Alajuela

As of May 2026, Alajuela, San José, Heredia have 662 active Airbnb and VRBO listings. This represents a 15% decrease from the previous year.

The average Airbnb or VRBO in Alajuela generates CRC3.2M per year. High-performing properties earn CRC11.6M/year, while low-performing properties earn CRC1.2M/year. This massive disparity suggests that income potential is highly sensitive to specific asset positioning rather than broad market trends, as the market contracts in total supply.

Airbnb and VRBO can be profitable in Alajuela. Average annual revenue is CRC3.2M with 23% occupancy. High-performing properties earn up to CRC11.6M/year. The 23% occupancy rate highlights a competitive environment where top earners likely capture a disproportionate share of limited demand, distancing themselves significantly from the average.

The average occupancy rate for Airbnbs and VRBOs in Alajuela is 23%. This occupancy level, combined with an average nightly rate of CRC46K, results in a RevPAR (revenue per available room) of CRC6K per day.

4+ bedroom properties demonstrate the strongest performance in Alajuela, with annual revenue of CRC8.4M. These properties balance operating costs and rental demand most effectively in the Alajuela market. Property performance varies significantly by location, amenities, and management quality.

Short-term rental regulations vary by jurisdiction in the Alajuela area. Alajuela: Lenient. No specific STR regulations or permits required. General tourism business registration optional. Minimal enforcement of any lodging rules. San José: Lenient. Tourism registry (ICT) recommended but rarely enforced. No STR-specific permits or restrictions. Light enforcement, many operate informally. Heredia: Lenient. No STR-specific regulations. Optional tourism registration with ICT. Virtually no enforcement, hosts operate freely without permits. Always verify current regulations with local authorities and obtain necessary permits before operating a short-term rental.

The Alajuela Airbnb and VRBO market is currently showing balanced conditions. Supply has declined 15% year-over-year, while RevPAR has decreased 10%. This indicates balanced supply-demand dynamics. The synchronized decline in both supply and revenue suggests that the market is shedding underperforming inventory to reach a new equilibrium.

Launch around September, 2-3 months before peak winter season (December peaks). This pre-peak timing lets you build reviews when competition is -4% lower than peak months. Avoid launching during peak season when established listings dominate, or slow months (September-October) when gaining traction is harder.

The most common amenities in Alajuela listings include: Kitchen (97%), Tv (88%), Washing Machine (66%), Air Conditioning (61%), Balcony (48%). Amenities that boost revenue the most include Hot Tub, Pool, Bbq, with Hot Tub properties earning approximately 93% more (CRC15.0M/year vs CRC7.7M/year).

Monthly estimated revenue per listing in Alajuela over the last 12 months: May: CRC141K, June: CRC176K, July: CRC179K, August: CRC166K, September: CRC144K, October: CRC133K, November: CRC186K, December: CRC307K, January: CRC218K, February: CRC228K, March: CRC244K, April: CRC242K. 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 Alajuela is CRC46K, up 8% year-over-year. By property size: 1-bedroom properties average CRC32K/night, 2-bedroom properties average CRC40K/night, 3-bedroom properties average CRC59K/night, 4+ bedroom properties average CRC146K/night. Rates peak in April and are lowest in October.

Guests in Alajuela book an average of 23 days in advance, down 20% from last year. By property size: 1-bedroom: 23 days, 2-bedroom: 21 days, 3-bedroom: 26 days, 4+ bedroom: 31 days. Larger properties tend to have longer booking windows as guests plan group trips further ahead.

Over the past year, the Alajuela Airbnb and VRBO market has seen the following changes: supply declined 15%, revenue per listing decreased 10%, occupancy fell 2%, average nightly rates increased 8%, and lead time decreased 20%. These shifts point toward a transition where hosts are raising rates to compensate for lower occupancy and shorter booking windows.

In Alajuela, Saturday sees the highest booking demand while Monday has the lowest. Nightly rates peak on Saturday and are lowest on Tuesday. Weekends show 29% higher occupancy than weekdays.