Authored by the expert who managed and guided the team behind the Costa Rica Property Pack
Yes, the analysis of Guanacaste's property market is included in our pack
Guanacaste has become one of the most popular destinations for Airbnb investors in Costa Rica, thanks to its Pacific beaches, international airport in Liberia, and growing tourism infrastructure.
But before you buy a condo in Tamarindo or a villa near Nosara, you need to understand the real numbers behind short-term rental profitability in this province.
This blog post breaks down everything from legal requirements to actual monthly revenue and profit margins for Airbnb hosts in Guanacaste as of early 2026.
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 Guanacaste.
Insights
- The average nightly rate in Guanacaste is around $310 in 2026, but Nosara commands nearly $400 per night while Liberia sits at just $73, showing a 5x price spread across the province.
- Guanacaste hosts typically see 50% annual occupancy, meaning your property will be empty half the year even with good marketing.
- There are roughly 12,000 active short-term rental listings across Guanacaste in 2026, with Tamarindo alone accounting for over 3,700 properties.
- Monthly net profit for a typical Airbnb in Guanacaste ranges from $900 to $2,200, representing a 35% to 55% margin after operating expenses.
- High season from December to April can bring $4,500 to $8,500 per month, while September and October often drop to $1,300 to $3,200.
- Two-bedroom units get the most bookings in Guanacaste because they hit the sweet spot for couples and small families.
- Operating costs typically eat 45% to 65% of gross revenue due to property management fees, HOA costs, and high electricity bills from air conditioning.
- Top-performing hosts achieve 55% to 70% occupancy, while average hosts hover around 45% to 52%, a gap worth thousands of dollars annually.
- The most crowded price segment is $180 to $320 per night, where mid-range condos compete heavily on photos and reviews.
- Costa Rica does not impose a 90-night annual cap like some European cities, so you can rent year-round without hitting a legal ceiling.
Can I legally run an Airbnb in Guanacaste in 2026?
Is short-term renting allowed in Guanacaste in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, short-term renting of residential properties is generally allowed in Guanacaste under Costa Rica's "hospedaje no tradicional" framework established by Law 9742.
The main legal framework is this national law combined with Executive Decree 43154-H-TUR, which created a registration system through the Instituto Costarricense de Turismo (ICT) rather than imposing bans.
The most important condition is registering your property with ICT and meeting VAT (IVA) obligations, since short-term accommodation is a taxable service in Costa Rica.
Beyond national rules, the most common restrictions come from HOA bylaws in condo buildings and gated communities, which can limit or prohibit short-term rentals entirely.
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 Guanacaste as of 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, Costa Rica does not impose a "90-nights-per-year cap" like Amsterdam or London, and the national framework allows stays from 24 hours up to just under one year.
These rules do not differ by property type or host residency status, meaning there are no special caps for investment properties versus primary homes anywhere in Guanacaste.
In practice, minimum stays are market-driven rather than legally mandated, with beach towns like Tamarindo running 2 to 4 night minimums while Liberia sees more 30-night-plus bookings.
Do I have to live there, or can I Airbnb a secondary home in Guanacaste right now?
There is no residency requirement for operating an Airbnb in Guanacaste, as Costa Rica's framework regulates the lodging service itself rather than requiring owner-occupancy.
Owners of secondary homes and investment properties can legally operate short-term rentals, which is why Guanacaste has become popular with foreign investors and expats.
There are no additional permits required for non-primary residence rentals at the national level, though your property may be subject to HOA rules that restrict rentals.
The main difference between renting a primary versus secondary home is operational: second-home owners typically need professional property management to handle guest turnover.
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Can I run multiple Airbnbs under one name in Guanacaste right now?
Yes, there is no "one-host-only" rule in Guanacaste, so you can legally operate multiple Airbnb listings under one name or entity.
There is no maximum number of properties one person can list for short-term rental under the current framework.
When scaling beyond a single unit, hosts should ensure consistent tax registration and invoicing, and many multi-property owners transition to professional property management.
Do I need a short-term rental license or a business registration to host in Guanacaste as of 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, Guanacaste hosts should think less about a specific "Airbnb license" and more about formal ICT registration plus VAT compliance, since short-term accommodation is taxable.
The ICT registration process involves submitting property details through their hospedaje no tradicional portal, with timeline varying based on property type and business structure.
Hosts typically need property documentation, proof of ownership or authorization to rent, and proper invoicing capabilities for VAT purposes.
Are there neighborhood bans or restricted zones for Airbnb in Guanacaste as of 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, Guanacaste does not have government-mandated "ban zones" for short-term rentals like some European or North American cities.
The strictest restrictions are in high-end gated communities and condo buildings in Flamingo, Conchal, the Papagayo corridor, and certain Tamarindo complexes where HOAs have enacted rental limitations.
These restrictions exist because HOAs in upscale developments prioritize resident quality of life over rental income potential, leading them to impose minimum stay requirements or outright bans.
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 Guanacaste in 2026?
What's the average and median nightly price on Airbnb in Guanacaste in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, the average nightly price for an Airbnb in Guanacaste is approximately $310 USD (160,000 colones or 285 EUR), while the median sits closer to $270 USD (140,000 colones or 250 EUR).
The typical price range covering 80% of listings falls between $120 and $500 USD (62,000 to 260,000 colones or 110 to 460 EUR), with budget options in Liberia and luxury villas in Nosara defining the extremes.
The biggest factor affecting pricing is micro-location, specifically whether your property offers walk-to-beach access in a desirable town like Tamarindo or Nosara.
By the way, you will find much more detailed profitability rent ranges in our property pack covering the real estate market in Guanacaste.
How much do nightly prices vary by neighborhood in Guanacaste in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, nightly prices vary from about $73 USD (38,000 colones or 67 EUR) in Liberia to over $400 USD (207,000 colones or 370 EUR) in Nosara, a 5x spread across the province.
The three highest-priced neighborhoods are Nosara (especially Playa Guiones) at around $400 USD, Tamarindo and Playa Langosta at around $350 USD (181,000 colones or 320 EUR), and the Flamingo-Conchal corridor at similar levels.
The lowest-priced areas are Liberia at $73 USD (38,000 colones or 67 EUR), parts of Playas del Coco at $100 to $150 USD, and Sámara at $165 USD (85,000 colones or 150 EUR), though all attract steady bookings from budget travelers and families.
What's the typical occupancy rate in Guanacaste in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, the typical occupancy rate for Airbnb listings in Guanacaste is approximately 50% annually for properties available most of the year.
The realistic range covering most listings falls between 40% and 55%, with Liberia at the lower end (40%) and beach towns like Sámara reaching 53%.
Guanacaste's occupancy rates align with other seasonal beach destinations but run lower than urban markets due to the province's pronounced dry-season peak.
The biggest factor for above-average occupancy is consistent availability combined with professional photography, dynamic pricing, and fast response times.
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What's the average monthly revenue per listing in Guanacaste in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, the average monthly revenue per Airbnb in Guanacaste is approximately $3,200 USD (1,660,000 colones or 2,950 EUR) for professionally managed properties.
The realistic range covering 80% of listings falls between $1,500 and $6,000 USD (775,000 to 3,100,000 colones or 1,380 to 5,520 EUR), varying by location, property type, and seasonality.
Top-performing listings in Nosara or Flamingo can achieve $8,000 to $15,000 USD monthly during high season. Quick math: a $400/night villa at 70% occupancy equals roughly $8,400 monthly.
Finally, note that we give here all the information you need to buy and rent out a property in Guanacaste.
What's the typical low-season vs high-season monthly revenue in Guanacaste in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, typical monthly revenue ranges from $4,500 to $8,500 USD (2.3 to 4.4 million colones or 4,140 to 7,820 EUR) during high season, dropping to $1,300 to $3,200 USD (670,000 to 1,660,000 colones or 1,200 to 2,950 EUR) during low season.
High season runs December through April (dry season), with peak pricing around Christmas, New Year, and Semana Santa, while low season spans September and October when rainfall is highest.
What's a realistic Airbnb monthly expense range in Guanacaste in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, monthly operating expenses range from $900 to $1,800 USD (465,000 to 930,000 colones or 830 to 1,660 EUR) for a self-managed condo, up to $2,000 to $4,500 USD for a professionally managed villa.
The largest expense is property management, typically 15% to 25% of gross revenue (roughly $480 to $800 USD monthly on a $3,200 revenue base).
Hosts should expect to spend 45% to 65% of gross revenue on total operating expenses, including management, cleaning, utilities, HOA fees, maintenance, property taxes, and VAT.
If you want to go into more details, we also have a blog article detailing all the property taxes and fees in Guanacaste.
What's realistic monthly net profit and profit per available night for Airbnb in Guanacaste in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, realistic monthly net profit ranges from $900 to $2,200 USD (465,000 to 1,140,000 colones or 830 to 2,025 EUR), with profit per available night averaging $4 to $10 USD.
The realistic range covering most listings falls between $500 and $3,500 USD (260,000 to 1,815,000 colones or 460 to 3,220 EUR), depending on property type, location, and management efficiency.
Hosts typically achieve net profit margins of 35% to 55% with optimized operations, though average setups often land at 20% to 35%.
The break-even occupancy rate is approximately 25% to 35%, meaning you need roughly one week per month just to cover operating expenses.
In our property pack covering the real estate market in Guanacaste, 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 Guanacaste as of 2026?
How many active Airbnb listings are in Guanacaste as of 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, there are approximately 9,500 active Airbnb-only listings and roughly 12,000 total STR listings (including Vrbo) across Guanacaste.
Supply continues growing as new condo developments in Tamarindo, Flamingo, and Playas del Coco add inventory, a trend driven by international tourism and remote worker demand.
Which neighborhoods are most saturated in Guanacaste as of 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, the most saturated neighborhoods are Tamarindo and Playa Langosta, Playa Grande and Villareal, Flamingo and Potrero, Brasilito and Playa Conchal, Playas del Coco and Ocotal, and Nosara's Guiones area.
These areas became saturated because they combine walkable beach access, expat services, and steady condo development over the past decade that made market entry easy.
Relatively undersaturated areas offering better opportunities include inland locations near Liberia (targeting airport-night travelers), smaller towns like Playa Carrillo, and emerging areas around Las Catalinas.
If you want to know more, we have a blog article listing all the top property areas in Guanacaste.
What local events spike demand in Guanacaste in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, the main events spiking Airbnb demand are Fiestas Típicas Nacionales in Santa Cruz (mid-January), National Surf Circuit competitions in Nosara and Tamarindo, and holidays like Christmas, New Year, and Semana Santa.
During peak events, bookings increase 30% to 60% and nightly rates rise 25% to 50% as inventory becomes scarce.
Hosts should adjust pricing 4 to 8 weeks before major events, with dynamic pricing tools particularly valuable for the Christmas-New Year period.
What occupancy differences exist between top and average hosts in Guanacaste in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, top-performing Airbnb hosts in Guanacaste achieve occupancy rates of 55% to 70% annually.
Average hosts see 45% to 52%, meaning top performers fill their calendars 10 to 20 percentage points more often, translating to $5,000 to $15,000 in additional annual revenue.
New hosts typically need 6 to 12 months to reach top-performer levels, as building reviews and mastering dynamic pricing takes time.
We give more details about the different Airbnb strategies to adopt in our property pack covering the real estate market in Guanacaste.
What amenities do nearly all competitors offer in Guanacaste right now?
As of the first half of 2026, table-stakes amenities include WiFi (96-97% of listings), parking (90%), air conditioning (79%+), and TV (77%).
In coastal Guanacaste, pool access and quality outdoor space have become near-essential amenities guests expect for a tropical vacation.
Hosts lacking air conditioning or pool access face significant booking disadvantages, as heat complaints can tank reviews quickly.
Which price points are most crowded, and where's the "white space" for new hosts in Guanacaste right now?
The most crowded price range is $180 to $320 USD (93,000 to 165,000 colones or 165 to 295 EUR), where mid-range condos compete intensely on photos and reviews.
White space exists at the extremes: budget airport-night stays under $100 USD near Liberia, and premium family-ready 3+ bedroom properties above $450 USD in sought-after beach towns.
To compete in underserved segments, consider family-ready properties with real sleeping capacity, work-from-paradise setups with reliable WiFi, or airport-smart homes near Liberia with late check-in.
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What property works best for Airbnb demand in Guanacaste right now?
What bedroom count gets the most bookings in Guanacaste as of 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, 2-bedroom units get the most total bookings because they hit the sweet spot for couples traveling together and small families.
Studios and 1-bedrooms capture budget travelers, 2-bedrooms dominate mid-market volume, and 3+ bedrooms attract families willing to pay premium rates.
Two-bedrooms perform best because beach vacations often involve couples or parents with one or two children, and this format offers flexibility without villa-level costs.
What property type performs best in Guanacaste in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, the best-performing property type for risk-adjusted returns is the 2-bedroom condo or townhouse in a walkable beach hub with pool, A/C, security, and parking.
Condos and townhouses achieve the most consistent bookings (48% to 55% annually), while luxury villas reach higher peak-season occupancy but suffer more in low season.
Condos outperform because they offer lower operating costs, built-in amenities through HOAs, and easier remote management.
What location traits boost bookings in Guanacaste right now?
As of the first half of 2026, the traits that boost bookings most are walk-to-beach access, reliable A/C, proximity to services (restaurants, surf schools, clinics), and easy airport logistics from Liberia.
Properties near desirable beaches in Tamarindo, Langosta, Flamingo, Sámara, Carrillo, and Nosara's Guiones consistently outperform those requiring car travel.
Noise control matters significantly near nightlife zones in Tamarindo, where quiet bedrooms can make or break reviews.
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.
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 Guanacaste, 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 |
|---|---|---|
| ICT Registry Portal | Costa Rica's official tourism authority and formal STR registry owner. | We used it to confirm legal basis and registration expectations. We anchored our legal section in official government language. |
| Executive Decree 43154-H-TUR | Official regulation published through Costa Rica's gazette and hosted by ICT. | We used it to interpret what "hospedaje no tradicional" covers. We explained why there are no European-style night caps. |
| ICT Tourism Statistical Yearbook 2024 | ICT's official compiled dataset for Costa Rica tourism activity. | We used it to ground demand drivers and seasonality patterns. We established the macro backdrop for Guanacaste as a seasonal beach market. |
| BCCR Economic Indicators Hub | National central bank's official portal for economic data. | We used it to frame currency and inflation assumptions. We kept our January 2026 analysis consistent with economic reality. |
| BCCR USD/CRC Exchange Series | Official exchange rate reference from Costa Rica's central bank. | We used it to express costs and revenue in USD responsibly. We explained USD versus colones exposure in profit calculations. |
| BCCR Exchange Rate Snapshot | Official BCCR view of posted bank exchange rates. | We used it to anchor January 2026 exchange rates. We explained why hosts quote USD but pay bills in colones. |
| Airbnb Costa Rica Tax Guide | Airbnb's published tax guidance aligned to local rules. | We used it to explain VAT treatment and invoicing. We cross-checked against Costa Rica's legal framework. |
| AirDNA Tamarindo Overview | Widely used STR analytics provider with transparent metrics. | We used it as primary evidence for ADR, occupancy, and revenue. We analyzed neighborhood pricing variation. |
| AirDNA Nosara Overview | Consistent STR dataset allowing market comparisons. | We used it to capture Nosara's higher ADR profile. We showed how premium markets price differently. |
| AirDNA Sámara Overview | Consistent STR data for a major beach town. | We used it to show mid-price family town patterns. We bounded realistic revenue outside luxury pockets. |
| AirDNA Liberia Overview | STR data for the airport and city node. | We used it to show airport-night demand patterns. We extracted detailed amenity penetration rates. |
| Costa Rica Surf Federation Events | Country's formal surf federation with official competition calendars. | We used it to identify demand spikes from surf events. We kept our events section locally relevant. |
| Municipal Property Tax FAQ | Municipal government page referencing the 0.25% property tax rate. | We used it to ground property tax assumptions. We avoided relying on blogs for tax information. |
| Delfino.cr | Reputable Costa Rican news outlet covering local events. | We used it to verify Fiestas Típicas Nacionales timing. We understood how local events impact tourism demand. |
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