Cancún Authorities Launch Effort to Identify and Revitalize Abandoned Hotel Zone Properties

Cancún, Quintana Roo — Authorities in Cancún have launched an initiative to identify abandoned properties in the city’s Hotel Zone, with plans to revitalize deteriorating buildings and improve the area’s urban image.

The Quintana Roo Tourism Infrastructure Institute (Infratur) and the Municipal Secretariat of Ecology and Urban Development are conducting a joint review of properties along Boulevard Kukulkán, focusing on those that have fallen into disrepair. The effort aims to determine the legal status of each property and develop appropriate recovery strategies.

Ricardo Archundia, president of Infratur, explained that the initiative involves collaboration with Municipal Secretary Nahielli Orozco Lozano and advisors from the Municipal Presidency. “We’re conducting a legal review to determine the condition of each property and define what actions are appropriate in each case,” Archundia said.

While officials have not established a definitive count, they have identified approximately 10 to 15 large abandoned properties along Boulevard Kukulkán, with additional reports of similar conditions in developments like Pok Ta Pok and adjacent streets.

Plaza Caracol has been identified as a priority area, where officials have observed deteriorating structures and abandoned buildings, particularly near the lagoon.

Archundia emphasized that the initiative extends beyond cosmetic improvements. “This goes beyond just painting facades,” he said. “We want to contact property owners to encourage them to invest, sell, reactivate, or put these spaces to use, to prevent further degradation that affects the destination’s perception.”

The review process includes examining municipal debts, verifying property records with the Cadastre office, detecting potential illegal occupations, and analyzing recovery alternatives. Since many properties are privately owned with registered owners, each case will require individual evaluation, which may prolong resolution times.

Benito Juárez municipality has previous experience with recovering abandoned spaces, particularly in the downtown area, where officials helped owners resolve legal issues or irregular occupations to regularize and recover properties. Authorities now aim to extend this coordination to the Hotel Zone.

Previous reports indicated that the Quintana Roo Tourism Trust (Foatqroo) had identified 15 locations with abandoned buildings in the Hotel Zone. The primary challenge remains locating property owners and establishing legal pathways for recovery or conversion.

Officials stated they will strengthen interagency collaboration throughout 2026 to advance the regularization and recovery of these properties, alongside maintenance and modernization projects for Boulevard Kukulkán itself.