Atacames

As of June 2026, Atacames, Esmeraldas, Súa have 1,308 active Airbnb and VRBO listings. This represents a 4% decrease from the previous year.

The average Airbnb or VRBO in Atacames generates $7K per year. High-performing properties earn $20K/year, while low-performing properties earn $3K/year. Declining supply paired with strong revenue growth suggests tightening market conditions, though the 14% occupancy rate and wide performance gap indicate highly selective demand favoring differentiated listings over standardized offerings.

Airbnb and VRBO can be profitable in Atacames. Average annual revenue is $7K with 14% occupancy. High-performing properties earn up to $20K/year. Declining supply combined with revenue growth suggests strengthening demand dynamics, though the nearly threefold gap between average and top performers indicates significant variation in property competitiveness within this emerging market.

The average occupancy rate for Airbnbs and VRBOs in Atacames is 14%. This occupancy level, combined with an average nightly rate of $116, results in a RevPAR (revenue per available room) of $15 per day.

4+ bedroom properties demonstrate the strongest performance in Atacames, with annual revenue of $11K. These properties balance operating costs and rental demand most effectively in the Atacames market. Property performance varies significantly by location, amenities, and management quality.

Short-term rental regulations vary by jurisdiction in the Atacames area. I don't have reliable, current data on short-term rental regulations or enforcement reality for Atacames, Esmeraldas, or Súa in Ecuador. These smaller coastal municipalities likely have minimal formal STR frameworks, but I cannot confirm specific permit requirements, occupancy rules, caps, or actual enforcement practices without verified local sources. I recommend contacting municipal offices directly (Direcciones de Turismo or Comisarías Municipales) for accurate regulatory information. Always verify current regulations with local authorities and obtain necessary permits before operating a short-term rental.

The Atacames Airbnb and VRBO market is currently showing balanced with strong demand conditions. Supply has declined 4% year-over-year, while RevPAR has increased 22%. This indicates healthy demand growth outpacing supply. The wide gap between average revenue ($6,817) and high-performing properties ($20,301) suggests significant performance variance, reflecting either differentiated property quality or pricing strategies within a relatively low-occupancy market at 14%.

Launch around May, 2-3 months before peak summer season (August peaks). This pre-peak timing lets you build reviews when competition is 90% lower than peak months. Avoid launching during peak season when established listings dominate, or slow months (September-June) when gaining traction is harder.

The most common amenities in Atacames listings include: Kitchen (98%), Pool (93%), Tv (92%), Balcony (69%), Air Conditioning (59%). Amenities that boost revenue the most include Pool, Washing Machine, Bbq, with Pool properties earning approximately 111% more ($25K/year vs $12K/year).

Monthly estimated revenue per listing in Atacames over the last 12 months: May: $242, June: $136, July: $675, August: $1K, September: $218, October: $194, November: $233, December: $576, January: $442, February: $500, March: $239, April: $481. 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 Atacames is $116, up 14% year-over-year. By property size: 1-bedroom properties average $73/night, 2-bedroom properties average $106/night, 3-bedroom properties average $132/night, 4+ bedroom properties average $222/night. Rates peak in December and are lowest in May.

Guests in Atacames book an average of 14 days in advance, down 6% from last year. By property size: 1-bedroom: 13 days, 2-bedroom: 14 days, 3-bedroom: 14 days, 4+ bedroom: 19 days. Larger properties tend to have longer booking windows as guests plan group trips further ahead.

Over the past year, the Atacames Airbnb and VRBO market has seen the following changes: supply declined 4%, revenue per listing increased 22%, occupancy rose 9%, average nightly rates increased 14%, and lead time decreased 6%. The combination of shrinking supply and rising rates suggests strong demand recovery, though the wide gap between average ($6,817) and top-performing listings ($20,301) indicates significant performance stratification within the market.

In Atacames, Saturday sees the highest booking demand while Tuesday has the lowest. Nightly rates peak on Sunday and are lowest on Wednesday. Weekends show 57% higher occupancy than weekdays.