
Isla Mujeres is amazing for many reasons, both above and below the water. One of the things that makes this island stand out is the ability to rent a golf cart and drive it around the island. Most tourists consider it a novelty, but islanders consider it a necessary form of transport.
As this island gains popularity among tourists, the number of golf carts has increased exponentially. At times, it appears that collective awareness has diminished at a similar rate.
Golf cart accidents are becoming more frequent, and people driving them are becoming crazier.

Here are some basic niceties that will make island life for those living here a little safer.
Children shouldn't drive golf carts.
It seems like common sense. Yet, every day, we witness children driving golf carts with their parents beside them, thinking they're allowing their kids to have fun.
Many visitors to the island who drive a golf cart for the first time find it hard to abandon the mindset of Disney Land Dodgem Cars. Golf carts are not toys and are not intended for children. Often, tourists mistakenly assume that letting a 6-year-old drive on a main road is acceptable. It is not. It's dangerous and annoys the residents.
Additionally, if a child drives and causes an accident, the parent and child could be required to go to the police station, and the parents will be held responsible and possibly arrested. You would not want to encounter this situation in a foreign country. Imagine seeing mummy or daddy going off to jail on their vacation.

Smoking cigarettes or cigars while driving is horrible for other road users
Believe me on this. Children ride on motorbikes with their parents, and we don't wear goggles. When someone is smoking, ashes from their cigarettes or cigars, and sometimes even a live ember from a flicked cigarette, often fly into the eyes of the driver of the vehicle behind. It's painful and can occasionally lead to an accident. Golf carts are open, so all the smoke and ash are blown behind you.
For someone with asthma, inhaling second-hand smoke is especially unpleasant, particularly from those large Cuban cigars that everyone brings back from Cuba.
Golf carts are not four-wheel drives or beach buggies
Golf carts are designed to stay on the road. They are not equipped to handle stairs, cliffs, sidewalks, or other unusual situations that some people have tried.

Do NOT drive your golf carts onto the beach. Turtles return to the island annually to lay their eggs and start a new life cycle. Golf carts on the beach can harm these nests, destroy turtle eggs, and damage the environment. Not to mention, they also get stuck at times and cannot get off the beach.

Do NOT drive on the Malecon. This is the broad pathway located in Centro and La Gloria along the Caribbean side of the island, offering stunning ocean views. Although it is wide enough for a golf cart, it is not intended for them. It is meant for pedestrians to appreciate the beautiful scenery in peace, not for golf carts.

Do NOT drive golf carts up and down stairs. They can easily tip, causing accidents, and you can damage the golf cart, which you will be financially responsible for. You could also end up arrested and spending your vacation in jail.

Drinking on golf carts is just as dangerous, if not more so.
There is zero tolerance for alcohol on golf carts. This means no alcohol can be consumed before or during driving, so no driving while intoxicated or even slightly inebriated. No open alcoholic beverages are allowed on the golf cart for the driver and passengers. Isla police are monitoring and issuing tickets, and jail time is likely if alcohol consumption leads to an accident. Breathalyzer tests are conducted with zero tolerance, and sometimes, they may ask you to blow into their hands to detect the smell of alcohol (the island form of a breathalyzer)

Secure your hats
I would be rich if I received a dollar for each hat I've witnessed flying off a golf cart.
Ensure hats are secured or removed when driving, especially on the Caribbean side of the island, where the wind is extremely strong. This can create road hazards, such as stopped golf carts being hit or individuals running into the road and getting hit.
Watch out for everyone and everything.
Watch out for people. Pedestrians have the right of way at a pedestrian crossing, so stop and let them cross. Sometimes, they cross the road without looking.
Watch out for motorbikes. Many leave their blinkers (indicators) on or don't use them. They often pass on either side of the golf cart and might be passing when a golf cart turns into its path.
Watch out for bicycles. This is a beautiful island to ride around, but it is getting more dangerous as no one is watching out for them.
Watch out for the animals. All of them. Iguanas, dogs, cats and anything else that crosses your path.

In Mexico, you drive on the right.
This one is easy for Americans and Europeans, but for Australians or English, you need to think a little bit to get things right. This can be even harder when you get to roundabouts. The best thing to do is always to look both ways to be sure and take more caution at roundabouts.
Driving in El Centro
In Centro (the main tourist part of the island, not the centre of the island), most of the streets are one-way streets, except for the main street in front of the ferry. Avoid driving the wrong way on one-way streets and causing an accident. Most of the streets on the rest of the island are two-way.
Traffic can be pretty congested in Centro, so knowing about it can help avoid contributing to this problem.

All streets running between East and West are one-way, so be cautious. It can be difficult to determine the direction of the street, so
Check the direction of parked cars
Look at the direction of traffic
Look at the street names; they have arrows indicating the traffic direction but can be hard to see as they can be located high on buildings or have been faded by time, salt and sun.
Look for signs indicating no turns into a one-way street (though these can be confusing as they don't specify which direction you CAN go).
All the streets north of and including Avenida Adolfo Lopez Mateo (those leading to North Beach and in front of the cemetery) are two-way.
The only street to leave Centro (go South) is also the two-way street in front of the ferry and Naval Base. This is where the police can often set up roadblocks to test for alcohol or licences, as every driver must leave by this street.
Hidalgo is a pedestrian-only street filled with restaurants and shops. Be sure to look both ways when crossing these areas, as pedestrians aren't always aware of passing traffic, especially at night when alcohol is being consumed.
Don't stop in the middle of the street to let pedestrians cross in areas you don't have to. Why? You might feel like you are being nice, but this causes frustration to drivers behind you who might try to pass you unsafely, and it can cause an unnecessary build-up of traffic behind you.

Driving around the island
The following considerations will help avoid the traffic congestion and the many accidents associated with golf carts.
Stay to the right and avoid driving in the MIDDLE of the road. Golf carts are notoriously slow and may delay traffic, so stay as far to the right as possible (near the side of the road) to allow other vehicles to pass, especially taxis. People in golf carts tend to drive in the middle of the road, and this causes many traffic issues on the island.
The only exception to this is the road in front of the ferry. Stay as far to the left as possible (near the middle of the street where the traffic island is) because scooters and bicycles will pass to the right. This is the sole exception, but it's crucial for maintaining traffic flow as there are many traffic congestions. Be careful of bikes and motos passing on the right, and don't cut them off or hit them. Sometimes, a motorbike might use its horn to let you know they are passing on this side.
Don't stop in the middle of the road; pull over to the side
Avoid making U-turns in traffic; please, do not make them over pedestrain crossings. Numerous accidents have occurred involving golf carts colliding with motorbikes or pedestrians due to this action.
Before pulling over, check your blind spots. Motorbikes might approach from the right side to pass if they couldn't overtake you on the left.
Never trust indicators. People either leave them on or don't use them.
Be careful turning (both left and right but generally left), as people might be overtaking you. Always check twice.
Use arm signals to turn, as the golf carts have no indicators.

Please don't use your phone while driving.
You may notice others doing it, but please refrain. The fact that it's not illegal here doesn't mean it's not foolish. Islanders often travel with children on their motorbikes, and taking a moment to look at your phone, send a message, or take a selfie can be the distraction that results in a deadly accident.
Parking
Parking can be difficult on the island. Knowing where you can park is essential. If you park in a no-parking zone, your plates will be removed and/or your vehicle towed. You will be responsible for the hefty fine when trying to return your golf cart.

Red curb = No parking.
Yellow curb = Drop off and pick-up only. (although many park here regardless)
White curb = Can parallel park. You won't find many white curbs on el Centro, but you will see them around the island.
A sign with an E or P and slash through them = No parking.
The Isla Mujeres tourist sign by the Malecon in Centro is the best parking area.
In Centro: Refrain from double parking golf carts, as this obstructs traffic and will result in towing and removal. Don't park motorbikes (if you happen to be driving one) parallel to the curb, as you will take up two spaces. Always park at an angle.
Around the island: Park the golf carts parallel to the curb. If the backside of the golf cart is extended into the road, this can be hazardous and block traffic. Doing this can result in your golf cart being towed.
.

Speed Bumps (topes)
The island is filled with speed bumps. Be cautious of them, particularly at night, and pay attention to the signs. However, these signs are often placed right at the speed bumps, so you might not get much warning. Some speed bumps are unpainted and difficult to spot.
If you don't notice the speed bumps, you will hit them at full speed, where you can bump your passengers off the seat, especially those not forward-facing, and any items on the golf cart can be lost. You can also injure an unsuspecting, unaware passenger by quickly hitting these speed bumps. Any damage to a rented golf cart will be at the driver's expense.
Theft
Do not leave your golf cart unlocked or keys in the ignition. They are easy to steal with or without keys, and you might find your golf cart at the bottom of a cliff. Always secure them with the steering lock provided.
Take all items with you, as anything left on the golf cart can be stolen.
Don't overload golf carts.
The typical golf cart can carry up to four passengers (except for small children). Attempting to fit more than four individuals may result in being stopped by the police. Consider renting two golf carts or a larger one to accommodate more passengers. Overloaded golf carts have a high risk of tipping over.

Don't be a hooligan

Please refrain from hanging out the side, sitting on the front, climbing onto the roof, standing at the back, screaming, yelling, overloading, or being disrespectful tourists. You might believe you're having fun, but you look foolish and earn no one's respect. Locals quickly tire of this behaviour, and the police do not appreciate it either.
Accidents
Golf carts are constructed differently from cars. They lack collapsible steering columns and seat belts and provide no side protection. They arguably offer minimal injury protection even at fairly low speeds.
If you get into an accident, you will be responsible for all damages, and medical bills can be expensive. Therefore, drive cautiously – Reduce speed when turning!
Rubbish
I shouldn't need to mention this, but please keep your trash to yourselves. Avoid tossing it from the golf cart, including cigarette butts. All of it eventually reaches the ocean. The most responsible action is to take all the rubbish you bring to the island back with you to the mainland. Transporting waste off the island is challenging due to limited storage space and burdens taxpayers.

Other ways to see the island.
If you do not wish to hire a golf cart to see the island, there are many other forms of transport.
You can walk around the island, although it is 8km/ 5 miles long, which can take most of the day. If you remain in El Centro, you will find walking way easier than anything else, and North Beach is nearby.
You can run around the island, and many people do so in the early, cool morning air.
You can rollerblade around, but there are many potholes. The Malecon is great for this, however.
There is a skate park about mid-island for rollerblading and skateboards, although it is nearly all wooden.
You can ride a bike; it's beautiful with the ocean on your shoulder the whole way. This takes about 45 minute,s going constantly and not stopping.
You can hire a taxi, ask at the syndicate beside the ferry.
You can hire a golf cart tour where you can drink, and they will take you to all the best local places.
You can take the bus. There is no schedule or bus stops on the island besides the one at the ferry, so it is a matter of waiting beside the road until one passes and then hailing it down. The one beside the ferry generally coincides with the ferry schedule. The bus goes around the entire circumference of the island.
Please, above all, be respectful to everyone who lives here. You are their guest.
Comments