Quick answer: Not for downtown access, since it’s walkable — but a car or arranged transportation is recommended for day trips to Xcaret, Xel-Há, or other regional attractions.
Why it matters: Knowing what you actually need to arrange in advance prevents a scramble for transportation once the group has already arrived.
The short answer: Skip the rental car for daily downtown trips; arrange private transportation for excursions further afield.
What to check:
- Is your group’s itinerary mostly downtown-based, or does it include regional day trips?
- Have you arranged transportation for excursions before arrival, rather than planning to figure it out locally?
- Does your group include teenagers who might want independence to walk downtown without an adult driver?
The bottom line: Playacar’s walkability removes the need for a car for most day-to-day plans, while excursions are best arranged in advance rather than improvised.