Women Dominate Real Estate in Tulum & Riviera Maya

Tulum, Mexico — The real estate landscape in the Riviera Maya is undergoing a significant transformation, driven not only by luxury developments and tourism megaprojects but also by the increasing presence of women in key positions across the sector. From Tulum to Puerto Morelos, including Playa del Carmen, women are taking charge, occupying leadership roles, and reshaping an industry historically dominated by men.

A Shift in Leadership

Celeste Marchesini, Director of National Promotion for the Mexican Association of Real Estate Professionals (AMPI) and liaison for AMPI Women Tulum, highlights this trend.

“I don’t have an exact number, but I can assure you that today we are the majority. Wherever you go, you’ll see women leading, proposing, and organizing. That excites me because we arrive with ideas and a desire to contribute,” Marchesini stated.

According to her, approximately 1,200 real estate professionals in the Mexican Caribbean region are affiliated with AMPI, and an estimated 60% of them are now women—amounting to at least 720 professionals shaping the industry in brokerage, sales, development promotion, investment management, administration, and urban planning.

A Wave of Change

Marchesini has witnessed this shift firsthand. She notes that since 2020, many women arrived in the region as digital nomads seeking new job opportunities and eventually settled permanently. Today, these women have become restaurateurs, hoteliers, engineers, and—most notably—real estate brokers and advisors.

“The Playa del Carmen branch was recently recognized as the fastest-growing in all of Mexico. A lot of that has to do with the female force that has taken over the sector. At events in Cancún, Playa, or Tulum, you see that we are now the majority,” she said.

A New Approach to Business

The transformation is not just quantitative but qualitative. Women are redefining business practices by fostering teamwork, a human-centered approach, peer support networks, and a genuine drive to build community.

“Here, no one comes just to sell. Women ask, ‘How can I help?’ or ‘What can we contribute together?’ That changes everything,” Marchesini emphasized.

Challenges and Progress

Despite remaining challenges—such as equal access to executive positions and professional recognition—women are steadily taking the lead. In an environment marked by rapid growth and high competitiveness, they have positioned themselves not just as sales agents but as project leaders, trusted advisors, and advocates for responsible development.