As the year draws to a close, travelers are planning trips to Cancún to spend Christmas or New Year’s in sunnier conditions. But tourists often wonder whether they should rent a luxury SUV for their trip, and experts like Sun and Speed have answers.
Despite suffering blows to its tourism industry during the pandemic, Cancún has bounced back strongly and is currently ranked at the top of TripAdvisor's list of best winter escapes. Between December 20 and January 1, AAA predicts that 122.4 million Americans will travel to the city - the highest volume of travelers on record.
Among many travelers, one question crops up consistently: is renting a luxury vehicle worth it for the trip? Industry experts like Sun and Speed say yes, an answer that coincides with Mordor Intelligence's projections of a booming luxury vehicle rental market driven by the growing demand for premium travel experiences.
Cancún remains a premier destination for North Americans looking to escape from winter conditions. In 2024, over 20 million tourists touched down in Cancún International Airport, while the hotel occupancy rate averaged 80.3%, making the city one of Mexico’s top three destinations. Foreigners typically travel to Cancún for beach or golf getaways, to explore ancient Mayan landmarks, or to experience the area’s nightlife; the city is also known as a top destination for luxury weddings due to its abundance of beachfront resorts and its natural beauty.
While Cancún has developed its public transportation infrastructure around its tourism industry, experts say that renting luxury vehicles offers advantages that can enhance a traveler’s experience during their stay. Car rentals, especially luxury SUVs with climate control systems and enhanced safety features, allow tourists to travel in comfort and complete freedom. Anecdotally, hosts of high-profile events may also prefer to use luxury vehicles to leave a lasting impression on guests.
Booking a luxury car rental is also easier than ever. Rental companies like Sun and Speed have modern and secure online channels to accommodate increasingly tech-savvy consumers, with digital booking platforms accounting for 47.65% of reservations in the luxury rental market as of 2024. The combination of accessibility and expanding inventories in many luxury rental services reflects the evolving preferences for convenience and experiential trips among visitors.
When choosing a vehicle for a vacation, experts say that travelers should consider factors like seating, itinerary, trip duration, and storage space. For longer trips in Cancún, a luxury SUV may be preferable to a convertible, as they are typically more spacious, providing travelers with more comfortable seating and extra areas to store luggage, backpacks, and shopping bags.
Among high-end brands, Lamborghinis, Ferraris, McLarens, and Porsches are among the most popular choices for city driving. Mercedes-Benz and Land Rover are also notable choices, as they offer features that allow them to comfortably seat more friends and family.
Travelers who are undecided can also consult car rental specialists for recommendations on the types of vehicles most suited to travel in Cancún.
