Luxury Villa Renovation in the Riviera Maya
Many of the best addresses on this coast — Playacar, Puerto Aventuras, Akumal, Puerto Cancún, Isla Dorada, Mayakoba — are already built. Buying a 10–20-year-old villa on a great lot and renovating it is often faster and better value than building new. We take tired or salt-damaged houses back to the structure and deliver a villa that competes with new construction, while you are abroad.
What a Full Renovation Covers
Pre-Purchase Survey
Before you buy: structure, corrosion, waterproofing, MEP and permits checked, with a renovation budget to negotiate with.
Structural & Corrosion Repair
Spalled concrete, corroded rebar, failing terraces and cracked slabs repaired to engineering specification, not just patched.
New Layout & Openings
Opened living areas, larger windows to the view, added suites or rooftop terraces, with structural design and licence.
Kitchens, Baths & Carpentry
Designer kitchens, spa bathrooms and custom carpentry from our own workshop, specified for humidity.
Impact Glazing & Envelope
Hurricane-rated windows and doors, new roof waterproofing and facade repair that end the leaks for good.
Pools, Gardens & Systems
Pool rebuilds, decks, landscaping, new A/C, electrical, water treatment, solar and automation.
Why renovate instead of building new
Prime lots in established communities are scarce, and the houses on them were often built before today’s standards for glazing, insulation and corrosion protection. A well-planned renovation keeps the lot, the permits already in place and often the structure, and delivers a modern villa in 6–12 months instead of 2–3 years. The key is knowing what is behind the finishes before you commit. That is why we start with a survey, ideally before you buy.
What we usually find in 10–20-year-old coastal villas
- Rebar corrosion on balconies, roof parapets and slab edges, the result of thin concrete cover and salt air.
- Waterproofing past its life on flat roofs and terraces, causing leaks, stains and mould inside.
- Old aluminium windows without impact rating, which leak in storms and need full shutters every hurricane alert.
- Undersized electrical and A/C for current use, and galvanised plumbing that is corroding from the inside.
Each of these has a price, and we put that price in your hands before you negotiate the purchase or sign a renovation contract.
Villa Renovation Cost by Scope (2026)
| Scope | Includes | MXN per m² | 400 m² villa (MXN) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cosmetic upgrade | Paint, lighting, fixtures, soft furnishing | $5k–$9k | $2M–$3.6M |
| Full interior | Kitchen, baths, floors, carpentry, A/C | $12k–$22k | $4.8M–$8.8M |
| Complete repositioning | Structure, layout, impact glazing, MEP, pool | $22k–$38k | $8.8M–$15.2M |
Useful guides: Home renovation in the Riviera Maya · Pool renovation · Outdoor living renovation · Ultra-luxury new villas · Smart home automation
Why Owners Renovate With Recrea
- Survey before you buy — renovation budget in hand before you negotiate
- 18+ years and 196 projects in the Riviera Maya, written one-year warranty
- Fixed price by line item or open-book, with milestone payments against verified progress
- One English-speaking project lead for owner, operator, designer and lawyer
- Licences handled: municipal licence, DRO, Protección Civil, environmental and federal-zone files
Tell us about the villa
Frequently Asked Questions
Start with a survey of the villa
Condition report and renovation budget, before you buy or before you sign. Reply in 2 minutes.
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