Airbnb Market Analytics, Statistics and Data in Santa Maria, Sal, Cape Verde

Last updated: 2025-01-31

Looking to make more money with hosting or rental arbitraging Airbnbs, short-term rentals, vacation rentals in Santa Maria? AirROI have just the data insights! Over the last twelve months from February 2024 to January 2025, we've uncovered key trends and opportunities that successful hosts are leveraging in Santa Maria:

Average Daily Rate
$74
Occupancy Rate
44.50%
Annual Revenue
$8,910
Revenue Growth YoY
50.01%
Best Month
December
Worst Month
September
Regulation
Low
Active Listings
445

How much do Airbnb hosts make on average per month in Santa Maria?

The short-term rental market in Santa Maria shows distinct revenue patterns across different property tiers. Our analysis reveals that successful properties combine strategic pricing with quality management to maximize earnings potential. Market data demonstrates clear revenue differentiation among properties:

  • Typical properties (median) earn $928 per month
  • Strong performing properties (top 25%) make $1,596 or more
  • Best-in-class properties (top 10%) achieve $2,363+ monthly
  • Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) typically earn around $462

Revenue Variations by Month

Occupancy Rates Throughout the Year in Santa Maria

The market in Santa Maria shows distinct occupancy patterns influenced by seasonal trends and local dynamics. Properties that maintain high guest satisfaction scores and implement strategic pricing consistently achieve stronger occupancy rates. Current market data shows:

  • Typical properties (median) maintain 47% occupancy rates
  • Strong performing properties (top 25%) achieve 68% or higher
  • Best-in-class properties (top 10%) reach 82%+occupancy
  • Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) average around 23%

Occupancy Variations by Month

Average Daily Rates Seasonal Trends in Santa Maria

Daily rates in Santa Maria vary based on seasonality, property quality, and market dynamics. Properties that effectively balance competitive pricing with strong amenities typically command higher rates. Market analysis shows the following rate structure:

  • Typical properties (median) generate $63 per night
  • Strong performing properties (top 25%) secure $83 or more
  • Best-in-class properties (top 10%) pull in $111+ per night
  • Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) earn around $46

Daily Rate Variations by Month

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Seasonality patterns in Santa Maria

Peak Season (December, November, March)
  • Revenue peaks at $1582.40 per month
  • Occupancy rates reach 62.16%
  • Daily rates average $79.68
Shoulder Season
  • Revenue averages $1185.68 per month
  • Occupancy maintains 46.08%
  • Daily rates hold at $72.13
Low Season (June, July, September)
  • Revenue drops to $772.40 per month
  • Occupancy decreases to 26.64%
  • Daily rates adjust to $68.72

Is it still profitable to do Airbnb in Santa Maria in 2025?

Yes! Santa Maria demonstrates highly seasonal trends requiring strategic adaptation, featuring a healthy occupancy rate of 46% and monthly revenue averaging $1186 and With 445 active listings, the market shows established demand while maintaining room for growth. There's also room for profit through rental arbitrage strategies, if you can identify competitively priced properties. To maximize your return on investment, consider employing the following strategies:

Peak Season Strategy
  • Implement premium seasonal pricing strategies
  • Set longer minimum stay requirements during high-demand periods
  • Enforce stricter cancellation policies
Shoulder Season Strategy
  • Maintain competitive market-based pricing
  • Offer moderate-length stay incentives
  • Target a mix of leisure and business travelers with flexible booking terms
  • Focus on weekend getaway packages and mid-week business traveler promotions
Low Season Strategy
  • Adjust pricing to remain competitive in the market
  • Target different guest segments (families on vacation, festival goers, adventure tourists, international visitors)
  • Create targeted promotional campaigns to drive occupancy

Top Places to Start Airbnb in Santa Maria

AreaWhy Choose This AreaKey Attractions
Praia de Santa Maria
The most popular beach area in Sal, known for its stunning white sandy beaches and vibrant atmosphere. Attracts tourists for water sports, nightlife, and relaxation.
Santa Maria Beach, Pier of Santa Maria, Funana Casa da Cultura, Centro de Artesanato, Parque Natural da Ilha do Sal
Espargos
The capital city of Sal, offering a more local experience with markets, shops, and restaurants. Good for visitors looking to explore everyday life in Cape Verde.
Espargos Market, Church of Our Lady of Grace, Salinas de Pedra de Lume, Santa Maria's Whale Museum
Kite Beach
A hotspot for kite surfing enthusiasts, attracting sports lovers from around the world. Ideal for adventure tourism and active vacationers.
Kite Beach, Kite Surfing Schools, Ocean's Cafe, Ponta do Leme
Fontona
A lesser-known but beautiful beach area with a more laid-back vibe. Great for visitors looking to escape the crowds of Santa Maria.
Fontona Beach, Natural Pools, Turtle Nesting Sites
Palmeira
A small town close to the harbor, known for its fishing and local culture. Offers a unique experience away from the tourist hustle.
Palmeira Beach, Fishing Village, Salt Pans of Pedra de Lume
Murdeira
A peaceful area known for its beautiful coastline and calm waters. Popular for families and those looking to relax.
Murdeira Beach, Murdeira Bay, Local Seafood Restaurants
Salinas de Pedra de Lume
Home to the famous salt flats, this area offers unique geological features and is an interesting spot for eco-tourism.
Salt Flats, Natural Salt Pools, Historical Significance
Aguadinha
A small, serene village offering a glimpse into the local culture and lifestyle away from tourist centers.
Village Life, Local Festivals, Cultural Experiences

Do you need a license for Airbnb in Santa Maria?

We recommend checking directly with Santa Maria's local government regarding short-term rental licensing requirements. Current market data shows limited licensing information (0% of listings), making it essential to verify current regulations before starting your Airbnb business.

Top Performing Airbnb Properties in Santa Maria

Beach Villa Santa Maria

Beach Villa Santa Maria

Entire Place • 2 bedrooms

$77,536
Revenue
63.6%
Occupancy
$277.56
Daily Rate
On the beach apartment 2 with breathtaking views

On the beach apartment 2 with breathtaking views

Entire Place • 3 bedrooms

$67,911
Revenue
83.3%
Occupancy
$218.72
Daily Rate
Beach penthouse (12p) + sea rooftopbar, Fiber WiFi

Beach penthouse (12p) + sea rooftopbar, Fiber WiFi

Entire Place • 4 bedrooms

$63,659
Revenue
65.2%
Occupancy
$263.13
Daily Rate
Superb large private villa with pool

Superb large private villa with pool

Entire Place • 4 bedrooms

$48,499
Revenue
47.1%
Occupancy
$274.52
Daily Rate
Leme Bedje -  Panoramic Sea View

Leme Bedje - Panoramic Sea View

Entire Place • 2 bedrooms

$45,467
Revenue
67.4%
Occupancy
$171.71
Daily Rate
CABO VERDE PORTO ANTIGO I  LUXUS BEACH BUNGALOW

CABO VERDE PORTO ANTIGO I LUXUS BEACH BUNGALOW

Entire Place • 2 bedrooms

$40,354
Revenue
53.4%
Occupancy
$192.32
Daily Rate

Top Performing Professional Hosts in Santa Maria

Host NamePropertiesGrossing RevenueStay ReviewsAvg Rating
Bobby-Esther42$593,9093243.94/5.0
Fabrizio26$193,9684433.91/5.0
Villa Ao Mar5$129,8732304.77/5.0
Germaine3$123,667924.78/5.0
Animoss Apartments10$123,0024074.85/5.0
Nina7$118,1462004.92/5.0
Lorraine3$110,072764.87/5.0
Ann17$106,756972.75/5.0
Sylvie4$88,0191894.92/5.0
Zuela8$76,688744.35/5.0

Additional analytics on vacation rental, real estate, short term rental data in Santa Maria

AirROI also have other key metrics and comprehensive data for your vacation rental, real estate needs. Go explore the advanced metrics that can help you make informed decisions:

Room Type Distribution

Property Type Distribution

Key Insights

  • Market dominated by entire home listings (97.3%), with apartment & condo and house properties comprising 98.7% of inventory
  • Untapped potential in boutique & hotels, others segments (1.3% combined)

Room Capacity Distribution

Analysis of 445 properties in Santa Maria shows that 1 bedroom properties are most prevalent, making up 44.7% of the market. The market tends to favor smaller properties, with 1 bedroom and 2 bedrooms together representing 87.6% of all listings.

Key Insights

  • Most common: 1 bedroom (44.7%)
  • Least common: 5+ bedrooms (0.2%)
  • Market concentration: 87.6% in top 2 sizes
  • Market skew: Favors smaller properties

Guest Capacity Distribution

Analysis of 445 properties in Santa Maria reveals that 4 guests properties dominate the market, representing 41.6% of all listings. The average property accommodates 3.8 guests, with a clear trend towards larger guest capacities. Properties accommodating 4 guests and 2 guests make up 67.6% of the market.

Key Insights

  • Most common capacity: 4 guests (41.6% of market)
  • Least common capacity: 7 guests (1.8% of market)
  • Average guest capacity: 3.8 guests per property
  • Market concentration: 67.6% in top 2 capacity sizes
  • Market segmentation: Predominantly larger guest capacities

Booking and Availability Patterns

Available Days Distribution

Booked Days Distribution

Among 445 properties in Santa Maria, the most common availability pattern is 271-366 days (47.2% of properties). For actual bookings, properties most frequently secure bookings for 91-180 days (29% of properties).

Key Insights

  • Most common availability window: 271-366 days (47.2%)
  • Most common booking duration: 91-180 days (29%)
  • Properties with high availability (180+ days): 75.7%
  • Properties with long-term bookings (180+ days): 26.1%

Minimum Stay Distributions

1 Night (13.9%)

1 Night

53 listings

13.9% of total

2 Nights (8.6%)

2 Nights

33 listings

8.6% of total

3 Nights (27.2%)

3 Nights

104 listings

27.2% of total

4-6 Nights (34.3%)

4-6 Nights

131 listings

34.3% of total

7-29 Nights (10.2%)

7-29 Nights

39 listings

10.2% of total

30+ Nights (5.8%)

30+ Nights

22 listings

5.8% of total

Key Insights

  • Short stays (1-2 nights) dominate the market at 22.5%
  • Mid-length stays (4-6 nights) represent 34.3% of listings
  • Monthly+ stays (5.8%) suggest a stable extended-stay market
  • High market flexibility with 49.7% accepting 3 nights or less

Recommendations

  • Set minimum stays between 2-3 nights to align with market standards
  • Adjust minimum stays seasonally based on demand patterns
  • Consider monthly stay discounts to capture the growing extended-stay market
  • Implement different minimum stays for weekends vs. weekdays

Cancellation Policy Distribution

Super Strict 60 Days (2.9%)

Super Strict 60 Days

10 listings

2.9% of total

Flexible (20.6%)

Flexible

72 listings

20.6% of total

Moderate (30.6%)

Moderate

107 listings

30.6% of total

Firm (15.7%)

Firm

55 listings

15.7% of total

Strict (30.3%)

Strict

106 listings

30.3% of total

Key Insights

  • Moderate is the preferred policy at 30.6% of listings
  • The market shows a balanced distribution between guest-friendly (51.2%) and strict (46.0%) policies
  • Strong market consensus around Moderate policies
  • Super Strict 60 Days policies are least common at 2.9% of listings

Recommendations

  • Market supports various policies - choose based on your property type and target guests
  • Strong market preference for Moderate policies suggests this should be your baseline
  • Consider generous cancellation terms as a competitive advantage

Booking Lead Time Trends

Key Insights

  • Peak booking lead times occur in Jan, Nov, Dec, averaging 80 days
  • Shortest booking windows are in Jun, Aug, Sep, averaging 43 days
  • Winter shows the longest average booking window at 74 days, while Summer has the shortest at 47 days

Recommendations

  • Implement dynamic pricing strategies for Winter bookings at least 74 days in advance
  • Consider early bird discounts during Summer to encourage longer lead times
  • Focus on last-minute booking promotions during Jun-Sep when lead times are shortest

Popular Airbnb Amenities in Santa Maria

Below is the distribution of amenities across listings in Santa Maria:

Traveler Demographics

Guest Origin Distribution
Top 5 Cities of Origin
Top 5 Countries of Origin
Top 5 Languages Spoken
Age Distribution

Key Insights

  • Domestic travelers make up 0.3% of total guests, indicating a mostly international-driven market.
  • Primary international markets: United Kingdom (26.5%) and Germany (24.6%)
  • English is the top language at 43.8%, followed by French (19.6%)
  • Notable demographic segment in <=1950s (Pre-1950s (Silent Gen)) at 4.5%

Recommendations

  • Target marketing campaigns for Paris and London markets
  • Develop localized content for United Kingdom and Germany
  • Prioritize English and French language support
  • Tailor experiences for Pre-1950s (Silent Gen) while maintaining broad age appeal
  • Implement seasonal promotions aligned with key market travel patterns

Nearby Markets

Explore short-term rental performance in markets surrounding Santa Maria. These nearby markets offer diverse opportunities for property investors and hosts:

MarketPropertiesMonthly RevenueDaily RateOccupancy
Murdeira12$867$72.9842%
Sal Rei194$547$77.3336%
Tarrafal79$467$63.0631%
Cidade do Maio45$397$54.7830%
Assomada (Santa Catarina)13$243$50.0131%

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