Car rental in Guadalajara
Guadalajara is spread out, and the places worth driving to sit well outside the city. Renting a car here is what turns a city break into a tour of Jalisco: tequila country, a lakeside town full of expats, and pre-Hispanic pyramids that almost nobody reaches without their own vehicle.
We hand over at Guadalajara International Airport (GDL), roughly 30 to 40 minutes from downtown depending on traffic.
Where you pick up the car
Guadalajara International Airport (Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla)
Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
View the location on Google Maps
We send exact meeting instructions and the opening hours matching your flight when your booking is confirmed.
Where you can drive from Guadalajara
- Tequila (approx. 1 hour): the agave fields are a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the town is an easy day trip.
- Lake Chapala and Ajijic (approx. 45 minutes): Mexico's largest lake, with a long-established North American community.
- Guachimontones (approx. 1 hour): circular pyramids, rarely visited and effectively unreachable without a car.
- Tlaquepaque and Tonala (20 to 30 minutes): crafts, ceramics and galleries inside the metro area.
- Puerto Vallarta (approx. 3.5 to 4 hours) if you want to combine the city with the coast.
Driving in Guadalajara
Keep navigation running from the moment you leave the airport: the metro area uses one-way pairs and express lanes with lateral access roads, which are easy to miss. Rush hour is heaviest on Lopez Mateos and the Periferico ring road. Parking downtown is mostly paid and often height-restricted, worth knowing if you are considering an SUV.
Economy car rental
Our Economy category includes models such as the Chevrolet Spark and Renault Logan, or similar depending on availability. They are the most rented cars for city driving and short highway trips: easy to park and cheap to fuel.
Our rates are typically lower than the counters inside the terminal across most categories. Check availability for your dates before booking.
What you need to rent
- Minimum age 18. Drivers aged 18 to 24 pay an extra 5 USD per day. The maximum age is 70, and drivers aged 65 to 70 pay the same 5 USD per day surcharge.
- A valid driver licence at the start of the rental. Foreign visitors need a valid passport; based on your entry stamp you may rent for up to 90 days.
- A card in the renter's name. We accept VISA, MASTERCARD and AMERICAN EXPRESS, credit or debit. We do not accept cash.
- Additional driver: 5 USD per day, up to 3 additional drivers.
Insurance in Mexico, and why your home policy will not cover you
This is the point that surprises most visitors from the United States and Canada. US automobile liability insurance is not valid in Mexico, and neither is most collision and comprehensive coverage issued by US companies. Claims for incidents in Mexico are governed by Mexican law. We strongly recommend buying coverage that protects you against third-party liability for people and property.
Your security deposit depends on the coverage you take. With no coverage from us the deposit is 2,500 USD, and you must show written proof of a policy valid for the city, the dates and the class of car.
| Coverage | Collision | Theft | Deposit |
|---|---|---|---|
| LDW2 | 10% | 10% | 350 USD |
| TT1 | 0% | 10% | 150 USD |
| No coverage | - | - | 2,500 USD |
If your credit card was issued outside Mexico the deposit may be increased by 250 USD. It is released when you return the car in the agreed condition: 1 to 7 business days for credit cards, and up to 30 business days for debit cards.
Fuel, cancellation and roadside assistance
- Fuel: the car is handed over with a full tank and must be returned full. Otherwise refuelling is charged at 25% above market price.
- Cancellation: free of charge up to 48 hours before your reservation time. Cancelling later, or not showing up, incurs a 25 USD charge.
- Roadside assistance: optional, 5 USD per day. Covers lost or locked-in keys, a dead battery and fuel delivery. It does not cover key replacement.
Frequently asked questions about renting in Guadalajara
Where do I pick up the car in Guadalajara?
At Guadalajara International Airport (GDL). We send exact meeting instructions when your booking is confirmed.
What are your cheapest cars?
The Economy category includes models such as the Chevrolet Spark and Renault Logan, or similar depending on availability.
Is my US insurance valid in Mexico?
No. US liability insurance is not valid in Mexico, and most collision coverage from US companies does not apply either. Claims are governed by Mexican law.
See all our frequently asked questions (Spanish).
Book your car in Guadalajara
Check availability and rates for your dates. Cancellation is free up to 48 hours before.
Check availability