Authored by the expert who managed and guided the team behind the Costa Rica Property Pack
Everything you need to know before buying real estate is included in our Costa Rica Property Pack
Costa Rica has become one of Central America's most attractive destinations for short-term rental investors, thanks to its strong tourism sector and welcoming legal framework for Airbnb hosts.
In this guide, we break down what you can realistically earn from an Airbnb in Costa Rica in 2026, along with the regulations, expenses, and market dynamics you need to understand.
We constantly update this blog post to reflect the latest data on nightly prices, occupancy rates, and legal requirements for Costa Rica short-term rentals.
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 Costa Rica.
Insights
- Costa Rica Airbnb hosts earn roughly $1,700 per month on average in 2026, but beach town villas with pools can pull in $6,000 or more during high season.
- The gap between San Jose's $59 average nightly rate and Tamarindo's $357 shows that location choice matters more than almost any other factor for Costa Rica Airbnb profitability.
- At 37% national occupancy, Costa Rica trails behind city-heavy markets, but San Jose listings actually hit 53% because of steadier weekday business travel demand.
- Costa Rica's "hospedaje no tradicional" law requires both ICT tourism registration and Hacienda tax compliance, so hosts effectively need two separate government sign-offs.
- There are no nationwide night caps or 90-day limits like in European cities, meaning Costa Rica Airbnb hosts can rent year-round without government-imposed restrictions.
- Condominium bylaws are the real barrier for many Costa Rica hosts, since HOAs in places like Escazu, Tamarindo, and Jaco can ban short-term rentals even when national law allows them.
- High season from December through March can bring in $2,800 to $3,400 per month, while green season months like June or September often drop to $900 to $1,300.
- Top-performing hosts in Costa Rica achieve 10 to 20 percentage points higher occupancy than average operators, mostly through better photos, dynamic pricing, and faster response times.
- The most crowded price segment sits between $150 and $250 per night in beach towns, leaving room for family-friendly 3BR homes or workation-ready apartments in the San Jose metro.
- With roughly 41,500 active listings across Costa Rica in 2026, the market has matured, but rainy-season-optimized properties still represent an underserved niche.
Can I legally run an Airbnb in Costa Rica in 2026?
Is short-term renting allowed in Costa Rica in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, short-term renting is fully legal and regulated throughout Costa Rica under the national framework for "hospedaje no tradicional," which covers homes, apartments, villas, and similar residential properties used for tourism.
The main legal framework governing Costa Rica Airbnb rentals is Law 9742 and its implementing regulation Decreto 43154-H-TUR, which together establish how hosts and platforms must register and operate.
The single most important condition is that hosts must register with the Costa Rican Tourism Institute (ICT) and comply with tax obligations through the Ministry of Finance (Hacienda), including proper invoicing.
Penalties for operating an unregistered short-term rental in Costa Rica can include fines and potential tax liabilities, though enforcement has historically focused more on bringing hosts into compliance than aggressive prosecution.
For a more general view, you can read our article detailing what exactly foreigners can own and buy in Costa Rica.
If you are an American, you might want to read our blog article detailing the property rights of US citizens in Costa Rica.
Are there minimum-stay rules and maximum nights-per-year caps for Airbnbs in Costa Rica as of 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, Costa Rica does not impose a national minimum-stay requirement or maximum nights-per-year cap on Airbnb rentals, which differs significantly from cities like Paris or Amsterdam that limit hosts to 90 or 120 nights annually.
These flexible rules apply equally across all residential property types and do not vary based on whether the host is a resident or non-resident, meaning both locals and foreigners can rent year-round without government-imposed night limits.
Since there are no caps to track, Costa Rica Airbnb hosts do not need to monitor or report rental nights to any government agency specifically for night-limit compliance, though standard tax reporting still applies.
Do I have to live there, or can I Airbnb a secondary home in Costa Rica right now?
Costa Rica does not require Airbnb hosts to live in or near their rental property, so owner-occupancy is not a condition for operating a short-term rental.
This means owners of secondary homes and investment properties can legally run Airbnb listings in Costa Rica without any residency restrictions at the national level.
There are no additional permits specifically required for non-primary residence rentals beyond the standard ICT registration and Hacienda tax compliance that apply to all hosts.
The practical difference between renting a primary residence versus a secondary home in Costa Rica comes down to condo or HOA rules, since many buildings restrict short-term stays regardless of what national law allows.
Don't buy the wrong property, in the wrong area of Costa Rica
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Can I run multiple Airbnbs under one name in Costa Rica right now?
Costa Rica's national short-term rental framework does not limit how many Airbnb listings one person or company can operate, so you can legally run multiple properties under a single name.
There is no maximum number of units set by law, which means portfolio investors and property managers can scale their Costa Rica Airbnb operations without hitting a government-imposed cap.
Hosts with multiple listings should expect more administrative work, including consistent ICT registration for each property, proper invoicing through Hacienda, and potentially municipal operating permits depending on the canton.
Do I need a short-term rental license or a business registration to host in Costa Rica as of 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, Costa Rica Airbnb hosts should assume they need both ICT registration for tourism services and tax registration with Hacienda, making this effectively a two-layer compliance process.
The ICT registration can be completed through the online portal at hospedajent.ict.go.cr, and while the process is relatively straightforward, hosts should budget a few weeks for review and approval.
Required documents typically include property ownership proof or authorization, identification, and basic information about the rental unit and its amenities.
Registration costs are minimal at the national level, but hosts should also check with their local municipality about "patente" operating permits, which vary by canton and may involve additional fees.
Are there neighborhood bans or restricted zones for Airbnb in Costa Rica as of 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, Costa Rica does not have government-mandated neighborhood bans or restricted zones for Airbnb at the national level, unlike cities such as Barcelona or New York that designate no-go areas.
The real restrictions come from private governance, specifically condominium associations and HOAs in buildings throughout Escazu, Santa Ana, Rohrmoser, Tamarindo, Langosta, Jaco, Herradura, Santa Teresa, and Manuel Antonio that enforce their own short-term rental bans.
These building-level restrictions exist because condo boards often cite noise complaints, security concerns, and quality-of-life issues from transient guests as reasons to prohibit or limit Airbnb activity.
We made this infographic to show you how property prices in Costa Rica 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 Costa Rica in 2026?
What's the average and median nightly price on Airbnb in Costa Rica in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, the average nightly price for an Airbnb listing in Costa Rica is approximately $154 USD (around 78,500 Costa Rican colones or 148 EUR), while the median sits closer to $125 USD (64,000 colones or 120 EUR) because high-end beach villas pull the average upward.
The typical nightly price range covering roughly 80% of Costa Rica Airbnb listings falls between $60 and $300 USD (30,500 to 153,000 colones, or 58 to 288 EUR), reflecting the wide spread between modest city apartments and oceanfront properties.
Location is by far the biggest factor affecting nightly pricing in Costa Rica, with San Jose listings averaging around $59 per night while Tamarindo commands $357 and Jaco reaches $319, showing that beach access can multiply your rate by five or six times.
By the way, you will find much more detailed profitability rent ranges in our property pack covering the real estate market in Costa Rica.
How much do nightly prices vary by neighborhood in Costa Rica in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, nightly prices for Costa Rica Airbnbs range from around $55 USD (28,000 colones or 53 EUR) in San Jose's Rohrmoser neighborhood up to $450 USD or more (230,000 colones or 432 EUR) for premium villas in Tamarindo and Langosta, representing an eight-fold difference based purely on location.
The three neighborhoods with the highest average nightly prices in Costa Rica are Tamarindo and Langosta in Guanacaste at $300 to $450 USD (153,000 to 230,000 colones, or 288 to 432 EUR), Herradura near Jaco at $250 to $400 USD, and Manuel Antonio at $200 to $350 USD, all driven by beach proximity and international tourist demand.
The three most affordable areas are San Jose's Barrio Escalante, Rohrmoser, and Santa Ana at $55 to $110 USD (28,000 to 56,000 colones, or 53 to 106 EUR) per night, and these neighborhoods still attract steady bookings from business travelers, digital nomads, and tourists using the city as a base for day trips.
What's the typical occupancy rate in Costa Rica in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, the typical occupancy rate for Airbnb listings in Costa Rica averages around 37%, which reflects the country's strong seasonality and the mix of beach, adventure, and city markets.
The realistic occupancy range covering most Costa Rica Airbnb listings falls between 30% and 55%, with beach properties often clustering at the lower end during green season while San Jose apartments maintain steadier year-round bookings.
Costa Rica's 37% average occupancy sits below major urban destinations like Lisbon or Barcelona but aligns with other seasonal beach markets where high season drives most of the annual revenue.
The single biggest factor for achieving above-average occupancy in Costa Rica is dynamic pricing that adjusts aggressively for seasonality, since hosts who maintain high-season rates during green season often sit empty while competitors capture budget-conscious travelers.
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What's the average monthly revenue per listing in Costa Rica in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, the average monthly revenue per Airbnb listing in Costa Rica is approximately $1,700 USD (867,000 Costa Rican colones or 1,632 EUR), calculated from the national average daily rate of $154 multiplied by 37% occupancy over 30 days.
The realistic monthly revenue range covering roughly 80% of Costa Rica Airbnb listings falls between $900 and $3,500 USD (459,000 to 1,785,000 colones, or 864 to 3,360 EUR), depending heavily on location, property type, and seasonal timing.
Top-performing Airbnb listings in Costa Rica, particularly well-managed villas with pools in Tamarindo, Manuel Antonio, or Santa Teresa, can achieve $5,000 to $8,000 USD per month during peak season. For example, a villa averaging $350 per night at 60% occupancy would generate roughly $6,300 monthly.
Finally, note that we give here all the information you need to buy and rent out a property in Costa Rica.
What's the typical low-season vs high-season monthly revenue in Costa Rica in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, Costa Rica Airbnb hosts typically earn between $2,800 and $3,400 USD (1,428,000 to 1,734,000 colones, or 2,688 to 3,264 EUR) during high-season months, while low-season revenue often drops to $900 to $1,300 USD (459,000 to 663,000 colones, or 864 to 1,248 EUR) for the same property.
High season in Costa Rica runs from December through March, coinciding with dry weather and North American and European holiday travel, while low season (locally called "green season") spans May through October when afternoon rains are common and tourist volumes decline.
What's a realistic Airbnb monthly expense range in Costa Rica in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, realistic monthly operating expenses for a Costa Rica Airbnb range from $650 to $1,450 USD (331,500 to 739,500 colones, or 624 to 1,392 EUR) for condos and apartments, and $1,200 to $3,200 USD (612,000 to 1,632,000 colones, or 1,152 to 3,072 EUR) for houses and villas with pools.
Property management fees typically represent the largest single expense category for Costa Rica Airbnb hosts, running 15% to 25% of gross revenue, which can mean $250 to $600 USD (127,500 to 306,000 colones, or 240 to 576 EUR) monthly for an average listing.
Most Costa Rica Airbnb hosts should expect to spend between 50% and 70% of gross revenue on operating expenses, leaving 30% to 50% as net profit before mortgage payments.
If you want to go into more details, we also have a blog article detailing all the property taxes and fees in Costa Rica.
What's realistic monthly net profit and profit per available night for Airbnb in Costa Rica in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, realistic monthly net profit for a typical Costa Rica Airbnb listing falls between $400 and $800 USD (204,000 to 408,000 colones, or 384 to 768 EUR), with profit per available night averaging $17 to $27 USD (8,700 to 13,800 colones, or 16 to 26 EUR).
The realistic monthly net profit range covering most Costa Rica Airbnb listings spans from near breakeven for poorly optimized properties up to $2,500 USD or more (1,275,000 colones or 2,400 EUR) for top-performing beach villas during high season.
Net profit margins for Costa Rica Airbnb hosts typically fall between 25% and 45% of gross revenue, with the higher margins achieved by owners who self-manage and maintain strong occupancy through dynamic pricing.
The break-even occupancy rate for a typical Costa Rica Airbnb listing sits around 20% to 25%, meaning hosts need roughly 6 to 8 booked nights per month just to cover their operating expenses before seeing any profit.
In our property pack covering the real estate market in Costa Rica, 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 Costa Rica 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 Costa Rica as of 2026?
How many active Airbnb listings are in Costa Rica as of 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, Costa Rica has approximately 41,500 active Airbnb listings across the country, making it one of the most developed short-term rental markets in Central America.
This represents continued growth from previous years, with supply expanding as more property owners formalize under the hospedaje no tradicional framework, and the long-term trend shows steady increases driven by both domestic investors and international buyers seeking rental income.
Which neighborhoods are most saturated in Costa Rica as of 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, the most saturated neighborhoods for Airbnb in Costa Rica are Tamarindo and Langosta in Guanacaste, Jaco and Herradura along the Central Pacific, Manuel Antonio near Quepos, Santa Teresa on the Nicoya Peninsula, La Fortuna near Arenal volcano, and the San Jose metro areas of Escazu, Santa Ana, and Rohrmoser.
These areas became saturated because they combine strong international tourist demand with concentrated foreign property ownership, creating markets where thousands of similar listings compete for the same pool of beach vacationers or adventure travelers.
Relatively undersaturated neighborhoods that may offer better opportunities for new Costa Rica Airbnb hosts include secondary beach towns like Samara and Nosara (before the luxury boom fully matures), the Southern Zone around Uvita and Dominical, and emerging neighborhoods in the Central Valley like Heredia and Alajuela that serve airport-proximity demand.
What local events spike demand in Costa Rica in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, the main events that spike Airbnb demand in Costa Rica include Christmas and New Year (late December through early January), Semana Santa (Easter week in March or April), Fiestas de Palmares (January, near Alajuela), and Festival de la Luz (December in San Jose), plus surf competitions and lifestyle events in beach towns.
During these peak events, Costa Rica Airbnb hosts typically see booking rates increase by 30% to 60% and nightly prices rise by 40% to 100% compared to normal periods, with the strongest spikes during Christmas week in beach destinations.
Hosts should adjust their pricing and minimum-stay requirements at least 4 to 6 weeks before major events in Costa Rica, since international travelers often book holiday accommodations 1 to 2 months in advance and last-minute adjustments miss the early booking window.
What occupancy differences exist between top and average hosts in Costa Rica in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, top-performing Airbnb hosts in Costa Rica achieve occupancy rates between 47% and 57%, representing 10 to 20 percentage points above the national average.
Average hosts in Costa Rica hover around the 37% national baseline occupancy, meaning the gap between a well-optimized listing and an average one can represent $500 to $1,000 USD in additional monthly revenue.
New hosts in Costa Rica typically need 6 to 12 months to build enough reviews, refine their pricing strategy, and optimize their listing to reach top-performer occupancy levels, with the timeline shorter for those who invest in professional photography and dynamic pricing tools from the start.
We give more details about the different Airbnb strategies to adopt in our property pack covering the real estate market in Costa Rica.
Which price points are most crowded, and where's the "white space" for new hosts in Costa Rica right now?
The most crowded price range for Costa Rica Airbnbs sits between $150 and $250 USD per night (76,500 to 127,500 colones, or 144 to 240 EUR) in beach towns, and $50 to $90 USD (25,500 to 45,900 colones, or 48 to 86 EUR) in San Jose, where the bulk of inventory clusters.
White space opportunities for new Costa Rica Airbnb hosts exist at the family-friendly 3BR segment priced above $280 USD per night in adventure destinations like Arenal and Manuel Antonio, the "workation-ready" segment between $70 and $120 USD in Escazu and Santa Ana, and rain-season-optimized beach listings that compete on comfort rather than just location.
To successfully compete in these underserved segments, new hosts should focus on practical family features like washer and dryer access, blackout curtains, and kid-proof spaces, or remote-work amenities like dedicated desks, backup internet options, and quiet environments that digital nomads prioritize.
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What property works best for Airbnb demand in Costa Rica right now?
What bedroom count gets the most bookings in Costa Rica as of 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, two-bedroom properties get the most bookings on Airbnb in Costa Rica, hitting the sweet spot between affordability and group accommodation needs.
The estimated booking rate breakdown by bedroom count in Costa Rica shows studios and 1BRs capturing around 25% of bookings (strongest in San Jose), 2BRs taking roughly 40% of the market, and 3BR+ properties accounting for about 35%, with larger units performing best in beach and adventure destinations.
Two-bedroom listings perform best in Costa Rica because the country attracts a mix of couples and small family or friend groups doing nature and beach itineraries, and a 2BR offers enough space for 4 guests without the price premium of larger villas.
What property type performs best in Costa Rica in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, the best-performing property type for Airbnb in Costa Rica is the 2-bedroom condo in a prime location, offering the optimal balance of strong occupancy, manageable expenses, and consistent demand across both high and green seasons.
Occupancy rates vary notably by property type in Costa Rica, with condos in tourist areas achieving 40% to 50% occupancy, single-family homes hitting 35% to 45%, and villas performing at 30% to 40% but commanding much higher nightly rates that often compensate for fewer booked nights.
Condos outperform other property types in Costa Rica because they combine lower maintenance costs with access to shared amenities like pools and security, making them easier to manage remotely while still appealing to the family and couple travelers who dominate Costa Rica's tourism market.
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 Costa Rica, 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Costa Rica Official Gazette (Imprenta Nacional) | It's the official publication channel for Costa Rica's enacted laws and decrees, making it the definitive source for legal text. | We used it to confirm the legal definition of "hospedaje no tradicional" and identify which property types fall under the STR framework. We also verified the scope of what's legally permitted for short-term rentals. |
| ICT Regulation Decree 43154-H-TUR | It's the official executive regulation hosted by Costa Rica's Tourism Institute that operationalizes the STR law. | We used it to map the registration framework and understand what information hosts and platforms must provide. We also referenced it to explain how compliance works in practice. |
| ICT STR Registration Portal | It's the live government system where hosts actually register their short-term rental properties. | We used it to confirm the registry is active and to outline the practical steps hosts must follow. We also verified the registration process described in our compliance sections. |
| ICT Registration Explainer Page | It's official ICT guidance written in plain language about registration requirements. | We used it to clarify what information is required from hosts and to translate government requirements into accessible steps. We also used it to keep cognitive load low when explaining compliance. |
| Hacienda Tax Duties Document | It's the government tax authority's official guidance specifically about STR tax obligations. | We used it to anchor the tax compliance checklist including registration and invoicing requirements. We also aligned Airbnb hosting with Hacienda's official framing of the activity. |
| Hacienda IVA Law Compilation | It's Hacienda's official VAT reference document covering tax rates and service obligations. | We used it to ground VAT concepts and avoid relying on blog-based interpretations. We also referenced it to explain how VAT interacts with digital platforms. |
| Airbnb Costa Rica Tax Guide | It's platform-level compliance guidance published by a major booking platform and typically aligned with local law. | We used it to cross-check government obligations with how Airbnb expects hosts to comply. We also used it to translate legal duties into practical host-friendly steps. |
| ICT Statistical Reports Hub | It's ICT's official repository for tourism arrivals data and visitor statistics. | We used it to source official tourism volumes and understand seasonality patterns. We also justified why certain regions maintain strong demand throughout the year. |
| BCCR Economic Indicators Portal | It's Costa Rica's central bank data portal providing authoritative macroeconomic context. | We used it to frame the economic conditions that affect Airbnb feasibility. We also referenced it as the authoritative source for tourism's role in Costa Rica's economy. |
| PriceLabs Costa Rica Market Data | It's an established STR pricing and analytics provider with a transparent market data product. | We used it for the country-level baseline including active listings, ADR, and occupancy rates. We also generated typical revenue and expense ranges from their data. |
| AirDNA San Jose Market Overview | It's a widely-used STR data provider tracking Airbnb and Vrbo performance metrics. | We used it to anchor city-market pricing and occupancy with lower ADR and higher weekday demand. We also used it as a variance endpoint compared to beach markets. |
| AirDNA Tamarindo Market Overview | It's the same established STR analytics provider covering Costa Rica's premium beach market. | We used it to anchor premium beach market pricing with higher ADR and seasonal peaks. We also demonstrated how location choice dominates the earnings story. |
| AirDNA Jaco Market Overview | It's the same established STR analytics provider covering one of Costa Rica's largest beach destinations. | We used it as a large competitive beach-city hybrid benchmark. We also used it to understand saturation and weekend demand spike patterns. |
| El Observador Costa Rica | It's a major Costa Rican news outlet reporting on concrete policy implementation timelines. | We used it only to triangulate timing of enforcement and reporting changes discussed publicly. We did not use it as a substitute for the law itself. |
We created this infographic to give you a simple idea of how much it costs to buy property in different parts of Costa Rica. 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.