Renting Golf Carts on Isla Mujeres
What Visitors Ask, What They Complain About, and What You Should Know Before You Book
Renting a golf cart is part of the Isla Mujeres experience. It is also one of the most misunderstood parts of planning a trip to the island. Guests arrive with questions about pricing, availability, safety, and rules that are rarely explained clearly before they get here.
This guide answers the most common questions and addresses the most frequent complaints travelers have about renting golf carts on Isla Mujeres, so you can plan ahead and avoid surprises.
Where Can I Find the Cheapest Golf Cart on Isla Mujeres?
This is the most common question we hear, and also the one that causes the most frustration.
There is no single cheapest golf cart company on Isla Mujeres. Prices change daily based on demand, season, availability, and how many carts are currently in service. During slower months, pricing can be more flexible. During high season, prices rise quickly and options disappear fast.
Many visitors work with brokers rather than calling individual companies. Brokers communicate with multiple golf cart companies at once and try to locate availability and the best rate for your dates.
What matters more than finding the lowest possible price is understanding that:
Prices are not locked in far in advance
Rates often change closer to arrival
The island does not operate on fixed pricing like mainland car rental agencies
Because demand is at its highest.
Christmas, New Year’s, and February are the busiest times of year on Isla Mujeres. The island fills up with holiday travelers, snowbirds, and group trips, and there are only so many golf carts available.
During these peak periods:
Same day reservations are difficult
Six seater carts are extremely limited
Delivery times are estimates, not guarantees
If you are traveling during these months, flexibility is essential. Reserving early helps, but final confirmation often happens closer to arrival when carts cycle back into availability.
Why Is It So Hard to Reserve a Golf Cart During Christmas and February?
What Types of Golf Carts Are Available?
Options are more limited than many travelers expect.
On Isla Mujeres, you will typically find:
Regular golf carts that seat four passengers
Larger four seat carts with a forward facing back seat and small truck bed
Six seater carts, which are limited and in high demand
If you need a six seater, especially for group travel, understand that availability is never guaranteed during high season.
Why Do Golf Cart Companies Take Your Driver’s License?
Yes, this is normal on Isla Mujeres.
When you rent a golf cart, the rental company will hold one driver’s license for the duration of the rental. When the cart is picked up at the end of your reservation, your license is returned.
This system is standard across the island and is typically used instead of a cash deposit.
Important things to know:
Only one license is required per cart
Your license is held while you have the cart
Your license is returned immediately when the cart is picked up
If you need your license during your stay, carry a photo copy or a photo on your phone
This can feel uncomfortable for first time visitors, but it is common practice and not a red flag on its own.
This is one of the most frequent concerns guests mention.
Golf carts are the primary form of transportation on Isla Mujeres, and driving norms are more relaxed than what many visitors are used to. You may see people drinking and driving golf carts, children sitting in the driver’s seat, and less visible enforcement than in larger cities.
That does not mean it is safe or acceptable behavior.
Guests should always:
Designate a sober driver
Never allow children to drive
Drive defensively and stay alert
Golf carts may feel casual, but accidents still happen, and the renter is always responsible.
Why Do People Complain About Safety and Driving Issues?
How Does Payment Work for Golf Cart Rentals?
Most golf cart rentals operate on cash pricing in USD. Credit cards are usually accepted only at the rental office and typically include an additional processing fee. Peso pricing follows published local rates and may differ from USD quotes.
Payment is made directly to the broker or rental company, not through your vacation rental host.
What Does a Golf Cart Rental Include?
Standard golf cart rentals typically include:
Delivery and pickup
Gas
Basic service or replacement if issues arise and inventory allows
What is not guaranteed:
A brand new cart
Perfect cosmetic condition
Exact delivery times
These carts are used heavily every day, especially during busy seasons.
Why Do Delivery Times Feel Unpredictable?
Because they are.
Delivery times are approximate and depend on traffic, ferry schedules, repairs, weather, and overall demand. This is often one of the first lessons visitors learn about island life, patience is required.
How IMVR Helps Guests Navigate Golf Cart Rentals
For guests staying with Isla Mujeres Vacation Rentals, we recommend working with a trusted broker who coordinates with multiple golf cart companies on the island.
Guests should always expect that:
Prices vary by date and availability
Rates are not guaranteed until closer to arrival
Payment is made directly to the broker or rental company
We do not accept commissions and are not affiliated with golf cart companies
Our role is to help guests navigate the process and set clear expectations, not to control pricing or availability.
The Most Important Advice Before You Book
Use good humor.
Golf cart rentals on Isla Mujeres are practical, heavily used, and part of everyday island life. Things may run late. Carts may show signs of wear. Flexibility makes a big difference.
When travelers arrive with realistic expectations and patience, renting a golf cart becomes what it is meant to be, an easy and enjoyable way to explore the island.