Tulum on Two Wheels: The Ultimate Tulum Biking Guide
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Biking in Tulum is one of the most fun and eco-friendly ways to get around this bohemian resort town in the Riviera Maya.
With a compact town and plenty of side streets to explore, you can easily bike around Tulum Town and beyond.
If you don’t mind a little workout, you can even bicycle to Tulum’s cenotes, the public beaches, and even the Tulum Ruins.
While getting from point A to point B via bicycle in Tulum Pueblo is easy, reaching the Hotel Zone and areas further afield might take longer than you expect.
Contrary to popular belief, bike rentals aren’t the most convenient way to travel between the Tulum coast and town.
If you don’t like taking your time and leisurely reaching your destination, rent a scooter in Tulum for the day instead!
My first introduction to biking around Tulum was when Paul and I were living in Tulum as digital nomads.
We were lucky that our first Airbnb included bikes, and we loved getting around town using this simple mode of transport.
After living in Tulum and spending plenty of time biking around, I put together this ultimate guide to biking in Tulum.
Here is everything you need to know about bike rentals and biking in Tulum! 🚴
The Ultimate Guide: Biking in Tulum, Mexico
Book a Tulum Bike Tour
Interested in seeing Tulum’s best sights, including the cenotes and Mayan ruins, by bike?
Your best option to include it all might be booking a tour! You’ll follow a professional guide on your own set of two wheels.
Here are two great options if you don’t want to DIY your Tulum bike tour.
Option 1: Cenote Trail Bike Tour
- Starting at $99 per person
- Urban bikes with helmets included
- Lunch included
- Snorkeling, ziplining, swimming in cenotes, and canoeing
- Book here
On this bike tour, you can choose from 2 or 3 cenotes, and a local guide will lead you through the jungle surrounding Tulum!
The 2 cenote tour includes a visit to Cenote Escondido y Cristal and a delicious lunch. If you choose the 3 cenote tour option, you’ll get to swim in 3 different cenotes, zipline, and canoe before sitting down to lunch in the jungle.
Along the way, you’ll be biking along forested trails, reaching your destinations on two wheels. The 2 cenote tour option requires less pedaling if you want to take it easy.
Option 2: Bike Tour of Mayan Ruins & Cenotes
- Starting at $108 per person
- Urban bikes with helmets included can opt for electric bikes
- Traditional taco pit stop
- Visit a beekeeping foundation and Mayan ruins, swim in cenotes
- Book here
Bike your way from the city’s center to the Tulum Ruins and Cenote Cristal on this 5-hour tour.
A local history guide will be at the ruins to lead you on a tour and teach you more about the Mayan culture and archaeological remains they left behind.
After a pit stop to try local tacos, you’ll cool off by swimming in a nearby cenote. You’ll also make unique stops like a beekeeping foundation along the way.
If you’re worried about keeping up, they also offer an electric bike option for an additional fee.
Where to Rent Bikes in Tulum?
- Price: $200 MXN pesos per 24 hours
- Deposit: $1,000 MXN pesos (about $60 USD)
- Hours: 9 am – 7 pm (office), 10 am – 5 pm (delivery)
- Bikes: 26” beach cruisers with baskets, 20” children’s bikes are also offered
- Amenities: Delivery, baby seats, bike locks, weekly rentals, roadside assistance
Ola Bike is one of the most popular bike rentals in Tulum. You’ll see their iconic turquoise bikes and pink baskets everywhere!
Renting a bike from Ola Bike Tulum costs $200 MXN pesos (about $12 USD) for 24 hours.
They also offer home delivery service for an extra $300 MXN pesos (about $18 USD). Bikes can be rented daily or weekly. You’ll also need to pay a $1,000 MXN pesos (about $60) security deposit.
You can book their bikes online or pick one up in person. Your rental includes a bike lock; baby seats can be added upon request. Their office is on Coba Avenue between downtown Tulum and the Aldea Zama neighborhood.
- Price: $180-$250 MXN pesos depending on the bike
- Deposit: $1,965-$3,365 MXN pesos ($118-$201 USD)
- Hours: 8 am – 5 pm, Monday-Saturday
- Bikes: Variety of adult bikes up to 70”, beach cruisers and urban bikes, children’s bikes
- Amenities: Delivery, baby seats, baskets, bike locks, roadside assistance
iBike Tulum is another super popular bike rental in Tulum. You can find them on Ave. Cobá Sur on the corner with Calle Venus from 8 AM – 5 PM (closed Sundays).
The cruisers (similar to Ola Bikes) cost around $11-$12 USD, or $180-$200 MXN pesos per 24 hours. Two different kinds are on offer: the Sendero, which is recommended for short distances, and the Sunset, which can handle medium distances.
Their Urban bikes are recommended for making long trips, including the distance from Tulum Pueblo to the Hotel Zone and beach.
Home delivery is offered within 5 km of their office, although the cost will depend on where you’re located in Tulum. This option is offered from 9 am to 3 pm with one day’s advance notice. Keep in mind that this doesn’t cover getting the bike back!
iBike also usually offers promotions like two days free if you rent for five.
- Price: $350-$500 MXN pesos per day, depending on the bike
- Deposit: Equal to the full rental amount
- Hours: 9-5 pm Monday through Saturday, 10-2 pm on Sunday
- Bikes: Variety of electric bikes, including fat tire and all-terrain electric bikes
- Amenities: Helmet, baby seats, cell phone holder
Tulum Rental Co. has a ton of electric bike options, including all-terrain e-bikes like the Volcon Brat and Honeywhale e-bikes that are perfect for riding in sandy conditions.
Located in the center of Tulum Pueblo, they offer 1 to 30-day rentals. This is an excellent option if you want to get around town fast without renting a motorbike or scooter, although they also rent out electric scooters, motorbikes, and Italika scooters.
Pro Tip: When planning your Tulum itinerary, consider that some bike rentals will be completely booked or sold out. Once you know which day(s) you want to bike in Tulum, I recommend reserving your bicycle well in advance. Visit the shops in person for availability. Since most shops are along the road to the beach from the town, you’re likely to pass them at some point during your stay.
FAQ About Renting Bikes in Tulum
What is the cost of renting a bike in Tulum?
Renting a standard bike in Tulum is around $200 a day. Electric bike rentals start at $350 pesos and go up from there, depending on which electric bike you want to rent.
Is it safe to bike around Tulum?
Yes! As long as you follow precautions, it’s safe to bike around Tulum.
Wear a helmet, bring a bike lock, and avoid biking at night. Keep scrolling for my complete list of safety precautions when biking in Tulum.
Can you rent electric bikes in Tulum?
Yes, you can rent electric bikes in Tulum! E-bikes are becoming popular and more bike rentals are offering e-bikes.
What is the cheapest bike rental in Tulum?
One of Tulum’s least expensive ways to rent a bike is to book accommodation with free bikes!
This is common throughout Tulum, especially at the larger hotels but even at small AirBNBs. For sustainable hotel options, read my guide to eco-hotels in Tulum.
Where Can You Go in Tulum with a Bicycle?
As mentioned above, you can cruise between Tulum Pueblo and the Hotel Zone, visit the Tulum Mayan Ruins, and reach the cenotes all by bike.
Tulum’s Public Beaches (20 minutes)
Getting to the public beaches in Tulum by bike is quite easy, but it will take some time.
You’ll follow the bike path down Coba Avenue to a fork in the road. Turning left will take you toward the ruins, while turning right leads toward the Hotel Zone.
Getting to this point is a 15-20-minute ride alone.
From there, reaching the public beaches at Playa Paraiso will take an extra 10-12 minutes by bike. You’ll find several bike racks along the side of the road where you can lock your bike before hitting the beach.
Bicycling to Tulum’s Hotel Zone (45 minutes)
People underestimated how long it takes to bike to the hotel zone in Tulum. Depending on how far south you ride, it can take up to an hour (or more).
Reaching Ahau Eco Hotel, where the famous Ven A La Luz statue is and popular shops like Matcha Mama, will take around 45 minutes and involves biking 5 miles (9 km).
Once you’re along that strip, you’ll pass through several pockets of shops, hotels, and restaurants before biking along the jungle road, where there aren’t many businesses.
When traffic is heavy, biking is your best bet for navigating the Hotel Zone and finding parking. No matter the time of day, it can be pretty hectic in this area, even by bike!
Biking around Tulum Town
Biking in the Tulum Pueblo is the best way to experience the local town life, explore side streets, and get from one side to the other in a jiffy.
Follow the bike path down Main Avenue to stop between boho shops, ice cream stands, and yummy restaurants, or cruise the backstreets to find all the painted murals of Tulum’s street art scene.
Biking to the Tulum Ruins
Getting to the Tulum ruins by bike takes approximately 30 minutes if you leave the heart of Tulum Pueblo and take the Coba Avenue route.
Another option that takes only 15-20 minutes is following the bike path on the right side of Highway 307 and then taking a right toward the Tulum Archaeological Ruins.
This is the official “entrance” to the ruins for cars, as you’ll see by the number of hotels, shops, and outdoor market stalls.
If you’re already spending the day at the public beaches in Tulum, just south of the ruins, then it should only take 10 minutes (or less) to get there by bike.
If you leave the hotel zone, it will take 30 minutes or more.
Which Tulum cenotes can you bike to?
The best cenotes to reach by bike in Tulum are Cenote Calavera, Cenotes Cristal y Escondido, Gran Cenote, and Cenote Carwash.
Since others are farther away, you should consider renting a scooter or car to get to other cenotes in and around Tulum.
Note that to get to these cenotes, you must ride along the side of the highway, so be cautious of other vehicles and wear appropriate clothing.
Safety Tips for Biking in Tulum
Biking in and around Tulum is pretty straightforward.
Make sure you plan your route before you head out so that you’ll know how far you’re going and how long you can expect to be pedaling.
This will help you plan out the rest of your day!
Here are a few other safety tips to keep in mind when biking in Tulum:
- Always lock your bike
- Consider wearing a helmet
- Keep the bike rental’s WhatsApp # in your phone
- Pack a day bag with a reusable water bottle
- Take care when crossing car lanes that intersect with the bike path
- Watch out for potholes!
- Don’t bike at night
- Share the bike paths with runners (use a bell)
- Pass on the left whenever possible and warn when doing so
- Avoid biking in the rainy season when the paths can become flooded
I hope this guide to biking in Tulum helps you plan your trip!
If you’re a digital nomad in Tulum, you can purchase second-hand bikes by searching the local Facebook groups or going to the Super Adi store.
Before you go, check out these other guides to Tulum!
- Diving: Scuba Diving in Tulum, Mexico
- Activities: Things to Do in Tulum, Mexico
- Adventures: Day Trips From Tulum
- First-Timers: Essential Tulum Tips
If you have any questions about bike rentals in Tulum, where to bike, etc, feel free to reach out or drop a comment/question below!
Are there stores that rent out cargo bikes with room for a child? Or have other options for kids that are too small to bike on their own all day. Thanks!
Do they have tandem bikes for rent?
Hey Juan, yes I think so!
Do bike rentals provide locks and/or helmets?
Yes — both, normally! Helmets on bicycles are optional I think though.
Thanks so much. Are there any organized bike tours that you know of or just on your own?
Hey Paul! Yes! There are just a handful of Tulum bike tours on GetYourGuide.