Tulum Hotels Make Comeback Expecting 90% Occupancy To End The year

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For the past year, the headlines coming out of Tulum have been a mixed bag. We have heard stories of skyrocketing prices, construction chaos, and a “low influx” of travelers that left some wondering if the boho-chic bubble had finally burst.

But if you are planning to ring in the New Year on the coast, we have a major update: Tulum is back.

According to new data released this week by state officials, the destination is staging a massive recovery just in time for the high season. However, there is a catch—this recovery is not happening everywhere. While hotels are filling up fast, the vacation rental market is being left behind.

If you are booking a last-minute trip for 2026, here is why you might want to follow the crowd and check into a hotel.

The Hotel Surge: 90% Occupancy

After months of slower traffic, the Secretary of Tourism of Quintana Roo, Bernardo Cueto Riestra, has confirmed a “sustained increase” in reservations across the board.

The numbers are staggering. Officials now estimate that hotel occupancy will hit 90% by the end of December 2025 and carry that momentum straight into the first months of 2026.

“Tulum is doing very well in the high season; it is recovering at the end of December and the beginning of the year looks just as good,” Cueto Riestra noted.

This isn’t just happening at the massive all-inclusives. Small and medium-sized boutique hotels are seeing the same surge. Travelers are voting with their wallets, and they are voting for the traditional hotel experience.

The Airbnb “Slump”

While hotels are celebrating, the story for Airbnb hosts is very different. As we reported previously, the vacation rental market in Tulum has struggled significantly this year.

Despite the flood of tourists arriving at the new Tulum International Airport (TQO), the “glut” of new condos and apartments has created a massive oversupply. There are simply too many units and not enough people to fill them. The latest data from AirDNA paints a stark picture: while hotels are pushing 90% occupancy, the vacation rental market is lagging behind with an occupancy rate of just 43%.

Why Travelers Are Choosing Hotels Over Rentals

So, why the disconnect? Why is everyone flocking to hotels and ignoring the thousands of empty condos? The answer comes down to one word: Reliability.

Tulum is growing up, but its infrastructure is still catching up. 1. Power Stability As we warned in our guide on why tourists should opt for resorts, power outages have been a persistent issue in Tulum’s developing neighborhoods. When the power grid fails, a standalone Airbnb often goes dark. That means no A/C, no Wi-Fi, and no water pressure. Hotels, on the other hand, almost always have industrial-grade backup generators. When the lights flicker, the hotel guest barely notices, while the Airbnb guest is left sweating in the dark.

2. Service & Consistency After years of “surprise” fees and inconsistent host quality, travelers in 2026 are craving dependability. They want a front desk they can call if the shower breaks. They want verified security. They want a guaranteed experience. With the new strict rules for tourism helping to clean up the hotel sector, the value proposition of a resort is simply higher right now than a private rental.

What This Means For Your Trip

If you are heading to Tulum this winter, the “Smart Money” is on the hotel zone.

• Book Now: With occupancy hitting 90%, the best rooms are disappearing fast.
• Check The Generator: If you do choose an Airbnb, ask the host explicitly: “Do you have a backup generator for power outages?” If they say no, think twice.

Tulum’s comeback is officially here—just make sure you are staying somewhere that keeps the lights on.