Tulum’s Real Estate Shift: From Studios to Family Homes

Tulum, Quintana Roo — Alongside the announcement of more than 60 million pesos to recover its image, it is also necessary for the real estate industry to change the concept of housing being constructed in the municipality of Tulum. This means shifting from small studios to apartments or family homes that are more accessible in price and offer more space.

Rajiv Heredia González, president of the Asociación de Profesionales Inmobiliarios del Sureste (AIS), stated that the real estate industry in Quintana Roo continues to move forward, with 988 new real estate developments currently under construction. However, in Tulum, the same concept from years ago persists.

"They continue with the construction of so-called luxury studios, which are quite small spaces and very expensive," he said.

He emphasized that for the destination to regain its tourist and real estate value, changes must be made to its product. He explained that there are two options: renew by offering larger, family-oriented properties or wait for this negative period to pass.

"That is to say, if they were thinking of building a tower with 10 studios, they would now have to build a tower with two-bedroom apartments to reach a different type of market," he explained.

During 2025, a slowdown in the sales of 30-square-meter studios in Tulum has been observed, because buyers are seeking something more family-oriented. Although property sales continue to be recorded, they are slower compared to 2024, at a rate of 20 to 30% for new products.

"In residential-type developments, at least 10 companies are already creating new housing concepts that are more family-oriented, with one or two bedrooms, and they are predicted to have good demand."

Furthermore, they are also turning their attention to the construction of social interest family housing. But he acknowledged that many real estate developments are stalled because they insist on continuing to build with the prototype of very small studios that no longer meet the needs of buyers.

He indicated that many of these studios are used for vacationing or, alternatively, the investment is made to rent them out through digital vacation apps.