Authored by the expert who managed and guided the team behind the Colombia Property Pack
Yes, the analysis of Medellín's property market is included in our pack
This guide covers everything you need to know about running an Airbnb in Medellín in 2026, from legal requirements to realistic profit expectations.
We break down actual nightly prices, occupancy rates, and monthly revenues based on real market data for the Medellín short-term rental market.
We update this article regularly to reflect the latest regulations and market conditions in Medellín's Airbnb landscape.
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 Medellín.
Insights
- The average nightly rate for Airbnb listings in Medellín in 2026 sits around USD 78, but the median drops to roughly USD 65 because budget studios pull the distribution down while luxury penthouses push the average up.
- Medellín does not have a citywide cap on rental nights like Barcelona or Amsterdam, but condo buildings under Colombia's Ley 675 can effectively ban short-term rentals through their internal regulations.
- El Poblado and Laureles-Estadio account for the highest concentration of Airbnb listings in Medellín, which also makes them the primary targets for city inspections and enforcement actions.
- A well-managed 1 to 2 bedroom apartment in Medellín can realistically generate between USD 1,500 and USD 3,200 per month, depending on neighborhood, building rules, and whether you self-manage or hire a property manager.
- Top-performing Airbnb hosts in Medellín achieve occupancy rates between 65% and 72%, roughly 8 to 15 percentage points higher than the market average of 57%.
- The Feria de las Flores in August and the December to January holiday season create the strongest demand spikes for Medellín Airbnb rentals, often pushing occupancy above 75%.
- Property management fees in Medellín typically range from 15% to 25% of gross revenue, which can reduce monthly net profit by USD 400 to USD 700 compared to self-managing.
- Medellín's official tourism intelligence shows "viviendas turísticas" occupancy around 51% in peak months, which is lower than private STR platforms report because it includes less optimized listings.
- The most crowded price segment for Medellín Airbnb listings falls between USD 45 and USD 90 per night, leaving white space for family-ready units and mid-stay focused properties.
- Around 12,500 active short-term rental listings operate in Medellín as of early 2026, making it one of the most competitive STR markets in Colombia.
Can I legally run an Airbnb in Medellín in 2026?
Is short-term renting allowed in Medellín in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, short-term renting is allowed in Medellín but comes with conditions, and the city actively enforces rules in the most popular tourist neighborhoods like El Poblado and Laureles.
The main legal framework governing short-term rentals in Medellín is Colombia's national tourism legislation, specifically Ley 2068 de 2020 and Decreto 1836 de 2021, which treat stays under 30 days as tourism services requiring formal registration.
The single most important requirement for Airbnb hosts in Medellín is obtaining the Registro Nacional de Turismo (RNT), which is mandatory for anyone offering accommodations for less than 30 consecutive days.
Beyond the RNT registration, your building's internal regulations under Colombia's Ley 675 (the horizontal property law) can restrict or completely ban short-term rentals, even if the city allows them in your zone.
Operating an unregistered short-term rental in Medellín can result in fines from the Superintendencia de Industria y Comercio, and the city has been actively conducting inspections in high-density STR areas since 2024.
For a more general view, you can read our article detailing what exactly foreigners can own and buy in Colombia.
If you are an American, you might want to read our blog article detailing the property rights of US citizens in Colombia.
Are there minimum-stay rules and maximum nights-per-year caps for Airbnbs in Medellín as of 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, Medellín does not impose a citywide minimum-stay requirement or a maximum nights-per-year cap like you might find in cities such as Amsterdam or San Francisco.
These rules do not differ based on property type or host residency status at the city level, meaning there is no restriction for any property type anywhere in Medellín from the municipal government itself.
However, individual condo buildings can establish their own restrictions through their internal regulations, which is why many hosts find their real limitations come from building administrators rather than city laws.
Do I have to live there, or can I Airbnb a secondary home in Medellín right now?
Colombia does not require Airbnb hosts to live in the property they rent out, so you can legally operate a short-term rental on both primary residences and secondary or investment properties in Medellín.
Owners of secondary homes and investment properties can operate short-term rentals as long as they meet the national registration requirements and their building's regulations permit it.
There are no additional permits specifically required for non-primary residence rentals at the national level, though your municipality may have business tax implications depending on how you structure your hosting activity.
The main practical difference between renting a primary versus secondary residence in Medellín is not regulatory but operational, as secondary homes typically require property management services that can cost 15% to 25% of gross revenue.
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Can I run multiple Airbnbs under one name in Medellín right now?
Yes, you can legally operate multiple Airbnb listings under one name in Medellín, and many professional operators in the city manage portfolios of 5, 10, or more units.
Colombia does not impose a maximum number of properties that one person or entity can list for short-term rental, though scaling up increases your visibility to both tax authorities and city inspectors.
Hosts with multiple listings should expect to maintain proper RNT registration for each property and may need to formalize their business structure with contracts, invoicing systems, and appropriate tax filings as their operation grows.
Do I need a short-term rental license or a business registration to host in Medellín as of 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, the primary requirement for hosting in Medellín is the Registro Nacional de Turismo (RNT), which functions as Colombia's national tourism operator registration rather than a traditional city-issued license.
The RNT registration process is handled through MinCIT (Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Tourism) and typically takes 2 to 4 weeks to complete once you submit the required documentation.
To get approved, you generally need proof of property ownership or authorization to rent, identification documents, and evidence that your operation complies with applicable zoning and building regulations.
The RNT registration itself has minimal direct costs, but maintaining compliance may require periodic updates and you should budget for any professional assistance needed to navigate the process in Spanish.
Are there neighborhood bans or restricted zones for Airbnb in Medellín as of 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, Medellín does not have an official "Airbnb red-zone map" that universally bans short-term rentals in specific neighborhoods, but the city concentrates enforcement inspections in certain high-density areas.
The neighborhoods facing the strictest scrutiny include El Poblado (particularly Provenza and Manila), Laureles-Estadio, Belén, La Candelaria in Centro, and Santa Elena, which together account for the majority of Medellín's short-term rental supply.
The main reason these areas attract enforcement attention is the concentration of STR activity combined with neighbor complaints about noise, building wear, and what the city describes as "improper use of residential housing" for tourism purposes.
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How much can an Airbnb earn in Medellín in 2026?
What's the average and median nightly price on Airbnb in Medellín in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, the average nightly price (ADR) for Airbnb listings in Medellín is approximately USD 78 (COP 316,000 or EUR 72), while the median nightly price sits lower at around USD 65 (COP 263,000 or EUR 60).
The typical nightly price range covering roughly 80% of Medellín Airbnb listings falls between USD 40 and USD 130 (COP 162,000 to COP 527,000, or EUR 37 to EUR 120), with the wide spread reflecting everything from basic studios to premium multi-bedroom apartments.
The single factor with the biggest impact on nightly pricing in Medellín is neighborhood location, with El Poblado commanding rates 30% to 50% higher than areas like Belén or Centro.
By the way, you will find much more detailed profitability rent ranges in our property pack covering the real estate market in Medellín.
How much do nightly prices vary by neighborhood in Medellín in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, nightly prices in Medellín vary dramatically from around USD 35 (COP 142,000 or EUR 32) in Centro to USD 140 or more (COP 567,000 or EUR 129) in premium El Poblado locations like Provenza and Milla de Oro.
The three neighborhoods with the highest average nightly prices in Medellín are El Poblado (particularly Provenza and Manila) at USD 85 to USD 140 (COP 344,000 to COP 567,000), Laureles-Estadio at USD 60 to USD 95 (COP 243,000 to COP 385,000), and Envigado at USD 50 to USD 90 (COP 203,000 to COP 365,000).
The three neighborhoods with the lowest average nightly prices are Centro/La Candelaria at USD 35 to USD 65 (COP 142,000 to COP 263,000), Belén at USD 45 to USD 80 (COP 182,000 to COP 324,000), and outer areas of Sabaneta at USD 45 to USD 75 (COP 182,000 to COP 304,000), though Centro still attracts budget-conscious travelers and digital nomads who prioritize access to cultural sites and nightlife.
What's the typical occupancy rate in Medellín in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, the typical annual occupancy rate for Airbnb listings in Medellín is approximately 57%, though this varies significantly based on listing quality, location, and pricing strategy.
The realistic occupancy rate range covering most Medellín listings falls between 40% for underperforming properties and 72% for well-optimized listings in prime locations.
Medellín's occupancy rates are competitive with other major Colombian cities and perform well against Latin American regional averages, thanks to the city's strong positioning as a digital nomad hub and its year-round pleasant climate.
The single factor with the biggest impact on achieving above-average occupancy in Medellín is operating in a building that explicitly permits short-term rentals, as hosts in compliant buildings avoid neighbor conflicts and sudden rule changes that disrupt bookings.
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What's the average monthly revenue per listing in Medellín in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, the average monthly revenue per Airbnb listing in Medellín is approximately USD 8,825 (COP 35.8 million or EUR 8,150) according to platform aggregators, though this figure is skewed upward by high-performing multi-bedroom properties.
The realistic monthly revenue range covering roughly 80% of Medellín Airbnb listings falls between USD 1,500 and USD 4,500 (COP 6.1 million to COP 18.2 million, or EUR 1,385 to EUR 4,155) for typical 1 to 2 bedroom apartments.
Top-performing Airbnb listings in Medellín can achieve monthly revenues of USD 6,000 to USD 12,000 (COP 24.3 million to COP 48.6 million, or EUR 5,540 to EUR 11,080) during high season. A premium 3-bedroom apartment in El Poblado charging USD 150 per night at 70% occupancy would generate roughly USD 3,150 per month before expenses.
Finally, note that we give here all the information you need to buy and rent out a property in Medellín.
What's the typical low-season vs high-season monthly revenue in Medellín in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, a well-positioned 1 to 2 bedroom Airbnb in Medellín can expect low-season monthly revenue around USD 1,200 to USD 2,400 (COP 4.9 million to COP 9.7 million, or EUR 1,108 to EUR 2,215) versus high-season revenue of USD 2,400 to USD 4,200 (COP 9.7 million to COP 17.0 million, or EUR 2,215 to EUR 3,877).
Low season in Medellín typically includes February through May and September through mid-November, while high season covers the December to January holiday period, August during Feria de las Flores, and July during Colombiamoda and school vacation travel.
What's a realistic Airbnb monthly expense range in Medellín in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, realistic monthly operating expenses for an Airbnb in Medellín range from USD 650 to USD 1,800 (COP 2.6 million to COP 7.3 million, or EUR 600 to EUR 1,660) for self-managed properties and USD 1,100 to USD 2,800 (COP 4.5 million to COP 11.3 million, or EUR 1,015 to EUR 2,585) when using professional management.
The single largest expense category for most Medellín Airbnb hosts is property management fees (if used) at 15% to 25% of gross revenue, followed by condo administration fees which typically run COP 400,000 to COP 1,800,000 (USD 99 to USD 444, or EUR 91 to EUR 410) per month depending on building amenities.
Hosts in Medellín should typically expect to spend 30% to 45% of gross revenue on operating expenses when self-managing, or 45% to 60% when using a property management company.
If you want to go into more details, we also have a blog article detailing all the property taxes and fees in Medellín.
What's realistic monthly net profit and profit per available night for Airbnb in Medellín in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, a typical well-located 1 to 2 bedroom Airbnb in Medellín can generate monthly net profit of USD 900 to USD 2,600 (COP 3.6 million to COP 10.5 million, or EUR 831 to EUR 2,400) with profit per available night ranging from USD 30 to USD 65 (COP 122,000 to COP 263,000, or EUR 28 to EUR 60).
The realistic monthly net profit range covering most Medellín Airbnb listings spans from breakeven or slight losses for poorly optimized properties to USD 3,500 (COP 14.2 million or EUR 3,230) for top performers in premium locations.
Hosts in Medellín typically achieve net profit margins of 40% to 60% when self-managing and 30% to 45% when using professional property management services.
The break-even occupancy rate for a typical Medellín Airbnb listing with average expenses sits around 35% to 42%, meaning most hosts need roughly 11 to 13 booked nights per month just to cover costs.
In our property pack covering the real estate market in Medellín, we explain the best strategies to improve your cashflows.
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How competitive is Airbnb in Medellín as of 2026?
How many active Airbnb listings are in Medellín as of 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, Medellín has approximately 12,500 active short-term rental listings across all major platforms, making it one of Colombia's most competitive STR markets.
This represents steady growth over the past several years, as listing counts have increased roughly 8% to 12% annually since 2022, though the pace has moderated as regulatory scrutiny has intensified and some marginal operators have exited the market.
Which neighborhoods are most saturated in Medellín as of 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, the most saturated neighborhoods for Airbnb in Medellín are El Poblado (especially Provenza, Manila, and Ciudad del Río), Laureles-Estadio, and parts of Belén, which together account for an estimated 70% to 80% of all active listings.
These neighborhoods became saturated because they combine walkable restaurant and nightlife scenes with safe reputations and modern apartment buildings, creating exactly what international visitors and digital nomads seek, plus they were early adopters of STR culture before enforcement tightened.
Neighborhoods that remain relatively undersaturated and may offer better opportunities for new hosts include Envigado (particularly metro-accessible areas), Sabaneta, and emerging pockets of Belén Rosales that are adjacent to but not directly inside the traditional tourist corridors.
What local events spike demand in Medellín in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, the main local events that spike Airbnb demand in Medellín include Feria de las Flores in August, Colombiamoda in July, the December to January holiday season with Christmas lights, Semana Santa in March or April, and major concerts or festivals announced throughout the year.
During peak events like Feria de las Flores, hosts in Medellín typically see booking increases of 25% to 40% above baseline and can command nightly rate premiums of 15% to 30% without significantly impacting occupancy.
Experienced hosts in Medellín adjust their pricing and minimum-stay requirements 4 to 8 weeks before major events, and many block calendar dates early to prevent last-minute bookings at non-premium rates during these high-demand windows.
What occupancy differences exist between top and average hosts in Medellín in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, top-performing Airbnb hosts in Medellín achieve annual occupancy rates between 65% and 72%, significantly outperforming the market.
By comparison, the average host in Medellín achieves around 57% occupancy, meaning top performers capture roughly 8 to 15 additional percentage points through better optimization, building compliance, and guest experience.
New hosts in Medellín typically need 6 to 12 months to reach top-performer occupancy levels, with the ramp-up period depending heavily on initial review velocity, pricing strategy sophistication, and whether they start with professional photography and optimized listings.
We give more details about the different Airbnb strategies to adopt in our property pack covering the real estate market in Medellín.
Which price points are most crowded, and where's the "white space" for new hosts in Medellín right now?
The nightly price range with the highest concentration of Medellín Airbnb listings falls between USD 45 and USD 90 (COP 182,000 to COP 365,000, or EUR 42 to EUR 83), where studios and basic 1-bedroom apartments compete intensely for budget and mid-market travelers.
White space opportunities for new hosts in Medellín exist at the premium end above USD 130 per night (COP 527,000 or EUR 120) for luxury-positioned properties and in the mid-stay segment (7 to 30 nights) targeting medical travelers, business visitors, and digital nomads seeking monthly stability.
New hosts can successfully compete in underserved segments by offering family-ready 2 to 3 bedroom units with cribs, high chairs, and safe balcony configurations, or by positioning properties specifically for remote workers with dedicated workspaces, reliable high-speed internet, and quiet building environments.
We made this infographic to show you how property prices in Colombia 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.
What property works best for Airbnb demand in Medellín right now?
What bedroom count gets the most bookings in Medellín as of 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, 1-bedroom and 2-bedroom units get the most bookings in Medellín, as they match the dominant guest profiles of solo travelers, couples, and small friend groups visiting the city.
The estimated booking rate breakdown by bedroom count in Medellín shows studios capturing roughly 15% of bookings, 1-bedroom units taking around 35% to 40%, 2-bedroom units commanding 30% to 35%, and 3-bedroom or larger properties accounting for the remaining 15% to 20%.
The 1 to 2 bedroom range performs best in Medellín because the city attracts a high proportion of digital nomads, couples, and friend pairs rather than large family groups, and most high-rise buildings in El Poblado and Laureles were built with this unit mix.
What property type performs best in Medellín in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, apartments and condos in well-maintained buildings are the best-performing property type for Airbnb in Medellín, offering the optimal balance of demand, operational simplicity, and regulatory manageability.
Occupancy rates across property types in Medellín show apartments achieving 55% to 65%, houses reaching 45% to 58%, and villas or fincas ranging from 40% to 55%, with apartments benefiting from their concentration in high-demand neighborhoods and lower turnover costs.
Apartments outperform other property types in Medellín because they dominate the supply in El Poblado and Laureles where most visitors want to stay, they offer building security and doorman services that guests value, and they typically have lower maintenance and cleaning costs than standalone houses.
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 Medellín, 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Decreto 1836 de 2021 (Función Pública) | It's the official government legal repository with consolidated national tourism regulations. | We used it to anchor the mandatory RNT registration requirements and platform obligations. We cross-checked it against MinCIT materials and Medellín enforcement communications. |
| Ley 2068 de 2020 (Función Pública) | It's Colombia's core tourism reform law in an official government database. | We used it to confirm the legal foundation for tourism service registration. We treated it as the parent law supporting later decrees. |
| Ley 1558 de 2012 (Función Pública) | It's the official law text establishing tourism definitions and scope in Colombia. | We used it to support definitions of tourism services. We triangulated it with newer regulations to confirm consistency. |
| Ley 675 de 2001 (Secretaría del Senado) | It's the Senate's official consolidated text for Colombia's horizontal property regime. | We used it to explain why condo buildings can restrict or ban short-term rentals. We framed the reality that building rules often matter more than city rules. |
| MinCIT Draft Decree on RNT | It's the national tourism regulator's own draft text showing regulatory direction. | We used it to understand what rule changes are being proposed for 2026. We treated it as a risk factor rather than final law. |
| Medellín Mayor's Office Enforcement Bulletin | It's the city government publicly describing enforcement priorities and inspection areas. | We used it to identify where the city focuses inspections. We used it to inform neighborhood risk assessments. |
| Medellín SIT Infográfico N°7 | It's Medellín's official tourism intelligence system using government data sources. | We used it to benchmark demand strength and seasonality. We validated private STR platform occupancy figures against official data. |
| Medellín SIT Infográfico N°8 | It's the official local tourism dashboard tracking visitor flows and hotel metrics. | We used it to validate airport arrival trends and event-driven demand. We supported seasonality analysis with official visitor data. |
| Medellín SIT Observatorio Portal | It's the official portal for Medellín's tourism indicators and event calendars. | We used it to confirm the city publishes ongoing tourism data. We referenced event calendars for demand spike identification. |
| Medellín Impuesto Predial Page | It's the city's official property tax service page for owners. | We used it to include property tax as a real expense in profit estimates. We confirmed predial obligations for property owners. |
| AirDNA Medellín Market Overview | It's a major STR analytics provider with transparent, repeatable methodology. | We used it as the main quantitative source for ADR, occupancy, and revenue benchmarks. We cross-checked occupancy against official Medellín tourism data. |
| AirROI Medellín Report | It publishes clear active listing counts with defined reporting windows. | We used it to produce confident listing count estimates for competition analysis. We used it for supply-side data alongside AirDNA demand metrics. |
| Actualícese TRM Promedio 2025 | It clearly states calculations are based on Banco de la República's daily TRM series. | We used the 2025 average TRM of COP 4,052.86 per USD for currency conversions. We applied this rate consistently across all USD to COP calculations. |
| Banco de la República Monetary Policy Report | It's the central bank's official publication on rates and economic conditions. | We used it to frame financing costs for property purchases. We provided macro context for investment feasibility analysis. |
| Banco de la República TRM Data Access | It's the central bank explaining how to access official exchange rate data. | We used it to justify our USD to COP conversion methodology. We verified third-party TRM calculations against official sources. |
| DANE Housing Price Index (IPVN) | DANE is Colombia's national statistics agency with authoritative price data. | We used it to provide context on residential property price trends. We anchored buy-to-rent feasibility discussions with official price movements. |
| El Colombiano Regulatory Coverage | It's a major regional newspaper reporting on live regulatory debates with stakeholder perspectives. | We used it to understand current January 2026 regulatory discussions. We flagged regulatory risk without treating journalism as primary legal source. |
| El Tiempo STR Regulation Coverage | It's a national newspaper that summarizes and quotes official regulatory drafts. | We used it to confirm the national draft decree is actively under consideration. We triangulated news coverage with official MinCIT materials. |
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