Where Should You Invest in Playa Del Carmen or Tulum?

By Luis G González Sep 27 2022

Many of our clients are confident in investing in the Riviera Maya but end up battling it out between Tulum and Playa del Carmen.

I often hear them wondering, where should I invest? There is no correct answer, and it depends on each case. However, there are general things from each city that you should know before buying.

Today, both Tulum and Playa del Carmen have become increasingly popular for anyone looking for a retirement, vacation, or investment property. The truth is, both are pretty young towns and have only seen their real estate peak in the past decade or so. Regardless, they have also seen exponential real estate market growth. From single-family homes to luxury condos, they have proven that there is no competition for them when it comes to investing in Mexico’s Mayan Riviera.

Tulum: A Sustainable Paradise

Over the past few years, Tulum's attention to sustainable construction and architecture has peaked. More and more developers are now finding ways to protect the environment while offering comfortable and luxurious accommodations.

Tulum’s incredible tourism growth has made it an investor favorite. While it lacked significant infrastructure advances just ten years ago, today, Tulum master planned communities are leading examples in the region.

Places like Aldea Zama have underground services that not even forward-thinking Playa del Carmen has. Tulum has become so popular that just between 2016 and 2017, there was a 76% growth in tourism, according to Forbes Magazine. Tulum once lacked legal certainty when it came to titling properties. Today, however, regularizations in the processes have helped thousands of foreigners purchase homes safely in the region.

Moreover, its eco-sustainable approach has made it a leading vacation rental destination. Tulum´s revenue projections are always very favorable, and historic income from previous clients has proved that investing in Tulum for vacation rentals is a wise choice.

One disadvantage to Tulum is that it continues to lack the strength and steadiness of Playa del Carmen in the sense that Playa del Carmen is not a hype but an actual destination. Tulum is reaching the same status but is still figuring itself out in that sense. But numbers don´t lie. That is why we can confidently tell you that Tulum is a fantastic investment choice. Nightly rates for vacation rentals are higher than in Playa del Carmen in certain areas, and the amenities are starting to equal or surpass those of luxury hotels.

Playa Del Carmen: Confident And Trustworthy

Playa del Carmen has a long trajectory of challenging Cancun’s popularity as the reigning tourism champion in the Riviera Maya. In fact, it is one of the fastest-growing cities in the country. The government’s incredible infrastructure funding has helped Playa del Carmen keep up with its ever-increasing population and tourism influx.

The reality is that this once-small-fishing town is now a city that keeps developing and challenging the stereotypes of fast-growing cities. Its urban and upscale environment attracts a unique type of crowd.

We won’t lie; competition in Playa del Carmen is slightly more challenging than in Tulum. Playa del Carmen’s hotel scene varies much more than it does in Tulum, so if you are looking for a vacation rental, you need to keep this in mind. That means your prices need to be more competitive. But the 80% year-round occupation rate for accommodation is reason enough to truly consider investing here.

The Best Beaches In The World

When comparing white-sand beaches against white-sand beaches, the reality is there is no loser. Both Playa del Carmen and Tulum have some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Tulum’s ocean is slightly more aggressive but just as calming. Playa del Carmen’s beaches can be slightly more crowded but are just as beautiful.

Proximity to the beach can be much better in Playa del Carmen, as you can invest in a condo half a block from the beach. And even if you invest in a condo further away, you will not be further than five blocks from the cooling blue waters. Whereas hotels and resorts occupy the Tulum beach strip. However, privileged communities like Aldea Zama are just minutes away by bike. And many developments offer alliances with some of the best beach clubs for residents to enjoy.

Pre-Construction Vs. Re-Sale Real Estate

Tulum is more of a pre-construction market, whereas Playa del Carmen has more options for anyone looking for a re-sale. You will find both options in both cities, of course. But the Tulum real estate market is just starting to find its potential, which means more developers are building from scratch there.

In Playa del Carmen, you will find many pre-construction developments with exceptional amenities like KOLMENA. However, for turnkey and ready-to-rent properties, you might want to look at re-sale options, which there are plenty of.

Playa del Carmen has the added benefit of developing for longer, which means you can find some homes and condos sold due to moving or investing in other things at much more affordable prices than you would in Tulum.

The advantage of pre-construction lies in deciding on floor plan changes, finishes, and other prior changes to your home while it is being built.

So, Tulum Or Playa Del Carmen Real Estate?

It is up to you to consider and decide. In both cities, you will find studios and 1, 2,  3, or 4-bedroom condos. The average cost of a condo in Tulum ranges between $150,000 and $450,000, fluctuating up and down, depending on amenities and size, and location.

In Playa del Carmen, real estate options for $160,000 to $600,000 USD. Again, this may fluctuate depending on location and size.

Playa del Carmen and Tulum have options in master-planned communities, residential and gated neighborhoods, or stand-alone properties Downtown. They all have their pros and cons. So, it comes down to your personal preferences, the use you plan on giving your property, and your budget.

We hope this comparison has helped you understand both markets and narrow your options. At the end of the day, it does not matter where you invest; you are making one of the most intelligent decisions of your life.

Do not hesitate to contact us if you want to invest and need further information on any of our properties.  At (+52) 984 108 6347 or you can send us a message through this Whatsapp link or send me an e-mail at info@acudesarrollos.com