Authored by the expert who managed and guided the team behind the Brazil Property Pack
Yes, the analysis of Rio de Janeiro's property market is included in our pack
If you're considering running an Airbnb in Rio de Janeiro, you're probably wondering whether it's actually legal, how much you could realistically earn, and whether the market is already too crowded.
In this blog post, we break down everything you need to know about short-term rentals in Rio de Janeiro in 2026, from the legal framework to realistic profit numbers and the best neighborhoods for hosts.
We keep this article constantly updated with the latest data on housing prices and Airbnb performance in Rio de Janeiro.
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 Rio de Janeiro.
Insights
- Rio de Janeiro hosts around 28,500 active Airbnb listings as of early 2026, making it one of South America's most competitive short-term rental markets, yet demand keeps growing thanks to a record 2.1 million international tourists in 2025.
- The biggest legal risk for Airbnb hosts in Rio de Janeiro is not city regulations but condominium bylaws, as Brazil's Superior Court confirmed that residential buildings can legally ban short-term rentals.
- Copacabana has the highest concentration of Airbnb listings in Rio de Janeiro, which means fierce competition and downward pressure on nightly rates compared to less saturated neighborhoods like Botafogo or Flamengo.
- The average nightly rate for an Airbnb in Rio de Janeiro in 2026 is around R$400 (about $65 USD or €60), but the median sits closer to R$320, pulled down by the large supply of mid-range units.
- Typical occupancy for Rio de Janeiro Airbnbs hovers around 55%, which translates to roughly 16 to 17 booked nights per month for an average host.
- Monthly gross revenue for a typical Airbnb listing in Rio de Janeiro ranges from R$4,500 to R$8,500 (roughly $750 to $1,400 USD), with realistic net profit landing between R$2,400 and R$4,800 after expenses.
- Rock in Rio in September 2026 will create a major demand spike in the Barra da Tijuca and Recreio areas, where hosts can often double their nightly rates during event weekends.
- Two-bedroom apartments in Rio de Janeiro hit the sweet spot between booking volume and revenue, attracting families, remote workers, and friend groups who stay longer than solo travelers.
Can I legally run an Airbnb in Rio de Janeiro in 2026?
Is short-term renting allowed in Rio de Janeiro in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, short-term renting through platforms like Airbnb is generally allowed in Rio de Janeiro under Brazil's federal rental law, which recognizes "locação por temporada" (seasonal rental) as a legitimate form of accommodation.
The main legal framework governing short-term rentals in Rio de Janeiro is Lei 8.245/1991, Brazil's federal tenancy law, which permits temporary residential rentals without requiring a specific city license.
The single most important restriction that Airbnb hosts must watch for in Rio de Janeiro is the condominium's internal rules, because Brazil's Superior Court (STJ) ruled in 2021 that residential buildings can legally prohibit Airbnb-style rentals through their bylaws.
Beyond condo rules, Rio's City Council has been discussing additional regulations for short-term rental platforms, though as of early 2026, no new citywide restrictions have been formally enacted.
If you operate an Airbnb in a building that explicitly bans short-term rentals, you could face fines from the condo association, legal action from neighbors, or even eviction proceedings, though penalties vary widely depending on the building's enforcement approach.
For a more general view, you can read our article detailing what exactly foreigners can own and buy in Brazil.
If you are an American, you might want to read our blog article detailing the property rights of US citizens in Brazil.
Are there minimum-stay rules and maximum nights-per-year caps for Airbnbs in Rio de Janeiro as of 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, Rio de Janeiro does not have a citywide minimum-stay requirement or a strict maximum nights-per-year cap like some European or US cities impose on Airbnb hosts.
These rules do not vary by property type or host residency status in Rio de Janeiro, meaning there is currently no distinction between renting out a studio, a house, or whether you live in the property or not.
Since there is no official cap to track, hosts in Rio de Janeiro do not need to report rental nights to any municipal authority, though they should keep records for tax purposes.
Do I have to live there, or can I Airbnb a secondary home in Rio de Janeiro right now?
Under Brazil's federal rental law, there is no requirement for Airbnb hosts in Rio de Janeiro to live in the property they rent out, so you can operate a short-term rental from a secondary home or investment property.
Owners of secondary homes can legally operate short-term rentals in Rio de Janeiro, as the law does not distinguish between primary residences and investment properties when it comes to seasonal rentals.
There are no additional permits specifically required for non-primary residence short-term rentals in Rio de Janeiro, though the usual considerations around condo rules and tax compliance still apply.
The main practical difference between renting out a primary residence versus a secondary home in Rio de Janeiro is operational, as managing guest turnover, key handoffs, and cleaning is easier when you live nearby or in the same building.
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Can I run multiple Airbnbs under one name in Rio de Janeiro right now?
There is no legal limit in Rio de Janeiro on how many Airbnb listings one person or entity can operate, so you can run multiple short-term rentals under your name without hitting a formal cap.
Rio de Janeiro does not impose a maximum number of properties that one host can list for short-term rental, unlike some cities in Europe or North America that restrict multi-property operators.
If you scale to multiple units, you may need to consider registering with Cadastur (Brazil's tourism service registry) if your operation starts resembling a hospitality business rather than simple landlord rentals.
Do I need a short-term rental license or a business registration to host in Rio de Janeiro as of 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, Rio de Janeiro does not require a specific short-term rental license for individual hosts, though you should be prepared for potential changes as the city council continues debating new regulations.
Since no formal STR license exists in Rio de Janeiro, there is no application process or timeline to navigate, which makes starting an Airbnb relatively straightforward from a permitting standpoint.
The main requirement is staying compliant with tax obligations through the Carnê-Leão system for monthly income reporting, which applies to rental income received from individuals.
Are there neighborhood bans or restricted zones for Airbnb in Rio de Janeiro as of 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, Rio de Janeiro does not have any official citywide neighborhood bans or restricted zones for Airbnb, though individual condominium buildings throughout the city can and do prohibit short-term rentals.
The neighborhoods where you are most likely to encounter strict condo restrictions are Copacabana, Ipanema, Leblon, Botafogo, and Flamengo, simply because these areas have the highest density of residential buildings with active homeowner associations.
The reason restrictions appear building-by-building rather than zone-by-zone is that Brazil's Superior Court gave condominiums the authority to decide for themselves whether to allow Airbnb-style rentals, which means enforcement is hyper-local.
We made this infographic to show you how property prices in Brazil 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 Rio de Janeiro in 2026?
What's the average and median nightly price on Airbnb in Rio de Janeiro in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, the average nightly price for an Airbnb listing in Rio de Janeiro is approximately R$400 (about $65 USD or €60), while the median nightly price sits around R$320 ($52 USD or €48) because a large volume of mid-range units pulls the center point down.
The typical nightly price range that covers roughly 80% of Airbnb listings in Rio de Janeiro falls between R$200 and R$650 ($33 to $105 USD, or €30 to €98), with most listings clustered in the R$250 to R$450 band.
The single factor with the biggest impact on nightly pricing in Rio de Janeiro is location, specifically whether your property offers beach access, metro proximity, and ocean or landmark views in neighborhoods like Ipanema or Leblon.
By the way, you will find much more detailed profitability rent ranges in our property pack covering the real estate market in Rio de Janeiro.
How much do nightly prices vary by neighborhood in Rio de Janeiro in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, nightly prices in Rio de Janeiro vary dramatically by neighborhood, with Leblon at the top averaging R$450 to R$900 ($73 to $146 USD, €67 to €135) and Centro at the more affordable end averaging R$220 to R$380 ($36 to $62 USD, €33 to €57).
The three neighborhoods with the highest average nightly prices in Rio de Janeiro are Leblon, Ipanema, and São Conrado, where ocean views, safety, and prestige push rates well above R$500 per night ($81 USD, €75) for quality listings.
The three neighborhoods with the lowest average nightly prices are Centro, Lapa, and parts of Copacabana closer to Leme, where rates often dip below R$280 per night ($45 USD, €42), though these areas still attract plenty of guests looking for nightlife access or budget-friendly beach proximity.
What's the typical occupancy rate in Rio de Janeiro in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, the typical occupancy rate for Airbnb listings in Rio de Janeiro is around 55%, which translates to roughly 16 to 17 booked nights per month for an average host.
The realistic occupancy rate range that covers most listings in Rio de Janeiro falls between 40% and 70%, depending heavily on pricing strategy, listing quality, and neighborhood.
Rio de Janeiro's occupancy rates are competitive within Brazil and generally outperform smaller cities, though they sit below top-tier global tourist destinations with year-round demand.
The single factor with the biggest impact on achieving above-average occupancy in Rio de Janeiro is responsive hosting combined with instant booking, as guests booking Rio trips often decide quickly and favor listings with fast confirmation.
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What's the average monthly revenue per listing in Rio de Janeiro in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, the average monthly revenue per Airbnb listing in Rio de Janeiro is approximately R$6,600 (about $1,070 USD or €990), calculated from an average nightly rate of R$400 multiplied by roughly 16.5 booked nights.
The realistic monthly revenue range that covers roughly 80% of Airbnb listings in Rio de Janeiro falls between R$4,500 and R$8,500 ($730 to $1,380 USD, or €675 to €1,275), with significant variation based on property quality and location.
Top-performing Airbnb listings in Rio de Janeiro, particularly well-positioned two-bedroom apartments in Ipanema or Leblon, can achieve monthly revenues of R$12,000 to R$18,000 ($1,950 to $2,920 USD). At the high end, that's roughly R$600 per night multiplied by 25 booked nights during peak season.
Finally, note that we give here all the information you need to buy and rent out a property in Rio de Janeiro.
What's the typical low-season vs high-season monthly revenue in Rio de Janeiro in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, typical monthly revenue during low season in Rio de Janeiro ranges from R$3,500 to R$6,000 ($570 to $975 USD, €525 to €900), while high season can push revenues to R$7,500 to R$13,000 ($1,220 to $2,110 USD, €1,125 to €1,950) for well-managed listings.
Low season in Rio de Janeiro typically runs from May through August, while high season peaks during December through February (summer holidays and Carnival) with additional spikes around major events like Rock in Rio in September and New Year's Eve in Copacabana.
What's a realistic Airbnb monthly expense range in Rio de Janeiro in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, realistic monthly operating expenses for an Airbnb in Rio de Janeiro range from R$1,800 to R$4,200 ($290 to $680 USD, €270 to €630), depending on whether you self-manage or hire a property manager.
The single expense category that typically represents the largest share of monthly costs in Rio de Janeiro is property management or co-hosting fees, which can run R$800 to R$1,500 ($130 to $245 USD, €120 to €225) per month for hosts who outsource operations.
Hosts in Rio de Janeiro should typically expect to spend between 25% and 45% of gross revenue on operating expenses, including condominium fees, utilities, cleaning, platform fees, and maintenance.
If you want to go into more details, we also have a blog article detailing all the property taxes and fees in Rio de Janeiro.
What's realistic monthly net profit and profit per available night for Airbnb in Rio de Janeiro in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, realistic monthly net profit for an Airbnb in Rio de Janeiro ranges from R$2,400 to R$4,800 ($390 to $780 USD, €360 to €720), with profit per available night landing between R$80 and R$160 ($13 to $26 USD, €12 to €24).
The realistic monthly net profit range that covers most Airbnb listings in Rio de Janeiro falls between R$1,500 and R$6,000 ($245 to $975 USD, €225 to €900), with significant variation based on occupancy rates and expense management.
Hosts in Rio de Janeiro typically achieve a net profit margin of 35% to 55% of gross revenue, meaning roughly half of what you earn goes back into running the property.
The break-even occupancy rate for a typical Airbnb listing in Rio de Janeiro sits around 30% to 35%, which means you need roughly 9 to 11 booked nights per month just to cover your operating costs before seeing any profit.
In our property pack covering the real estate market in Rio de Janeiro, 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 Brazil 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 Rio de Janeiro as of 2026?
How many active Airbnb listings are in Rio de Janeiro as of 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, Rio de Janeiro has approximately 28,500 active Airbnb listings, making it one of the largest short-term rental markets in South America.
This number has grown steadily over the past few years, with the long-term trend showing consistent expansion driven by Rio's strong tourism recovery and the record 2.1 million international visitors in 2025.
Which neighborhoods are most saturated in Rio de Janeiro as of 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, the most saturated neighborhoods for Airbnb in Rio de Janeiro are Copacabana (by far the most crowded), Ipanema, Barra da Tijuca, and Centro/Lapa, where listing density creates intense competition for bookings.
These neighborhoods became saturated because they combine beach access with established tourist infrastructure, and Copacabana in particular has decades of hotel and rental history that naturally attracted early Airbnb adopters.
Relatively undersaturated neighborhoods that may offer better opportunities for new hosts in Rio de Janeiro include Botafogo, Flamengo, and Santa Teresa, where demand exists but supply has not yet caught up to the Zona Sul beach hotspots.
If you want to know more, we have a blog article listing all the top property areas in Rio de Janeiro.
What local events spike demand in Rio de Janeiro in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, the main local events that spike Airbnb demand in Rio de Janeiro are New Year's Eve (Réveillon) in Copacabana, Carnival season in February/March, and Rock in Rio scheduled for September 2026 in Barra da Tijuca.
During these peak events, bookings in affected neighborhoods typically increase by 30% to 50%, while nightly rates can jump 50% to 100% above normal levels, particularly for properties near the event venues or main celebration areas.
Hosts should adjust their pricing and availability at least 2 to 3 months before major events in Rio de Janeiro, as international travelers often book well in advance and last-minute availability commands premium rates.
What occupancy differences exist between top and average hosts in Rio de Janeiro in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, top-performing Airbnb hosts in Rio de Janeiro typically achieve occupancy rates of 65% to 75%, meaning roughly 20 to 23 booked nights per month.
Average hosts in Rio de Janeiro, by comparison, hover around 45% to 55% occupancy, which translates to a gap of 10 to 20 percentage points and can mean the difference between a profitable listing and one that barely breaks even.
New hosts in Rio de Janeiro typically need 6 to 12 months to build enough reviews, optimize their pricing, and refine their listing to reach top-performer occupancy levels, assuming they actively manage and improve their offering.
We give more details about the different Airbnb strategies to adopt in our property pack covering the real estate market in Rio de Janeiro.
Which price points are most crowded, and where's the "white space" for new hosts in Rio de Janeiro right now?
The nightly price range with the highest concentration of Airbnb listings in Rio de Janeiro falls between R$250 and R$450 ($40 to $73 USD, €38 to €67), where studios and one-bedroom apartments in Copacabana and Centro compete aggressively for bookings.
The "white space" opportunities for new hosts in Rio de Janeiro exist at the higher end, around R$550 to R$800 ($90 to $130 USD, €83 to €120), where quality two-bedroom units with genuine comfort and thoughtful amenities are undersupplied relative to demand.
To succeed in the underserved price segment in Rio de Janeiro, new hosts should focus on family-ready two-bedroom apartments in Botafogo or Flamengo with reliable air conditioning, strong Wi-Fi, full kitchens, and a doorman accustomed to short-term guests.
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What property works best for Airbnb demand in Rio de Janeiro right now?
What bedroom count gets the most bookings in Rio de Janeiro as of 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, studios and one-bedroom apartments get the most bookings by volume in Rio de Janeiro, though two-bedroom units offer the best balance of booking frequency and revenue per reservation.
The estimated booking rate breakdown by bedroom count in Rio de Janeiro shows studios and one-bedrooms capturing roughly 55% of all bookings, two-bedrooms taking about 30%, and three-bedroom or larger units accounting for the remaining 15%.
One-bedroom and studio apartments perform well in volume because they match Rio's dominant traveler profile of couples, solo travelers, and short beach getaways, while two-bedrooms win on revenue by attracting longer stays from families and remote workers.
What property type performs best in Rio de Janeiro in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, apartments and condos in Airbnb-friendly buildings are the best-performing property type in Rio de Janeiro, offering the most consistent occupancy and lowest operational friction for hosts.
Occupancy rates for apartments in Rio de Janeiro typically run 5 to 10 percentage points higher than houses, largely because apartments are concentrated in walkable neighborhoods with beach and metro access, while houses in areas like Barra or Recreio depend more heavily on car transport.
Apartments outperform other property types in Rio de Janeiro because they fit the dominant demand profile of beach-focused short stays, and they come with built-in infrastructure like doormen and security that simplify guest management.
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 Rio de Janeiro, 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Brazil Tenancy Law (Lei 8.245/1991) | It's the federal law that defines urban rentals in Brazil, including seasonal rentals. | We used it to anchor what "short-term rental" legally means in Brazil and the 90-day seasonal concept. We then translated that into practical hosting rules you can follow. |
| STJ (Superior Tribunal de Justiça) | It's Brazil's higher court for federal-law interpretation, and this is the court's own write-up of the landmark Airbnb ruling. | We used it to explain the biggest practical legal risk in Rio: condo bylaws can block Airbnb-style use. We turned it into a simple pre-purchase checklist for buyers. |
| LexML (STJ Case Text) | LexML is a widely used official repository for Brazilian jurisprudence metadata and documents. | We used it to corroborate what the STJ decision actually says about seasonal rentals and condo use. We used it as a cross-check so we're not relying on summaries alone. |
| Rio City Council (Câmara Municipal) | It's the city's official legislative website publishing its own proceedings on short-term rental regulation. | We used it to confirm that Rio has an active policy process and what topics are being debated. We used it to frame the regulatory direction of travel as of early 2026. |
| Agenda do Poder | It's a dated local political news report that ties to the Council process and provides useful timing context. | We used it only to time-stamp where Rio's proposed rules sit as of early 2026. We cross-checked the existence of the committee and topic on the official Câmara website. |
| AirDNA | AirDNA is a long-standing STR data provider used by investors and researchers globally. | We used it as a reputable benchmark source for Rio's market metrics. We triangulated their figures with other transparent datasets to produce confident estimates. |
| Inside Airbnb | It's a well-known public dataset approach that lets you audit listings geographically. | We used it to validate neighborhood-level saturation patterns and where listings cluster. We used it as a sanity-check against commercial dashboards. |
| AirROI | It's a published, timestamped STR dataset snapshot with clearly stated market totals. | We used it for a point-in-time count of listings and a second view on rates and occupancy. We treated it as one leg of the triangulation, not the only truth. |
| FipeZAP | It's a major Brazilian housing price index with published methodology and regular PDF releases. | We used it to ground the cost side context when discussing profitability realism. We used it as the macro reality-check on residential values in Brazil going into 2026. |
| IBGE (IPCA Inflation Panel) | IBGE is Brazil's official statistics agency, and IPCA is the headline inflation measure. | We used it for inflation context that affects expenses like cleaning, utilities, and condo costs. We used it to keep January 2026 assumptions consistent with official macro data. |
| Receita Federal (Carnê-Leão) | It's the tax authority's own guidance for monthly income tax on certain receipts. | We used it to explain how hosts typically stay compliant when rental income is taxed monthly. We avoided blog-style tax advice and kept this grounded in official guidance. |
| Receita Federal (Rental Income Guidance) | It's a very direct, practical explainer on how to classify rental income for individuals. | We used it to clarify what bucket rental income usually falls into for individuals. We translated that into a practical monthly checklist for hosts. |
| Ministry of Tourism (Cadastur) | It's the government's own service description of who must register in Cadastur. | We used it to explain when a host starts to look like a regulated tourism service provider versus a simple landlord. We used it as a guardrail for people scaling up multiple units. |
| Brazil Tourism Law (Lei 11.771/2008) | It's the federal law that structures tourism services and registration concepts in Brazil. | We used it to back up the role of Cadastur and what Brazil considers tourism services. We kept it high-level and practical for a non-professional reader. |
| City of Rio (IPTU 2026 Schedule) | It's the city government's official tax authority site with property tax payment dates. | We used it to anchor one of the most predictable ownership costs in Rio. We used it as a reminder that expenses go beyond just Airbnb fees and cleaning. |
| Embratur | It's Brazil's official tourism agency reporting inbound demand trends. | We used it to justify demand strength heading into 2026 and why Rio is a significant STR market. We connected this to seasonality and when foreigners most heavily arrive. |
| Rock in Rio (Official Site) | It's the official organizer site with event dates and location logistics. | We used it to identify a predictable 2026 demand spike window near Parque Olímpico and Barra. We translated it into pricing strategy for nearby neighborhoods. |
We created this infographic to give you a simple idea of how much it costs to buy property in different parts of Brazil. 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.