Santa Cruz Airbnb Market Analysis 2025: Short Term Rental Data & Vacation Rental Statistics in Provincia de Guanacaste, Costa Rica
Is Airbnb profitable in Santa Cruz in 2025? Explore comprehensive Airbnb analytics for Santa Cruz, Provincia de Guanacaste, Costa Rica to uncover income potential. This 2025 STR market report for Santa Cruz, based on AirROI data from April 2024 to March 2025, reveals key trends in the niche market of 103 active listings.
Whether you're considering an Airbnb investment in Santa Cruz, optimizing your existing vacation rental, or exploring rental arbitrage opportunities, understanding the Santa Cruz Airbnb data is crucial. Leveraging the low regulation environment is key to maximizing your short term rental income potential. Let's dive into the specifics.
Key Santa Cruz Airbnb Performance Metrics Overview
Monthly Airbnb Revenue Variations & Income Potential in Santa Cruz (2025)
Understanding the monthly revenue variations for Airbnb listings in Santa Cruz is key to maximizing your short term rental income potential. Seasonality significantly impacts earnings. Our analysis, based on data from the past 12 months, shows that the peak revenue month for STRs in Santa Cruz is typically March, while October often presents the lowest earnings, highlighting opportunities for strategic pricing adjustments during shoulder and low seasons. Explore the typical Airbnb income in Santa Cruz across different performance tiers:
- Best-in-class properties (Top 10%) achieve $4,115+ monthly, often utilizing dynamic pricing and superior guest experiences.
- Strong performing properties (Top 25%) earn $2,105 or more, indicating effective management and desirable locations/amenities.
- Typical properties (Median) generate around $825 per month, representing the average market performance.
- Entry-level properties (Bottom 25%) see earnings around $368, often with potential for optimization.
Average Monthly Airbnb Earnings Trend in Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz Airbnb Occupancy Rate Trends (2025)
Maximize your bookings by understanding the Santa Cruz STR occupancy trends. Seasonal demand shifts significantly influence how often properties are booked. Typically, Januarysees the highest demand (peak season occupancy), while September experiences the lowest (low season). Effective strategies, like adjusting minimum stays or offering promotions, can boost occupancy during slower periods. Here's how different property tiers perform in Santa Cruz:
- Best-in-class properties (Top 10%) achieve 57%+ occupancy, indicating high desirability and potentially optimized availability.
- Strong performing properties (Top 25%) maintain 42% or higher occupancy, suggesting good market fit and guest satisfaction.
- Typical properties (Median) have an occupancy rate around 24%.
- Entry-level properties (Bottom 25%) average 12% occupancy, potentially facing higher vacancy.
Average Monthly Occupancy Rate Trend in Santa Cruz
Average Daily Rate (ADR) Airbnb Trends in Santa Cruz (2025)
Effective short term rental pricing strategy in Santa Cruz involves understanding monthly ADR fluctuations. The Average Daily Rate (ADR) for Airbnb in Santa Cruz typically peaks in January and dips lowest during September. Leveraging Airbnb dynamic pricing tools or strategies based on this seasonality can significantly boost revenue. Here's a look at the typical nightly rates achieved:
- Best-in-class properties (Top 10%) command rates of $264+ per night, often due to premium features or locations.
- Strong performing properties (Top 25%) achieve nightly rates of $152 or more.
- Typical properties (Median) charge around $95 per night.
- Entry-level properties (Bottom 25%) earn around $60 per night.
Average Daily Rate (ADR) Trend by Month in Santa Cruz
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Airbnb Seasonality Analysis & Trends in Santa Cruz (2025)
Peak Season (March, January, December)
- Revenue averages $2,558 per month
- Occupancy rates average 37.2%
- Daily rates average $168
Shoulder Season
- Revenue averages $1,675 per month
- Occupancy maintains around 28.8%
- Daily rates hold near $152
Low Season (August, September, October)
- Revenue drops to average $797 per month
- Occupancy decreases to average 20.7%
- Daily rates adjust to average $145
Seasonality Insights for Santa Cruz
- The Airbnb seasonality in Santa Cruz shows highly seasonal trends requiring careful strategy. While the sections above show seasonal averages, it's also insightful to look at the extremes:
- During the high season, the absolute peak month showcases Santa Cruz's highest earning potential, with monthly revenues capable of climbing to $2,753, occupancy reaching a high of 41.1%, and ADRs peaking at $173.
- Conversely, the slowest single month of the year, typically falling within the low season, marks the market's lowest point. In this month, revenue might dip to $694, occupancy could drop to 17.5%, and ADRs may adjust down to $144.
- Understanding both the seasonal averages and these monthly peaks and troughs in revenue, occupancy, and ADR is crucial for maximizing your Airbnb profit potential in Santa Cruz.
Seasonal Strategies for Maximizing Profit
- Peak Season: Maximize revenue through premium pricing and potentially longer minimum stays. Ensure high availability.
- Low Season: Offer competitive pricing, special promotions (e.g., extended stay discounts), and flexible cancellation policies. Target off-season travelers like remote workers or budget-conscious guests.
- Shoulder Seasons: Implement dynamic pricing that balances peak and low rates. Target weekend travelers or specific events. Offer slightly more flexible terms than peak season.
- Regularly analyze your own performance against these Santa Cruz seasonality benchmarks and adjust your pricing and availability strategy accordingly.
Best Areas for Airbnb Investment in Santa Cruz (2025)
Exploring the top neighborhoods for short-term rentals in Santa Cruz? This section highlights key areas, outlining why they are attractive for hosts and guests, along with notable local attractions. Consider these locations based on your target guest profile and investment strategy.
| Neighborhood / Area | Why Host Here? (Target Guests & Appeal) | Key Attractions & Landmarks |
|---|---|---|
| Playa Hermosa | A beautiful beach known for its soft sand and stunning sunsets. Ideal for sunbathers and surfers, attracting families and couples alike looking for a relaxing getaway. | Playa Hermosa Beach, Surfing schools, Snorkeling tours, Nearby restaurants, Paddle boarding opportunities |
| Tamarindo | A lively beach town famous for surfing and nightlife. It has a wide variety of restaurants, shops, and vibrant social scenes, making it popular for tourists. | Tamarindo Beach, Surfing spots, Shopping and dining, Nightlife, Estuary tours |
| Samara | A tranquil beach with a laid-back atmosphere, perfect for those looking to escape the hustle. Popular with families and nature lovers due to its calm waters and wildlife. | Samara Beach, Kayaking, Snorkeling at Chora Island, Horseback riding, Local shops and cafes |
| Montezuma | Known for its eco-tourism and stunning natural beauty, Montezuma attracts backpackers and nature enthusiasts looking for waterfalls and jungle adventures. | Montezuma Waterfalls, Beaches, Yoga retreats, Nature trails, Mangroves |
| Nosara | Famous for yoga retreats and surfing, Nosara is a haven for wellness seekers and surfers, surrounded by lush greenery and tranquil beaches. | Nosara Beach, Yoga studios, Surf schools, Biking trails, Gorgeous sunsets |
| Santa Teresa | A remote beach town known for its surf culture and bohemian vibe. Attracts solo travelers and surfers looking for adventure and relaxation. | Santa Teresa Beach, Surfing spots, Natural reserves, Beachside restaurants, Sunset views |
| Cabo Blanco | Home to the Cabo Blanco Nature Reserve, this area is ideal for wildlife enthusiasts and hikers looking to explore diverse ecosystems. | Cabo Blanco Nature Reserve, Hiking trails, Wildlife watching, Beaches, National park tours |
| Liberia | The gateway to many beaches in Guanacaste, Liberia offers cultural experiences and convenient access to the region's attractions for travelers. | Daniel Oduber International Airport, Cultural sites, Shopping centers, Nearby national parks, Local cuisine |
Understanding Airbnb License Requirements & STR Laws in Santa Cruz (2025)
While Santa Cruz, Provincia de Guanacaste, Costa Rica currently shows low STR regulations, specific Airbnb license requirements might still exist or change. Always verify the latest short term rental regulations and Airbnb license requirements directly with local government authorities for Santa Cruz to ensure full compliance before hosting.
(Source: AirROI data, 2025, finding no licensed listings among those analyzed)
Top Performing Airbnb Properties in Santa Cruz (2025)
Benchmark your potential! Explore examples of top-performing Airbnb properties in Santa Cruzbased on Trailing Twelve Month (TTM) revenue. Analyze their characteristics, revenue, occupancy rate, and ADR to understand what drives success in this market.
Exclusive Villa Guanacaste Costa Rica
Entire Place • 8 bedrooms
Casa Amigos Tamarindo Luxury Villa w/ Private Pool
Entire Place • 5 bedrooms
Modern Jungle Oasis Minutes From Tamarindo Beach
Entire Place • 2 bedrooms
Quiet location 20 minutes from Tamarindo!
Entire Place • 3 bedrooms
Beautiful villa Hacienda Pinilla near the beach
Entire Place • 2 bedrooms
Casa del Puente Avellanas
Entire Place • 4 bedrooms
Note: Performance varies based on location, size, amenities, seasonality, and management quality. Data reflects the past 12 months.
Top Performing Airbnb Hosts in Santa Cruz (2025)
Learn from the best! This table showcases top-performing Airbnb hosts in Santa Cruz based on the number of properties managed and estimated total revenue over the past year. Analyze their scale and performance metrics.
| Host Name | Properties | Grossing Revenue | Stay Reviews | Avg Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Host #9072135 | 1 | $83,331 | 0 | 0.00/5.0 |
| William | 1 | $82,068 | 8 | 5.00/5.0 |
| Host #363368462 | 25 | $57,827 | 3 | 0.00/5.0 |
| Brigitte | 1 | $53,539 | 37 | 4.92/5.0 |
| Vie-La Vacation Rentals | 1 | $51,720 | 13 | 4.77/5.0 |
| Cassio | 1 | $50,510 | 21 | 4.90/5.0 |
| Alexander | 1 | $47,648 | 35 | 4.83/5.0 |
| Avery | 4 | $45,801 | 50 | 4.88/5.0 |
| Diego | 4 | $36,739 | 74 | 4.92/5.0 |
| Mauricio | 3 | $35,719 | 20 | 3.29/5.0 |
Analyzing the strategies of top hosts, such as their property selection, pricing, and guest communication, can offer valuable lessons for optimizing your own Airbnb operations in Santa Cruz.
Dive Deeper: Advanced Santa Cruz STR Market Data (2025)
Ready to unlock more insights? AirROI provides access to advanced metrics and comprehensive Airbnb data for Santa Cruz. Explore detailed analytics beyond this report to refine your investment strategy, optimize pricing, and maximize your vacation rental profits.
Explore Advanced MetricsSanta Cruz Short-Term Rental Market Composition (2025): Property & Room Types
Room Type Distribution
Property Type Distribution
Market Composition Insights for Santa Cruz
- The Santa Cruz Airbnb market composition is heavily skewed towards Entire Home/Apt listings, which make up 58.3% of the 103 active rentals. This indicates strong guest preference for privacy and space.
- However, a notable 40.8% share for Private Rooms suggests opportunities for budget-conscious travelers or hosts renting out spare rooms.
- Looking at the property type distribution in Santa Cruz, House properties are the most common (44.7%), reflecting the local real estate landscape.
- Houses represent a significant 44.7% portion, catering likely to families or larger groups.
- The presence of 35.9% Hotel/Boutique listings indicates integration with traditional hospitality.
- Smaller segments like others (combined 1.0%) offer potential for unique stay experiences.
Santa Cruz Airbnb Room Capacity Analysis (2025): Bedroom Distribution
Distribution of Listings by Number of Bedrooms
Room Capacity Insights for Santa Cruz
- The dominant room capacity in Santa Cruz is 1 bedroom listings, making up 46.6% of the market. This suggests a strong demand for properties suitable for couples or solo travelers.
- Together, 1 bedroom and 2 bedrooms properties represent 68.0% of the active Airbnb listings in Santa Cruz, indicating a high concentration in these sizes.
- A significant 27.1% of listings offer 3+ bedrooms, catering to larger groups and families seeking more space in Santa Cruz.
Santa Cruz Vacation Rental Guest Capacity Trends (2025)
Distribution of Listings by Guest Capacity
Guest Capacity Insights for Santa Cruz
- The most common guest capacity trend in Santa Cruz vacation rentals is listings accommodating 4 guests (22.3%). This suggests the primary traveler segment is likely small families or groups.
- Properties designed for 4 guests and 8+ guests dominate the Santa Cruz STR market, accounting for 43.7% of listings.
- 33.0% of properties accommodate 6+ guests, serving the market segment for larger families or group travel in Santa Cruz.
- On average, properties in Santa Cruz are equipped to host 4.5 guests.
Santa Cruz Airbnb Booking Patterns (2025): Available vs. Booked Days
Available Days Distribution
Booked Days Distribution
Booking Pattern Insights for Santa Cruz
- The most common availability pattern in Santa Cruz falls within the 271-366 days range, representing 78.6% of listings. This suggests many properties have significant open periods on their calendars.
- Approximately 94.1% of listings show high availability (181+ days open annually), indicating potential for increased bookings or specific owner usage patterns.
- For booked days, the 31-90 days range is most frequent in Santa Cruz (41.7%), reflecting common guest stay durations or potential owner blocking patterns.
- A notable 5.9% of properties secure long booking periods (181+ days booked per year), highlighting successful long-term rental strategies or significant owner usage.
Santa Cruz Airbnb Minimum Stay Requirements Analysis
Distribution of Listings by Minimum Night Requirement
1 Night
61 listings
62.9% of total
2 Nights
18 listings
18.6% of total
3 Nights
3 listings
3.1% of total
4-6 Nights
1 listings
1% of total
7-29 Nights
1 listings
1% of total
30+ Nights
13 listings
13.4% of total
Key Insights
- The most prevalent minimum stay requirement in Santa Cruz is 1 Night, adopted by 62.9% of listings. This highlights the market's preference for shorter, flexible bookings.
- A strong majority (81.5%) of the Santa Cruz Airbnb data shows acceptance of very short stays (1-2 nights), indicating a dynamic, high-turnover market.
- A significant segment (13.4%) caters to monthly stays (30+ nights) in Santa Cruz, pointing to opportunities in the extended-stay market.
Recommendations
- Align with the market by considering a 1 Night minimum stay, as 62.9% of Santa Cruz hosts use this setting.
- Explore offering discounts for stays of 30+ nights to attract the 13.4% of the market seeking extended stays.
- Adjust minimum nights based on seasonality – potentially shorter during low season and longer during peak demand periods in Santa Cruz.
Santa Cruz Airbnb Cancellation Policy Trends Analysis (2025)
Flexible
17 listings
32.7% of total
Moderate
22 listings
42.3% of total
Firm
7 listings
13.5% of total
Strict
6 listings
11.5% of total
Cancellation Policy Insights for Santa Cruz
- The prevailing Airbnb cancellation policy trend in Santa Cruz is Moderate, used by 42.3% of listings.
- The market strongly favors guest-friendly terms, with 75.0% of listings offering Flexible or Moderate policies. This suggests guests in Santa Cruz may expect booking flexibility.
Recommendations for Hosts
- Consider adopting a Moderate policy to align with the 42.3% market standard in Santa Cruz.
- Using a Strict policy might deter some guests, as only 11.5% of listings use it. Evaluate if potential revenue protection outweighs possible lower booking rates.
- Regularly review your cancellation policy against competitors and market demand shifts in Santa Cruz.
Santa Cruz STR Booking Lead Time Analysis (2025)
Average Booking Lead Time by Month
Booking Lead Time Insights for Santa Cruz
- The overall average booking lead time for vacation rentals in Santa Cruz is 47 days.
- Guests book furthest in advance for stays during December (average 68 days), likely coinciding with peak travel demand or local events.
- The shortest booking windows occur for stays in September (average 13 days), indicating more last-minute travel plans during this time.
- Seasonally, Winter (62 days avg.) sees the longest lead times, while Fall (25 days avg.) has the shortest, reflecting typical travel planning cycles.
Recommendations for Hosts
- Use the overall average lead time (47 days) as a baseline for your pricing and availability strategy in Santa Cruz.
- For December stays, consider implementing length-of-stay discounts or slightly higher rates for bookings made less than 68 days out to capitalize on advance planning.
- During September, focus on last-minute booking availability and promotions, as guests book with very short notice (13 days avg.).
- Target marketing efforts for the Winter season well in advance (at least 62 days) to capture early planners.
- Monitor your own booking lead times against these Santa Cruz averages to identify opportunities for dynamic pricing adjustments.
Popular & Essential Airbnb Amenities in Santa Cruz (2025)
Amenity Prevalence
Amenity Insights for Santa Cruz
- Essential amenities in Santa Cruz that guests expect include: Wifi, Kitchen. Lacking these (any) could significantly impact bookings.
- Popular amenities like TV, Air conditioning, Free parking on premises are common but not universal. Offering these can provide a competitive edge.
Recommendations for Hosts
- Ensure your listing includes all essential amenities for Santa Cruz: Wifi, Kitchen.
- Prioritize adding missing essentials: Wifi, Kitchen.
- Consider adding popular differentiators like TV or Air conditioning to increase appeal.
- Highlight unique or less common amenities you offer (e.g., hot tub, dedicated workspace, EV charger) in your listing description and photos.
- Regularly check competitor amenities in Santa Cruz to stay competitive.
Santa Cruz Airbnb Guest Demographics & Profile Analysis (2025)
Guest Profile Summary for Santa Cruz
- The typical guest profile for Airbnb in Santa Cruz consists of a mix of domestic (50%) and international guests, often arriving from nearby San José, typically belonging to the Post-2000s (Gen Z/Alpha) group (50%), primarily speaking English or Spanish.
- Domestic travelers account for 50.4% of guests.
- Key international markets include Costa Rica (50.4%) and United States (23.8%).
- Top languages spoken are English (42.3%) followed by Spanish (39.5%).
- A significant demographic segment is the Post-2000s (Gen Z/Alpha) group, representing 50% of guests.
Recommendations for Hosts
- Balance marketing efforts between domestic and international channels based on the guest mix.
- Tailor amenities and listing descriptions to appeal to the dominant Post-2000s (Gen Z/Alpha) demographic (e.g., highlight fast WiFi, smart home features, local guides).
- Highlight unique local experiences or amenities relevant to the primary guest profile.
- Consider seasonal promotions aligned with peak travel times for key origin markets.
Nearby Short-Term Rental Market Comparison
How does the Santa Cruz Airbnb market stack up against its neighbors? Compare key performance metrics like average monthly revenue, ADR, and occupancy rates in surrounding areas to understand the broader regional STR landscape.
| Market | Active Properties | Monthly Revenue | Daily Rate | Avg. Occupancy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pinilla | 49 | $6,647 | $580.89 | 37% |
| Tamarindo | 136 | $5,073 | $462.37 | 41% |
| Punta Islita | 30 | $4,595 | $537.15 | 36% |
| Nacascolo | 34 | $4,475 | $1256.07 | 30% |
| Playa Langosta | 154 | $4,432 | $472.13 | 43% |
| Playa Tamarindo | 23 | $4,370 | $365.55 | 44% |
| Tamarindo | 1,021 | $4,120 | $345.13 | 44% |
| Cabo Velas | 852 | $3,462 | $356.16 | 41% |
| Pochomil Viejo | 10 | $3,118 | $356.11 | 26% |
| Nosara | 851 | $3,112 | $380.78 | 40% |