Oaxaca

As of June 2026, Oaxaca, Puerto Escondido, Huatulco have 3,720 active Airbnb and VRBO listings. This represents a 10% decrease from the previous year.

The average Airbnb or VRBO in Oaxaca generates $189K per year. High-performing properties earn $849K/year, while low-performing properties earn $58K/year. This significant revenue variance suggests that market polarization is extreme, where top-tier assets capture a disproportionate share of total market earnings despite the contraction in total supply.

Airbnb and VRBO can be profitable in Oaxaca. Average annual revenue is $189K with 23% occupancy. High-performing properties earn up to $849K/year. The delta between average and high-end performance highlights that profitability is heavily contingent on asset positioning, as modest average occupancy levels contrast sharply with the revenue potential of top-performing listings.

The average occupancy rate for Airbnbs and VRBOs in Oaxaca is 23%. This occupancy level, combined with an average nightly rate of $2K, results in a RevPAR (revenue per available room) of $412 per day.

4+ bedroom properties demonstrate the strongest performance in Oaxaca, with annual revenue of $652K. These properties balance operating costs and rental demand most effectively in the Oaxaca market. Property performance varies significantly by location, amenities, and management quality.

Short-term rental regulations vary by jurisdiction in the Oaxaca area. Oaxaca City: Lenient. No specific STR regulations or permits required. Operates under general tourism/business rules. Minimal enforcement, hosts operate freely. Puerto Escondido: Lenient. No dedicated STR licensing system. Basic business registration suggested but rarely enforced. Market operates informally with minimal oversight. Huatulco: Lenient. No specific STR permits beyond general business tax ID. Tourism-friendly zone with minimal restrictions. Light enforcement, hosts operate openly. Always verify current regulations with local authorities and obtain necessary permits before operating a short-term rental.

The Oaxaca Airbnb and VRBO market is currently showing balanced with strong demand conditions. Supply has declined 10% year-over-year, while RevPAR has increased 4%. This indicates healthy demand growth outpacing supply. The tightening supply coupled with revenue growth suggests a market consolidation phase that favors incumbents who can leverage the reduced competitive density.

Launch around September, 2-3 months before peak winter season (December peaks). This pre-peak timing lets you build reviews when competition is 34% 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 Oaxaca listings include: Kitchen (95%), Tv (83%), Parking (64%), Balcony (54%), Air Conditioning (51%). Amenities that boost revenue the most include Pool, Washing Machine, Air Conditioning, with Pool properties earning approximately 158% more ($1.1M/year vs $412K/year).

Monthly estimated revenue per listing in Oaxaca over the last 12 months: May: $8K, June: $7K, July: $16K, August: $10K, September: $8K, October: $13K, November: $15K, December: $18K, January: $15K, February: $12K, March: $15K, April: $13K. 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 Oaxaca is $2K, up 28% year-over-year. By property size: 1-bedroom properties average $1K/night, 2-bedroom properties average $2K/night, 3-bedroom properties average $3K/night, 4+ bedroom properties average $7K/night. Rates peak in February and are lowest in May.

Guests in Oaxaca book an average of 29 days in advance, down 18% from last year. By property size: 1-bedroom: 27 days, 2-bedroom: 29 days, 3-bedroom: 33 days, 4+ bedroom: 40 days. Larger properties tend to have longer booking windows as guests plan group trips further ahead.

Over the past year, the Oaxaca Airbnb and VRBO market has seen the following changes: supply declined 10%, revenue per listing increased 4%, occupancy fell 8%, average nightly rates increased 28%, and lead time decreased 18%. These metrics reveal a shift toward a high-rate, lower-occupancy model, signaling that the market is currently prioritizing yield optimization over volume.

In Oaxaca, Saturday sees the highest booking demand while Tuesday has the lowest. Nightly rates peak on Friday and are lowest on Tuesday. Weekends show 22% higher occupancy than weekdays.