What a golf cart is in Tulum and why it caught on
The electric golf cart is a classic Mexican Caribbean scene: it got famous on Isla Mujeres and Holbox, where there are no private cars and it's basically the only way to get around. In Tulum it arrived for the same aesthetic reason —it looks great in photos and fits the jungle chic style of the hotel zone— but the geography here is different. Tulum isn't a small island: the town, the hotel zone, and the cenotes are separated by several kilometers of highway, and that's where the golf cart starts to show its limits.
That doesn't mean it's useless: inside a residential complex or on short trips within the hotel zone, it's comfortable and more than enough. The problem is renting one expecting it to cover your whole trip, from the airport to the farthest cenotes.
How much it costs and where to rent a golf cart in Tulum
Prices vary by model, number of seats, and season, but these are the most common ranges you'll come across:
- 4-seat golf cart: between 900 and 1,400 pesos per day (approx. 50-75 USD).
- 6-seat golf cart: between 1,300 and 1,800 pesos per day (approx. 70-100 USD).
- Multi-day rentals: usually lower the daily price, but rarely by more than 10-15%.
What the price includes (and what it doesn't)
Most rental companies ask for a security deposit (cash or card) that's returned if the golf cart comes back undamaged. Insurance is almost never included in the base price: ask explicitly what it covers and what deductible applies before you sign, because a crash or a scratch can cost you more than the rental itself.
One honest tip: take photos and video of the whole golf cart before you get in, just like you would with a rental car. It's the best way to avoid getting charged for damage you didn't cause.
Where to rent one
There are rental shops along Avenida Tulum, near the hotel zone, and inside residential complexes like Aldea Zama; many hotels also partner with one and arrange it for you directly. We at Hacienda Tuk don't rent golf carts —just our apartment downtown— but if you stay with us, we'll point you toward the closest options.
Compare at least two or three rental companies before deciding: prices and insurance terms vary quite a bit, and some recent reviews warn about deposits that take a while to come back.
Requirements and rules for driving one
Even though it looks like a toy, a golf cart in Mexico is driven under the same traffic rules as any motorized vehicle. Here's what they'll usually ask you for:
- A valid driver's license (the one from your home country is usually enough).
- Official ID or passport.
- Being at least 21 at most rental companies.
- A security deposit, in cash or by credit card.
As for where you can drive: golf carts are not allowed on federal highway 307, the road that connects the town with the hotel zone and Cancún. They're meant for getting around within the town, in private residential complexes, and on the internal streets of the hotel zone, respecting speed limits and using lights at night.
Golf cart vs. bike vs. car in Tulum: the honest comparison
Before deciding, it's worth comparing the three options head-to-head. None of them is “the best” in every case: it depends on where you're staying and what you have planned.
| Transport | Approx. cost/day | Real range | Practicality |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bike | 150-300 pesos | Downtown and the ruins (~10 min) | Ideal for short, flat trips; no good for far-off cenotes or the highway |
| Golf cart | 900-1,800 pesos | Residential complex or hotel zone | Comfortable and eye-catching inside the gates; limited off highway 307 and slow over long distances |
| Car | 800-1,500 pesos | All of Tulum and beyond | The only one that comfortably reaches far-off cenotes, Cobá, or Bacalar; needs more paperwork and parking |
If you're staying downtown, the bike almost always wins on price and practicality. If you're staying inside a gated complex or the hotel zone and only moving around there, a golf cart makes sense. If your plans include far-off cenotes, Cobá, or Bacalar, the car is the option that actually covers the trip.
Does renting a golf cart in Tulum make sense? Our honest take
The short answer: it depends on where you're staying, not on how good it looks in photos. On Isla Mujeres or Holbox, the golf cart is the best option because there's no alternative and the distances are tiny. Tulum is different: traffic on highway 307 in high season can be heavy, the real distances are longer than they look on the map, and a golf cart isn't always allowed on those stretches.
That said, it's not always a bad choice. If you're staying inside a complex like Aldea Zama or in the hotel zone and only get around there —restaurants, the nearby beach, the hotel spa— a golf cart is comfortable and even part of the experience. The mistake is expecting it to replace a car for the whole trip.
How we get around in downtown Tulum
Our apartment is downtown, and here's how we'd suggest getting around: a bike for day-to-day trips and the ruins, InDrive for long or late-night rides (there's no Uber in Tulum), and the colectivos near Super AKI for the hotel zone, Playa del Carmen, or nearby towns —cheaper than a private taxi. We don't rent golf carts, but if you want to try one for a day, the smart move is to use it within the town and leave a car or colectivo for anything far away.
The bottom line
Golf carts are fun and work great on small islands like Isla Mujeres or Holbox. In Tulum they make sense if you're staying inside a residential complex or the hotel zone and only use one there, but they won't cover your whole trip: they can't go on highway 307 and lose out to a car for far-off cenotes, Cobá, or Bacalar. If your base is downtown, the honest combo is still a bike for what's close and a car or colectivo for what's far.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to rent a golf cart in Tulum?
On average between 900 and 1,800 pesos a day (about 50 to 100 USD), depending on the model, the season, and whether insurance is included. Almost every rental company asks for a cash or card deposit that they return when you bring it back undamaged.
What do I need to rent a golf cart in Tulum?
A valid driver's license, official ID or passport, being at least 21 at most shops, and leaving a security deposit. Some rental companies ask for a credit card on top of the cash.
Can you drive a golf cart on the highway, or only in town?
You're not allowed to drive on federal highway 307. Golf carts are legal within town, in private residential complexes, and on some streets in the hotel zone, as long as you respect the speed limits.
Is it better to rent a golf cart, a bike, or a car in Tulum?
A bike is cheaper and plenty for getting around downtown and reaching the ruins. A car makes sense for far-off cenotes or day trips. A golf cart mainly makes sense if you're staying inside a residential complex or the hotel zone and want something comfortable for short hops.
Where can you rent golf carts in Tulum?
There are rental shops along Avenida Tulum, near the entrance to the hotel zone, and inside some residential complexes like Aldea Zama. We at Hacienda Tuk don't rent golf carts, but we can point you toward the closest options to the center.