Authored by the expert who managed and guided the team behind the Mexico Property Pack
Yes, the analysis of Cabo San Lucas' property market is included in our pack
Cabo San Lucas has become one of Mexico's most attractive markets for short-term rental investors, but the numbers behind Airbnb profitability here might surprise you.
In this guide, we break down everything you need to know about running an Airbnb in Cabo San Lucas in 2026, from legal requirements and realistic earnings to the neighborhoods that actually perform best.
We constantly update this blog post with fresh data on Cabo San Lucas housing prices and rental market trends to keep you informed.
And if you're planning to buy a property in this place, you may want to download our pack covering the real estate market in Cabo San Lucas.
Insights
- Cabo San Lucas Airbnb listings earn around $43,000 per year on average, but the median is much lower because luxury villas pull the average way up.
- The typical occupancy rate for Cabo San Lucas short-term rentals sits at roughly 44%, which is noticeably lower than the area's hotel occupancy during peak season.
- One and two-bedroom properties make up nearly 70% of all Cabo San Lucas Airbnb listings, creating heavy competition in that segment.
- Pedregal villas in Cabo San Lucas can command $1,600 or more per night, while Centro apartments often rent for under $300.
- There is no citywide cap on rental nights or primary-residence requirement in Cabo San Lucas as of early 2026, making it more flexible than many US vacation markets.
- Top-performing Airbnb hosts in Cabo San Lucas achieve occupancy rates 10 to 18 percentage points higher than average hosts.
- The ATP Los Cabos tennis tournament in late July creates a reliable demand spike that savvy hosts can capitalize on with premium pricing.
- Air conditioning is installed in 98% of Cabo San Lucas Airbnb listings, making it a non-negotiable amenity for guests.
- Monthly operating expenses for a Cabo San Lucas condo typically run between $1,250 and $2,700, with electricity for A/C being the biggest variable cost.
Can I legally run an Airbnb in Cabo San Lucas in 2026?
Is short-term renting allowed in Cabo San Lucas in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, short-term renting through platforms like Airbnb is generally allowed in Cabo San Lucas, though you need to check your specific building's HOA rules before listing your property.
Cabo San Lucas does not have a dedicated "Airbnb ordinance" like some cities do, so the legal framework comes from standard business licensing procedures and state-level lodging tax requirements.
The single most important restriction to watch for is your condominium or homeowners association rules, since many buildings in Cabo San Lucas have their own policies about minimum stays or outright bans on short-term rentals.
Hosts who operate without proper tax compliance risk penalties from Mexico's federal tax authority (SAT), though enforcement has historically focused more on tax collection than shutting down individual listings.
For a more general view, you can read our article detailing what exactly foreigners can own and buy in Mexico.
If you are an American, you might want to read our blog article detailing the property rights of US citizens in Mexico.
Are there minimum-stay rules and maximum nights-per-year caps for Airbnbs in Cabo San Lucas as of 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, there is no citywide minimum-stay requirement or maximum nights-per-year cap published on the Los Cabos municipal portals for Airbnb hosts.
These rules do not vary by property type or host residency status at the municipal level, though individual HOAs and condo buildings often impose their own minimum-stay requirements (typically 3 to 7 nights) to reduce turnover and noise complaints.
Since there are no official caps to track, hosts in Cabo San Lucas do not need to report rental nights to the municipality the way they would in cities like San Francisco or Paris.
Do I have to live there, or can I Airbnb a secondary home in Cabo San Lucas right now?
Cabo San Lucas does not require you to live in a property to rent it on Airbnb, making it a welcoming market for investment properties and vacation homes.
Owners of secondary homes and investment properties can legally operate short-term rentals in Cabo San Lucas as long as they comply with tax obligations and any applicable HOA restrictions.
There are no additional permits specifically required for non-primary residence rentals at the municipal level, though you still need to handle standard business and tax compliance.
The main practical difference between renting a primary residence versus a secondary home in Cabo San Lucas comes down to property management, since remote owners typically need to hire local managers (costing 15% to 25% of revenue).
Don't buy the wrong property, in the wrong area of Cabo San Lucas
Buying real estate is a significant investment. Don't rely solely on your intuition. Gather the right information to make the best decision.
Can I run multiple Airbnbs under one name in Cabo San Lucas right now?
Running multiple Airbnb listings under one name is common and legal in Cabo San Lucas, with many professional property managers operating dozens of units in the market.
There is no published maximum number of properties that one person or company can list for short-term rental in Cabo San Lucas at the municipal level.
Multi-listing hosts face the same licensing and tax requirements as single-property hosts, though operating at scale typically means registering as a business entity and handling more complex tax filings with SAT.
Do I need a short-term rental license or a business registration to host in Cabo San Lucas as of 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, Cabo San Lucas does not offer a special "short-term rental license," but hosts operating as a business activity should obtain a municipal operating license (licencia de funcionamiento) and register for state lodging tax.
The process involves gathering documents like proof of property ownership, identification, and tax registration, then submitting them through the Los Cabos Treasury office.
Required documents typically include your RFC (Mexican tax ID), proof of address, property documents, and completed application forms available through the municipal portal.
Costs vary but generally include application fees plus ongoing state lodging tax (ISH) payments, with the exact amounts depending on your property size and revenue.
Are there neighborhood bans or restricted zones for Airbnb in Cabo San Lucas as of 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, there are no officially published neighborhood bans or municipal restricted zones for Airbnb in Cabo San Lucas based on the city's own regulatory portal.
Restrictions in Cabo San Lucas tend to be building-by-building rather than neighborhood-wide, meaning your condo's HOA rules matter more than your street address.
Some luxury developments in areas like Pedregal and certain beachfront complexes have strict rental policies set by their HOAs, so always check before purchasing.
We made this infographic to show you how property prices in Mexico compare to other big cities across the region. It breaks down the average price per square meter in city centers, so you can see how cities stack up. It’s an easy way to spot where you might get the best value for your money. We hope you like it.
How much can an Airbnb earn in Cabo San Lucas in 2026?
What's the average and median nightly price on Airbnb in Cabo San Lucas in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, the average nightly price for an Airbnb in Cabo San Lucas is approximately $420 USD (around 8,400 MXN or 400 EUR), while the median sits lower at roughly $310 USD (6,200 MXN or 295 EUR) because luxury villas pull the average upward.
The typical nightly price range covering about 80% of Cabo San Lucas Airbnb listings falls between $180 and $750 USD (3,600 to 15,000 MXN or 170 to 715 EUR), depending heavily on property type and location.
The single biggest factor affecting nightly pricing in Cabo San Lucas is whether your property offers ocean views and private outdoor space, since guests come here specifically for the beach lifestyle and will pay significantly more for properties that deliver it.
By the way, you will find much more detailed profitability rent ranges in our property pack covering the real estate market in Cabo San Lucas.
How much do nightly prices vary by neighborhood in Cabo San Lucas in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, nightly prices in Cabo San Lucas can vary by 2x to 4x between neighborhoods, with Pedregal commanding $450 to $1,600+ USD (9,000 to 32,000+ MXN or 430 to 1,525+ EUR) while Centro averages $220 to $650 USD (4,400 to 13,000 MXN or 210 to 620 EUR).
The three neighborhoods with the highest average nightly prices in Cabo San Lucas are Pedregal (luxury hillside villas with views), Marina Cabo San Lucas (prime location near nightlife and tours), and Cabo Bello near the Tourist Corridor (resort feel with beach access pockets), all regularly exceeding $400 USD (8,000 MXN or 380 EUR) per night.
The three neighborhoods with the lowest average nightly prices are Centro (downtown), El Tezal (value-oriented newer communities), and some inland areas away from the beach, averaging $220 to $350 USD (4,400 to 7,000 MXN or 210 to 335 EUR), though these areas still attract steady bookings from budget-conscious travelers and longer-stay guests.
What's the typical occupancy rate in Cabo San Lucas in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, the typical occupancy rate for Airbnb listings in Cabo San Lucas is approximately 44% annually.
The realistic occupancy range covering most Cabo San Lucas listings falls between 35% and 55%, with significant variation based on property quality, pricing strategy, and location.
Cabo San Lucas Airbnb occupancy runs lower than the area's hotel occupancy (which often exceeds 70% in peak season), partly because STR supply includes more variable-quality listings and many properties block dates for owner use.
The single biggest factor for achieving above-average occupancy in Cabo San Lucas is professional presentation, including high-quality photography, instant booking enabled, fast response times, and resort-level amenities that help you compete with hotels.
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What's the average monthly revenue per listing in Cabo San Lucas in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, the average monthly revenue per Airbnb listing in Cabo San Lucas is approximately $3,600 USD (72,000 MXN or 3,430 EUR), based on annual revenue of around $43,000 USD.
The realistic monthly revenue range covering about 80% of Cabo San Lucas listings falls between $1,800 and $7,500 USD (36,000 to 150,000 MXN or 1,715 to 7,150 EUR), with condos at the lower end and well-positioned houses at the higher end.
Top-performing Airbnb listings in Cabo San Lucas, particularly luxury villas with ocean views and private pools, can generate $15,000 to $25,000+ USD (300,000 to 500,000+ MXN or 14,300 to 23,800+ EUR) per month during peak season. That means a single villa could earn what three average condos make combined.
Finally, note that we give here all the information you need to buy and rent out a property in Cabo San Lucas.
What's the typical low-season vs high-season monthly revenue in Cabo San Lucas in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, high-season monthly revenue in Cabo San Lucas typically runs 1.6x to 2.2x higher than average (around $5,800 to $7,900 USD or 116,000 to 158,000 MXN or 5,520 to 7,530 EUR), while low-season months drop to roughly 0.5x to 0.8x of average ($1,800 to $2,900 USD or 36,000 to 58,000 MXN or 1,715 to 2,765 EUR).
High season in Cabo San Lucas runs from December through April, driven by whale watching, winter sun seekers, and American holiday travel, while low season hits hardest in September and parts of May and June when temperatures peak and humidity rises.
What's a realistic Airbnb monthly expense range in Cabo San Lucas in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, realistic monthly operating expenses for an Airbnb in Cabo San Lucas range from $1,250 to $2,700 USD (25,000 to 54,000 MXN or 1,190 to 2,570 EUR) for condos, up to $3,000 to $10,000+ USD (60,000 to 200,000+ MXN or 2,860 to 9,525+ EUR) for villas with pools and extensive grounds.
The single largest expense category in Cabo San Lucas is typically HOA or condo fees combined with electricity for air conditioning, which can run $400 to $1,500+ USD (8,000 to 30,000+ MXN or 380 to 1,430+ EUR) monthly depending on your building and property size.
Hosts in Cabo San Lucas should expect to spend roughly 35% to 55% of gross revenue on operating expenses (excluding mortgage), with self-managed properties at the lower end and professionally managed villas at the higher end.
If you want to go into more details, we also have a blog article detailing all the property taxes and fees in Cabo San Lucas.
What's realistic monthly net profit and profit per available night for Airbnb in Cabo San Lucas in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, realistic monthly net profit for an Airbnb in Cabo San Lucas ranges from $400 to $1,800 USD (8,000 to 36,000 MXN or 380 to 1,715 EUR) for managed condos up to $1,500 to $8,000+ USD (30,000 to 160,000+ MXN or 1,430 to 7,620+ EUR) for well-positioned villas, with profit per available night ranging from $15 to $270 USD depending on property type.
The realistic monthly net profit range covering most Cabo San Lucas listings falls between $600 and $3,000 USD (12,000 to 60,000 MXN or 570 to 2,860 EUR) after all operating expenses but before mortgage payments.
Net profit margins for Cabo San Lucas Airbnb hosts typically fall between 25% and 50% of gross revenue, with self-managed condos achieving higher margins and professionally managed villas seeing lower percentages but higher absolute dollars.
The break-even occupancy rate for a typical Cabo San Lucas Airbnb listing sits around 25% to 35%, meaning you need roughly 8 to 11 booked nights per month just to cover operating costs.
In our property pack covering the real estate market in Cabo San Lucas, we explain the best strategies to improve your cashflows.
We did some research and made this infographic to help you quickly compare rental yields of the major cities in Mexico versus those in neighboring countries. It provides a clear view of how this country positions itself as a real estate investment destination, which might interest you if you’re planning to invest there.
How competitive is Airbnb in Cabo San Lucas as of 2026?
How many active Airbnb listings are in Cabo San Lucas as of 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, there are approximately 8,300 active short-term rental listings in Cabo San Lucas according to market data providers.
The Cabo San Lucas Airbnb market has grown steadily over the past several years, driven by strong tourism demand and investor interest in the Los Cabos corridor, though growth has moderated compared to the rapid expansion seen in 2021 and 2022.
Which neighborhoods are most saturated in Cabo San Lucas as of 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, the most saturated neighborhoods for Airbnb in Cabo San Lucas are El Médano (the main swimmable beach area), Marina Cabo San Lucas, Centro (downtown), El Tezal (many new developments marketed to STR investors), and Pedregal (crowded at the luxury villa tier).
These neighborhoods have become saturated because they combine the features tourists want most: El Médano and Marina offer walkability to beaches and nightlife, Centro provides budget-friendly convenience, and El Tezal has seen a wave of new condo construction specifically marketed to vacation rental investors.
Relatively undersaturated neighborhoods that may offer better opportunities include quieter areas along the Tourist Corridor (between Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo), some gated communities in Cabo Bello, and family-oriented developments slightly inland that appeal to longer-stay guests seeking value and space over beach proximity.
If you want to know more, we have a blog article listing all the top property areas in Cabo San Lucas.
What local events spike demand in Cabo San Lucas in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, the main events that spike Airbnb demand in Cabo San Lucas are the Mifel ATP Los Cabos tennis tournament (July 27 to August 1, 2026), Bisbee's fishing tournaments in October, and the extended winter high season from December through April when whale watching peaks.
During these peak events, Cabo San Lucas hosts typically see booking rates jump 20% to 40% and nightly prices increase 30% to 60% compared to normal periods, with the strongest compression around Bisbee's tournaments when group bookings for villas and large homes surge.
Savvy hosts in Cabo San Lucas should adjust pricing and minimum-stay requirements at least 2 to 3 months before major events, since serious travelers book tournament accommodations well in advance and late adjustments mean missing the early booking window.
What occupancy differences exist between top and average hosts in Cabo San Lucas in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, top-performing Airbnb hosts in Cabo San Lucas achieve occupancy rates of approximately 50% to 62%, compared to the market average of around 44%.
Average hosts in Cabo San Lucas typically see occupancy between 35% and 50%, meaning top performers book 10 to 18 percentage points more nights per year, which translates to roughly 35 to 65 additional booked nights annually.
New hosts in Cabo San Lucas typically need 6 to 12 months to build enough reviews and optimize their listings to reach top-performer occupancy levels, assuming they invest in professional photography, maintain fast response times, and price competitively during the ramp-up period.
We give more details about the different Airbnb strategies to adopt in our property pack covering the real estate market in Cabo San Lucas.
Which price points are most crowded, and where's the "white space" for new hosts in Cabo San Lucas right now?
The nightly price range with the highest concentration of Airbnb listings in Cabo San Lucas falls between $220 and $450 USD (4,400 to 9,000 MXN or 210 to 430 EUR), where most condos and 1 to 2 bedroom properties compete intensely for bookings.
The most crowded price points where competition is fiercest sit at $250 to $400 USD (5,000 to 8,000 MXN or 240 to 380 EUR) for condos near the beach, while "white space" opportunities exist in the $500 to $800 USD range (10,000 to 16,000 MXN or 475 to 760 EUR) for mid-premium properties that offer more space and amenities than condos but cost less than ultra-luxury villas.
To successfully compete in the underserved mid-premium segment in Cabo San Lucas, new hosts should target 2 to 3 bedroom properties in gated communities with strong outdoor living spaces (large terraces, shared or private pools), reliable high-speed internet for remote workers, and locations that balance tourist access with a quieter family-friendly atmosphere.
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What property works best for Airbnb demand in Cabo San Lucas right now?
What bedroom count gets the most bookings in Cabo San Lucas as of 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, 1-bedroom and 2-bedroom properties get the most total bookings in Cabo San Lucas, making up the majority of the market's booking volume.
The bedroom count breakdown in Cabo San Lucas Airbnb listings is roughly 39% one-bedroom, 30% two-bedroom, 15% three-bedroom, 7% four-bedroom, and 9% five-plus bedroom properties, meaning nearly 70% of supply targets couples and small groups.
One and two-bedroom properties perform best for booking volume in Cabo San Lucas because the destination attracts many couples on romantic getaways and small families on beach vacations, while larger groups tend to book villas that command premium prices but represent a smaller slice of total bookings.
What property type performs best in Cabo San Lucas in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, condos and apartments in resort-style communities perform best for consistent bookings in Cabo San Lucas, while villas and luxury homes perform best for revenue per booking.
Occupancy rates across property types in Cabo San Lucas show condos and townhouses achieving more stable year-round bookings (40% to 50% occupancy), while villas see more volatile patterns with stronger peaks but deeper low-season troughs (35% to 55% depending on pricing strategy).
Condos outperform for booking consistency in Cabo San Lucas because they offer hotel-like amenities (pools, gyms, security) at price points accessible to the destination's core visitor base, while villas win on revenue because groups traveling together can justify the premium for private pools and extra space.
What sources have we used to write this blog article?
Whether it's in our blog articles or the market analyses included in our property pack about Cabo San Lucas, we always rely on the strongest methodology we can ... and we don't throw out numbers at random.
We also aim to be fully transparent, so below we've listed the authoritative sources we used, and explained how we used them and the methods behind our estimates.
| Source | Why it's authoritative | How we used it |
|---|---|---|
| AirDNA Cabo San Lucas Market Overview | AirDNA is one of the most widely used short-term rental datasets, built from large-scale listing and booking signals. | We used it to estimate listings, occupancy, ADR, annual revenue, amenity prevalence, and bedroom mix for Cabo San Lucas. We treated it as our STR market baseline and cross-checked it against hotel benchmarks. |
| SECTUR DataTur Hotel Activity | DataTur is Mexico's official tourism statistics platform run by the federal tourism ministry. | We used it to anchor destination seasonality and demand strength via hotel occupancy metrics for Los Cabos. We used it as an external reality-check against STR occupancy patterns. |
| DataTur Monitoring Report | It's an official SECTUR publication that reports standardized occupancy stats across major destinations. | We used it to confirm that Los Cabos routinely posts very high peak occupancy versus other Mexican destinations. We used it to support high-season pricing power assumptions. |
| FITURCA Los Cabos Tourism Observatory | FITURCA is the destination marketing and research body for Los Cabos with regular statistical reporting. | We used it for hotel ADR and sub-destination occupancy splits between Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo. We used it to triangulate what premium lodging pricing looks like locally. |
| BCS State Lodging Tax Procedures | This is a state-government service page describing the lodging tax and its scope. | We used it to confirm that any installation used for lodging is within the tax's scope in BCS. We used it to frame the compliance checklist for hosts. |
| Baja California Sur State Tax Law | A primary legal source is the most direct way to validate tax obligations. | We used it to ground the lodging-tax obligation in statutory language rather than commentary. We used it to support understanding of what tax rules apply even if platforms collect some taxes. |
| Los Cabos Municipal Digital Portal | It's the official digital portal for municipal procedures and licensing. | We used it to identify where a host would actually initiate municipal paperwork for licenses and permits. We used it to support what's locally administered versus federal or state rules. |
| Los Cabos Treasury License Requirements | It's an official municipal document describing requirements for operating licenses. | We used it to show that Los Cabos does run a formal operating-license process relevant if your rental is treated as a business activity. We used it as the local gate in the compliance flow. |
| Los Cabos Treasury Normative Index | It's the municipality's own index of laws and regulations it publishes and relies on. | We used it to check whether a dedicated STR ordinance is prominently published by the municipality as of early 2026. We used it to frame our conclusion that rules mainly come via general licensing plus tax law. |
| INEGI Inflation Bulletin | INEGI is Mexico's national statistics institute and the official CPI publisher. | We used it to anchor cost drift assumptions for utilities, cleaning, and labor around late-2025 inflation. We used it to justify using 2026 cost ranges slightly above 2025 baselines. |
| Diario Oficial de la Federacion Indicators | The DOF is Mexico's official gazette and publishes official reference indicators. | We used it to anchor USD/MXN context as of early January 2026 for a tourist market priced in USD but with local MXN expenses. We used it to keep revenue and expense examples internally consistent. |
| SAT Platform Tax Guidance | SAT is Mexico's federal tax authority, so this is the canonical source for platform-withholding rules. | We used it to confirm that platforms must withhold ISR and IVA for individuals providing lodging services. We used it to explain why platform withholding is not the same as being fully tax-compliant. |
| SECTUR National Tourism Registry | It's the official SECTUR page defining what the RNT is and why it exists. | We used it to explain the federal tourism-provider registry and when it may matter for lodging operators. We used it as a check if needed step rather than assuming it's mandatory for every host. |
| SHF Housing Price Index | SHF is a Mexican government housing finance institution that publishes a widely cited price index. | We used it to anchor property price trend context investors care about including capex and entry price drift. We used it as the official benchmark rather than broker anecdotes. |
| Bisbee's Tournament Schedule | It's the primary organizer's site for one of Cabo's biggest recurring demand spikes. | We used it to justify a predictable October premium window for villas and houses that fit groups. We used it to tie demand spikes to a real dated event rather than generic peak season claims. |
| ATP Tour Los Cabos Tournament | ATP Tour is the canonical source for the event schedule and credibility of the tournament. | We used it to support a late-July and early-August demand bump and compression pricing. We used it to explain why certain locations with tourist corridor access perform well. |
We created this infographic to give you a simple idea of how much it costs to buy property in different parts of Mexico. As you can see, it breaks down price ranges and property types for popular cities in the country. We hope this makes it easier to explore your options and understand the market.