Playa del Carmen Hotel Prices Drop to $45 a Night

PLAYA DEL CARMEN, Mexico — The President of the Playa del Carmen Small Hotels Association, Ofner Arjona, has acknowledged that 2025 has been one of the most difficult years for the hotel sector, with occupancy levels barely reaching between 25 and 30 percent during the low season, putting the profitability and sustainability of numerous establishments at risk.

Arjona explained that although reservations for December and January show a slight uptick, rates remain at historically low levels, preventing a solid recovery. "More than ten years ago, the average rates were around $160 per night; today they barely reach $45 or $50," he stated.

That price drop, combined with constantly rising taxes and operational costs, has left many small hotels on the brink of bankruptcy.

The sector's representative emphasized that the destination's tourism competitiveness depends not only on the influx of visitors but also on the efficient management of resources and the strengthening of environmental policies, particularly concerning beach recovery and sargassum management.

In that regard, he proposed the creation of a permanent specialized committee, similar to the hurricane committee, that would provide annual follow-up on natural damages and supervise the correct use of resources from the environmental sanitation tax, in order to guarantee sustainable long-term results.

Finally, Arjona called on municipal and state authorities to reinforce regulation and order in the destination, warning that the lack of control over informal commerce, irregular transportation, and the harassment of tourists damages the image of Playa del Carmen. "We need to apply the law firmly. Legality must be the foundation of tourism development if we want to maintain Playa del Carmen as an economic and social engine for the region," he concluded.

As reported by REPORTUR.mx, despite the difficult low season for tourism in Playa del Carmen, the National Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Services (CANACO-Servytur) revealed that between 60 and 70 new businesses open every month.