Planning to rent a car in Belize? Having your own wheels is a great way to explore this Central American country’s breathtaking beaches, Mayan ruins and caves. But here are a few things you need to know before heading out on the open road.
Essential Tips for Renting a Car in Belize
Book from home. Waiting to book your reservation until you’re in Belize will not only add more stress to your trip, but you are almost guaranteed to pay more. Most major car rental companies allow free cancellations, so go ahead and book your trip from the U.S. ahead of time. The further ahead you reserve your car, the better the chance of landing a deal because you can watch out for price drops.
You do not need an International Driving Permit.
Obtaining an International Driving Permit is not necessary in this former British colony where English remains the official language. Your regular driver’s license will do just fine.
Prepare for unpaved roads.
While Belize does have a few paved highways, it is also full of dirt roads. If you want to check out places like the Caracol Mayan Site or Mystic River Resort, you’ll be going off the paved roads.
Choose the right car.
Not every car can handle the variety of terrain in Belize. For serious exploration, a 4WD vehicle can be invaluable and give you peace of mind.
Strongly consider opting for the collision waiver.
It’s possible that your credit card offers collision insurance on rental cars as a benefit. But before you decline the CDW, be sure to read the fine print. Many policies will void insurance on rental cars in certain circumstances, such as driving on unpaved roads.
Liability insurance is included in the rate.
Liability insurance is mandatory in Belize, and liability coverage is almost always included in the rental rate.
Pay for the rental in Belize dollars.
You may have the option to pay for the rental in U.S. dollars, but this option will cost you more in the long run. Pay in the local currency to avoid Dynamic Currency Conversion fees. If you opt to pay in U.S. dollars, the rental car company converts the purchase amount from the local currency on your behalf. But this process is entirely unnecessary, since your credit card company will process the transaction in either currency, and you will pay through the nose for the non-convenience.
Inspect the car carefully before you drive away.
While it’s tempting to head straight for the beach upon picking up your vehicle, make sure to inspect the car extra carefully for any dings, dents or scratches on the surface. Take photos of every inch of the car. Otherwise, you could end up paying for those imperfections if you don’t document them before you leave.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my credit card to rent a car?
Yes. However, you should be aware of the possibility of additional fees when using your card overseas. Compare rates before you make a reservation. Many websites allow you to make a reservation without paying until you arrive. This saves you time and money.
How can I rent an automobile in another country?
It is possible to do this by using an international rental agent such as Hertz, Avis and Europcar. These agencies have offices throughout Europe and can offer short-term rentals as well as long-term leases.
They provide customer support 24 hours a day, 7 nights a week.
Their rental service is open to all levels of experience. They will take care of everything including insurance and breakdown coverage. All you need to know is where to go and what time to turn up.
Which countries are willing to accept US drivers licenses?
The United States does not recognize other countries’ driver’s permits as valid on their roads. They are accepted by Canada, Mexico, the District of Columbia, and other countries.
Canada recognizes American drivers licenses issued from all 50 states as well as the District of Columbia.
Mexico also recognizes American driver’s permits, but they are only recognized in Chihuahua.
The District of Columbia is open to American driver’s licences from all 50 United States states, with the exception of Alabama and Mississippi, Texas, Texas, West Virginia, West Virginia, West Virginia, West Virginia, West Virginia, West Virginia, Texas, Texas, Texas, and Texas.
Is it possible to rent a car in Europe and then return it?
Renting cars in multiple locations is one way you can make your travels easier. But, it’s important to return the cars where they were rented.
This might not be feasible because most people don’t want extra mileage. Also, most rental agencies charge a lot more for returning a car to a location outside where it was initially rented.
So unless you plan on traveling frequently, it may be better to pick only one country where you plan on staying for a while.
Statistics
- You can rent an automatic but these cars can cost as much as 50% more than a manual vehicle. (earthtrekkers.com)
- I’d say 70% of the time, we have a hassle-free encounter, but there have been certain companies that we prefer not to use anymore. (theworldpursuit.com)
- For canceled trips two days or shorter, a guest is charged 50% of one day’s trip cost. (insider.com)
- Automatics are more expensive (usually about 50 percent more) and may only be available if you upgrade to a bigger, pricier car. (ricksteves.com)
- The perks vary from partner to partner, but you can expect discounts of up to 35 percent on some rentals and the ability to earn anywhere from 50 bonus American AAdvantage miles per day or 500 per rental. (afar.com)
External Links
autoslash.com
kayak.com
jdpower.com
enterprise.com
How To
How to get the best price on a rental car
These are some tips to get the best rental car deal:
- Use comparison websites such as Kayak, Expedia, or Hotwire. This allows you access to their data and tools, which is useful for avoiding hidden fees. (Kayak)
- Book online to see if additional fees will be charged before payment. (Expedia)
- Get your bookings in early! Book early to get a better deal. (Kayak). And remember, airfares are often less expensive if you book last minute.
- Make sure you are able to fit your travel plans and budget when choosing a car. (eBay)
- Verify the insurance coverage. Some companies offer no-cost insurance to car renters under 25. (Insurance Panda)
- While making reservations, make sure to be clear about the contract type you select. Because they know the price upfront, most people prefer to sign long-term contracts. (MileageIQ)
- If possible, request a high credit score. A low credit score can make it more difficult to get auto insurance (Car Insurance Guide).
- If you do not need it, don’t pay for extras like GPS and roadside assistance. These additional expenses might not be applicable to all rental agencies. (Kayak) 9. Add an extended warranty to the rental price. Ask the agent whether the extended warranty is valid in other locations where you plan to rent the car. This could save you money.
- It is important to carefully read the terms of any rental agreement. It is possible that you will end up paying more than what was agreed upon during negotiations. (Expedia) Always read the terms and conditions!
