Background on Tulum’s Vacation Rental Market
Tulum, a municipality in Quintana Roo, Mexico, has experienced a significant decrease in vacation rental occupancy and average nightly rates. Despite this downward trend, the number of new rental properties continues to grow.
Key Figures and Data
- More than 565 condominial or residential complexes with over 11,000 units available for short-term rental.
- Equivalent to approximately 12,000 hotel rooms operating in Tulum.
Expert Insights from Manuel Lozano Álvarez
Manuel Lozano Álvarez, director of the annual Expo Renta Vacacional in Cancún, provided insights into Tulum’s vacation rental market:
- Average nightly rate: Dropped from $147 in 2024 to $145 in the first half of 2025.
- Occupancy rate: Fell from 25% in the previous year to 20.5% currently.
- Available nights: Increased from 3.1 million to 3.2 million.
- Inventory growth: Continues to rise despite the situation, with existing development commitments and new inventory entering the vacation rental market.
Comparison with Other Destinations in Quintana Roo
While Tulum experiences declining rates and occupancy, other destinations in Quintana Roo show different trends:
- Cancún: Average nightly rate increased from $99 to $105, while occupancy dropped slightly from 29% to 28%.
- Playa del Carmen: Average nightly rate rose from $116 to $123, and occupancy fell from 37% to 25.4%.
Unique Situation in Tulum
Tulum is the only tourist municipality in Quintana Roo where low occupancy and declining rates have not stopped the growth of vacation rental offerings. This situation is attributed to artificially inflated tourism costs that led to the current crisis.
Upcoming Expo Renta Vacacional
The Expo Renta Vacacional, taking place on November 21-22 in Cancún’s Convention Center, will address these topics and more. Industry leaders from around the world, along with representatives and speakers from Airbnb, Expedia, VRBO, and Booking.com, will share emerging trends and analysis of the vacation rental industry.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the current state of Tulum’s vacation rental market? The market has seen falling nightly rates and occupancy, yet the number of rental units continues to grow.
- How does Tulum’s situation compare to other Quintana Roo destinations? While Cancún and Playa del Carmen show slight increases in nightly rates, Tulum experiences a more pronounced decline in both rates and occupancy.
- What is the significance of the upcoming Expo Renta Vacacional? This event will bring together industry leaders to discuss trends and analyze the vacation rental market, providing valuable insights for stakeholders.
