Cancun, Riviera Maya Lead Mexico in Hotel Development in 1H25

Cancun and the Riviera Maya have emerged as Mexico’s leading hubs for hotel development during 1H25, accounting for nearly all new hotel rooms opened nationwide in this period. According to the CBRE Hotelería y Turismo’s report, both entities added 2,100 new rooms to their inventory, representing 97% of the country’s total hotel openings in the first six months of the year.

“Despite economic and logistical challenges, Cancun and the Riviera Maya continue to consolidate as strategic destinations for hotel and tourism investment in Mexico,” said Christian Lega, Vice President of Hotel Operations, CBRE Mexico.

From January to May, Mexico earned US$15.9 billion in foreign exchange from international visitors, with an average spending of US$404.4 per tourist. A significant portion of this revenue was spent in Cancun and the Riviera Maya, which benefited from strong air connectivity, high-end hotel infrastructure, and growing recognition in the global market.

Domestic tourism also contributed to the sector’s strong performance. Between January and July 2025, tourist arrivals increased 6% in Cancun and 16% in the Riviera Maya, according to CBRE data.

During the second week of the summer season, the Quintana Roo Ministry of Tourism reported hotel occupancy rates of 76.3% in Cancún and 75.7% in the Riviera Maya, demonstrating the strength of these destinations during peak travel periods.

Financial indicators for the Mexican Caribbean also showed significant growth. Average Daily Rate (ADR) rose 21% in Cancun and 15% in the Riviera Maya, reflecting operators’ ability to capitalize on demand. Meanwhile, Revenue per Available Room (RevPAR) increased 27% in Cancun and 12% in the Riviera Maya, highlighting the region’s attractiveness for both domestic and international investors.

“The growth in ADR and RevPAR demonstrates the resilience of the sector and its potential to generate value in the medium and long term,” Lega added.

Tourism on the Rise 

MBN reported that between January and June 2025, Mexico welcomed 23.4 million international tourists, a 7.3% increase over the same period in 2024, reported the Ministry of Tourism. Air arrivals totaled 12.1 million, down 16% year-over-year, while land entries rose 18.5% to 1.9 million. These figures exclude same-day visitors and cruise passengers.

Mexico’s airports handled 94.5 million passengers in the first half of the year. Mexico City International Airport (AICM) led with 21.6 million passengers, followed by Cancun with 15.6 million and Guadalajara. Other key airports included Monterrey, Tijuana, Los Cabos, Puerto Vallarta, Merida, Leon, and Felipe Ángeles (AIFA).

Visitors from the US rose 2.4% to 7.3 million, including 1.2 million in June, while Canadian tourists increased 11.8% to 1.6 million. Air connectivity with the United States expanded to 4.6 million seats (+5.5%), making the US–Mexico corridor the world’s second-busiest international route after Spain–UK. Total tourist spending reached US$16.68 billion (+6.3%). Cruise passenger traffic increased 9.6% to 5.7 million, while female traveler arrivals grew 1.8%.