Thanks again to all. Really excited for this trip. We are doing the first 4 nights on IM at Ixchel which looks perfect for us, and the last 3 nights I booked at an Airbnb in Puerto Aventuras. The plan is to check out the cenotes and the ruins. I've re-read the entire thread and it seems like many here have rented cars and had no issues. But given Rod's warning and knowing my luck and not having any Spanish speakers in my party etc I'm pretty leery. I am pretty cautious on a family vacation and don't like putting myself in a position where I may not be in control of the outcome. Should I be second guessing this, this much? What even would be my alternative outside of taxis which also don't always seem to be on the up and up, either. Is it an option to arrange a private transportation service from the ferry to Puerto Aventuras, and another each day to deliver us to a tour departure checkpoint and back, and then again another on the last day to take us back from PA to the airport in Cancun? Seems kind of ridiculous and costly.
Or just get the max insurance on a rental and pray I don't get pulled over or into any kind of situation? I will happily pay off a cop if it comes to it but just would prefer to avoid as many unknowns as possible.