Playa Del Carmen

As of May 2026, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Cancún have 10,822 active Airbnb and VRBO listings. This represents a 11% decrease from the previous year.

The average Airbnb or VRBO in Playa del Carmen generates $270K per year. High-performing properties earn $1.2M/year, while low-performing properties earn $77K/year. This massive revenue variance reflects a highly bifurcated market where top-tier assets capture a disproportionate share of demand despite the 11% contraction in total supply.

Airbnb and VRBO can be profitable in Playa del Carmen. Average annual revenue is $270K with 26% occupancy. High-performing properties earn up to $1.2M/year. The low average occupancy suggests that revenue potential is heavily concentrated in a small segment of elite listings that effectively hedge against broader market revenue declines.

The average occupancy rate for Airbnbs and VRBOs in Playa del Carmen is 26%. This occupancy level, combined with an average nightly rate of $3K, results in a RevPAR (revenue per available room) of $569 per day.

4+ bedroom properties demonstrate the strongest performance in Playa del Carmen, with annual revenue of $1.2M. These properties balance operating costs and rental demand most effectively in the Playa del Carmen market. Property performance varies significantly by location, amenities, and management quality.

Short-term rental regulations vary by jurisdiction in the Playa del Carmen area. Playa del Carmen: Lenient. No specific STR permits required beyond general business registration. Minimal enforcement, thousands operate informally. Tulum: Lenient. Municipal license theoretically required but rarely enforced. Most hosts operate without permits, enforcement minimal. Cancún: Moderate. Business license and tourist tax registration required. Some enforcement in hotel zone, less in residential areas. Many operate informally. Always verify current regulations with local authorities and obtain necessary permits before operating a short-term rental.

The Playa del Carmen Airbnb and VRBO market is currently showing balanced conditions. Supply has declined 11% year-over-year, while RevPAR has decreased 14%. This alignment indicates that the market is shedding excess capacity in response to softer demand, preventing a more severe crash in average performance.

Launch around October, 2-3 months before peak winter season (January peaks). This pre-peak timing lets you build reviews when competition is 1% lower than peak months. Avoid launching during peak season when established listings dominate, or slow months (June-September) when gaining traction is harder.

The most common amenities in Playa del Carmen listings include: Air Conditioning (99%), Kitchen (96%), Tv (90%), Pool (87%), Balcony (74%). Amenities that boost revenue the most include Hot Tub, Pool, Washing Machine, with Hot Tub properties earning approximately 40% more ($731K/year vs $522K/year).

Monthly estimated revenue per listing in Playa del Carmen over the last 12 months: May: $13K, June: $11K, July: $14K, August: $12K, September: $8K, October: $9K, November: $15K, December: $28K, January: $28K, February: $23K, March: $27K, April: $19K. 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 Playa del Carmen is $3K, up 19% 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 $13K/night. Rates peak in January and are lowest in September.

Guests in Playa del Carmen book an average of 34 days in advance, down 15% from last year. By property size: 1-bedroom: 29 days, 2-bedroom: 36 days, 3-bedroom: 38 days, 4+ bedroom: 50 days. Larger properties tend to have longer booking windows as guests plan group trips further ahead.

Over the past year, the Playa del Carmen Airbnb and VRBO market has seen the following changes: supply declined 11%, revenue per listing decreased 14%, occupancy fell 12%, average nightly rates increased 19%, and lead time decreased 15%. Rising rates amid falling occupancy suggest hosts are attempting to preserve yield despite shortened booking windows and reduced market activity.

In Playa del Carmen, Saturday sees the highest booking demand while Tuesday has the lowest. Nightly rates peak on Saturday and are lowest on Monday. Weekends show 5% higher occupancy than weekdays.