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This guide breaks down whether running an Airbnb in Santo Domingo makes financial sense in 2026, covering legal requirements to realistic profit numbers.
We keep this article updated with fresh data on nightly rates, occupancy, and local regulations.
Santo Domingo is not a beach resort market but a city-break and business travel destination, and that changes everything about how short-term rentals perform.
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 Santo Domingo.
Insights
- Santo Domingo Airbnb hosts earn roughly $1,000 per month gross on average, but top performers in Piantini or Zona Colonial can push $1,400 to $1,800 with strong photos and reviews.
- The city has around 6,000 to 8,000 active Airbnb listings as of early 2026, with the heaviest concentration in Piantini, Naco, and Zona Colonial.
- There is no citywide cap on rental nights in Santo Domingo, but your condo building's rules are often the real barrier, especially in newer high-rise towers.
- Occupancy rates average around 45%, lower than beach destinations but steadier year-round thanks to business travel, medical tourism, and diaspora visits.
- The most crowded price point sits between $55 and $95 per night, so new hosts targeting $95 to $130 with "work-ready" amenities face less competition.
- One-bedroom apartments dominate bookings because most guests are couples, solo business travelers, or medical tourists who do not need extra space.
- Santo Domingo's seasonality swing is only about 15 to 20 percent between high and low months, much flatter than Punta Cana or Las Terrenas.
- Operating expenses run between $450 and $900 per month, with air conditioning and cleaning turnover costs eating the biggest share.
- Zona Colonial has extra heritage rules affecting renovations, signage, and noise levels, so hosts there face more scrutiny than in other neighborhoods.
Can I legally run an Airbnb in Santo Domingo in 2026?
Is short-term renting allowed in Santo Domingo in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, short-term renting through Airbnb operates widely and legally in Santo Domingo, though it is best described as generally allowed with local constraints.
There is no single national law governing short-term rentals in the Dominican Republic, so hosts navigate a patchwork of tax obligations, zoning rules, and building-level restrictions.
The most important restriction most Santo Domingo hosts face is their condominium's internal rules, because many high-rise buildings in Piantini, Naco, and Evaristo Morales have bylaws limiting or prohibiting short stays.
Beyond condo rules, hosts in Zona Colonial may encounter additional heritage and urban regulations covering noise, renovations, and permitted commercial uses.
Penalties for non-compliance tend to come from building associations rather than city authorities, including fines, legal action, or forced termination of rental activity.
For a more general view, you can read our article detailing what exactly foreigners can own and buy in The Dominican Republic.
If you are an American, you might want to read our blog article detailing the property rights of US citizens in The Dominican Republic.
Are there minimum-stay rules and maximum nights-per-year caps for Airbnbs in Santo Domingo as of 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, Santo Domingo has no citywide minimum-stay requirement or maximum nights-per-year cap like some European cities enforce.
These rules do not differ by property type or residency status at the municipal level, meaning there is no official distinction between renting a condo versus a house, or between locals and foreigners.
In practice, many hosts voluntarily set minimum stays of two to three nights to reduce turnover costs, while others push 30-plus night minimums to avoid condo board friction.
Do I have to live there, or can I Airbnb a secondary home in Santo Domingo right now?
Santo Domingo does not impose a residency requirement for operating an Airbnb, so you do not need to live in the property or even in the country to list it.
Owners of secondary homes and investment properties can legally operate short-term rentals, and a significant portion of Santo Domingo's Airbnb supply comes from professionally managed units.
There are no additional permits required for non-primary residence rentals at the city level, though your condo association may have its own approval process.
The main practical difference is that condo boards tend to scrutinize investment-style operations more closely, especially if neighbors complain about guest turnover or noise.
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Can I run multiple Airbnbs under one name in Santo Domingo right now?
Yes, you can legally operate multiple Airbnb listings under one name or entity in Santo Domingo, and many professional hosts already do.
There is no official maximum number of properties one person or company can list for short-term rental at the municipal or national level.
Hosts with multiple listings face no additional licensing requirements beyond standard tax registration, though operating at scale typically means more formal invoicing, ITBIS tax handling, and stricter attention to building permissions.
Do I need a short-term rental license or a business registration to host in Santo Domingo as of 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, Santo Domingo does not require a dedicated "Airbnb license" or short-term rental permit like cities such as Barcelona or New York.
The more relevant requirement is tax registration with the DGII if you plan to operate professionally, issue invoices, or handle ITBIS (the 18% value-added tax on rental services).
Most casual hosts operating a single unit do not formally register as businesses, but those scaling up typically obtain an RNC (tax identification number) and set up proper invoicing.
Are there neighborhood bans or restricted zones for Airbnb in Santo Domingo as of 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, there are no outright neighborhood bans on Airbnb in Santo Domingo, but certain areas have stricter oversight.
Zona Colonial (Ciudad Colonial) is the most scrutinized area because it falls under special heritage parameters regulating noise, building modifications, signage, and commercial activity.
These restrictions exist because Zona Colonial is a UNESCO-protected historic district, and authorities want to preserve its character while managing tourism impact.
In high-rise districts like Piantini, Naco, and Evaristo Morales, the effective "ban" usually comes from individual condo associations, so check each building's bylaws before purchasing.
We made this infographic to show you how property prices in the Dominican Republic 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 Santo Domingo in 2026?
What's the average and median nightly price on Airbnb in Santo Domingo in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, the average nightly price (ADR) for an Airbnb in Santo Domingo is approximately $75 USD (around 4,500 Dominican pesos or 72 euros), while the median sits at about $70 USD (4,200 pesos or 67 euros).
The typical nightly price range covering roughly 80% of entire-home listings falls between $55 and $130 USD (3,300 to 7,800 pesos, or 53 to 125 euros), with most clustering in the $60 to $95 range.
The single biggest factor affecting nightly pricing in Santo Domingo is neighborhood location, because a modern Piantini condo with a doorman commands significantly more than a similar-sized unit in older Gazcue buildings.
By the way, you will find much more detailed profitability rent ranges in our property pack covering the real estate market in Santo Domingo.
How much do nightly prices vary by neighborhood in Santo Domingo in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, nightly Airbnb prices in Santo Domingo vary by roughly $50 to $75 USD (3,000 to 4,500 pesos, or 48 to 72 euros) between expensive neighborhoods like Piantini and affordable areas like parts of Gazcue.
The three neighborhoods with highest average nightly prices are Piantini at $90 to $130 USD (5,400 to 7,800 pesos, 86 to 125 euros), Naco at $80 to $120 USD (4,800 to 7,200 pesos, 77 to 115 euros), and Bella Vista at $75 to $115 USD (4,500 to 6,900 pesos, 72 to 110 euros).
The three neighborhoods with lowest average nightly prices are Gazcue at $55 to $85 USD (3,300 to 5,100 pesos, 53 to 82 euros), unrenovated Ciudad Colonial units at $55 to $90 USD (3,300 to 5,400 pesos, 53 to 86 euros), and smaller Arroyo Hondo units at $60 to $90 USD (3,600 to 5,400 pesos, 58 to 86 euros), though guests still book there for authentic character and lower prices.
What's the typical occupancy rate in Santo Domingo in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, the typical occupancy rate for a well-run entire-home Airbnb listing in Santo Domingo is approximately 45%.
The realistic occupancy range spans from about 35% for average hosts to 55 to 65% for top performers with excellent photos, fast responses, and strong reviews.
Santo Domingo's occupancy rates are lower than Dominican beach destinations but more stable year-round because the city draws business travelers, medical tourists, and diaspora visitors regardless of season.
The biggest factor for achieving above-average occupancy is operational excellence: professional photos, quick responses, competitive pricing, and amenities addressing guest concerns like reliable A/C, secure entry, and backup power.
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What's the average monthly revenue per listing in Santo Domingo in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, average monthly gross revenue for an Airbnb listing in Santo Domingo is approximately $1,000 USD (around 60,000 Dominican pesos or 960 euros).
The realistic monthly revenue range covering roughly 80% of listings falls between $700 and $1,500 USD (42,000 to 90,000 pesos, or 672 to 1,440 euros), varying by location, property quality, and host execution.
Top-performing listings in Piantini, Naco, or renovated Zona Colonial can achieve $1,400 to $1,800 USD per month (84,000 to 108,000 pesos, or 1,344 to 1,728 euros). At a $100 nightly rate with 55% occupancy, that is roughly 16.5 booked nights generating $1,650 gross.
Finally, note that we give here all the information you need to buy and rent out a property in Santo Domingo.
What's the typical low-season vs high-season monthly revenue in Santo Domingo in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, typical monthly revenue ranges from about $800 to $950 USD (48,000 to 57,000 pesos, 768 to 912 euros) during low season to approximately $1,150 to $1,400 USD (69,000 to 84,000 pesos, 1,104 to 1,344 euros) during high season.
High season runs from December through April when holiday travel, diaspora visits, and pleasant weather drive demand, while low season falls roughly from August through October with more weather risk and fewer leisure visitors.
What's a realistic Airbnb monthly expense range in Santo Domingo in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, realistic monthly operating expenses for an Airbnb in Santo Domingo typically range from $450 to $900 USD (27,000 to 54,000 pesos, or 432 to 864 euros), excluding mortgage and income taxes.
The largest expense categories are utilities and cleaning, with electricity alone (driven by A/C) often running $120 to $250 USD (7,200 to 15,000 pesos, 115 to 240 euros), and cleaning plus laundry adding $150 to $350 USD depending on turnover.
Hosts should expect to spend between 45% and 70% of gross revenue on operating expenses, with higher percentages for frequently turned-over units and lower for longer-stay properties.
If you want to go into more details, we also have a blog article detailing all the property taxes and fees in Santo Domingo.
What's realistic monthly net profit and profit per available night for Airbnb in Santo Domingo in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, realistic monthly net profit for a typical Airbnb in Santo Domingo falls between $250 and $550 USD (15,000 to 33,000 pesos, or 240 to 528 euros), roughly $8 to $18 USD profit per available night.
The realistic net profit range spans from barely breaking even to approximately $800 to $850 USD (48,000 to 51,000 pesos, 768 to 816 euros) for well-optimized units in strong locations.
Net profit margins typically range from 25% to 45% of gross revenue, with the spread reflecting differences in expense management, occupancy, and pricing strategy.
The break-even occupancy rate for a typical listing with $600 monthly expenses and $75 nightly rate is roughly 27%, meaning hosts need about 8 booked nights per month just to cover costs.
In our property pack covering the real estate market in Santo Domingo, 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 the Dominican Republic 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 Santo Domingo as of 2026?
How many active Airbnb listings are in Santo Domingo as of 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, Santo Domingo has approximately 6,000 to 8,000 active Airbnb listings, with one major dataset reporting around 8,020 listings for the Santo Domingo City market.
Listings have grown steadily as more owners recognize year-round demand from business travelers, medical tourists, and diaspora, though growth has moderated compared to beach destinations.
Which neighborhoods are most saturated in Santo Domingo as of 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, the most saturated neighborhoods for Airbnb in Santo Domingo are Piantini, Naco, Evaristo Morales, Bella Vista, Zona Colonial, and Gazcue, which together hold most short-term rental inventory.
These neighborhoods became saturated because they sit where tourists and business travelers want to be: Piantini and Naco offer modern towers near malls and offices, Zona Colonial provides walkable historic charm, and all have condo stock suited for rental conversion.
Relatively undersaturated neighborhoods offering better opportunities include parts of Los Cacicazgos, Serrallés, and edges of Arroyo Hondo, with less inventory but reasonable access to demand drivers.
If you want to know more, we have a blog article listing all the top property areas in Santo Domingo.
What local events spike demand in Santo Domingo in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, main events spiking Airbnb demand in Santo Domingo include LIDOM baseball season (October 2025 into early 2026), Festival Global de Cine in late January to early February, Feria Internacional del Libro, and official long weekends from moved holidays.
During peak events, hosts can see bookings increase 20 to 40% and nightly rates rise 15 to 30%, with strongest spikes around baseball playoff weekends and major holiday long weekends.
Hosts should adjust pricing two to four weeks before major events, and for predictable dates like holidays and baseball, set higher rates several months in advance.
What occupancy differences exist between top and average hosts in Santo Domingo in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, top-performing Airbnb hosts in Santo Domingo achieve occupancy rates of approximately 55 to 65%.
By comparison, average hosts typically see 35 to 40% occupancy, meaning top performers book roughly 15 to 25 percentage points more nights through better photos, faster responses, stronger reviews, and smarter pricing.
New hosts typically need 6 to 12 months of consistent operation and review accumulation before reaching top-performer levels, though some achieve it faster with professional photography and aggressive initial pricing.
We give more details about the different Airbnb strategies to adopt in our property pack covering the real estate market in Santo Domingo.
What amenities do nearly all competitors offer in Santo Domingo right now?
In Santo Domingo, baseline amenities nearly all competitive Airbnb listings offer include Wi-Fi, air conditioning, a kitchen, and in most neighborhoods outside Zona Colonial, dedicated parking.
These appear in the vast majority of listings because guests expect reliable connectivity, cooling (essential in the tropical climate), self-catering options, and secure vehicle storage.
Beyond this baseline, competitive listings increasingly offer backup power, modern security features like doorman or keypad entry, and workspace setups to capture remote workers and business travelers.
Which price points are most crowded, and where's the "white space" for new hosts in Santo Domingo right now?
The nightly price range with highest concentration of Airbnb listings in Santo Domingo is $55 to $95 USD (3,300 to 5,700 pesos, or 53 to 91 euros), where most one-bedroom and budget two-bedroom condos compete directly.
The "white space" for new hosts exists primarily in the $95 to $130 USD range (5,700 to 7,800 pesos, or 91 to 125 euros), where there is less competition for guests willing to pay a premium.
To compete in this underserved segment, new hosts should offer work-ready features like a proper desk setup, blackout curtains, backup power strategy, secure parking, and seamless self check-in.
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What property works best for Airbnb demand in Santo Domingo right now?
What bedroom count gets the most bookings in Santo Domingo as of 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, one-bedroom apartments generate the most bookings in Santo Domingo's Airbnb market, followed by two-bedroom units.
The booking breakdown shows one-bedrooms capturing the largest share, two-bedrooms coming second with family and small group demand, studios appealing to solo travelers, and three-plus bedrooms serving a smaller niche.
One-bedroom properties perform best because Santo Domingo's primary guest segments, including business travelers, medical tourists, and couples, simply do not need more space, and smaller units have lower operating costs.
What property type performs best in Santo Domingo in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, modern apartments and condos in well-managed buildings perform best for Airbnb in Santo Domingo, outperforming houses, townhouses, and unique stays in booking volume.
Occupancy rates show apartments and condos averaging higher than standalone houses, primarily because condos offer security features, amenities, and central locations that Santo Domingo guests prioritize.
Condos outperform because guests, especially business travelers and medical tourists, value doorman buildings, elevator access, reliable water pressure, consistent A/C, and secure parking over extra space.
What location traits boost bookings in Santo Domingo right now?
Location traits boosting Airbnb bookings most in Santo Domingo are proximity to the Polígono Central business core (Piantini, Naco, Evaristo Morales), walkability to Zona Colonial, fast access to major roads, secure building entry, and on-site parking.
Properties near major malls like Blue Mall or Agora Mall, close to hospitals, or within walking distance of Zona Colonial consistently outperform listings in outlying residential areas.
Building features significantly boosting bookings include 24-hour doorman, reliable backup power, quiet units away from street noise, and modern infrastructure with strong water pressure and maintained elevators.
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 Santo Domingo, 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 the methods behind our estimates.
| Source | Why It's Authoritative | How We Used It |
|---|---|---|
| AirDNA Santo Domingo City | AirDNA is one of the most widely used short-term rental data providers covering Airbnb and Vrbo globally. | We pulled baseline ADR, occupancy rates, and listing counts. We used it as our anchor dataset and cross-checked against other sources. |
| AirROI Santo Domingo Portal | AirROI provides downloadable STR datasets with transparent fields for price, occupancy, and revenue. | We used it to triangulate AirDNA's figures and validate listing volumes. We also used it to justify performance spreads between typical and top hosts. |
| Airbnb Dominican Republic Tax Guide | This is Airbnb's official compliance guidance pointing to Dominican tax authority obligations. | We used it to frame tax compliance reality and the 18% ITBIS as a practical compliance checkpoint. |
| Airbnb Service Fees Explainer | This is Airbnb's official explanation of platform fees for hosts and guests. | We used it to model platform fee line-items inside monthly expenses with conservative assumptions. |
| DGII ITBIS Rates Document | DGII is the Dominican national tax authority with official rate references. | We used it to support the 18% ITBIS rate when discussing tax treatment for rental services. |
| DGII IPI Property Tax Overview | DGII is the primary source for property-related tax administration in the Dominican Republic. | We used it to explain property tax (IPI) relevance and treated it as a potential annual cost. |
| DGII IPI Taxpayer Guide | This is DGII's accessible taxpayer guide for property owners. | We used it to keep explanations non-technical while remaining accurate on IPI application. |
| Ministry of Labor 2026 Holidays | This is the official issuing ministry for the Dominican holiday calendar. | We used it for holiday dates and to explain booking surges from long weekends. |
| Ayuntamiento DN Normativas Urbanas | This is the Distrito Nacional city government portal for zoning and urban rules. | We used it to show neighborhood-level urban norms exist as a "check before you buy" step. |
| Plan de Ordenamiento Territorial DN | This is an official planning document describing land-use intent and zoning. | We used it to explain land-use categories and how they create different STR friction levels. |
| ADN Ciudad Colonial Parameters | This is an official municipal document for the Colonial City heritage area. | We used it to justify Zona Colonial's special administrative status and extra scrutiny for hosts. |
| Ley 5038 Condominium Law | This is the official property registry hosting the Dominican condominium law. | We used it to explain why building rules are the main real-world STR constraint in high-rises. |
| LIDOM 2025-26 Baseball Calendar | LIDOM is the official Dominican professional baseball league. | We used it to identify demand-spike periods like opening weekend and playoffs. |
| Feria Internacional del Libro | This is the official website for the Dominican international book fair. | We used it to identify the book fair as a recurring event creating localized demand spikes. |
| UN Tourism World Barometer | This is the UN agency's official global tourism trend product. | We used it to support the macro claim that global tourism remained strong into 2025. |
| Ley 139-97 Moved Holidays Law | This is the law governing moved holidays affecting Dominican travel patterns. | We used it to justify why some holidays shift to Mondays creating long-weekend demand bursts. |
| DGII Decreto 30-25 Discussion | This is DGII's help community portal referencing digital platform taxation. | We used it as context showing digital-platform taxation is an active topic in the Dominican system. |
| Dominican Presidency 2026 Holidays | This is the government communications channel for the official holiday calendar. | We used it to support demand spikes around long weekends when Dominicans travel domestically. |
We created this infographic to give you a simple idea of how much it costs to buy property in different parts of the Dominican Republic. 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.
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