What You Can Rent in Tulum
In Tulum you can rent a bike, a car, a golf cart, a moto or scooter and snorkel gear. rentarentulum.com does not rent out any of these vehicles or gear — this is an apartment in downtown Tulum, not a rental agency —, but after hosting guests and helping plan dozens of trips we put together this practical guide so you know what is worth renting for your plans, roughly how much it costs and where to get it without being overcharged.
Tulum is flat, so a bike works really well for getting around downtown and reaching the Mayan ruins. For the beach, far-off cenotes or day trips to Cobá or Bacalar, a rental car gives you more freedom with your schedule. If you are staying in the hotel zone and only move around within that stretch, a golf cart is convenient. A moto or scooter is a nimbler option than a car for anyone who already has experience riding on two wheels. And if your plans include several cenotes or the reef, it is worth bringing or renting your own snorkel gear instead of paying for it every time on site.
Quick Comparison
| What to rent | What it is for | Approx. cost | Worth it? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bike | Getting around downtown and reaching the ruins | Low, per day | Yes, almost always |
| Car | Far-off cenotes, Cobá, Bacalar, Playa del Carmen | Mid-to-high, per day | Yes, if you leave Tulum |
| Golf cart | Getting around within the hotel zone | Medium, per day | Only if you are staying there |
| Moto / scooter | Short and medium trips with more agility than a car | Medium, per day | If you already know how to ride one |
| Snorkel gear | Cenotes and the reef without paying rental at each spot | Low, per trip | Yes, if you visit 2+ cenotes |
Prices vary by season, by agency and by whether you negotiate for several days, so take these ranges only as a reference for comparing options, not as a fixed rate.
The 5 Guides for Renting in Tulum
Each option has its own guide with honest details: where to rent, what to ask before you sign, insurance, deposit and common mistakes that cost you money.
How to Get Around Tulum Without Renting Anything
If you would rather not rent anything, Tulum is easy to get around with InDrive and colectivos. In Tulum Uber and Didi do not work; the alternative is InDrive, where you and the driver agree on the price before you get in. Colectivos —shared vans— leave from the stop next to the Super AKI, on Avenida Tulum, and are the cheapest way to reach the beach, nearby cenotes or neighboring towns. If you are looking for more ways to spend little during your trip, check out our guide on what to do in Tulum on a budget.
Distances You Should Know Before Renting
| Route | Approx. time |
|---|---|
| Downtown ↔ hotel zone / beach | ~10 minutes by car or taxi |
| Downtown ↔ Mayan ruins | ~10 minutes by bike |
| Downtown ↔ Gran Cenote / Cenote Calavera | 8-12 minutes by car |
| Downtown ↔ Tulum airport (TQO) | ~30 minutes by car |
Tulum is flat, so these distances are easy to cover by bike for everything within downtown; for what is farther out —the hotel zone, distant cenotes or day trips— a car, moto or colectivo is the way to go. If you want the full rundown on downtown as your trip home base, head to our guide on what to do in downtown Tulum.
How booking direct with the host works
You pick your dates, the button opens WhatsApp with them already written in, and you hit send. The host answers with whether those nights are open and what the rate is for that exact stretch, since it moves with the season and the length of the stay. If it works for you, you settle the payment right there, in writing, and the dates are held.
For longer stays, a few weeks or a few months, there's real room to agree on a better rate. Being upfront about it: booking this way means there's no platform system sitting in the middle, no checkout screen, no automated cancellation button. What there is instead is a local host who lives in Tulum, answers quickly and in your language, and puts the terms in writing before you send anything.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I rent in Tulum?
You can rent a bike, a car, a golf cart, a moto or scooter and snorkel gear. A bike is great for getting around downtown and reaching the ruins, a car is worth it for far-off cenotes or day trips to Cobá and Bacalar, a golf cart is handy within the hotel zone, a moto is a nimble option for anyone who already knows how to ride one, and snorkel gear saves you money if you are going to visit several cenotes.
Do I need to rent a car in Tulum?
It is not essential if you are staying downtown and use a bike, InDrive and colectivos to get around. A rental car is worth it if you are planning several far-off cenotes, Cobá, Bacalar or Playa del Carmen on the same trip, because it gives you freedom with your schedule without relying on tours.
How do I get around Tulum if I do not rent anything?
Uber and Didi do not work in Tulum. The alternative is InDrive, where you and the driver agree on the price before the ride, and colectivos, shared vans that leave from the stop next to the Super AKI on Avenida Tulum and are the cheapest way to reach the beach or nearby towns.
Is renting a golf cart in Tulum worth it?
Only if you are staying within the hotel zone and want to move between hotels, restaurants and the beach without relying on taxis. If your base is downtown, a golf cart does not make much sense because the streets and distances are better suited to a bike or car.
Do the cenotes rent snorkel gear or do I have to bring my own?
Most cenotes rent basic gear at the entrance, but they charge you every time you use it. If you are going to visit two or more cenotes or the reef, it is cheaper to rent or bring your own snorkel gear for the whole trip.
Conclusion
rentarentulum.com does not rent bikes, cars, golf carts, motos or snorkel gear: we are an apartment, not an agency. But we know Tulum well enough to tell you honestly what is worth renting for your plans: a bike if you are staying downtown, a car if you are heading out to far-off cenotes or to Cobá and Bacalar, a golf cart only if your base is the hotel zone, a moto if you already know how to ride, and your own snorkel gear if your route includes several cenotes. Check each specific guide for prices, requirements and where to rent without surprises.