Playa del Carmen Leads Mexico in Vacation Rentals, Hoteliers Urge Regulation
Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo — Playa del Carmen has more vacation rental units than any other destination in Mexico, with its downtown neighborhood recording the highest number of listings nationwide, according to Offner Arjona, president of the Association of Small Hotels of Playa del Carmen.
In an interview, Arjona said the surge in vacation rentals has hurt the hotel sector by multiplying supply without a corresponding increase in demand.
“It’s clear that the best approach is for everyone to operate within the law,” he said. “We expect regulations for vacation rentals to arrive soon. This is a global and national trend, and Playa del Carmen cannot be left out.”
The hotelier reported that occupancy levels in July averaged around 40%, but he expects better numbers in August as sargassum seaweed has largely receded from local beaches.
Laura Castillo covers tourism, business, and economic development across Cancún, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, and the wider Riviera Maya for Riviera Maya News & Events. She tracks the region's most important business stories — from hotel investments and airline route expansions to real estate market trends and local economic policy — helping English-speaking readers stay informed about the economic pulse of Mexico's Caribbean coast.Laura has been reporting on Quintana Roo's tourism sector since 2020, closely monitoring developments in Cancun's hotel zone, Tulum's rapidly growing commercial corridor, and the evolving business landscape in Playa del Carmen. Her coverage includes corporate investments, employment trends, infrastructure projects, and the economic impact of events like sargassum seasons and hurricane preparation.Before joining Riviera Maya News & Events, Laura worked in business development and market analysis in the Riviera Maya region, giving her first-hand insight into how tourism, real estate, and local commerce intersect. She is fluent in English and Spanish.For story tips: laura@rivieramayanews.mx
