The Ultimate Guide to Renting a Scooter in Tulum

Renting a scooter in Tulum is a fun and efficient way to explore the area’s beaches, cenotes, ruins, and other attractions. 

And given how pricey taxis can be, and how long the bike ride is between downtown and the beach, it is no surprise that scooters are the most popular form of transportation for locals and vacationers alike.

While living in Tulum for a month and half, my husband and renting scooters numerous times. We had the opportunity to try out several different Tulum scooter rental companies and see what it was like riding different types of scooters and mopeds in Tulum.

It was our first time renting scooters (or any type of vehicle) in Mexico and there were so many things I wish I had known beforehand. Truth be told, Tulum scooter rental companies tell you almost nothing about driving in Tulum, so in this article I’m sharing all my tips!

How to Rent A Scooter in Tulum

Finding a scooter to rent in Tulum is actually quite easy—there are vespa, scooter, and moped rental spots on nearly every corner in downtown Tulum and along the beach road. Different rental spots offer different types of vehicles, so if you’re looking for a specific model, you may want to check out a few different places.

I recommend Kar Kun, a reputable Tulum scooter rental spot with a diversity of scooters, including iconic Italian Vespas. However, with so many different rental places in Tulum, you’ll have plenty of options to choose from.

Tulum Scooter Rental Requirements

You need a driver’s license to legally drive a scooter in Tulum, but most rental places won’t look at your license. Your license can be from a different country and does not need to be an international driver’s license. 

Most scooter rental places require you to leave an ID or passport as collateral. This can be tricky since you need your ID to drive legally. If you’re renting a scooter with someone else, one of you can leave your ID, or if you’re driving on your own, you can leave your passport. 

Some scooter rental places will also require you to leave a deposit of a couple of thousand pesos in addition to the rental fee. It’s a good idea to take out $4000+ pesos before attempting to rent a scooter since you may need that much or more to pay and leave a deposit. 

Tulum Scooter Rental Cost

The base cost for most scooters is 500 pesos (~$27 USD) per day, but it gets more expensive if you want a nicer moped. However, you can get a better deal if you rent for multiple days. 

We paid 500 pesos ($27 USD) for a small, cheap scooter for 24 hours and 1200 pesos ($65 USD) for a cute baby blue Italian vespa for 48 hours. However, I think we could have gotten these scooters for a little less if we had shopped around more. 

If you want to use a scooter for a few months, consider buying one. Day rental prices add up, and you can save money by buying a scooter and reselling it when you leave. There are lots of scooters for sale on Facebook marketplace (just search “scooter tulum”), and in physical stores like Chedraui. 

Which Type of Scooter Should You Rent?

There are a lot of scooters, mopeds, Vespas, and motorbikes to choose from in Tulum. 

Almost every scooter is made by the brand Italika. While living in Tulum as a digital nomad, I rented an Italika D125 (in black and dark blue) and an Italika Vitalia 150 (in baby blue). 

The D125 was easier to drive around town at a low speed. It was much smaller, and felt safer for me to drive. However, it did not deal with the bumpy roads of Tulum very well. I had back pain for a few days after riding on the back while my husband drove. Another issue is that the gas tank is small. You can drive to the beach from Tulum town and back, but not too much further.

Riding on the Vitalia 150 Vespa felt very different. The seat was more comfortable and absorbed the bumps better, so I didn’t experience any back pain. It has much more storage and a bigger gas tank. However, it is much larger and heavier and accelerates quickly, making it a little scarier for me to drive. However, my husband and I preferred this scooter over the first one as long as he was driving and I was sitting on the back. 

If you’re riding a scooter by yourself around town, I might recommend a smaller, cheaper scooter like the D125. However, if you’re riding with someone else and plan to go longer distances, the Vitalia wins. 

My Experience Renting a Scooter in Tulum

My husband and I have rented scooters from two places in Tulum Centro: Kar Kun, a highly-rated spot on the main road with cute blue Italian vespas, and an unnamed local rental spot near our Airbnb.

At the time, I felt like I had a great experience renting from both of these spots. But a few weeks later I traveled to Cozumel and rented a scooter there. The Cozumel scooter rental company was so much more professional than any of the rental companies I encountered in Tulum.

In Cozumel, scooter rental prices were set and clearly posted, but in Tulum prices seemed more fluid and flexible. The rental companies in Cozumel also provided much more comprehensive support, including an option to purchase insurance and free maps of the island. In Tulum scooter rental companies provided the scooter and that is about it.

In retrospect, I realize that my scooter rental Tulum experiences were all very casual, which wasn’t necessarily a bad thing. The maps and insurance options in Cozumel were nice but I didn’t miss them in Tulum.

So if you have rented a scooter in another part of Mexico, even in nearby Cozumel, keep in mind that your experience in Tulum may be very different.

Where to Drive a Scooter in (and Around) Tulum

There are so many beautiful places to visit in and around Tulum, and you can reach many of them by moped. Here are some places you can easily reach by scooter from Tulum downtown or Tulum beach.

Between Tulum Downtown and Tulum Beach

If you book a hotel in downtown Tulum you will quickly realize that you’re far from the beach. Tulum’s public beaches (and beach clubs) are a few miles away. Taxis are expensive, and there is no reliable public transport between the town and the beach, so scootering is a great way to travel between these two areas. I recommend checking out Playa Paraiso. By the way, staying in Tulum downtown instead of on the beach is one of my top Tulum budget tips.

To the Tulum Ruins

The Tulum ruins are some of the most stunning and unique Mayan ruins I’ve ever seen. The ruins are located inside the Tulum archaeological zone along the Caribbean ocean. The ruins have two entrances: via the beach road (past Playa Paraiso) and highway 307. The highway 307 entrance is best for people with cars since there is a large parking lot and shuttle, and the beach road entrance is an easy way to reach the ruins by scooter. Right near the entrance on the beach road, you can pay $100 pesos ($5 USD) to park your moped.

Muyil Ruins and Sian Ka’an

You can visit the beautiful Sian Kaan nature reserve and Muyil Mayan ruins by scooter. The Muyil ruins are very different compared to nearby ruins like Tulum or Chichen Itza. There are fewer visitors, and the ruins are in a dense jungle. The ruins are also an entry point for Sian Kaan, where you can see incredible wildlife and float down a Mayan canal. Reach the ruins by driving about 20 minutes south on highway 307 from Tulum Centro. 

Kaan Luum Lagoon

Just fifteen minutes south of Tulum, Laguna de Kaan Luum is a hidden gem few Tulum tourists know about. The freshwater lagoon is a beautiful turquoise laguna, similar to Bacalar, a lagoon further south in Quintana Roo. Kaan Luum is a perfect spot to swim or relax outside the busyness of Tulum.

Cenote Escondido

Cenote Escondido is a beautiful cenote only 10 minutes from downtown Tulum. The crystal clear waters are home to several species of freshwater fish. This cenote is easily accessible by scooter and less popular (busy) than other Tulum cenotes. 

There are other places you can visit by scooter if you’re an experienced driver and have the right type of scooter. For instance, the Coba Ruins, or cenotes north of Tulum. However, if you’re unsure, ask the rental company before you attempt the trip. 

Is it Safe to Drive a Scooter in Tulum?

There are a few factors that impact how safe it is to ride a scooter in Tulum. If you’re concerned about safety, consider the following:

Other Drivers

Tulum drivers are used to driving alongside scooters. In my experience, driving alongside cars and other vehicles on the roads in Tulum didn’t feel unsafe.

Road Conditions

Many of Tulum’s roads are bumpy and full of potholes. There are also many small speed bumps throughout the town. Weirdly enough, the road in Tulum’s archaeological zone (toward the public beaches) felt the smoothest and safest, but there were still potholes here and there.

Your Competence Driving A Scooter

I would only recommend renting a scooter in Tulum if you have experience driving one or are with someone with experience. Driving a scooter is relatively easy but still dangerous if you don’t know what you’re doing. Given how bumpy some of the roads are and the fact that you’re likely unfamiliar with the area, it is not a safe place to learn how to drive a scooter on your own.

Scooter Safety Tips

Buy Travel Insurance that Covers Scooter Accidents

Accidents happen! Before you rent a scooter anywhere abroad, be sure you have comprehensive travel insurance that covers the activities you’ll be doing. I always purchase SafetyWing Travel Insurance when I travel abroad because their policies protect you for a diversity of ‘extreme’ sports and driving a scooter (with a helment).

Ask Lots of Questions

In my experience, the people renting you a scooter won’t tell you anything about the scooter unless you ask. Be sure to ask any questions you may have. The obvious ones are how to turn on the scooter and drive if you don’t already know. It’s also important to ask how to open up any storage compartments or the gas cap. 

Get the Rental Company’s Contact Info

Before you ride off, ask the customer service rep at the scooter rental company for their Whatsapp phone number. If you have any issues or questions, you can contact them. 

Wear a Helmet

Make sure that you get a helmet when you rent your scooter (and wear it). Helmets should be included when you rent your scooter from any reputable vendor. This is important not only because it protects your head, but also because most travel insurances won’t cover an accident if you weren’t wearing a helmet.

Watch Out for Speed Bumps and Potholes

Pay attention to the road as you drive. There are tons of speed bumps throughout Tulum, and they can be difficult to see sometimes. And, of course, there are many bumps and potholes as well. 

Be Aware of One-Way Roads

Most downtown Tulum roads are one-way. Before renting a scooter, get familiar with the area and road signs so you know which roads are one-way. 

Always Ask About Parking

The last thing you want is to get your rental scooter towed. Ask someone if it’s okay to park before you leave your scooter. 

The Riviera Maya is one of the most beautiful areas in Mexico. Within Tulum alone are dozens of enchanting cenotes, several ancient Mayan archaeological sites, and miles of stunning white sandy beaches. Renting a scooter is one of the best ways to see and experience all this special region has to offer. As you plan your Tulum adventures, be sure to check my other Mexico travel guides!