Quetzaltenango

As of June 2026, Quetzaltenango, Chichicastenango, Panajachel have 536 active Airbnb and VRBO listings. This represents a 5% increase from the previous year.

The average Airbnb or VRBO in Quetzaltenango generates Q38K per year. High-performing properties earn Q109K/year, while low-performing properties earn Q13K/year. With supply growing nearly 5% annually while revenue remains essentially flat, new listings are entering a market where the 17% occupancy rate suggests limited demand absorption. The threefold gap between high and low performers indicates significant operational or positioning variance despite constrained overall market conditions.

Airbnb and VRBO can be profitable in Quetzaltenango. Average annual revenue is Q38K with 17% occupancy. High-performing properties earn up to Q109K/year. Supply growth of nearly 5% YoY outpaces revenue growth of less than 1%, indicating intensifying competition despite flat market expansion over two years. The nearly 3x gap between average and top performers suggests significant operational differentiation among active listings.

The average occupancy rate for Airbnbs and VRBOs in Quetzaltenango is 17%. This occupancy level, combined with an average nightly rate of Q600, results in a RevPAR (revenue per available room) of Q86 per day.

4+ bedroom properties demonstrate the strongest performance in Quetzaltenango, with annual revenue of Q67K. These properties balance operating costs and rental demand most effectively in the Quetzaltenango market. Property performance varies significantly by location, amenities, and management quality.

Short-term rental regulations vary by jurisdiction in the Quetzaltenango area. Quetzaltenango: Lenient. No specific STR regulations or registration system. Operates under general business rules. Minimal enforcement, hosts operate freely. Chichicastenango: Lenient. No formal STR permits required. General tourism business registration optional. Virtually no enforcement in practice. Panajachel: Lenient. Municipal business license theoretically required. No STR-specific rules or caps. Very limited enforcement, widespread informal operations. Always verify current regulations with local authorities and obtain necessary permits before operating a short-term rental.

The Quetzaltenango Airbnb and VRBO market is currently showing balanced conditions. Supply has grown 5% year-over-year, while RevPAR has increased 1%. This indicates balanced supply-demand dynamics. The wide gap between average revenue ($38,367) and top performers ($109,054) suggests significant performance variance, with low occupancy at 17% indicating considerable untapped capacity in the market.

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

The most common amenities in Quetzaltenango listings include: Kitchen (99%), Tv (89%), Washing Machine (56%), Balcony (45%), Parking (43%). Amenities that boost revenue the most include Pool, Air Conditioning, Internet, with Pool properties earning approximately 117% more (Q188K/year vs Q86K/year).

Monthly estimated revenue per listing in Quetzaltenango over the last 12 months: May: Q2K, June: Q3K, July: Q3K, August: Q3K, September: Q3K, October: Q2K, November: Q3K, December: Q4K, January: Q3K, February: Q2K, March: Q2K, April: Q3K. 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 Quetzaltenango is Q600, up 28% year-over-year. By property size: 1-bedroom properties average Q374/night, 2-bedroom properties average Q556/night, 3-bedroom properties average Q838/night, 4+ bedroom properties average Q1K/night. Rates peak in January and are lowest in September.

Guests in Quetzaltenango book an average of 18 days in advance, down 19% from last year. By property size: 1-bedroom: 14 days, 2-bedroom: 20 days, 3-bedroom: 18 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 Quetzaltenango Airbnb and VRBO market has seen the following changes: supply grew 5%, revenue per listing increased 1%, occupancy fell 11%, average nightly rates increased 28%, and lead time decreased 19%. The sharp rate increase amid falling occupancy and declining lead times suggests hosts are competing aggressively for fewer bookings, while the wide gap between average ($38,367) and top-performing listings ($109,054) indicates significant performance variance.

In Quetzaltenango, Saturday sees the highest booking demand while Monday has the lowest. Nightly rates peak on Saturday and are lowest on Monday. Weekends show 50% higher occupancy than weekdays.