Airbnb Market Analytics, Statistics and Data in Santa Elena, Santa Elena Province, Ecuador
Last updated: 2025-01-31
Looking to make more money with hosting or rental arbitraging Airbnbs, short-term rentals, vacation rentals in Santa Elena? 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 Elena:
How much do Airbnb hosts make on average per month in Santa Elena?
The short-term rental market in Santa Elena 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 $820 per month
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) make $1,757 or more
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) achieve $2,974+ monthly
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) typically earn around $324
Revenue Variations by Month
Occupancy Rates Throughout the Year in Santa Elena
The market in Santa Elena 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 17% occupancy rates
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) achieve 33% or higher
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) reach 49%+occupancy
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) average around 8%
Occupancy Variations by Month
Average Daily Rates Seasonal Trends in Santa Elena
Daily rates in Santa Elena 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 $111 per night
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) secure $164 or more
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) pull in $275+ per night
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) earn around $69
Daily Rate Variations by Month
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Seasonality patterns in Santa Elena
Peak Season (March, April, May)
- Revenue peaks at $2055.17 per month
- Occupancy rates reach 30.03%
- Daily rates average $151.90
Shoulder Season
- Revenue averages $1348.80 per month
- Occupancy maintains 22.98%
- Daily rates hold at $146.25
Low Season (October, November, September)
- Revenue drops to $713.10 per month
- Occupancy decreases to 16.86%
- Daily rates adjust to $136.62
Is it still profitable to do Airbnb in Santa Elena in 2025?
Yes! Santa Elena demonstrates highly seasonal trends requiring strategic adaptation, featuring a growing occupancy rate of 23% and monthly revenue averaging $1349 and With 384 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 (leaf-peepers, wine tourists, cultural festival attendees, solo travelers)
- Create targeted promotional campaigns to drive occupancy
Top Places to Start Airbnb in Santa Elena
| Area | Why Choose This Area | Key Attractions |
|---|---|---|
| Montañita | Famous for its vibrant nightlife, surf culture, and beautiful beaches. Montañita attracts a young, adventurous crowd looking for a lively beach atmosphere. | Montañita Beach, La Punta, Montañita nightlife, Surf schools, Craft beer bars |
| Guayaquil | Ecuador's largest city, offering a mix of culture, history, and modern amenities. It is a hub for both business travelers and tourists exploring the coast. | Malecón 2000, Las Peñas, Puerto Santa Ana, Museo Antropológico, Parque Histórico |
| Salinas | A popular beach resort town known for its beautiful coast and luxury accommodations. Ideal for those seeking relaxation and beach activities. | Salinas Beach, Marina Salinas, La Chocolatera, Salinas de Oro, El Paseo |
| Baños | Known for its hot springs and adventure sports, Baños attracts tourists looking for nature and outdoor activities, making it great for Airbnb hosting. | Pailón del Diablo, Baños hot springs, Zip-lining, Tungurahua volcano, Coffee plantations |
| Cuenca | A UNESCO World Heritage site known for its colonial architecture and rich history. Draws tourists interested in culture and heritage. | Catedral Nueva, Ingapirca Ruins, Parque Calderón, Museo del Sombrero, Old Town |
| Canoa | A small beach town renowned for its laid-back vibe and surf spots, attracting tourists looking for a tranquil seaside experience. | Canoa Beach, Kayaking, Canoa Turtle Sanctuary, Nearby waterfalls, Local seafood |
| Otavalo | Famous for its indigenous culture and vibrant market, it attracts visitors interested in crafts and local traditions. | Otavalo Market, Cascadas de Peguche, Indigenous cultural experiences, Lake Cuicocha, Peguche Waterfall |
| Vilcabamba | Known as the 'Valley of Longevity', it attracts health-conscious travelers and retirees seeking a peaceful lifestyle in nature. | Vilcabamba village, Podocarpus National Park, Hiking trails, Local farms, Yoga retreats |
Do you need a license for Airbnb in Santa Elena?
We recommend checking directly with Santa Elena'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 Elena
Exclusive, Your Home by the Sea. Urb Marenostro.
Entire Place • 5 bedrooms
Beachfront Luxury Vacation Home at Punta Barandua
Entire Place • 4 bedrooms
Oceanic Sanctuary House
Entire Place • 4 bedrooms
Wonderful oceanfront house in Punta Blanca
Entire Place • 7 bedrooms
Beachfront Punta Blanca House
Entire Place • 6 bedrooms
Casa de Descanso y Comfort
Entire Place • 7 bedrooms
Top Performing Professional Hosts in Santa Elena
| Host Name | Properties | Grossing Revenue | Stay Reviews | Avg Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Donhost Propiedades | 5 | $116,438 | 421 | 4.95/5.0 |
| Cuenca | 1 | $87,049 | 12 | 5.00/5.0 |
| Marina | 1 | $82,293 | 22 | 4.95/5.0 |
| Sofia | 1 | $75,596 | 10 | 5.00/5.0 |
| Ana Maria | 2 | $67,448 | 111 | 4.96/5.0 |
| Elena | 1 | $50,596 | 7 | 4.29/5.0 |
| Gabriel | 1 | $49,471 | 13 | 4.69/5.0 |
| Daniel Antonio | 2 | $48,608 | 11 | 4.75/5.0 |
| Gabriel | 1 | $42,973 | 83 | 4.90/5.0 |
| Martha | 1 | $42,071 | 77 | 4.87/5.0 |
Additional analytics on vacation rental, real estate, short term rental data in Santa Elena
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 (88.3%), with apartment & condo and house properties comprising 94.8% of inventory
- Untapped potential in boutique & hotels, others, outdoor & mobile segments (5.3% combined)
Room Capacity Distribution
Analysis of 384 properties in Santa Elena shows that 3 bedrooms properties are most prevalent, making up 41.9% of the market. The market tends to favor larger properties, with 3 bedrooms and 2 bedrooms together representing 63.3% of all listings.
Key Insights
- Most common: 3 bedrooms (41.9%)
- Least common: 5+ bedrooms (8.9%)
- Market concentration: 63.3% in top 2 sizes
- Market skew: Favors larger properties
Guest Capacity Distribution
Analysis of 384 properties in Santa Elena reveals that 8+ guests properties dominate the market, representing 47.1% of all listings. The average property accommodates 6.2 guests, with a clear trend towards larger guest capacities. Properties accommodating 8+ guests and 6 guests make up 61.2% of the market.
Key Insights
- Most common capacity: 8+ guests (47.1% of market)
- Least common capacity: 1 guest (0.3% of market)
- Average guest capacity: 6.2 guests per property
- Market concentration: 61.2% in top 2 capacity sizes
- Market segmentation: Predominantly larger guest capacities
Booking and Availability Patterns
Available Days Distribution
Booked Days Distribution
Among 384 properties in Santa Elena, the most common availability pattern is 271-366 days (74.7% of properties). For actual bookings, properties most frequently secure bookings for 1-30 days (41.9% of properties).
Key Insights
- Most common availability window: 271-366 days (74.7%)
- Most common booking duration: 1-30 days (41.9%)
- Properties with high availability (180+ days): 93.5%
- Properties with long-term bookings (180+ days): 7.6%
Minimum Stay Distributions
1 Night
164 listings
45.9% of total
2 Nights
121 listings
33.9% of total
3 Nights
29 listings
8.1% of total
4-6 Nights
8 listings
2.2% of total
7-29 Nights
2 listings
0.6% of total
30+ Nights
33 listings
9.2% of total
Key Insights
- Short stays (1-2 nights) dominate the market at 79.8%
- Mid-length stays (4-6 nights) represent 2.2% of listings
- Monthly+ stays (9.2%) suggest a stable extended-stay market
- High market flexibility with 87.9% 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
Flexible
124 listings
39.2% of total
Moderate
108 listings
34.2% of total
Firm
35 listings
11.1% of total
Strict
49 listings
15.5% of total
Key Insights
- Flexible is the preferred policy at 39.2% of listings
- Guest-friendly policies (Flexible & Moderate) dominate at 73.4% of the market
- Strong market consensus around Flexible policies
- Firm policies are least common at 11.1% of listings
Recommendations
- Consider starting with a Flexible policy to align with market preferences
- Strong market preference for Flexible 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 Dec, Apr, Jan, averaging 33 days
- Shortest booking windows are in Jul, Oct, Jun, averaging 21 days
- Winter shows the longest average booking window at 33 days, while Summer has the shortest at 22 days
Recommendations
- Implement dynamic pricing strategies for Winter bookings at least 33 days in advance
- Consider early bird discounts during Summer to encourage longer lead times
- Focus on last-minute booking promotions during Jul-Jun when lead times are shortest
Popular Airbnb Amenities in Santa Elena
Below is the distribution of amenities across listings in Santa Elena:
Traveler Demographics
Key Insights
- Domestic travelers make up 90.7% of total guests, indicating a dominant local market share.
- Primary international markets: United States (4.8%) and Spain (0.8%)
- Spanish is the top language at 61.1%, followed by English (32.8%)
- Notable demographic segment in <=1950s (Pre-1950s (Silent Gen)) at 4.1%
Recommendations
- Target marketing campaigns for Guayaquil and Cuenca markets
- Develop localized content for United States and Spain
- Prioritize Spanish and English 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 Elena. These nearby markets offer diverse opportunities for property investors and hosts:
| Market | Properties | Monthly Revenue | Daily Rate | Occupancy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Curia | 28 | $1,213 | $212.80 | 21% |
| La Entrada | 39 | $1,146 | $169.56 | 25% |
| District of Canoas de Punta Sal | 196 | $1,110 | $179.01 | 25% |
| Parroquia Manglaralto | 34 | $1,025 | $219.62 | 19% |
| Sayausi | 13 | $1,004 | $136.32 | 21% |
| Baños | 20 | $901 | $94.56 | 29% |
| La Unión | 19 | $852 | $118.16 | 25% |
| Santa Isabel | 20 | $822 | $183.59 | 22% |
| Olón | 176 | $775 | $164.59 | 24% |
| District of Zorritos | 255 | $774 | $133.25 | 24% |
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