Why invest in Tulum? We give you 9 excellent reasons.

What you will read below is “WORTH THE GOLD”.

You will see a list of 9 reasons why you should invest in Tulum. Updated to 2024.

I will use REAL DATA from official sources and also my own information that I have compiled thanks to the fact that I manage more than 20 vacation rental apartments and that I am a CERTIFIED real estate consultant in the Riviera Maya.

Let’s get started! 

1. Properties designed to generate income.

In Tulum, you will find excellent investment properties, most of which are designed to be rented on digital platforms.

These are mostly studio or 1 bedroom apartments, with many amenities, a spectacular design or “INSTAGRAMMABLE” (as some call it) and in an excellent location; however, these apartments tend to be small, on average 40 m2, so they are not very comfortable for long term living or living with a family.

If what you want is to invest in a property to generate income, this is currently one of the best options, but if you are looking for a home for your family; it would be better to look for another type of property.

Why Studios or 1 bedroom apartments are a better option?

In Playa del Carmen and Tulum, more than 60% of tourists travel alone or as a couple. So the demand for studios or 1 bedroom units is higher. This does not mean that a 2-bedroom apartment or a house is not a good option, just that its capital gain and ROI will be lower.

If you want me to help you find the ideal apartment for you, send me a message.

Recommendation:

I recommend to my clients that when they go to buy a property, look at it as a business.

Many people buy their property because they are driven by their feelings and emotions.

That is to say: they buy a property because they like the pool, the facade or the amenities; and they do not look at the characteristics that a property must meet to be a safe investment and to earn a high capital gain.

2. The capital gain.

In Tulum since 2019 there has been an average annual capital gain of 18% in the whole municipality and an increasing trend is expected.
There are areas with a capital gain of 10% per year and others (very few) with more than 30% per year. I myself sold apartments that in pre-sale cost 100 thousand dollars and after 2 years they already cost 150 thousand dollars.

In these years, in the municipality of Tulum, the increase of the cadastral value assigned to the properties is an AVERAGE of 20%. With values ranging from 10% to 50%.

And of course, there are areas that were devalued or, in other words, had a loss of value.

To find the areas with the best capital gains, you need to do a previous research about the properties you want to buy and the area. For example, imagine that near the building you want to buy there will be a landfill, most likely the price of the property will go down.

¿The reason? Nobody wants a house near a landfill.

If you want to save yourself the research work, you can contact me, I will recommend you the best apartments for investment in Tulum.

3. Supply and demand.

Understanding the supply and demand of a product or service is essential to predict the success of a business. In Tulum there are 9,273 properties listed on Airbnb and Vrbo, according to AirDNA in March 2024, a platform that analyzes data from short-term rental platforms.

Capture of AirDNA, a platform that analyzes short-term rental data.

This does not mean that there are 9273 properties available, as it is normal for property managers to make several listings for the same property. However, it does give us an idea of the availability in the city.

Keep in mind that in Tulum there are no hotels or resorts with thousands of rooms, as there are in Cancun and Playa del Carmen. In Tulum the average condominiums or complexes have an average of 50 units and the larger ones have up to 200 units.

At present, it is estimated that 200 new buildings are under construction, which will add up to 4000 rooms. However, it is anticipated that these will not be enough units for Tulum’s new projects such as the Airport and Tren Maya (more on these later).

The occupancy rate

It is important to know the occupancy rate of an area before investing.

The average occupancy rate of the properties I manage is 75% throughout the year. And according to AirDNA it is 46% in all of Tulum. That is also why it is important to hire a good real estate consultant.

Occupancy rate in Tulum according to AirDNA

4. Tulum International Airport.

This airport opened in December 2023. Data indicate that it will be able to attract 5 million travelers per year and airlines such as:

• Aeromexico,
• Vivaaerobus,
• The “Aerolínea del Estado Mexicano” (or as it is known: Mexicana de Aviacion),
• United Airlines, which in March landed at the air terminal with passengers coming from Houston and New York.

On the other hand, Cancun Airport was the second with more traffic at national level, since between January and October 2023 it transported more than 27 million passengers, only surpassed by Mexico City, with its 40 million users, according to data from the Federal Civil Aviation Agency (AFAC).

Citibanamex estimates indicate that Cancun’s airport could lose between 5 and 15% of its share due to the new Tulum Airport.

5. Mayan Train.

The Mayan Train is a high-speed train that will run through the Yucatan Peninsula and the Mayan Riviera, connecting tourist sites.

It began in 2020 and is scheduled to be completed in 2024, although it is not yet 100% finished, the Mayan Train has already been inaugurated and has made its first trips.

It will link the states of Tabasco, Chiapas, Campeche, Yucatan and Quintana Roo, which will have about twenty stations and 14 smaller stops, including Cancun, near Playa del Carmen, Puerto Morelos and Tulum, before ending in Bacalar.

6. Unique events.

These are some of the events that are happening or about to happen in or around Tulum.

Tomorrowland

There have been 2 Tomorrowland events in Tulum and they have been a resounding success. So it is expected that the festival will return by 2025 and that new festivals will also arrive.

Formula 1

The racetrack, which hopes to host a Formula One GP in Cancun, is planned to be built in the Municipality of Benito Juarez, in Quintana Roo and, if completed, the race is expected to be held between May and June 2025.

There is little information on the matter, but the most outstanding thing about this is that the federal deputy has acknowledged that there are pre-contracts signed with some companies and it is expected that by December offices will be installed, where the planning of the Cancun GP will be carried out, between 2025 and 2030.

Food, Liquor and Wine Festival

This is a 6-day culinary festival with local and international chefs, live demonstrations and a vibrant atmosphere.

Riviera Maya Jazz Fest

It is a Jazz festival considered one of the best in the world. Held annually in late November and early December in Playa del Carmen since 2003, it brings together renowned international artists in an atmosphere of joy and vibrant rhythms.

Special mentions

These are some of the following events taking place in Tulum or nearby.

Electronic music events in cenotes. Day of the Dead celebrations. Concerts in front of the sea.

7. Geographic limitation.

Unlike Playa del Carmen or Cancun, Tulum is geographically limited. It has 16 kilometers of seashore and the entire municipality is made up of 2024 square kilometers.

However, much of this territory is protected by the federal government. From the upper part where the ruins are, a protected archaeological site where no construction is allowed, to the lower part where the jaguar reserve is located. An area where you can’t build either.

This greatly limits the area available for construction in Tulum.

8. Cities and places near Tulum.

Beyond its ruins and beautiful beaches, Tulum is close to a variety of towns and places that add depth to the experience for tourists or locals.

Cities and towns: Cancun Playa del Carmen Chetumal Bacalar Cozumel Chemuyil Coba Places: Numerous cenotes Beaches Archaeological zone of Tulum Lagoons

And much, much more. This is something that you will find on any page about this destination, but it is worth taking into account when making an investment.

9. Upcoming projects in Tulum and surroundings.

In addition to all the condominiums and real estate projects that are being built, it is worth mentioning:

Faena Tulum, a project under construction. From the Faena Hotel Miami Beach chain, one of the most popular in Miami.

Conclusion.

In summary, investing in Tulum not only promises solid financial returns, but also a unique experience in an ever-expanding market.

Even though the capital gains so accelerated from 2020 to 2023 have declined, investing in Tulum now is like investing in Playa del Carmen or Cancun 30 years ago.

Don’t miss the opportunity to invest in Tulum!