Southern Mexico is a tropical paradise, with hundreds of cenotes, dozens of Mayan temples, and countless beautiful beaches. While some of these hotspots are quite far apart, it can be advantageous to rent a car for a few days. You have the option of renting a normal rental car, but for a more unique experience, we found something really cool on the internet: a Volkswagen Kombi! Not only does it look stylish, but you can also sleep in it, waking up in the most beautiful places. Start the engine, play some relaxing music, roll down the windows, and hit the road!
Why a Volkswagen Kombi?
The Volkswagen Kombi gives you complete freedom to explore the Yucatan and Quintana Roo region. You’re not tied down to buses or cabs, so you can go wherever you want without breaking the bank. Say goodbye to expensive taxi rides and crowded tour buses with 30 other tourists. Plus, you can save on hotel stays by sleeping in the van. Pop the roof for some extra space and fresh air. Park anywhere you want, whether it’s on a palm-tree lined beach or a chill campsite. You feel like a true outlaw on the road when you’re on the road with the Volkswagen Kombi.
About the Kombi Experience
The Kombi Experience has a fleet of 4 cool Volkswagen Kombis: The Whale, The Kiwi, The Azulita, and The Mandarina, which we rented and is featured in the photos in this article. Each van is equipped with 2 double beds, seating, a pop-up roof, and a unique, eye-catching color. The vans are owned by Martin, a friendly Argentine in his 30s who has been living in Tulum for a few years. You’ll meet Martin in Tulum to pick up your Kombi and get all the info you need for your trip. Martin will give you the rundown on everything you need to know about the van and your journey, and provide plenty of tips on the most beautiful places, the best campsites, or unique places to spend the night.
What about safety?
You don’t have to worry about safety. In Yucatan and Quintana Roo, you mainly have straight roads with little traffic. The Kombi has a top speed of 75 km/h, so you may get passed by other cars. The roads in Mexico are very wide, so as long as you stay to the right, you’ll be fine. Traffic rules are mostly similar to those in the United States. Watch out for speed bumps in Mexico, they can be very high and you have to take them slow. Speed bumps may not always be clearly marked, but there’s usually a sign nearby to warn you.
Putting together a road trip itinerary
Once you’ve picked up the Volkswagen Kombi in Tulum, the adventure can start! From here, you can go in any direction. We recommend not exploring Tulum by van, though, as it’s easily done by bike. The beachside of Tulum is always congested with traffic (think gridlock!) and parking can be expensive. We rented the Kombi for three nights and took a fantastic route. Martin has loads of tips for you and has even created a whole book filled with great campsites, beautiful cenotes, and many more useful tips
Our route with the Volkswagen Kombi from Tulum:
Day 1: Drive to Coba and watch the sunset from the top of the temple. Overnight in Coba.
Day 2: Visit Chichen Itza, Ik Kil Cenote, and Samula Cenote. Overnight in Akumal.
Day 3: Visit Casa Cenote and camp on the beach at ‘El Ultimo Maya’ campsite.
Day 4: Return to Tulum and return the Kombi.
Cost and where to book?
The prices vary by season and range from $90 to $150 per night. If you book, make sure to give Martin our regards! You can book or check availability on www.thekombiexperience.com. If these costs are too high for your budget and you still want to go on a road trip, you can always rent a regular car. That’s often much cheaper. You can read more about that in our article on tips for renting a car and driving in Mexico.
