Cabo Frio

As of May 2026, Cabo Frio, Búzios, Arraial do Cabo have 12,255 active Airbnb and VRBO listings. This represents a 1% decrease from the previous year.

The average Airbnb or VRBO in Cabo Frio generates R$58K per year. High-performing properties earn R$219K/year, while low-performing properties earn R$23K/year. This wide earnings spread highlights that revenue potential is heavily skewed toward top-tier listings, suggesting that market saturation is less of a concern than the disparity in asset utilization and yield capture.

Airbnb and VRBO can be profitable in Cabo Frio. Average annual revenue is R$58K with 24% occupancy. High-performing properties earn up to R$219K/year. The low average occupancy relative to elite earners implies that demand is highly concentrated, limiting consistent returns for the bulk of properties unable to capture peak seasonal interest.

The average occupancy rate for Airbnbs and VRBOs in Cabo Frio is 24%. This occupancy level, combined with an average nightly rate of R$632, results in a RevPAR (revenue per available room) of R$133 per day.

4+ bedroom properties demonstrate the strongest performance in Cabo Frio, with annual revenue of R$128K. These properties balance operating costs and rental demand most effectively in the Cabo Frio market. Property performance varies significantly by location, amenities, and management quality.

Short-term rental regulations vary by jurisdiction in the Cabo Frio area. Cabo Frio: Lenient. Municipal registration required but rarely enforced. No occupancy rules or rental caps. Most hosts operate without formal compliance. Light enforcement. Búzios: Lenient. Tourism registry exists but enforcement minimal. No owner-occupancy requirements. High STR density tolerated given tourism economy. Hosts commonly operate informally. Arraial do Cabo: Lenient. Basic municipal registration theoretically required. No rental restrictions. Limited enforcement capacity. Informal rentals widespread and accepted practice. Always verify current regulations with local authorities and obtain necessary permits before operating a short-term rental.

The Cabo Frio Airbnb and VRBO market is currently showing balanced conditions. Supply has declined 1% year-over-year, while RevPAR has decreased 7%. This indicates balanced supply-demand dynamics. The contraction in both supply and revenue suggests a period of market adjustment where the reduction in inventory has yet to stabilize broader pricing pressures.

Launch around October, 2-3 months before peak winter season (January peaks). This pre-peak timing lets you build reviews when competition is 49% lower than peak months. Avoid launching during peak season when established listings dominate, or slow months (May-June) when gaining traction is harder.

The most common amenities in Cabo Frio listings include: Tv (96%), Kitchen (95%), Air Conditioning (70%), Balcony (55%), Bbq (51%). Amenities that boost revenue the most include Pool, Hot Tub, Air Conditioning, with Pool properties earning approximately 101% more (R$167K/year vs R$83K/year).

Monthly estimated revenue per listing in Cabo Frio over the last 12 months: May: R$2K, June: R$1K, July: R$2K, August: R$1K, September: R$2K, October: R$3K, November: R$3K, December: R$7K, January: R$11K, February: R$7K, March: R$4K, April: R$5K. These figures are based on RevPAR (revenue per available room) multiplied by the number of days in each month.

The overall average nightly rate in Cabo Frio is R$632, up 6% year-over-year. By property size: 1-bedroom properties average R$352/night, 2-bedroom properties average R$490/night, 3-bedroom properties average R$741/night, 4+ bedroom properties average R$2K/night. Rates peak in January and are lowest in May.

Guests in Cabo Frio book an average of 31 days in advance, down 13% from last year. By property size: 1-bedroom: 28 days, 2-bedroom: 31 days, 3-bedroom: 33 days, 4+ bedroom: 36 days. Larger properties tend to have longer booking windows as guests plan group trips further ahead.

Over the past year, the Cabo Frio Airbnb and VRBO market has seen the following changes: supply declined 1%, revenue per listing decreased 7%, occupancy fell 15%, average nightly rates increased 6%, and lead time decreased 13%. These metrics point to a tightening market where higher nightly rates are failing to offset significant occupancy losses, signaling weaker consumer demand.

In Cabo Frio, Saturday sees the highest booking demand while Tuesday has the lowest. Nightly rates peak on Friday and are lowest on Monday. Weekends show 27% higher occupancy than weekdays.