Mate, scooters are proper popular here and I'll give you the honest version. The good and the mental.

Costs are reasonable. Monthly rental runs $3,000-5,000 MXN ($170-280 USD) for a 125-150cc. If you commit for 3+ months you can usually talk them down to $2,500-3,500. Gas is nothing, $100-200 MXN a week. Buying used? A decent Italika or Honda goes for $15,000-30,000 MXN.

There are several rental shops on 10th and 15th Ave. Check the brakes, lights, and tires before you sign anything, and photograph every scratch on the thing. Otherwise they'll blame you when you return it. Ask about insurance. Most include basic liability but theft is on you.

Now, safety. I'm going to be straight with you because I've seen a few expats come off their scooters. Wear a helmet. Not just because it's the law (police will fine you $500-1,500 MXN), but because the roads here are proper mental. Potholes that'll throw you over the handlebars. Speed bumps called "topes" that appear with zero warning, sometimes painted, sometimes not. Stray dogs crossing whenever they fancy.

Rainy season from June to November is the dicey bit. Roads get slippery and some streets straight-up flood. Avoid riding at night if you can, street lighting is rubbish in a lot of areas. And weekend nights? Drunk drivers are a real hazard.

License-wise, you technically need a Mexican licence or international driving permit. Most rental shops won't check. But if police pull you over without one, that's a $1,000-3,000 MXN fine. Getting a Quintana Roo licence costs $800-1,200 at the municipal office. Worth doing.

My honest take: it's worth it if you live outside the walkable centre or want to explore cenotes and beaches on weekends. But for daily life in central Playa, a bicycle does 80% of the job without the risk.