Tulum Scooter Rentals: Everything You Need to Know
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Renting a scooter in Tulum is a fun and affordable way to travel between the town’s beach or hotel zone and the bustling Tulum Pueblo.
It’s also a great way to get out of town and explore the dozens of cenotes surrounding Tulum and the Tulum Ruins.
While living as a digital nomad in Tulum, we rented a scooter (or moped) to explore beyond where our bicycle rentals could take us!
With a scooter, you can quickly get to and from the beach and back to town without sitting in traffic or going over budget with an outrageous taxi fare.
No matter how many days you have included in your Tulum itinerary, renting a scooter is a fun and budget-friendly way to explore.
Here’s a quick guide on renting a scooter in Tulum, Mexico!
Renting a Scooter or Moped in Tulum, Mexico
Where to Rent Scooters in Tulum?
Finding scooters to rent in Tulum was difficult, but the narrative has changed over the years!
Now, there are dozens of scooter shops to choose from.
Here are some of the best scoot rental options in Tulum.
Tulum Bike and Scooter Rentals
- Price: $400 MXN pesos per 24 hours
- Deposit: Passport or $3000 MXN deposit
- Hours: No listing
- Scooters: 150 cc scooters
- Amenities: Helmets and locks included
When we lived in Tulum, we were just down the street from a moped and bike rental store that we always passed and became familiar with.
Known as Tulum Bike and Scooter Rental, it is on the corner of Calle Sol Ote and Escorpion Sur, near the beautiful Tulum street art.
This is a no-frills shop with inexpensive scooter rentals. Despite its bare-bones approach, it did the trick for our day trip!
- Price: $600 – $1200 MXN per 24h
- Deposit: Passport or $4000 MXN
- Hours: 9:00 am to 6:00 pm
- Bikes: 125 cc to 300 cc scooters and motorbikes
- Amenities: Helmet, roadside assistance, moto insurance, and locks provided
Also located in the center of town, MEXIGO has various rentals, from Vespas to full-blown motorbikes built for rough terrain and longer distances.
Chat with their rep, who will help you choose the best option for you and where you want to go. They also provide standard bicycles as well.
- Price: $600 – $700 MXN per 24h
- Deposit: Passport or $200 USD
- Hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
- Bikes: 125 cc to 150 cc scooters and 200 cc ATV’s
- Amenities: 2 helmets, lock, roadside assistance, health insurance, and free mileage included. Delivery options available.
Another scooter shop in the center of town, Monza Rentals, is one of the least expensive options for renting scooters in Tulum.
You’ll find two types of standard scooters along with 200 cc ATVs, which are designed for two people. Stop by their shop to rent your scooter and chat or have your scooter delivered.
⚠️ Scooter Tulum Services — do NOT rent from them!
How Much Does It Cost to Rent a Moped in Tulum?
A scooter rental in Tulum typically costs between $500 and $600 MXN pesos (around $30-$35 USD) a day.
Some companies will allow half-day rentals as well.
This price can climb up to $800 MXN pesos a day, depending on whether you want a premium scooter, like a Vespa, or one that’s more common.
Many rentals are for 24 hours.
If not, note down the time you left and plan your Tulum itinerary accordingly to make it back on time for drop-off.
Most scooter rental companies charge a collateral fee or hold your ID. The average deposit is between $3,000 and $4,000 MXN pesos (between $180 and $240 USD).
You’ll likely need to return the scooter with a full gas tank.
The current gas price in Tulum (May 2024) is $24 MXN pesos per liter. That’s about $5.30 a gallon. Luckily, most scooter gas tanks are small, and you won’t spend a fortune unless you rent for weeks.
Do You Need a License to Drive a Scooter in Mexico?
Yes, you need a license to drive a scooter in Mexico.
When we rented our scooter, we had to show our license. Paul showed his French license.
I could have used my USA license as well to rent a scooter in Tulum.
It’s only necessary so they can fill out their paperwork.
Don’t worry about getting an international driving permit, regardless of which country your license is from. Mexico doesn’t require it, unlike some countries (e.g., looking at you, Taiwan).
Do You Need Insurance to Rent a Scooter?
Renting a scooter in Tulum isn’t like renting a car in the States or elsewhere.
While you don’t technically need insurance to drive, you’ll need to confirm with your rental company that you’re covered in case of an accident.
🛵 Both Paul and I are insured by the travel medical insurance for digital nomads called SafetyWing. You can get coverage for as little as $56/4 weeks and get coverage the same day you sign up for it!
This is crucial for ensuring you’re covered in an accident and need medical care.
If someone runs into you, you should also have liability insurance included in the rental. Double-check with your insurance provider to see if this is covered.
What Kind of Scooter Should I Rent in Tulum?
You’ll notice a few other options if you’re perusing different scooters to rent in Tulum.
What scooter you should rent will depend on what activities you’re planning to do.
As a rule of thumb, the lower the cc’s, the smaller your scooter will be.
While this can be great for simply getting around town, taking these scooters long distances, like to Punta Allen, can be challenging.
Larger scooters, around 200 cc, are better suited for long trips and are also more comfortable overall!
The trade-off is that these can be a little more difficult to maneuver if you’re not used to driving on two wheels.
Your best bet is to talk with your rental company to see which scooter option they recommend!
Where Can You Go in Tulum with a Scooter?
Renting a scooter is one of the best ways to explore around and beyond Tulum and experience everything the Riviera Maya has to offer!
Here are a few epic day trips from Tulum that you can easily reach by scooter…
💡 Important Tip: Your coverage may only extend to a certain distance around Tulum. Ask your rental provider how far you can go before heading to places outside Tulum like Valladolid or Chichen Itza.
- Coba: Coba Ruins and Coba Cenotes
- Good road conditions with paved highways – watch for large trucks!
- 1 hour, 30 miles via QROO 109
- Beautiful lagoon: Laguna Kaan Luum
- Great road conditions
- 15 minutes, about 7 miles via Mexico 307
- Nearby cenotes: Cenotes Cristal y Escondido
- Great road conditions
- 10 minutes, 2.5 miles via Mexico 307
- Muyil Ruins inside the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve
- Okay road conditions but get a little tricky
- 30 minutes, 14 miles via Mexico 307
- You can also do the Muyil canal float!
- And more!
We tried to go to Punta Allen with our scooter, but the road wasn’t ideal.
We made it about 1/3 of the way, just far enough to tour the free tourist center in the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve (along the Tulum coast) and climb the watchtower overlooking the lagoons and lush jungle.
Most of Tulum’s scooter and moped rentals are slow and cannot handle off-roading. This is important to keep in mind when you’re planning where you want to go.
Safety Tips for Driving a Scooter in Tulum
Driving in Mexico has its own rules of the road and safety precautions.
Here are some things to watch out for when driving a scooter in Tulum.
Practice Safe Driving
Police can stop you for any reason, but you’ll instantly become a target if you’re an obnoxious tourist. Avoid driving fast, showing off, or generally looking like you have a lot of money.
Pack a small day bag
Don’t bring too many valuables or belongings while driving around. Most scooters have only a small storage compartment under the seat. These are typically designed to fit two helmets. Avoid storing too much in these compartments even if you have the room.
Watch for speed bumps
Mexico is famous for its isotopes, which are known as annoying speed bumps. Don’t hit them when riding your scooter fast —or else!
Wear a helmet
Scooter rentals should include helmets for safety. Always wear your helmet while driving your scooter to protect yourself.
Most gas tanks are small
Most scooters have tiny gas tanks. This is important to remember, especially if you plan to do day trips!
Avoid peak Tulum traffic
Avoid heading to the beach zone in the early evening when everyone is on their way to see the sunset. Be extremely cautious if you try to pass cars.
Don’t speed
Scooter drivers should also avoid speeding. Although it might be tempting to zoom past a line of stopped cars, this behavior can be dangerous and incur fines. The last thing you want on your trip to Tulum is a ticket from the police. Avoid attracting attention to yourself and always follow road rules.
Drive in the right direction in Tulum Town
Make sure you’re driving in the right direction on all of the streets in Tulum, especially around Tulum Pueblo.
While this tip might seem obvious, you would be surprised how confusing it can be. Stop signs require a complete stop, so hit the brakes when approaching them.
Although renting a car in Tulum might seem more convenient than a scooter rental, you’ll have to deal with traffic jams and parking headaches. This is especially true in the Hotel Zone!
In summary, renting a scooter in Tulum is a fun and budget-friendly way to get around, especially if you are a solo traveler or traveling as a couple!
Be sure to check out my other travel guides to Tulum, Mexico, here:
- Restaurants: Top 20 Delicious Places to Eat in Tulum
- Cenote Calavera: Jumping in Cenote Calavera (Temple of Doom)
- Scuba Diving: The Complete Guide to Scuba Diving in Tulum, Mexico
- What to Do: 9 Awesome Things to Do in Tulum, Mexico
- Best of Tulum: The Ultimate Travel Guide to Tulum, Mexico
- Before You Go: Essential Tulum Travel Tips
🛵 I hope this guide to renting a scooter or moped in Tulum helps you plan your stay and adds a little bit of adventure to your trip! If you have any questions, please reach out in the comments below.
Share this scooter rental guide with your friends in Tulum!