Background on Manuel Lozano and the Relevance of APAR
Manuel Lozano, president of the Association of Professional Vacation Rental Managers (APAR), recently shared insights on the vacation rental market in Quintana Roo, Mexico. APAR represents professional managers of vacation rentals, making Lozano’s perspective crucial for understanding the current state and future trends of this sector.
Market Performance in 2025
According to APAR’s data for 2025, the vacation rental market in Quintana Roo experienced an 8% decline in value, dropping from 747 million pesos in 2024 to 686 million pesos.
The average occupancy rate also decreased from 50.7% in 2024 to 47.6% in 2025, representing a 3.1 percentage point reduction.
Reasons for the Decline
Lozano identified two primary factors contributing to this decline: oversupply of rental units and regulatory measures implemented by municipal governments.
Market Overview in Key Destinations
Cancún
Cancún remains the largest market in the Mexican Caribbean, boasting over 17,000 active rental properties. However, the abundance of rental units has led to lower prices in this sector.
Playa del Carmen
Playa del Carmen continues to see investment in real estate and development of vacation rental units, thanks to its connectivity, urban-resort lifestyle, and consistent demand from national and international tourists.
The municipality of Playa del Carmen announced plans at the beginning of 2026 to implement mandatory licenses for short-term rentals, aiming to mitigate impacts on the residential market and prevent speculative bubbles in urban areas.
Tulum
Tulum is experiencing a significant adjustment period, with occupancy levels below other destinations due to factors like oversupply, infrastructure challenges, and shifting traveler preferences towards more reliable and standardized services.
Despite expectations of sustained growth, market data shows low occupancy rates for vacation properties, with the exception of hotels during peak seasons.
Future Outlook
Looking ahead to 2026, Lozano anticipates growth in both domestic and international tourism, along with global events like the 2026 World Cup. These factors are expected to boost demand for alternative accommodations, benefiting established and emerging markets in Quintana Roo.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who is Manuel Lozano and why is his perspective important? Manuel Lozano is the president of APAR, which represents professional managers of vacation rentals in Quintana Roo. His insights are crucial for understanding the current state and future trends of this sector.
- What factors led to the decline in Quintana Roo’s vacation rental market value? The primary factors are oversupply of rental units and regulatory measures implemented by municipal governments.
- How do Cancún, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum compare in terms of their vacation rental markets?
- Cancún has the largest market but faces lower prices due to oversupply.
- Playa del Carmen continues to see investment and development, with plans for mandatory licenses for short-term rentals.
- Tulum is adjusting to challenges like oversupply, infrastructure issues, and changing traveler preferences.
- What does the future hold for Quintana Roo’s vacation rental market? Anticipated growth in tourism, both domestic and international, along with global events like the 2026 World Cup, is expected to increase demand for alternative accommodations, benefiting both established and emerging markets in Quintana Roo.
