CarNGo: The Car Rental Company Sayulita Actually Needed

Sayulita Business Joanna Eliel June 25, 2026 0 Comments

CarNGo: The Car Rental Company Sayulita Actually Needed

There’s a moment most travelers know well. You’ve planned your trip, booked your rental car online, purchased what you thought was the right insurance — and then you arrive at the counter. Suddenly, nothing is as simple as it seemed. Surprise fees. Insurance you didn’t know you needed. A car that looks nothing like the photo. And a customer service rep who disappears the moment you ask a question.

Chuck and his partner know that moment well. They’ve lived it. And after years of experiencing every version of the rental car disappointment imaginable, they decided to do something about it. The result is CarNGo — a Sayulita-based car rental company built from the ground up around one simple idea: get customers on the road quickly, honestly, and without stress.

We sat down with the team at CarNGo to learn more about what makes them different, their deep connection to the local community, and why they believe the car rental industry in Mexico was overdue for a change.

Let’s Start With You…

Can you tell us a little about yourselves and what brought you to Sayulita?

Chuck and I had always planned to move to Mexico eventually, tired of the cold in Canada and looking for a different, more relaxed lifestyle. We picked this area specifically for the small-town feel and slower, quieter pace of life — and we finally made the move in 2025.

What inspired you to start CarNGo here?

Back in 2010, we landed in Mexico with two kids, enough luggage to outfit a small village, and a rental car reservation we thought was completely sorted out. We’d booked online, purchased the recommended insurance, and arrived at the rental counter thinking we were pros.

We were not.

The agent informed us that the insurance we’d purchased wasn’t the insurance we actually required. To legally drive in Mexico, drivers must carry Mexican liability insurance — and our Canadian insurance wasn’t recognized, neither was the policy we’d bought online, nor our credit card coverage. No one had told us any of this when we were booking.

The options? Pay again or start practicing carrying suitcases down the highway. So we paid.

Over the years, we experienced just about every rental car disappointment imaginable: long lines, surprise charges, mystery fees, cars that looked nothing like the photos, and customer service that disappeared faster than a beach chair at sunset. Eventually we asked ourselves: Why does getting a car feel like so much work? Why don’t rental companies service smaller areas like Sayulita?

So CarNGo was born. Our goal is simple: get customers out of the airport, away from the paperwork, and onto the road as quickly as possible — with full transparency and a real person on the other end of the line.

What’s something most people don’t know about your story?

Starting CarNGo wasn’t as easy as we thought — but seeking out guidance and having a Mexican partner really helped. The hardest part has been educating customers about insurance, because the rules in Mexico genuinely surprise people. We’re determined to change the way cars are rented here. People deserve the truth upfront, without the stress and worry that has become standard in this industry.

Also — CarNGo is locally owned and operated. Chuck and I are the face of the company. When you rent a car, there’s a good chance you’ll be talking to one of us directly.

About the Business

What makes CarNGo unique in Sayulita?

In the end, the product is just a car. Rental companies all have essentially the same inventory. What makes CarNGo different is our obsession with customer service.

You can talk to a real person at any time during your rental process — not just complete everything online and hope for the best. Every renter is assigned a 24/7 phone number and the name of one of our agents for the duration of their rental, in case anything comes up. We offer drop-off and pickup service, all our cars are newer models, and every vehicle passes a 12-point inspection before each rental for customer safety.

And above all: we are fully transparent on pricing and especially on Mexican insurance requirements. Everything we do is designed to give customers the stress-free vacation they came for.

How would you describe the vibe?

Relaxed. Our customers know us on a first-name basis. We want to know our customers and for them to know us — it should feel like getting a lift from a friend.

What experience is especially close to your heart?

The most common comment we get — almost 98% of the time — is: “Wow, this process was so easy.” That’s the whole point. That comment never gets old.

Community Connection

What does being part of the Sayulita community mean to you?

Inclusion. In a smaller community, you really get to know people. You help each other. That sense of mutual support is something we genuinely love about living here.

Do you collaborate with any local organizations or causes?

Yes — we partner with The Hilltop Refugio, an animal shelter serving the stretch from Bucerias to Chacala. I volunteer there personally. This coming season, CarNGo will be directing its support toward sponsoring adoptions for people who have bonded with a rescue animal but can’t afford the adoption fees and associated costs.

A shout-out to all the rescue organizations in the area — at Hilltop, we work with quite a few of them, and the work they do is remarkable.

How do you see CarNGo giving back to Sayulita?

Our community page will help promote local businesses that don’t always have the budget for promotion — small shops, artisans, hidden gems that deserve recognition. We all win when we share resources and help each other. The page will also help visitors understand the basics: rules of the road, driver etiquette, where to go for different types of adventures.

Personal + Fun

Favourite way to spend a morning in Sayulita?

Mornings are our favorite — before the town fully wakes up, a walk on the beach with our 5 dogs. It’s the best way to start the day.

One memory that captures Sayulita for you?

Sunrise on the beach. The town is just waking up, and that quiet energy sets the tone for everything.

A community shoutout?

Veterinaria Animal Love — they’ve taken the training required to facilitate the new Screwworm test for rescue animals being adopted to the US, and they’re genuinely dedicated to helping animals find homes. Also a great local vet for anyone traveling with their pets.

And our guilty pleasure: Tacos from Al Pastor Tal Ivan. Hard to walk by without getting something.

Looking Forward

What’s next for CarNGo?

Our community page is a major focus this season, along with building collaborations with local businesses. We’ll also continue expanding our car lineup so customers have more options for whatever adventure they’re planning.

Any exciting plans to share?

We’re working on setting up tours from Sayulita to The Hilltop Refugio for dog-walking days — a way to bring awareness to animal rescue while giving visitors a unique way to explore the area. Contact us for more information!