Cheap car rentals in Mexico - Cancun and Other Beach Resorts

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Cancun and Other Beach Resorts

CANCUN AND OTHER BEACH RESORTS: Over 3 million Americans travel to Cancun and other Mexican beach resorts each year, including as many as 120,000 American teenagers and young adults during "spring break" season, which normally begins in mid-February and runs about two months. Excessive alcohol consumption, especially by Americans under the legal U.S. drinking age, is a significant problem. The legal drinking age in Mexico is 18 years of age, but it is not uniformly enforced. Alcohol is implicated in the majority of arrests, violent crimes, accidents and deaths suffered by American tourists.

There have been a significant number of rapes reported in Cancun . Many of these have occurred at night or in the early morning. Attacks have also occurred on deserted beaches and in hotel rooms. Acquaintance rape is a serious problem. In other cases, hotel workers, taxi drivers, and even security personnel have been implicated. Anyone who is a victim of a sexual assault or other crime should report it immediately to the nearest U.S. consular office and should endeavor to make a report to Mexican authorities. Do not rely on hotel/restaurant/tour company management to make the report for you. Under the best of circumstances, prosecution is very difficult (a fact some assailants appear to knowingly exploit), but no criminal investigation is possible without a formal complaint to Mexican authorities.

In recent years, moped rentals have become very widespread in Cancun , and the number of serious moped accidents has risen accordingly. Most operators carry no insurance, do not conduct safety checks, and often demand high fees for any damages to the moped.

Visitors often purchase inexpensive, all-inclusive vacation packages and travel on charter flights. These flights sometimes experience delays, from a few hours to several days. In some cases, tour operators go out of business, leaving travelers to find their own flights home. Travelers considering purchasing such packages are encouraged to deal with reputable travel agents, and to inquire as to their options in the event of flight delays or cancellations. It is also important to have both U.S. and Mexican emergency numbers to call if they experience any problems with flights or ground operators. Travelers should also consider bringing extra cash or a credit card for emergencies.

Visitors to Mexican resorts should carefully assess the potential risk of recreational activities. Sports and aquatic equipment that you rent may not meet U.S. safety standards nor be covered by any accident insurance.

Diving equipment provided by dive shops may not meet U.S. safety standards and due to frequent use, may be substandard or defective. Unless you are certain that scuba diving equipment is up to standard, you should not use it. Safe diving requires lengthy training, and “pool certification courses” lasting a few hours are not considered adequate by U.S. dive certification entities. Inexperienced scuba divers in particular should beware of dive shops that promise to "certify" you after a few hours' instruction.

Parasailing is offered at many Mexican beach resorts. Be aware that by putting your name on the passenger list, you may be relieving the boat operator and owner of responsibility for your safety. There have been cases in which tourists have been dragged through palm trees or slammed into hotel walls while participating in this activity.

Several tourists have been killed or injured in jet-ski accidents, particularly when participating in group tours. Often, inexperienced tour guides allow their clients to follow too closely or operate the jet-skis in other unsafe manners. Make sure that the rental company has adequate medical/accident insurance, is staffed with personnel on-site with water rescue training, and properly demonstrates safe operation of the vehicle to you before you rent or operate such equipment.

Warning flags on the beach should be taken seriously. If black flags are up, do not enter the water. In Cancun , there is often a very strong undertow along the beach from the Hyatt Regency all the way south to the Sol y Mar. Several drownings and near-drownings have been reported on the east coast of Cozumel, particularly in the Playa San Martin-Chen Rio area. There is minimal lifeguard supervision in most areas. In Acapulco, avoid swimming outside the bay area. Several American citizens have died while swimming in rough surf at the Revolcadero Beach near Acapulco . Recreational facilities such as pools may not meet U.S. safety or sanitation standards. Do not swim in pools or at beaches without lifeguards. If you do, exercise extreme caution. Do not dive into unknown bodies of water, because hidden rocks or shallow depths can cause serious injury or death.