Playa del Carmen Hotels Cut Rates as Beaches Recover From Sargassum

Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo — Clean beaches and lower room rates have opened a window of opportunity to bring visitors back to Playa del Carmen after a difficult year for tourism, according to Offner Arjona, president of the Association of Small Hotels of Playa del Carmen.

Arjona said the destination has weathered what he called a “perfect storm” in 2026, as a combination of factors weighed on travel to Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, Mexico and the broader international market.

Beaches Free of Sargassum, Rates Within Reach

He stressed, however, that September brought favorable conditions on the region’s beaches, following a season in which sargassum was one of the biggest challenges for coastal destinations across Quintana Roo.

Arjona said the beaches are currently in good shape and that the absence of the seaweed has restored one of the Mexican Caribbean’s main attractions.

Hotel rates, he added, are also affordable at the moment — an incentive he believes could draw travelers to Playa del Carmen during a period that traditionally sees lower demand.

He said the current conditions offer both Mexican tourists and Quintana Roo residents a chance to take advantage of the state’s attractions.

A Push for Travel Between Destinations

The hotel association president also proposed boosting travel among Quintana Roo’s own residents through local spending and circular economy initiatives.

Under that plan, he suggested, Playa del Carmen residents could visit Isla Mujeres, Cancún residents could travel to Tulum, and Quintana Roo residents in general could discover and spend money on the tourism offerings of other municipalities.

Such movement, he said, could keep destination economies active during periods of weaker international arrivals and generate benefits for local businesses and service providers.

Arjona also stressed the importance of keeping tourism promotion running year-round, arguing that marketing destinations should not be limited to certain seasons or moments of crisis.

Steady Promotion vs. Social Media Narratives

Ahead of international promotional activities planned for the coming months, including events tied to London, he said the tourism industry must maintain a constant presence in source markets.

“There is a saying: ‘A saint who is not seen is not worshipped,'” he said, referring to the need to keep Quintana Roo’s tourism offerings visible.

He also called for stronger communication about the real conditions in the destinations, in response to information circulating on social media that can sometimes paint a different picture than what visitors actually find.

In that context, he said the sector should acknowledge both the problems that still need attention and the progress and favorable conditions that exist today.

“Right now, honestly, the beaches are spectacular,” the hotel leader said, insisting that the state of the sand and the affordable rates can be leveraged to reignite tourism activity in Playa del Carmen and other Mexican Caribbean destinations.