Mexicali

As of May 2026, Mexicali, Calexico, San Luis Río Colorado have 432 active Airbnb and VRBO listings. This represents a 4% decrease from the previous year.

The average Airbnb or VRBO in Mexicali generates $139K per year. High-performing properties earn $303K/year, while low-performing properties earn $35K/year. This wide disparity suggests that market returns are highly sensitive to specific asset positioning rather than broad market trends, as high performers capture nearly nine times the revenue of underperformers.

Airbnb and VRBO can be profitable in Mexicali. Average annual revenue is $139K with 26% occupancy. High-performing properties earn up to $303K/year. The 26% occupancy rate highlights a competitive landscape where revenue is heavily concentrated among top-tier listings, indicating that market entry requires navigating significant performance polarization.

The average occupancy rate for Airbnbs and VRBOs in Mexicali is 26%. This occupancy level, combined with an average nightly rate of $1K, results in a RevPAR (revenue per available room) of $286 per day.

4+ bedroom properties demonstrate the strongest performance in Mexicali, with annual revenue of $319K. These properties balance operating costs and rental demand most effectively in the Mexicali market. Property performance varies significantly by location, amenities, and management quality.

Short-term rental regulations vary by jurisdiction in the Mexicali area. Mexicali: Lenient. No specific STR regulations, general business permits may apply. Minimal enforcement, many operate informally. Calexico: Lenient. Basic business license required, zoning compliance expected. Light enforcement, small market with limited oversight. San Luis Río Colorado: Lenient. No formal STR framework, general tourism permits suggested. Virtually no enforcement, informal operations common. Always verify current regulations with local authorities and obtain necessary permits before operating a short-term rental.

The Mexicali Airbnb and VRBO market is currently showing balanced conditions. Supply has declined 4% year-over-year, while RevPAR has decreased 9%. This indicates balanced supply-demand dynamics. The simultaneous contraction in both supply and revenue suggests a market recalibrating toward a new equilibrium where lower inventory levels are struggling to maintain previous yield benchmarks.

Launch around July, 2-3 months before peak fall season (October peaks). This pre-peak timing lets you build reviews when competition is -25% lower than peak months. Avoid launching during peak season when established listings dominate, or slow months (February-January) when gaining traction is harder.

The most common amenities in Mexicali listings include: Kitchen (99%), Air Conditioning (98%), Tv (98%), Washing Machine (78%), Parking (55%). Amenities that boost revenue the most include Pool, Tv, Washing Machine, with Pool properties earning approximately 45% more ($319K/year vs $220K/year).

Monthly estimated revenue per listing in Mexicali over the last 12 months: May: $8K, June: $7K, July: $9K, August: $9K, September: $9K, October: $11K, November: $10K, December: $10K, January: $7K, February: $6K, March: $10K, April: $10K. 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 Mexicali is $1K, up 28% year-over-year. By property size: 1-bedroom properties average $900/night, 2-bedroom properties average $1K/night, 3-bedroom properties average $2K/night, 4+ bedroom properties average $4K/night. Rates peak in March and are lowest in June.

Guests in Mexicali book an average of 12 days in advance, down 32% from last year. By property size: 1-bedroom: 11 days, 2-bedroom: 12 days, 3-bedroom: 15 days, 4+ bedroom: 21 days. Larger properties tend to have longer booking windows as guests plan group trips further ahead.

Over the past year, the Mexicali Airbnb and VRBO market has seen the following changes: supply declined 4%, revenue per listing decreased 9%, occupancy fell 13%, average nightly rates increased 28%, and lead time decreased 32%. These metrics reflect a shift toward shorter-notice bookings and higher pricing, forcing operators to adapt to more volatile demand cycles.

In Mexicali, Saturday sees the highest booking demand while Tuesday has the lowest. Nightly rates peak on Saturday and are lowest on Wednesday. Weekends show 51% higher occupancy than weekdays.