Cozumel is a special island located in the Caribbean Sea, just off the eastern coast of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. This beautiful island is known for its stunning beaches, crystal-clear waters, and rich culture, making it a popular destination for people from all over the world.
Cozumel is one of my favorite places in Mexico, and my absolute thing to do on the island is explore via scooter. A well-maintained paved road runs around the island, with endless pullouts at breathtaking ocean viewpoints and peaceful beaches.
Read on for my top tips for renting a scooter on Cozumel.
Our scooter parked on the side of the road by the Caribbean ocean
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Cozumel Scooter & Moped Rentals
Having driven scooters through terrible potholed roads in Tulum, I was nervous I’d have the same experience in Cozumel. I couldn’t have been more wrong. Cozumel’s roads are well-maintained, with very few potholes. To be fair, Cozumel’s roads do still have speed bumps (which are everywhere in Mexico), but the overall experience of driving in Cozumel is significantly better than driving in Tulum.
I was also impressed the professionalism, helpfulness, and friendliness of the Cozumel scooter rental companies employees. Tulum scooter rental “companies” were so unofficial. You just pay in cash and they hand you the keys, not knowing if you have any idea how to ride the scooter.
Renting a scooter in Cozumel is an entirely different experience. Prices are standardized, scooters are in good shape, and the rental employees walk you through everything you need to know. When I rented a scooter in Cozumel in 2023, the rental employee explained precisely how to get out of the city center (which is mostly one-way roads), showed us how to open the scooter seat to store our bag and refill the gas, told us where we could and couldn’t drive the scooter, and gave us a printed map with personal recommendations on places to stop. He also spoke perfect English, which is not necessary, but certainly helpful for us as native English speakers.
Scooter rental Cozumel island
Is it worth it to rent a scooter on Cozumel?
If you feel confident driving a scooter, yes! Driving around Cozumel is one of the best things to do on the island.
While you can also easily rent a Jeep, Dune Buggy, ATV, or car on Cozumel (more on this below), I prefer exploring Cozumel via moped because parking is easier, moped rentals are cheap, and driving a scooter is fun!
Reasons to explore Cozumel on a scooter:
★ See the diversity of Cozumel in one day, from the calm crystal-clear waters on the western side to the bellowing waves on the eastern side of the island.
★ Explore the island at your own pace.
★ Stop anywhere and everywhere. With a scooter, you can park at hidden beaches with no car parking spaces.
★ Save money. A one-day Cozumel scooter rental costs a fraction of the price of a tour or car rental.
★ Create memories. Whether you’re traveling solo or with someone else, exploring a new island via scooter is a memory you’ll never forget.
★ Opt for an environmentally-friendly form of transportation. Compared to taxis or car rentals, a scooter rental is a more sustainable option.
The eastern shore — one of the many places you can visit on a Cozumel scooter rental
Essential Mexico Travel Resources
Have a Mexico trip coming up soon? There are a lot of travel companies out there, but some are better than others. After traveling to dozens of countries and living abroad on several continents, here are some of my favorite websites and resources for planning unforgettable trips.
🗺️ Hotels + Vacation Rentals: I always use this site for hotels. They have an easy-to-use platform and great rewards. When I’m looking for a vacation rental, I compare Vrbo and Airbnb.
💪 Travel Insurance: Travel insurance is essential for any trip! I use SafetyWing, which has affordable rates and coverage for many adventure sports.
🚠 Tours + Activities: Viator (owned by Trip Advisor) is the best site for comparing and booking experiences with local tour operators.
🚗 Car Rentals: Use DiscoverCars, a highly-rated platform for comparing and booking rental cars around the world.
📱 Easy phone plans abroad: Use this company to get an eSIM for phone coverage while traveling—without getting a SIM card or canceling your existing plan (unless you want to!)
🛬 Airport Lounge Pass: One membership with Priority Pass grants you access to over 1300 lounges in nearly every country (trust me, it’s a game changer!)
🎒 Essentials always in my bag: Check out my ‘in my bag‘ page for the items I always have in my carry-on.
Step-by-step guide for Cozumel scooter rentals
1. Select a Scooter rental CompanY
First things first, choose your Cozumel scooter rental company. There are scooter rental shops on nearly every street in San Miguel de Cozumel, but some are better than others. If you Google “scooter rental Cozumel” or “moped rental Cozumel” you should see several options in the city. Below I share my top recommendations for scooter rental spots on the island.
2. Purchase your owN Travel Insurance
While limited insurance is included in some scooter rentals, I strongly recommend getting your own travel insurance. Not all travel insurance policies are created equal. My personal recommendation (and the insurance I always use while traveling) is SafetyWing.
SafetyWing covers scooter accidents as well as travel delays, lost checked luggage, natural disasters, personal liability and more. Even if your scooter rental includes insurance, SafetyWing’s is likely better, and you’re still covered for other accidents when you’re not riding the scooter.
3. Bring the right documentatioN
To rent a scooter, you’ll need a valid driver’s license. The moped rental employee may need to write down your driver’s license information, so make sure that you have it when you head to the rental shop.
4. Bring cash (if necessary)
Many scooter rental shops accept cards, but some don’t. They may also need a cash deposit of a few thousand pesos. If you’re planning on paying in cash, I recommend bringing at least $4000 pesos. Most shops will also take USD as well.
Beautiful waves near Rasta Bar Cozumel
5. ASK plenty of Questions
Make sure you get all of your questions are answered before you leave with your scooter. I recommend asking the following questions:
★ How do you access the under seat storage?
★ How do you lock the scooter when parked?
★ When do I need to return the scooter?
★ Where is the closest gas station?
★ Who can I call if I need help?
6. Explore the island
Woohoo! Once you have your scooter, explore the beautiful island of Cozumel. Keep reading for my recommended stops on a drive around the island.
7. Refill The scooter’s gas before returning
99% of the time, you’ll need to return your scooter with a full tank of gas. There are several gas stations in town, including a Pemex right along the main road when you enter San Miguel from the south after driving around the island, and another Pemex in the eastern part of downtown San Miguel.
8. Return your Scooter Rental on Time
To avoid extra charges, return your scooter on time. Keep in mind that some scooter companies close early, so be sure to coordinate your drop off time when you pick up the scooter.
Moped rental Cozumel — driving on the island
Cozumel scooter rental company recommendations
There are dozens of scooter rental spots on Cozumel, but these are my recommendations based on my personal experiences and word-of-mouth reviews.
HTL RENTALS: scooter, DUne Buggy & jeeps rentals
HTL is a very professional Cozumel scooter rental company in San Miguel. Their office is located one block from the Ultramar ferry dock and they have a large selection of scooters, dune buggies, and Jeeps for rent. Prices for scooters start at $20 USD for half a day, and $25 USD for a full day.
Cozumel Adventour
When visiting Cozumel, I wanted to rent from HTL, but all of their scooters had been reserved by a large group. So they directed me to Cozumel Adventour across the street. I was blown away by how helpful and professional the Adventour team was. They matched the prices quoted to us at HTL ($450 pesos/$25 USD for 24 hours) and gave us thorough instructions on how to get out of the city on one way roads.
Moped Rentals Cozumel (España Rentals)
España Rentals is another reputable scooter rental company in San Miguel. Their office is a few blocks up from the Cozumel ferry terminal and Benito Juarez Park. Moped rentals cost $25 USD per day.
Jaguar Rentals – HARLEY DAVIDSON – BMW Amazing Rentals and Tours
Jaguar Rentals is a trusted scooter and motorcycle rental shop with over 58 five star reviews on Google Maps. Their office is located near the Cozumel cruise ship port, making it the perfect spot to rent a scooter on a cruise ship port day. Scooters cost about $500 pesos ($27 USD) per day.
A quick stop at a viewpoint while driving around Cozumel
Cozumel moped rental requirements
You don’t need a special drivers license or permit to drive a rental scooter in Mexico. You just need a valid drivers license from any country.
Average rental cost for scooters in San Miguel de Cozumel
Most scooter rentals cost about $25 USD a day and you can get a discount if you rent for numerous days.
Cozumel sign at El Mirador
Places to go on Cozumel via scooter, moped, or motorbike
Now for the fun part, exploring the island! I highly recommend driving around the entire island if you have time. The drive itself only takes about an hour and twenty minutes, but you can spend the whole day if you spend a few hours at several stops.
You can drive either way around the island, but I recommend starting by driving southwest past the cruise terminals and toward Punta Sur, then making your way northeast on the eastern side of the island before heading back to town.
Don’t MISS! Western beach Road
There is a paved beachside one-way road right off the main highway (Quintana Roo C-1) on the western side of the island. It’s easy to miss this road, but if you want to stop at beaches with calm, crystal-clear blue water to swim, relax, or snorkel, make sure to take this road!
When driving southwest from San Miguel, you’ll see a sign that says “Caleta” and two roads to the right. Take the road that slightly curves right (not the direct right turn). From there, you’ll drive along the water for a few miles before meeting back up with the main road near Secrets Aura Cozumel.
Stunning Caribbean water at Playa Zofmat
Playa Zofmat
My favorite spot to stop along the western beach road is Playa Zofmat, a small undeveloped beach with some quality snorkeling. It’s one of the first beaches you’ll pass when driving south, but it tends to be pretty empty because there is no parking lot. Just park your scooter on the side of the road and enjoy!
If you plan to snorkel, I recommend bringing your own snorkel gear (or just goggles) and water shoes. I am pretty tough when it comes to entering the water without water shoes, but the rocks on most Cozumel beaches are not easy to walk on.
SKyreef Beach Club & Playa Corona
Skyreef Beach Club and nearby Corona Beach is the spot that local recommended to us for a day of relaxation and snorkeling. The beach club has lounge chairs and umbrellas, as well as a restaurant with a variety of Mexican and American staples and drinks.
Punta Sur Eco Park
Visiting Punta Sur Eco Park is one of the best things to do in Cozumel. The park sounds like a tourist destination (and it is), but it’s actually a state reserve. The fee entry includes access to beach chairs, hammocks, natural trails, and a catamaran boat ride to the coral reef.
Oceanview from Rasta Bar on Cozumel
Rasta Bar
If you drive around the island, you have to stop at the Rasta Bar! It’s one of the few businesses on the southern/eastern side of the island, and its a unique spot to grab a snack or drink before continuing your journey.
If you don’t care to stop for the reggae tunes and good vibes, stop for the view. The waves off Rasta Bar are stunning and the scenery is completely different from the western side of the island. The bar is cash-only, so make sure you bring enough money (pesos or dollars).
There is also a tiny church right next to the bar that’s worth checking out.
Bar Miami & Playa Publica Miami
Right down the road from Rasta Bar you’ll find Bar Miami and a public beach. Bar Miami is another great spot to stop for a snack or drink if you want to take in the ocean breeze. The nearby beach is also worth exploring.
El Mirador Cozumel, a perfect stop on a drive around the island
El Mirador
El Mirador is another spot you can’t miss on Cozumel. It’s one of the most touristy stop along the way, with several vendors and spots that locals have curated for photos (Cozumel signs, swings, etc). Be sure to (safely) climb up the rocks for a breathtaking panoramic view of the waves crashing on the rocks.
Playa Chen RIo
Playa Chen Rio is one of the most popular beaches on Cozumel’s eastern side, and for good reason! The beach is scattered with soft white sand and waves are stunning. It’s a great spot to relax for a few hours while exploring Cozumel.
Zona Arqueológica San Gervasio
If you have some extra time, check out the Mayan ruins at Zona Arqueológica San Gervasio on your way back to San Miguel. You can tour the ruins with a guide for only $20 USD, or explore on your own for a lower cost.
My scooter safety tip? Have your husband drive and sit on the back 😂
Essential Cozumel scooter safety tips
Wear a helmet: All scooter rentals should come with a helmet. Wear it! Also, be aware that if you don’t wear a helmet, you might not be covered by insurance.
Watch out for speed bumps and potholes: The roads on Cozumel are well-maintained, but there are still a few potholes and plenty of speed bumps. Sometimes speed bumps and holes can be difficult to see, so make sure to pay attention as you drive.
Be aware of one-way roads: Most of the roads in San Miguel Cozumel are on-way. If you have any doubts about driving in the town, ask the scooter rental agency for help.
Protect your skin: The Quintana Roo sun is hot! If you plan to spend the day driving around Cozumel on a scooter, make sure to wear sunscreen and bring other forms of sun protection, like sunglasses, a sun shirt, and a sun hat.
Rocks and beach on Cozumel’s eastern shore
Alternative forms of transportation on Cozumel
If you don’t feel safe driving a scooter, or you want to explore the island with a few friends, you can rent a Jeep, buggy, or ATV on Cozumel. HTL Rentals offers all these vehicles, as do many other rental companies in town.
A unique way to get around Cozumel (buggy)
Cozumel Jeep rentals are easy to come by!
Final thoughts: Scooter Rental Cozumel
Renting a scooter allows you to explore the Cozumel at your own pace, without the restrictions of a guided tour or the hassle of using public transportation. Driving around Cozumel on a scooter was the highlight of my recent trip to the island, so I hope this guide gives you the information you need to enjoy this beautiful place as much I did.
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