Last Updated on November 16, 2024
Isla Mujeres in Mexico might not be big, but there’s plenty to see all over the island. The best way to do it is by renting a golf cart and exploring at your own pace. There’s a reason golf cart rentals in Isla Mujeres are so popular. Not only they’re fun to drive, but they also give you freedom to stop anytime you want, for however long you want.
El Centro, which is the downtown of Isla Mujeres, is the most popular area and where you’ll find Playa Norte, most hotels, restaurants and entertainment. Everything there is within a walking distance from the ferry. But if you just stick to that one area, you’ll be missing a lot of beauty. Some of the top things to do in Isla Mujeres, as well as amazing hidden gems, are scattered all over the island. Also, several of the best restaurants are located in center of the island. By having your own golf cart, you can get to it all within minutes. So whether you are taking a day trip to Isla Mujeres or staying for a few days, renting one is a must.
Driving in Isla Mujeres is very easy and you won’t get lost, even if you tried. The island is 5 miles long and half a mile wide at its widest point. Getting from one end of the island to the other takes about 30 minutes non stop, but trust me, you’ll be stopping plenty.
Renting a golf cart in Isla Mujeres
If this your first time visiting and renting a golf cart in Isla Mujeres, you probably have a few questions. I’ve been to the island more than once, each time rented one and spent a lot of time driving around. I put together this guide, to hopefully make the process more clear and answer the most common questions.
Where to rent a golf cart in Isla Mujeres
The short answer is, pretty much everywhere. There are many golf cart rentals in Isla Mujeres and the second you step off the ferry, you will be approached with offers. Majority of the golf cart rental offices are located in El Centro, which is the downtown area of the island.
What kind of golf carts are available
Most of the golf carts in Isla Mujeres are regular carts, that can seat up to 4 people. Some companies offer large 6 person golf carts, but those are harder to find. If you are traveling with a big group, you might have to rent multiple golf carts, if the large ones are not available
- Regular Golf Cart – capacity for up to 4 people, with 2 seats facing front and 2 facing back
- Large Golf Cart – for max 4 people with all seats facing front. There’s an additional storage bin, perfect for your luggage or a trip to the supermarket
- Large 6 person Golf Cart – capacity for up to 6 people, 4 seats facing front and 2 facing back.
You can rent the golf cart by the hour, for the day or for 24 hours. If you’d like to have a golf cart just for the day, I recommend getting a 24 hour rental over a daily one. Daily rentals are usually 9 am – 5 pm , so that kind of cuts your day of exploring short. With the 24 hour rental you have more flexibility and don’t need to worry about returning your cart on time. Just make sure your hotel has parking for it ( most do ).
A lot of companies will deliver the golf cart to your hotel or meet you at the ferry. Before you drive away, check that your golf cart is in tact ( working headlights, rare view mirror etc ).
Do you need to pre-book your golf cart?
If you are looking for a rental just for a few hours or for the day, there’s no need to pre-book. If you’d like it for 24 hours or multiple days, definitely make a reservation ahead of time. Especially if you are traveling in high season or during popular holidays. With so many golf carts on the island, you think there’s no shortage, but they do book up during the busiest parts of the year. So my main Isla Mujeres golf cart rental tip would be to reserve your cart ahead of time.
What do you need to rent a golf cart
In order to rent a golf cart in Isla Mujeres, you need to be at least 18 years old and have a valid driver’s license. Your license will be kept until you return your golf cart.
How much does it cost
Even though there are many golf cart rentals in Isla Mujeres, the prices are pretty consistent. The market is pretty competitive and there’s really little room for discounts and deals. The prices include the use of the golf cart, fuel, taxes and liability insurance. Expect prices to be higher in high season or during popular holiday weekends. Also, some companies might have a 4 minimum rental, if you plan on renting one during the busiest times of the year.
Below is the price range for golf cart rentals in Isla Mujeres in 2024:
- Hourly rental – 450 – 500 MXN per hour
- Daily rental – 1,100 – 1,400 MXN
- 24 hour rental – 1,500 -1,700 MXN
Obviously the hourly rental is the worst deal and a couple of hours doesn’t really give you enough time to explore. Daily rental is perfect if you are just taking a day trip to Isla Mujeres and will be catching a ferry back to Cancun at the end of the day. But if you are staying on the island for a few days, I recommend the 24 hour rental, even if you want the golf cart for just one day. It’s only slightly more expensive, but you don’t need to worry about returning it by a certain time.
Best golf cart rentals in Isla Mujeres
There are plenty of golf cart rentals in Isla Mujeres, so finding one is never a problem, but that can also leave you wondering which one to choose.
Mega Ciro’s de Caribe Golf Cart Rental is one of the favorites. They have been on the island for a very long time, they are reliable and their carts are in great condition. Because of the great service they provide, they are one of the most popular golf cart rentals in Isla Mujeres, so definitely reserve your cart ahead of time. Their office is located at Avenida Guerrero, next to Banco Azteca.
Other well liked and highly rated golf cart rentals in Isla Mujeres are:
- Isla Mujeres Golf Carts Indios – their office is located at Av Juárez 20
- Rentadora Ppe’s – located on Hidalgo Ave
- Prisma Golf Cart Rentals – located on Ave Ruida Medina, less than 2 blocks from the Ultamar ferry ( across the street from the 7 Muelle restaurant ).
Driving a golf cart in Isla Mujeres – things to know
Drinking and driving
Isla Mujeres has a zero tolerance policy for drinking and driving, and that includes golf carts. This is due to way too many alcohol related accidents over the years involving tourists, who treat the golf cart more like a toy, not a means of transportation. This behavior is very common, especially among the day trippers from Cancún. Driving with the open alcohol container is illegal and that applies to passengers as well. There are police check points across the island to enforce it. And trust me, you do not want to deal with the police in Mexico.
If you’d like to bar hop all over the island, there are always plenty of taxis available and they are pretty cheap. Every bar will be happy to call one for you.
If you’d like to explore the island by golf cart and check out some of the fun bars along the way, there’s a great tour you can take. Isla Driver Robby offers a 6 hour golf cart tour, taking you to some of most popular spots in Isla Mujeres, as well as the hidden gems, you probably would never discover on your own. If you’d like to stop for great food and hit a couple of fun bars along the way, he’ll take you there. This way you don’t need to worry about drinking and driving.
Speed bumps
Watch out for speed bumps! There are a lot of them around the island, especially when you get into more congested areas like Centro or La Gloria. They come up quick and are easy to miss, especially if you are driving at night.
Stay to the right
Remember you’re sharing the road with cars, mopeds and other golf carts and most of these will be going faster than you. It’s perfectly fine to enjoy your scenic drive but keep to the right side of the road, so taxis and faster vehicles can pass you. Do not stop in the middle of the road!
Don’t drive on any beaches
Driving golf carts on any beaches is not allowed! This should go without saying, but you’d be surprised what some people are capable of doing.
Parking
You can park your golf cart anywhere, unless it’s stated otherwise. A white sign with an E crossed over is a No parking sign in Mexico. You might also see a sign Prohibido Estacionarse, which means no parking in Spanish. Also, red or yellow on the curb means no parking.
The definite No parking areas are Malecón (board walk, that starts at the Isla Mujeres sign and runs along the Caribbean side), Avenida Hidalgo (the main street with stores and restaurants) and the street right by the ferry.
If you park your golfcart where it’s not allowed, they will remove the plates and tow it away. Also, do not double park in Centro, or same thing will happen.
Parking in Centro can be tight, but not impossible. There are plenty of spaces, but unless you come early in the day, you might have to loop around a couple of times to find an open spot. If you are good at parallel parking, that skill will come in handy. All the streets in Centro are one way, so pay attention.
Once you get out of Centro, parking gets much easier. You can pull over on the side of the road pretty much everywhere.
Isla Mujeres golf cart rentals tips
- Make sure your golf cart has working lights, especially if you plan on driving at night
- Don’t leave any valuables or personal belongings in the cart when you park.
- Lock your cart every time you park somewhere and leave. All the golf carts look similar and many use the same exact key, so it’s easy to take the wrong one by mistake.
- Don’t let your kids drive the golf cart – if they are not old enough to drive a car, they are not allowed to drive a golf cart either.
- Only four people are allowed on Regular Golfcarts. Don’t try to squeeze in more, as the golf carts often end up flipping when overloaded. Police will also stop you if they see more than four people.
Where to go on your golf cart
There’s so much to see on the island and the list of stops you can make is endless. From the biggest attractions to lesser known spots and places you discover by just driving around, Below are just a few suggestions of places to visit while exploring Isla Mujeres on your golf cart.
- Punta Sur – the southernmost point of the island with dramatic views of the coastline and some of the best views in Isla Mujeres. An absolute must stop, no matter how long your stay is.
- Guadalupe Chapel – simple, but beautiful church sitting up on the hill with amazing views of the ocean.
- Isla Brewery – a must stop for anyone who loves craft beer.
- Mango Cafe – one of the best breakfast places on the island.
For more ideas where to go on your golf cart, check out my Isla Mujeres guide.
READ MORE:
- The Ultimate Guide to Isla Mujeres, Mexico
- Swimming with Whale Sharks in Isla Mujeres, Mexico
- 27 Fun Things to do in Cozumel, Mexico
- The Absolute Best Things to do in Bacalar, Mexico
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Hi, thanks for all the information you provided. We were considering using Prima to rent a golf care ahead of time as you’d mentioned they received high ratings and highly liked. They do not have good ratings on Google, and some of the reviews are terrible. You have rented through them and had a great experience? I’m very nervous to rent through them.
Yes, I have rented from them a couple of times on my past trips to Isla Mujeres and personally had a great experience. I would however choose Ciro’s over them if you get a chance.