Santa Elena

As of June 2026, Santa Elena, Montañita, Salinas have 2,730 active Airbnb and VRBO listings. This represents a 3% decrease from the previous year.

The average Airbnb or VRBO in Santa Elena generates $7K per year. High-performing properties earn $27K/year, while low-performing properties earn $3K/year. Supply is contracting while revenue grows modestly, suggesting tightening market conditions, though the 14% occupancy rate and wide performance gap indicate significant variance in how effectively hosts capture demand rather than overall scarcity.

Airbnb and VRBO can be profitable in Santa Elena. Average annual revenue is $7K with 14% occupancy. High-performing properties earn up to $27K/year. Declining supply paired with flat revenue suggests limited growth in demand, while the nearly 4x gap between average and top performers indicates significant variance in execution rather than market-wide constraints.

The average occupancy rate for Airbnbs and VRBOs in Santa Elena is 14%. This occupancy level, combined with an average nightly rate of $137, results in a RevPAR (revenue per available room) of $15 per day.

4+ bedroom properties demonstrate the strongest performance in Santa Elena, with annual revenue of $16K. These properties balance operating costs and rental demand most effectively in the Santa Elena market. Property performance varies significantly by location, amenities, and management quality.

Short-term rental regulations vary by jurisdiction in the Santa Elena area. Santa Elena: Lenient. No specific STR regulations or permits required. Minimal oversight, hosts operate freely with basic business registration only. Montañita: Lenient. Informal tourism zone, no STR-specific licenses needed. Light enforcement, most rentals operate without formal permits despite general business rules. Salinas: Moderate. Municipal business permit (patente) required, tourism registry recommended. Inconsistent enforcement, many operate informally but authorities occasionally check compliance in tourist areas. Always verify current regulations with local authorities and obtain necessary permits before operating a short-term rental.

The Santa Elena Airbnb and VRBO market is currently showing balanced conditions. Supply has declined 3% year-over-year, while RevPAR has increased 3%. This indicates balanced supply-demand dynamics. The wide gap between average revenue ($7,045) and high revenue ($27,175) suggests significant performance variation across properties, reflecting a market where differentiation drives returns rather than broad demand expansion.

Launch around January, 2-3 months before peak winter season (April peaks). This pre-peak timing lets you build reviews when competition is -48% lower than peak months. Avoid launching during peak season when established listings dominate, or slow months (October-September) when gaining traction is harder.

The most common amenities in Santa Elena listings include: Kitchen (96%), Air Conditioning (94%), Tv (82%), Balcony (65%), Pets Allowed (56%). Amenities that boost revenue the most include Air Conditioning, Pool, Bbq, with Air Conditioning properties earning approximately 132% more ($25K/year vs $11K/year).

Monthly estimated revenue per listing in Santa Elena over the last 12 months: May: $381, June: $212, July: $340, August: $483, September: $203, October: $259, November: $305, December: $643, January: $674, February: $653, March: $551, April: $795. 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 Santa Elena is $137, up 16% year-over-year. By property size: 1-bedroom properties average $66/night, 2-bedroom properties average $103/night, 3-bedroom properties average $156/night, 4+ bedroom properties average $313/night. Rates peak in December and are lowest in June.

Guests in Santa Elena book an average of 16 days in advance, down 29% from last year. By property size: 1-bedroom: 15 days, 2-bedroom: 16 days, 3-bedroom: 16 days, 4+ bedroom: 20 days. Larger properties tend to have longer booking windows as guests plan group trips further ahead.

Over the past year, the Santa Elena Airbnb and VRBO market has seen the following changes: supply declined 3%, revenue per listing increased 3%, occupancy fell 5%, average nightly rates increased 16%, and lead time decreased 29%. The sharp rate increase amid falling occupancy and compressed booking windows suggests hosts are competing on price in a tightening market, while the wide gap between average ($7,045) and top-performing listings ($27,175) indicates substantial performance stratification.

In Santa Elena, Saturday sees the highest booking demand while Tuesday has the lowest. Nightly rates peak on Saturday and are lowest on Wednesday. Weekends show 62% higher occupancy than weekdays.