| Rule | Details |
|---|---|
| Regulatory Status | Permitted with registration |
| Permit / License Required | Yes. Hosts must (1) register with the State Tourism Registry (RETUR-Q) via the SEDETUR/SITUR-Q online portal, and (2) obtain a State Operating License |
| Tax Rate | ISH (Impuesto sobre Hospedaje / Lodging Tax): 5–6% on short-term rental income (sources note 5% per TheLatinvestor/SATQ and 6% per Casaztech/NASPlaya |
| Night / Day Cap | None at state level as of mid-2026. No government-imposed annual cap on rental nights exists under current Quintana Roo state law. Cancun's city counc |
| Minimum Stay | No state-mandated minimum stay. HOA rules in many Cancun condo buildings often impose minimum stays of 7 or 30 days. Individual municipal rules may in |
| Permit Fee | RETUR-Q registration: no fixed state-published fee amount sourced (application processed via SITUR-Q portal; fees may apply for the State Operating Li |
| Penalties | Fines up to MXN 100,000 (~$5,500 USD) for operating without RETUR-Q registration. Platform delisting (Booking.com, Airbnb, etc.) for non-compliant pro |
| Primary Residence Required | No. There is no primary residence requirement for operating a short-term rental in Cancun; owners do not need to live in the property to rent it out. |
| Occupancy Limit | Unknown. No specific state- or city-level occupancy cap is established by current regulation; building-level HOA rules may apply. |
Short-term rental operations in Cancun, Quintana Roo are permitted under an active regulatory framework as of 2026. Hosts operating on Airbnb, VRBO, or other vacation rental platforms must obtain proper licensing: Yes. Hosts must (1) register with the State Tourism Registry (RETUR-Q) via the SEDETUR/SITUR-Q online portal, and (2) obtain a State Operating License through the Quintana Roo Tax Administration Servi. The associated permit fees are RETUR-Q registration: no fixed state-published fee amount sourced (application processed via SITUR-Q.
Short-term rental operators in Cancun should be aware of these tax obligations: ISH (Impuesto sobre Hospedaje / Lodging Tax): 5–6% on short-term rental income (sources note 5% per TheLatinvestor/SATQ and 6% per Casaztech/NASPlaya — verify current rate with SATQ as it may have been adjusted). IVA (VAT): 16% on rentals under 28 da. Yes. Hosts must register with SATQ for lodging tax (ISH) purposes and issue invoices (facturas) to comply with Mexico's federal tax framework (RFC req.
Key operational rules for vacation rental hosts in Cancun include: Primary residence requirement: No. There is no primary residence requirement for operating a short-term rental in Cancun; owners do not need to live in. Rental day cap: None at state level as of mid-2026. No government-imposed annual cap on rental nights exists under current Quintana Roo . Occupancy limit: Unknown. No specific state- or city-level occupancy cap is established by current regulation; building-level HOA rules m. Minimum stay: No state-mandated minimum stay. HOA rules in many Cancun condo buildings often impose minimum stays of 7 or 30 days. Ind.
Zoning considerations for short-term rentals in Cancun: State law requires compliance with local zoning rules. Some residential communities, gated communities, and apartment buildings in Cancun prohibit or restrict STRs. Under the August 2025 reform, each . Density rules: No state-level density cap confirmed. The August 2025 reform empowers municipalities to limit the number or density of STR permits within their jurisd. Insurance: Yes, in practice. Hosts must provide evidence of appropriate insurance coverage, including liability.
Hosts who fail to comply with Cancun's short-term rental regulations may face enforcement action. Fines up to MXN 100,000 (~$5,500 USD) for operating without RETUR-Q registration. Platform delisting (Booking.com, Airbnb, etc.) for non-compliant properties. Administrative sanctions from local autho.
Platform obligations for services like Airbnb, VRBO, and Booking.com operating in Cancun: Since 2024, digital platforms (Airbnb, Vrbo, Booking.com, etc.) are required to share listing data with Quintana Roo state authorities, who cross-reference against RETUR-Q and SATQ. Booking.com alread.
Apply for your STR permit or registration directly through the official government portal.
Official Source ↗Yes, Airbnb and short-term rentals are legal in Cancun with proper registration and permits. The Quintana Roo Tourism Law was significantly reformed and published in August 2025, effective immediately. Key compliance steps: (1) Register on RETUR-Q via SITUR-Q (SEDETUR portal); (2) Obtain Stat
Yes. Cancun requires the following for short-term rental operation: Yes. Hosts must (1) register with the State Tourism Registry (RETUR-Q) via the SEDETUR/SITUR-Q online portal, and (2) obtain a State Operating License through the Quintana Roo Tax Administration Service (SATQ). Under the August 2025 tourism law reform, the municipality of Benito Juárez (Cancun) is f.
Short-term rental hosts in Cancun are subject to the following tax obligations: ISH (Impuesto sobre Hospedaje / Lodging Tax): 5–6% on short-term rental income (sources note 5% per TheLatinvestor/SATQ and 6% per Casaztech/NASPlaya — verify current rate with SATQ as it may have been adjusted). IVA (VAT): 16% on rentals under 28 days. ISR (Income Tax): progressive 1.92–35% for res.
Hosts who operate without proper permits in Cancun may face enforcement. Fines up to MXN 100,000 (~$5,500 USD) for operating without RETUR-Q registration. Platform delisting (Booking.com, Airbnb, etc.) for non-compliant properties. Administrative sanctions from local authorities. Potential loss of all reservations and rev.
Cancun (~Benito Juárez municipality) is one of Mexico's largest STR markets with ~24,000 active Airbnb-style units statewide (concentrated in Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum). The August 2025 reform is described by Governor Mara Lezama as 'one of Mexico's most advanced tourism laws.' Quintana Roo is the first Mexican state to legally obligate every municipality to actively regulate STR platfor
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