All year-round, citizens of the United States flock to Cancun, Mexico for a taste of the beach life and a break from their day-to-day lives. Cancun is recognized globally for its incredible beaches, lavish resorts, and water activities and adventures. You can also learn a thing or two about Mayan culture while you’re in the region, or you can just lounge out on the beach and enjoy a beverage under the shade of an umbrella.
Cancun is located on the Yucatan Peninsula on the coast of the Caribbean Sea. The city is composed of two distinct areas: El Centro, the traditionally Mexican downtown district, and Zona Hotelera, the massive beachfront strip of high-rise hotels, nightclubs, and shopping centers. It’s up to you how you spend your time in Cancun. You can get a more authentic Mexican experience, or you can party and relax on the beach. Regardless of what you choose, renting a scooter makes it so much easier to get around the city and make the most of your time in Cancun.
Here is everything you need to know about hiring a motor scooter in Cancun. Most things here can also be applied if you are renting a motorcycle. This guide includes:
- The price of scooter hire in Cancun
- Where to rent a scooter in Cancun
- Whether you need an international driving permit to for scooter rental in Mexico
- Safety issues with driving a rental scooter in Cancun
- The best things to do in Cancun by scooter
How Much Does Scooter Hire Cost in Cancun?
In general, scooter rental in Cancun is very affordable; however, it is more expensive than in most other parts of Mexico since Cancun is such a popular tourist destination. If you want to rent a basic 150cc scooter, it’s going to cost you around $25 per day.
When renting your scooter, make sure that the cost of helmet rental and insurance are included in the stated price. If you damage your scooter, you’re going to want to have insurance, or else things could get expensive quickly. Many rental shops also offer discounts for weekly or monthly rentals, so that’s worth inquiring about if you plan on staying in Cancun for a long time. Many rental services in Cancun are also open to negotiating, so it may be possible to haggle the price down.
Where Can You Hire a Motor Scooter in Cancun?
If you plan on flying into Cancun International Airport, you can find scooter rental just outside the airport terminals, so you can drive your rental scooter directly to your accommodation. If you want to wait until you get into the city of Cancun to rent your scooter, you can find plenty of rental shops all along the beach in the Hotel Zone. The downtown district of Cancun also has motor scooter rental shops, but they are less frequent than in the Hotel Zone.
If you don’t want to deal with going to a rental shop, there are plenty of services online where you can book a rental scooter and have it delivered directly to your accommodation. Many of the hotels in Cancun also offer scooter hire at their front desk.
Do You Need an International Driving Permit To Hire a Scooter in Mexico?
If you are a citizen of the United States, Canada, or any Spanish-speaking country, you are not required to have an international driving permit to rent a scooter in Mexico. If your license is not from North America and it’s printed in a language other than English or Spanish, it’s recommended that you get an IDP before trying to drive in Mexico.
You can apply for your international driving permit here. There is a $20 application fee and the permit typically takes two weeks to arrive in the mail. Once you have your permit, it will be valid for one year.
Is It Safe To Drive a Rental Scooter in Cancun?
While it’s always best to exercise caution when driving in a foreign country, there’s nothing to be fearful about when driving in Cancun. The road conditions and standards of driving in Cancun, and on the entire Yucatan Peninsula, tend to be very good. However, you should use the toll roads whenever possible, as they’re in far better condition than others. You should also be wary when driving alone or at night.
Another thing to look out for in Cancun is corrupt cops. The police are paid very low wages in Mexico and so they must fill in the gaps by soliciting bribes from tourists. If you’ve done nothing wrong, you can refuse to pay the bribe, but it may lead to an unpleasant interaction.
The Best Things To Do by Scooter in Cancun
Now that you’re aware of everything you need to rent a scooter in Cancun, here are some of the best things to do in the city:
Chichen Itza
Even though Chichen Itza is about 2 and a half hours by scooter from the city center of Cancun, it’s one of the “Seven New Wonders of the World” and is absolutely worth the long commute. Chichen Itza is perhaps the most significant and impressive cultural site in all of Mexico. The ancient Mayan city is dominated by the incredible Temple of Kukulcan, a Mesoamerican step-pyramid that was probably built between 600 and 800 AD.
Chichen Itza is the perfect place to snap the perfect photo and also learn about the history of the Mayan people. You will be awestruck by the sheer size of the Temple of Kukulcan, especially considering it was constructed so long ago.
Playa Tortugas
If you’re interested in some time on a beautiful beach and getting away from the hordes of tourists, Playa Tortugas is known as a beach for locals. The atmosphere is relaxed, the sand is clean, and there are a ton of open-air restaurants offering authentic Mexican food. A lot of people enjoy Playa Tortugas so much that they spend their entire time in Cancun there.
Playa Tortugas also features a pier where courageous travelers can bungee jump over the crystal-clear waters. The beach is located on the northern side of Cancun’s Hotel Zone, and it’s completely free to access.
Museo Subacuatico de Arte
Located somewhere between the beautiful Isla Mujeres and the Hotel Zone, the Museo Subacuatico de Arte is composed of hundreds of underwater concrete sculptures spread across the seafloor.
The museum is divided into three sections: Manchones, Punta Nizuc, and Punta Sam. The Manchones section features more than 470 sculptures that are only accessible by scuba diving. The Punta Nizuc section is accessible by snorkeling and features 33 sculptures. If you don’t want to go into deep water, you can visit the Punta Sam section, which is located in the shallowest water and is very easy to access.
Conquer Cancun by Motor Scooter
Regardless of how you want to spend your time in Cancun, renting a motor scooter gives you the opportunity to travel freely around the city. You can get from destination quickly, or just enjoy driving down the beautiful Caribbean coastline.
Do you still have questions about scooter rentals in Cancun? No worries, you can always contact us by phone, email, or our website's live chat.
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