Cancun

As of May 2026, Cancún, Playa del Carmen, Puerto Morelos have 6,347 active Airbnb and VRBO listings. This represents a 10% decrease from the previous year.

The average Airbnb or VRBO in Cancun generates $361K per year. High-performing properties earn $1.4M/year, while low-performing properties earn $105K/year. This massive revenue spread suggests extreme polarization in asset quality or operational reach, as the market contraction in supply hasn't yet compressed the earnings ceiling for top-tier listings.

Airbnb and VRBO can be profitable in Cancun. Average annual revenue is $361K with 29% occupancy. High-performing properties earn up to $1.4M/year. The low average occupancy relative to elite earners implies that a significant portion of the market struggles to capture demand, pointing toward a highly selective guest base.

The average occupancy rate for Airbnbs and VRBOs in Cancun is 29%. This occupancy level, combined with an average nightly rate of $3K, results in a RevPAR (revenue per available room) of $763 per day.

4+ bedroom properties demonstrate the strongest performance in Cancun, with annual revenue of $1.3M. These properties balance operating costs and rental demand most effectively in the Cancun market. Property performance varies significantly by location, amenities, and management quality.

Short-term rental regulations vary by jurisdiction in the Cancun area. Cancún: Lenient. State registration and tax ID required, but enforcement is minimal. Most hosts operate informally without penalties. No occupancy rules or rental caps. Playa del Carmen: Lenient. Registration with state tourism board required, local permits recommended. Light enforcement, many unlicensed rentals operate openly. No occupancy restrictions. Puerto Morelos: Lenient. Similar state registration requirements as Cancún. Very limited enforcement in this smaller town. Hosts commonly operate without formal compliance. Always verify current regulations with local authorities and obtain necessary permits before operating a short-term rental.

The Cancun Airbnb and VRBO market is currently showing balanced conditions. Supply has declined 10% year-over-year, while RevPAR has decreased 3%. This indicates balanced supply-demand dynamics. The synchronized decline in both supply and revenue suggests the market is effectively self-correcting rather than experiencing a demand-side collapse.

Launch around December, 2-3 months before peak winter season (March peaks). This pre-peak timing lets you build reviews when competition is -39% lower than peak months. Avoid launching during peak season when established listings dominate, or slow months (May-September) when gaining traction is harder.

The most common amenities in Cancun listings include: Air Conditioning (99%), Kitchen (94%), Tv (90%), Pool (71%), Balcony (64%). Amenities that boost revenue the most include Hot Tub, Air Conditioning, Pool, with Hot Tub properties earning approximately 124% more ($1.2M/year vs $524K/year).

Monthly estimated revenue per listing in Cancun over the last 12 months: May: $18K, June: $18K, July: $23K, August: $19K, September: $13K, October: $14K, November: $20K, December: $33K, January: $32K, February: $26K, March: $36K, April: $27K. These figures are based on RevPAR (revenue per available room) multiplied by the number of days in each month.

The overall average nightly rate in Cancun is $3K, up 14% year-over-year. By property size: 1-bedroom properties average $2K/night, 2-bedroom properties average $3K/night, 3-bedroom properties average $4K/night, 4+ bedroom properties average $11K/night. Rates peak in December and are lowest in September.

Guests in Cancun book an average of 30 days in advance, down 17% from last year. By property size: 1-bedroom: 26 days, 2-bedroom: 31 days, 3-bedroom: 36 days, 4+ bedroom: 46 days. Larger properties tend to have longer booking windows as guests plan group trips further ahead.

Over the past year, the Cancun Airbnb and VRBO market has seen the following changes: supply declined 10%, revenue per listing decreased 3%, occupancy fell 5%, average nightly rates increased 14%, and lead time decreased 17%. The combination of higher rates and shorter lead times reveals a shift toward last-minute booking behavior despite a contraction in total inventory.

In Cancun, Saturday sees the highest booking demand while Tuesday has the lowest. Nightly rates peak on Friday and are lowest on Tuesday. Weekends show 11% higher occupancy than weekdays.