Boleto / Contrato de Reserva (Reservation Agreement)boh-LEH-toh / kon-TRAH-toh deh reh-SAIR-vah
A boleto or contrato de reserva is a preliminary reservation agreement by which a buyer reserves a specific property with an initial deposit while the parties negotiate the formal purchase contract, commonly used in pre-construction and resale transactions across Mexico.
By Daniel Ortega · Last reviewed 7 November 2026
How it works
In Riviera Maya real estate transactions, a boleto serves as the first step before signing a promissory purchase agreement (contrato de promesa de compraventa). For pre-construction sales, developers typically require a reservation deposit ranging from USD 5,000 to USD 50,000, or 5 to 10 percent of the unit price in premium projects; for resale properties, earnest-money deposits typically run 5 to 10 percent of the purchase price. The reservation period usually lasts 5 to 15 days, during which the buyer reviews contract terms and completes initial due diligence. The deposit is generally refundable if the buyer withdraws within the agreed reservation window; if the buyer proceeds, the reservation amount is credited toward the down payment. Unlike a promissory contract regulated by Federal Civil Code Articles 2243 to 2247, a boleto does not transfer title, create binding purchase obligations, or require notarization; it simply holds the property off market while parties finalize terms. Developers and resale sellers set their own refundability policies, so buyers should confirm in writing whether the deposit is fully refundable, partially refundable, or non-refundable after the reservation window closes.