Travelers Info
Air Travelers
Cruise Passengers

Cozumel Island
About Cozumel
Holidays & Events
Getting There
Cancun to Cozumel
Weather
Exchange Rates

Accommodations
Hotels
Vacation Properties
Bed & Breakfast
Rentals Online
Dive/Hotel Packages

Water Activities
Scuba Diving
Scuba Dive Shops
Snorkeling
Deep Sea Fishing
Reefs
Beaches
Marine Park Rules

Adventure Tours
All Adventure Tours
Jungle Jeep Tours
Horseback Tours
Snorkel Tours
Scuba Diving Tours
Deep Sea Fishing
Jungle Bike Tours
Jungle Trek Tours
Tarzan Tours

Tours/Sight Seeing
Special Attractions
Tours/Excursions
Island Tours
Day Excursions  

Island Guides
Beaches
Nightlife
Restaurants
Shopping
Food

Mayan Ruins
Chichen Itza
Tulum
Coba

Ecological Parks
Chankanaab
Crococun Crocodile Park
Tres Rios
Xcaret
Xel-Ha
Cenotes
Xpu-Ha
Sian Ka'an Biosphere
Punta Laguna
Garrafon

More Services
Specialty Services
Car/Vehicle Rentals
Getting Married
Real Estate
Travel Agencies
Tour Operators
Emergency Info
Great Links

Travel Essentials
Travel Tips
Packing List
Taxi Fares
Ferry Schedule
Spanish Lessons
Photo Gallery
Consulates

About Travelnotes
Contact Us

Rentals

Online Hotels

Car Rentals

Adventure Tours

Scuba Tours

Smart Car Rental
| Car Reviews | Submit a Review | Car Rental Agencies |

Posted by Kel on 12/07/03

All I can say, is don't use Smart Rental. Check out my rant in the " renting a car at the airport" thread below.

This was not the first time we rented a car in Cozumel. Just the first time we had any problems.

I also would never consider renting anything other that a VW topless. Not only because alot of gear can be locked up in the boot in the front. But because they are so much fun and sooo Cozumel!

Posted by Susie on 08/25/02

Been to Coz 6 times, 3 of them VERY bad experiences with Smart, so we are looking for something far more dependable!! Thanks!

Posted by Justine on 07/12/02

Just rented from Smart car for a week in June . . .We did the rental over the internet for the $25 a day and we got a VW topless bug. It wasn't a Mercedes but didn't expect one. The last day we were there it gave us some trouble because of the rain getting the engine wet and we drove to their place and we had a different car in less than 10 minutes and it was a nicer one!  I think they give you the junkiest one for the cheap internet deal but, hey it took us everywhere for 6 days.

Posted by Terri on 07/11/02

I've used Smart Car and Alamo + and I have to say I much prefer Alamo.  The prices were very comparable but Alamo had much better cars (We always rent VW bugs).  The ones we've rented from Smart Car were pieces of SH*T.  Once the stick shift came out while driving.  The Alamo cars were always in good shape.  I would recommend them over Smart Car.  
P.S.  We've never had a problem with either of them trying to rip us off or credit card problems.

Posted by ScubaJim on 07/11/02

I have used Smart Rental 8-9 times, ever since they started advertising the 50% off ads on this website. They have always done me just fine with no problems. Two times I have had a rental vehicle that wasn't up to par and they just exchanged it with no hassle. They are not a rip-off outfit, the employees are very helpful. Of course, if you treat them with dis-respect, then expect to get the same back, just like most places.
    I have always just sent an e-mail to make reservations letting them know what type of vehicle I want, when I wanted it, and for how long. They will send you back an e-mail with your confimation #. I have never been required to send them any Credit Card information over the net.

(You only get the 50% Off by reserving on-line, you can't beat the price, unless you're very lucky.)

    Make sure that you print out their website page and take it with you when you show up for the rental. They will take an imprint of your Credit Card. When you return the rental vehicle, pay your charges in U.S. Cash and they will give back all copies of your credit card imprint. Have them write paid cash on the rental form, that way if there's ever a problem after you get home, you have proof for your Credit Card Company. I have never had a problem with that from Smart Rental.
    I have had problems being double charged twice from the Mexican Government though, when I drove my truck to Coz. I just showed my Credit Card Company my receipt and they took it off of my bill. Keep receipts.

Hope this helps.
ScubaJim

Posted by Linda on 06/26/02

We just returned our Smart Car yesterday, after a week of driving the little Chevy around the island. On the second day, the muffler fell off--it was rusted out. We expected a hassle when we returned it but they just shrugged and charged us the discount rate we were promised. We found them to be very agreeable and accommodating--they even drove us back to our hotel after we dropped the car off.

Posted by Terri on 06/24/02

We've used Smart Car and I agree - real junk.  There are some on this board that swear by them, but personally, I think they suck.  We've rented from Alamo the last three years and have gotten great deals with great cars - Ok, how great can a VW bug be, but much better than the junk Smart Car rents.

Isidro is a dear, isn't he!  He has become a great friend of ours.  

Thanks for the report!!!

Comments: This year was our second trip to Cozumel. Before we left I printed the ad from Smart rent a car to get a car for half price. We did get our VW for $25 a day, but after our experience, we would have been SMART Not to rent from them. Let me tell you what happened.

We signed a contract for car rental for two weeks. On our 4th day there my husband had to go to the hyperbaric chamber in Cozumel because he was suffering from extreme vertigo approximately 14 hours after his last dive.He was told he could not dive or drive, spent six days of treatment in the chamber. I asked our host Chuco (Co-host Alicia's Bed&Breakfast)to call the rental agency to ask them if they could come and pick up the VW since I don't drive and Jim really was the only one authorized to drive this vehicle.I went to visit Jim at the hospital and then went to the rental place to settle the bill. I was told they still had not picked up the car at the B&B. Two men went with me to Alicia's to pick up the VW, one drove me back to pay the bill, the other drove the VW. It never occurred to me to have them check out the car in my presence but when they finally got around to me I was informed that our spare tire had been stolen and I had to pay for it. I said no way, the car was locked, I had to unlock it to retrieve some personal items earlier in the morning, re-locked it, the alarm never went off, etc. I walked back the short distance to where they  parked our rental to see for myself. By the time I got there 5 or 6 guys had surrounded the car, all telling me that the side windows were open and it was my fault that the tire was stolen. I said that was absolutely not true. The side windows were never open and the car was locked. I had the feeling that this whole scenario had been well rehearsed and planned. I was very upset, to say the least. I walked back to speak to the manager and told him that I was not willing to pay for a new tire, that I had the feeling they were totally taking advantage of the fact that my husband was in the hospital and they were doing their best to intimidate and bully me into paying for a new spare tire, at a cost of $110.00. I am not easily intimidated but after a long time of arguing and all these men shouting at me I finally agreed to pay it and got out of there. I really felt threat
asked what was wrong and I told him what happened. He called the manager immediately on my behalf and tried to straighten things out, to no avail.When Jim started to feel better we went back to the rental Co. to speak with the manager but were told for the remainder of our trip that he was not around or always later in the evening, maybe.
I should mention that while I was waiting in line to settle our bill, several customers returned vehicles and scooters and almost all of them had to pay for damages they claimed were there before. All of them were just tired of arguing and ended up paying the extra amounts. One young man even turned in his scooter a day early, he was just tired of having to deal with them. I told several people waiting in line to rent vehicles of our experience and told them to go someplace else.
I learned an expensive lesson. They were supposed to unlock the car in my presence, making sure everything was as we had gotten it. Of course they didn't and I was too preoccupied with my husband's well-being that I never thought it possible that they would try to take advantage of the situation and invent a theft.
I apologize for the length of this letter but I thought it was necessary to spell out the details.
We did file a dispute for these charges with our credit card co. It has been two months now and we have not heard anything. I doubt we will ever get that money back. The reason I waited until now to write this report was because I was hoping Smart rent a car would give us a refund, I was willing to give them a chance to redeem themselves.

Posted by Don on 04/15/02

Don't think there are any car rental places near El Coz, but a lot of places will deliver the car to you. April, May and June are kind of the slow season, so reservations may not be necessary, but may give one a bit of peace-of-mind. I've used Smart-Car a few times with their internet special (VW bug reserved for $20US per day). Nice cars, no surprise charges, good guys to deal with. Have a great time.

Posted by Amy on 03/24/02

Re: No Problems with Smart +

We were there March 2-9 and rented a scooter from them and it sat out one night, we went to go start it in the morning and it would not start so we called them up and they came to our place. The guy walked up to the scooter opened up the seat with the key and the battery had been stolen. it was odd becasue they need the scooter key to unlock the seat.... He told us that was not his problem and made us pay $75.00 for the battery. We were at one of the beaches later that day and started talking to an employee there about what happened and he told us a battery only costs $40.00 on the island and we were being ripped off. It was a nightmare trying to deal with them and will never rent from them again....

Posted by Carol on 03/23/02

Re: No Problems with Smart +

We rented with them in August 2001 and had no problems.  They were professional and courteous.  We decided not to reserve ahead and just walk to their office from our hotel.  It only took about 15 minutes and we were on our way.  We got a nice dark blue soft top VW to drive around the island for a week.  It was great!  Print the discount page from their web site and take it with you.  They'll attach it to your rental agreement to make sure you get the discount.  Also, it's a good idea to take the optional Mexican liability insurance and ask them how much the deductible will be.  Ours was $500 US.  Someone recently posted they read it is now $800 US at some places.  Make sure you have enough funds to cover the deductible in case of an emergency.  Have a great trip!

Carol :)

Posted by Jennifer on 03/22/02

Posted by Don on 03/22/02

Didn't see the posts with the objections, but we used the internet deals for VW's ($20 per day) last June and November. Both cars were in great shape, no muss, no fuss.

Posted by gustavo on 02/06/02

Re: Smart Car

I've used them many times amigo and have been pretty much pleased.

Sorry you had such a bag experience.  I've always been quoted in US dollars and pay in cash cuz they give a percentage off.  Credit card purchases in Mexico are always in pesos and you generally can expect either an unfavorable exchange rate or a premium charge for the transaction.

again,

losiento amigo

Posted by Scott Kuhr on 02/06/02

Wanted to alert everyone that I recently had a very bad experience with Smart Car Rental.  They refuse to honor the rate quoted, billed my credit card for insurance I never bought, and generally ripped me off.  Note that they quote in dollars, but bill in pesos at a rate that is 20% higher than the dollar rate quoted.  Go somewhere else!!!

Posted by ScubaJim on 02/06/02

I have used Smart Rent 8 times and have never had a problem with them. Jose the manager and his crew has always treated me good. I have never taken the insurance and they have never charged to my credit card either. I alway pay them in U.S. dollars at the end of rental and they give me back all copies of my credit card voucher.
Sorry you had a problem.
ScubaJim

Posted by Carol on 01/02/02

We rented a topless VW for about $190 for the week...+
That price includes taxes and insurance.  We rented from Smart Rental Car.  Nice folks.  They have a web site.  You can book online or print the discount page and take it with you like we did.  No problems.  If you're like us, you'll make your way around the island at least once a day.  We spent a lot of time on the east side.  It's beautiful.  Have fun!

Posted by Emily on 12/05/01

We've been satisfied with CarSmart for years.  If you take its printed ad, the car is half price with a 3-day minimum.  It's super to have the beauties of the Island available at the times we choose.  Consider booking your car with a credit card to take advantage of the insurances, then pay cash when you leave. Hope this helps...Cozumel is such a rare gem!

Posted by Max B. on 10/24/01

Posted by kb on 04/15/01

We just rented from Smart Car the first week in April at the rate of $22.50/day.  We requested a new VW and got exactly what we had asked for.  The car was in fairly decent shape and they were very good to work with.  We had no problems what so ever.

Posted by cervezaleo _[:-]q on 04/12/01

few years (at least 3 times per year). I have never had a problem with them, but the cars are mostly old VW bugs sedan or convertible. Some can be rough, others are nice its the throw of the dice. When I have got rough I have always traded when they had replacement. Be sure to inspect and note every scratch, dent, light working, etc very carefully as always in Mexico.

I will not be renting this trip from Smart as I got a rate of $16/us per day (std 2dr economy No A/C) for the week from National. But none of the Smart cars have A/C either!

Kick hard and blow bubbles!!!!

Leo

Posted by Scot on 04/12/01

I rented from them in Jan. of this year and found them to be very reliable. We had a brand new VW with about 1200 Km on it

| Car Reviews | Submit a Review | Car Rental Agencies |

back to top