Buying a Scooter in Tulum
Planning to stay in Tulum for a while? You may want to consider buying or renting a scooter. When I first got to Tulum I thought I would get a bicycle because I wanted the daily exercise, however after a few weeks I gave in and decided I actually needed a scooter. I bought mine on Facebook Marketplace after my friend had a good experience doing the same. She has since sold hers on Facebook Marketplace as well when she moved back to New York. From not knowing how to drive a scooter before I picked it up, I’ve come a long way and have learned a ton in the past few weeks. I wrote this post in case it’s helpful for anyone looking to get their own scooter in Tulum. It’s just some intel on what I’ve learned and a few things I wish I had known earlier.
First, why should you consider buying a scooter in Tulum?
The freedom. You can go where you want, when you want. No more sending WhatsApp messages to taxi drivers if you’re at your home in Aldea Zama or La Valeta and need to get somewhere asap.
It may be safer than a bicycle. Most streets aren’t well-lit and every street in Tulum is ridden with potholes.
It’s faster than taking a car or taxi. The traffic in Tulum can be pretty terrible. Often times one lane is backed up and cars have to wait for the jam to be cleared. Scooters can pass by the cars.
It’s cheaper. It’s much more economical when compared to taking taxis or renting a car. Taxis add up quickly. Although you need the money upfront to buy it, you should be able to sell your scooter for the price you paid for it, or close to it.
It’s so much fun.
Just make sure you take the time to learn how to ride it, and if you are looking to buy one, read what I’ve learned, below.
Make sure the seller has all of the necessary documents. The bike should come with all of the paperwork, a “tarjeta de circulation” (driving permit), “tenencia” (proof that you paid taxes on the bike), and license plates. Make sure you ask for these or you will be paying if you are pulled over.
Make sure it also comes with a helmet. They are required - for the driver and any passengers.
Try to find one in Tulum, so that it is easy to pick up. There are always bikes for sale in Playa del Carmen. If you buy one from there (1 hour away) ask the seller to bring it to you in Tulum. Do not plan to ride it on the highway.
You can buy a brand new scooter at the grocery store. I almost did this, but really wanted the one I had found on Facebook. There’s pictures of this one below - similar color to mine.
You should be able to buy a decent used one for $500-$1,200 USD. I paid $1,100 and the thought was that I can hopefully sell it for around the same price whenever I go back to the US. When I had mine serviced I asked them what price they think I paid/what it was worth and they told me $1,200. Woo!
If you buy a used scooter it’s a good idea to take it in for service to get it checked out. Scooters need to be serviced every 3,000km. After riding my scooter with no problems for a month, one day on my “commute to the office” it sounded and rode differently. It took a day for me to find a place to take it, but I found this one spot: Tulum Bike & Scooter Rental (Huracan Beulah 2, Tulum Centro, Col Huracanes, Tulum, Q.R.). They are a bike/scooter rental place, but have a mechanic on speed dial that they trust. When I took my scooter in, the guys there (Leo and Emmanuel) explained to me so much more about my scooter (basically half of the info in this post), things I should have known earlier! Servicing shouldn’t take more than a few hours and involves checking the brakes, changing the oil, cleaning the carburetor, checking the spark plugs, etc. Turns out mine had an electrical problem and took a bit longer to get sorted out. 24 hours and $850 MXN later, she was good to go and I can now have peace of mind that my scooter is safe. Standard servicing normally costs $600 MXN.
If you have to take your scooter in for servicing, take a photo of the mileage and don’t leave it with them for too long (like if you are out of town). I had a a terrible and honestly very upsetting experience with a mechanic that will remain unnamed in this post. He put $1,000km on my baby and she came back with a number of problems.
Most places are completely safe to park your scooter. However, scooter theft is common in Tulum, so I would be careful where you leave it overnight. Your Airbnb, hotel, etc. should be fine. It can’t hurt to buy a lock ($200 MXN) and also always park your scooter with locked handlebars. I just learned this.. when you turn off your scooter turn the handlebars to the left and the key to the left in the ignition.
Filling up the tank is super cheap. It’s usually about $100 MXN. I always go to the Pemex on the main road from town to the beach.
Important note: There are no gas stations by the beach. They are only in town. Do not go to the beach on or close to empty or you will be calling friends for help.
You will need to pay taxes annually if you own your scooter. This is easy to do and can be completed in person in town or online, here. My 2020 taxes were paid by the previous owner, and I confirmed that online with my license plate number and a number on my tarjeta de circulacion (the card that comes with your scooter).
If you are a resident, you need a license for driving a car and/or a scooter - they are separate. If you are a tourist, you do not legally need one. If you get pulled over and do not have a license, say you are a tourist.
What to keep with you when riding your scooter? Your driver’s license and tarjeta de circulacion
If you are pulled over, it’s always good to have $200 MXN in your pocket, separate from the rest of the cash in your wallet. I will leave it at that.
Don’t forget to name your scooter. Everyone asked me what I had named my scooter when I first bought her, but I was against this for a while. Nothing really felt right. It wasn’t until about a month in when I started to referring to her as my “bb girl,” a nickname I have become accustomed to being called lately by a friend. So that’s it, I’m just going to call her my baby girl. She is mine and I am her mama.
If you come to Tulum and get your own scooter, good luck!! Be careful, don’t drive with headphones, and have fun!
xx Em
