Playa del Carmen Property Taxes May Jump 600%

Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo — The municipal government of Playa del Carmen, led by Mayor Estefanía Mercado Asencio, has proposed a new Table of Unit Land and Construction Values that will serve as the basis for calculating property taxes starting in 2026. The plan includes significant increases in property valuations—some as high as six to ten times current values—raising concerns among local businesses.

Business Groups Sound Alarm Over "Excessive" Hikes

The Playa del Carmen chapter of the National Chamber of the Restaurant and Seasoned Food Industry (Canirac) issued an alert last week, warning its members of proposed valuation increases exceeding 500% in some cases. In a July 15 communication, Canirac stated it is coordinating with other business associations to submit formal objections to the municipal government by July 30 as part of a public consultation process.

The organization emphasized that the adjustments would directly impact its members' operations, with some properties facing valuation increases of up to 600%—meaning a property currently assessed at 1,000 pesos per square meter could rise to 6,000 pesos per square meter under the new system.

Municipal Justifications and Business Pushback

The proposal, spearheaded by Municipal Treasurer Javier Regalado Hendricks, was formally presented to business groups on July 1 by the Municipal Cadastre Directorate, headed by Adrián Mauricio Leal. Officials argue the changes aim to gradually align cadastral values with market prices, correcting outdated assessments that have remained unchanged since 2012.

However, business leaders remain skeptical. Canirac warned that the measure could have "a significant negative economic impact" on local enterprises, including restaurants. A follow-up meeting on July 16 brought together various chambers and associations to strategize a unified response before the July 30 deadline for public feedback.

Specific Cases Highlight Disproportionate Increases

A review of the proposed valuation table reveals stark disparities:

• Beachfront Zone (Zone 001): Currently divided into four subzones with values ranging from 5,600 to 12,500 pesos per square meter, the new plan consolidates these into two zones at 10,000 and 12,500 pesos—representing increases of up to 79% for some properties.
• Residential and Tourism Zone (Zone 060): Values will unify at 3,500 pesos per square meter, up from the current range of 1,300 to 3,500 pesos—a potential 169% increase for lower-valued properties.
• Commercial and Office Zone (Zone 13): A proposed single rate of 3,500 pesos per square meter would more than double current valuations of 1,700 to 2,200 pesos.
• Areas Near Maya Train Routes: Some residential properties currently valued at 50 to 500 pesos per square meter would standardize at 500 pesos—a 900% increase for the lowest-valued lots.

Transparency Concerns and Next Steps

While municipal officials claim the process is "technical, transparent, and participatory," some business leaders fear the consultation may be merely procedural, with the final proposal submitted to the Quintana Roo State Congress unchanged.

The proposed valuation table is available for public review on the Playa del Carmen government’s official portal, though the current 2012 table must be accessed through the State Legislature’s archives. Business groups continue to analyze the potential financial repercussions ahead of the July 30 deadline for formal objections.