm with the local office that you can head south, then reserve/book-it online for cheaper rates. I was reminded to add
that part when I saw the Enterprise banner near the top of the page. Very handy.stevodadevo - 3-30-2010 at 09:24 AM
I just called Enterprise in El Centro. They confirmed what you said about renting the car locallly and stopping in to buy insurance. They did warn me
that some outlets dont allow any of their cars into Mexico.BajaErin - 3-30-2010 at 09:59 AM
Most outlets will not. I just go ttired of calling long list of rental agencies every trip to find less and less would. Just settled on the one
that has done me good and I know what to expect.
If you rent from them, make sure when you go to counter to fill out forms that you mention then that you also need Mex. Ins. so they start that
paperwork then. It takes a little longer, but needs to be done before you can walk out to choose car. They don't make note of needing it when you
reserve, so you have to remind them where you are going.stevodadevo - 4-7-2010 at 03:56 PM
UPDATE:
I ended up using the Enterprise in El Centro. Good service. They even waived one day rental charge because I was stuck in Mexico because of the
earthquake.
They are definitely more expensive than any Enterprise branch I have ever used though. 4 days rental and 5 days Mexican insurance came out to $350
(with a coupon!)Bajahowodd - 4-7-2010 at 04:24 PM
What a bargain. Not! Just curious about the idea that your vehicle is not suitable for the trip, inasmuch as the road is not particularly challenging.
Especially when one can fly from LAX to Cabo for less than that.
[Edited on 4-7-2010 by Bajahowodd]stevodadevo - 4-7-2010 at 04:33 PM
I have a new BMW 335i coupe. Not really suitable for travel into Baja and off-road. My parent's house is off of a dirt road that isn't exactly the
flattest!durrelllrobert - 4-8-2010 at 10:25 AM
I think this one is for rent CHEAP stevodadevo - 4-8-2010 at 10:38 AM
Quote:
Originally posted by durrelllrobert
I think this one is for rent CHEAP
And it's a convertible!!BajaErin - 4-11-2010 at 06:28 PM
Sorry to hear the price was so high. I usually only pay under $20/day rental plus $30/day ins (ouch), but that is through the branch associated with
the San Diego Airport. Did you book online, which should have been cheaper?
Not that it really matters though. Glad you got to visit the folks in Baja. Sorry it cost ya.
