The Ultimate Guide to Buying Property in Tulum & Riviera Maya
The Ultimate Guide to Buying Property in Tulum & Riviera Maya
A conscious journey to owning your place in paradise
By The Bucket List by Melina Villavicencio
1. Start With the Dream
Before numbers, contracts, or paperwork, there is a vision.
Ask yourself:
How do you want to experience Tulum?
Perhaps you’re looking for:
- A primary residence to fully embrace the lifestyle
- A second home to escape to a few times a year
- A legacy or patrimonial property to hold, enjoy, and pass on
- An extraordinary property designed for occasional rental income, where architecture, design, and location attract discerning guests
- A peaceful sanctuary to retire in paradise, surrounded by nature, light, and a slower, intentional rhythm of life
- A high-performing investment that still feels deeply personal
Buying property in Tulum is not just a transaction — it’s a conscious decision about how you want this place to support your life, your freedom, and your future.
When your intention is clear, every step that follows becomes aligned.
2. Letter of Intent & Reservation Deposit
Once you’ve found the property that truly resonates with you, the journey becomes official.
You submit a Letter of Intent and place a reservation deposit (typically USD $5,000). This secures the unit and removes it from the market for approximately 15 days.
This protected window allows you to review all terms calmly and consciously.
💡 If you decide not to proceed within this period, the deposit is fully refundable.
3. Promissory Contract & Down Payment
After completing due diligence, it’s time to formalize your decision.
You sign the Promissory Purchase Agreement and complete the down payment, usually around 30% of the property value.
At this stage, your intention becomes commitment — your investment is officially underway.
4. The Bank Trust (Fideicomiso)
Foreign buyers purchasing property near the coast acquire ownership through a secure legal structure known as a bank trust (fideicomiso).
This trust allows you to:
✔ Own the property
✔ Rent it
✔ Sell it
✔ Remodel it
✔ Transfer it to your heirs
With the same rights as a Mexican citizen.
Consider it the legal vessel that safeguards your investment and your vision.
5. Preparing for Delivery
Approximately three months before completion, final preparations begin:
- The fideicomiso is finalized
- Legal documentation is completed
- Final balances and timelines are confirmed
This is the ideal moment to begin visualizing how your property will feel — the atmosphere, textures, and flow that will define your space.
6. Final Payment & Closing
Once the property is ready for delivery:
You complete the final payment, along with closing costs, which typically represent approximately 7% of the purchase price.
This culminates in the signing of the title deed and the official handover of your keys — a milestone worth celebrating.
7. Bringing Your Space to Life
This is where ownership becomes experience.
From furnishing and interior styling to creating a seamless guest or personal living experience, this stage transforms your property into a destination.
Thoughtful design enhances both lifestyle enjoyment and rental performance.
8. Ongoing Costs & Responsibilities
Owning property in Mexico is refreshingly straightforward, with a few ongoing considerations:
- Annual property tax (predial)
- HOA or maintenance fees, if applicable
- Income tax, if you generate rental revenue
These costs are generally lower than in many international markets and contribute to protecting your long-term investment.
🌟 Your Tulum Chapter Begins
Buying property in Tulum is more than acquiring real estate.
It’s about:
✨ Freedom
✨ Conscious investment
✨ Creating a place that holds memories, meaning, and possibility
Your property becomes part of your personal bucket list — a place to return to, generate value from, and pass on.