Playa del Carmen, Q.R. — A developer has submitted a unified technical document for the five-phase construction of a hotel. The hotel project consists of building on a plot of Riviera Maya land in excess of 118,000 hectares over a period of 18 years.
According to the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, the developer is looking to build the 954-room-mega-project in Punta Maroma, an area just north of the city of Playa del Carmen.
In the submitted document, “the project, named “Hotel Terraesmeralda Punta Maroma” (the Project), is located in the Punta Maroma complex, in the Municipality of Solidaridad, Quintana Roo, 2.3 km from the Cancún–Tulum highway, allowing for relatively direct access without significantly impacting the immediate natural environment.”
According to the developer, the completed Hotel Terraesmeralda Punta Maroma project will consist of 954 rooms and 802 above ground parking spaces. The project will have a lifespan of 99 years, while site preparation and construction activities will last 18 years.
The project consists of a comprehensive tourism development to be carried out in five phases. It is conceived as a gradual urbanization strategy within the two lots, as follows:
This is an irregularly shaped property with a total area of 118,525.05 hectares, a 450-meter beachfront, and unobstructed views to the north of Cozumel Island. The project is planned for development on a combined property of two lots with a total area of 11.8525 hectares: Lot 1, number 004-01with an area of 93,533.07 m² and Lot 2, number 053-4, with an area of 24,991.97 m².
Given the magnitude of the Project, the phased clearing and grubbing period is considered to be 18 years. This timeframe has been aligned with the construction period stated in the work program. However, if the process is completed in less time, this will be reported in a timely manner and in accordance with the corresponding regulations.
“To develop the Project, an investment of USD$5,000,000.00 (MXN $92,750,000.00) is required,” they reported outlining the costs.
Measure Approximate Cost per year:
Wildlife Repellent, Rescue, and Relocation Program $350,000.00
Wild Flora Repellent, Rescue, and Relocation Program $300,000.00
Environmental Monitoring Program $850,000.00
Soil Conservation Program $80,000.00
Integrated Waste Management Program $120,000.00
Reforestation Program $84,534.29
Environmental Education Program $60,000.00
Specific Actions $150,000.00
Total $1,994,534.29
The project will include 954 hotel rooms, a destination spa, an event hall and public areas such as a gym, sales areas, tennis courts, service areas, and family, adult, and children’s pools, as well as sufficient food and beverage outlets to meet the hotel’s capacity.
The planned room mix is 682 junior suites, 108 presidential suites and 164 executive suites. It will also have 802 parking spaces at ground level.
The Unified Technical Document was submitted to the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources November 7, 2025 and forwarded to the corresponding sector manager December 4. It was published in the latest December edition of the Ecological Gazette for consideration.
