The Playing Field Leveled for Hotels and Vacation Rentals

Cancún, Quintana Roo — If you rent your home or condo on Airbnb, or plan to book a stay through a platform like VRBO, new rules are coming that could directly affect you.

According to Miriam Cortés, president of the Quintana Roo Vacation Clubs Association (Acluvaq), the state has already taken major steps toward formal regulation of short-term rentals. The goal: to create fair, consistent standards between vacation rentals and traditional hotels — and to make sure every stay, whether in a hotel or a private property, meets the same basic safety and quality requirements.

“The regulations for the Tourism Law of the State of Quintana Roo have been published, and they include provisions for vacation rentals,” said Cortés. “We are now working with the municipality of Benito Juárez to advance the municipal part.”

That “municipal part” is key. Each municipality — including Playa del Carmen (Solidaridad), Tulum, and Puerto Morelos — must now update its local rules to match the state’s. These new laws are expected to require property registration, clear tax payment systems, and stronger safety measures.

Cortés noted that the harmonization process isn’t simple, since it involves multiple agencies, industry players, and property owners, but progress is being made. “The goal is to have a municipal regulation harmonized with the state one,” she said.

She emphasized that vacation rentals — including Airbnb-style accommodations — are “here to stay”, but that their economic impact differs from hotels. Guests staying in residential neighborhoods spend money differently than those in all-inclusive resorts, often benefiting small local businesses. Still, she said, both sectors must operate under “a level playing field.”

“This accommodation model opens opportunities for new types of employment,” Cortés explained. “But we need equal conditions for everyone.”

What’s Changing for Hosts

The updated state Tourism Law already outlines basic obligations for short-term rental hosts:

• Register with the state tourism registry (RETUR-Q) and obtain a permit.
• Pay the state lodging tax (currently 6%).
• Comply with safety requirements, including emergency exits, fire equipment, and guest liability coverage.

Cortés added that it’s not enough for platforms like Airbnb to comply — individual hosts must too. Many owners manage multiple condos or rent through Facebook or WhatsApp, without a formal contact or business registration. That will have to change.

“Once the municipal document is published, both hosts and platforms like Airbnb must comply with the established provisions,” she said. “This also extends to those who rent independently through social networks, who must have a responsible contact in case of an incident.”

What This Means for Travelers

For guests, these regulations are designed to make vacation rentals safer and more transparent. Listings will be easier to verify, with official registration numbers and operating permits displayed. This will help travelers distinguish legitimate, inspected properties from unlicensed ones.

The rules also strengthen consumer protection, so if a problem arises during a stay, there’s a clear path for reporting and resolving it through the state tourism authority.

Why This Matters Now

Hotels have long argued that the rapid growth of vacation rentals creates unfair competition, especially since many rentals didn’t pay taxes or follow the same safety standards. The new harmonized system aims to fix that imbalance — without eliminating the flexibility and local charm that make vacation rentals appealing.

Cortés said the cooperation between the Secretariat of Tourism, the Tourism Promotion Council (CPTQ), and local governments shows that Quintana Roo is moving toward a modern, balanced tourism model that includes everyone — hotels, hosts, and guests alike.

“It’s essential to work in a coordinated way,” she said. “Just as we’ve done in Benito Juárez, we must replicate the effort in every municipality so that conditions are harmonized across the state.”

Bottom Line

For hosts, now’s the time to review your permits, tax status, and safety measures to stay compliant and protect your guests.
For travelers, look for properties that are registered and transparent — they’ll likely offer better protection, accountability, and peace of mind.

Quintana Roo’s message is clear: vacation rentals aren’t going anywhere but they’re growing up.