Airbnb Market Analytics, Statistics and Data in Montego Bay, St. James Parish, Jamaica
Last updated: 2025-01-31
Looking to make more money with hosting or rental arbitraging Airbnbs, short-term rentals, vacation rentals in Montego Bay? 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 Montego Bay:
How much do Airbnb hosts make on average per month in Montego Bay?
The short-term rental market in Montego Bay 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 $2,609 per month
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) make $4,994 or more
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) achieve $10,499+ monthly
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) typically earn around $1,280
Revenue Variations by Month
Occupancy Rates Throughout the Year in Montego Bay
The market in Montego Bay 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 40% occupancy rates
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) achieve 62% or higher
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) reach 78%+occupancy
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) average around 21%
Occupancy Variations by Month
Average Daily Rates Seasonal Trends in Montego Bay
Daily rates in Montego Bay 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 $161 per night
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) secure $376 or more
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) pull in $1,256+ per night
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) earn around $86
Daily Rate Variations by Month
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Seasonality patterns in Montego Bay
Peak Season (March, April, February)
- Revenue peaks at $6656.83 per month
- Occupancy rates reach 50.46%
- Daily rates average $534.43
Shoulder Season
- Revenue averages $4746.05 per month
- Occupancy maintains 42.36%
- Daily rates hold at $461.31
Low Season (October, November, September)
- Revenue drops to $2821.65 per month
- Occupancy decreases to 30.44%
- Daily rates adjust to $356.20
Is it still profitable to do Airbnb in Montego Bay in 2025?
Yes! Montego Bay demonstrates highly seasonal trends requiring strategic adaptation, featuring a growing occupancy rate of 42% and strong monthly revenue averaging $4746 and With 206 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 Montego Bay
| Area | Why Choose This Area | Key Attractions |
|---|---|---|
| Montego Bay Hip Strip | The heart of the tourist area with beaches, bars, restaurants, and nightlife. Perfect for attracting vacationers looking for entertainment and convenience. | Doctor's Cave Beach, Margaritaville, Coral Cliff Gaming Lounge, Hip Strip shops, Reggae Beach |
| Rose Hall | An upscale area known for luxury villas and golf courses. Ideal for travelers seeking a more tranquil and high-end vacation experience. | Rose Hall Great House, Cinnamon Hill Golf Course, White Witch Golf Course, Half Moon Resort, Jamaica Golf Club |
| Ironshore | A residential neighborhood that is increasingly popular among tourists due to its beach access and quiet environment. Great for families and longer stays. | The White Witch Golf Course, Ironshore Beach, Bogue Inlet, Local restaurants, Scotchies (famous jerk chicken) |
| Falmouth | A historic town close to Montego Bay, known for its Georgian architecture and cruise ship port. Attracts cruise passengers and history enthusiasts. | Falmouth Historic District, Luminous Lagoon, Town Square, Local markets, James Bond Beach |
| Lighthouse Drive | A scenic area providing beautiful ocean views and proximity to beaches, appealing to couples and vacationers seeking romance and relaxation. | Lighthouse Beach, Nature resorts, Snorkeling spots, Sunset views, Beach bars |
| Trelawny | Known for its natural beauty and proximity to attractions, ideal for eco-tourism and adventure seekers wanting to explore deeper parts of Jamaica. | Dunn's River Falls, Island Gully Falls, Green Grotto Caves, Local hiking trails, Horseback riding tours |
| Salt Cayon | Famous for its calm waters and relaxed atmosphere. Perfect for families and those wishing to avoid the busier tourist areas. | Bamboo Beach Club, Family-friendly resorts, Water sports, Kayaking, Local restaurants |
| Westgate Hills | A residential area with a growing interest from tourists looking for local experiences and a more relaxed atmosphere. Provides a glimpse into local life. | Local shopping, Community parks, Westgate Shopping Mall, Local dining options, Friendly neighborhood vibe |
Do you need a license for Airbnb in Montego Bay?
We recommend checking directly with Montego Bay'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 Montego Bay
Lux 5bdr Villa Beach Golf 5* Resort Chef Views
Entire Place • 5 bedrooms
Vibrant island vibe villa for large groups
Entire Place • 8 bedrooms
Dreamtime 7-Beach, Butler, Chef, Driver, Modern
Entire Place • 7 bedrooms
5 Brm Elegant Oceanview Villa, Private pool, Chef
Entire Place • 5 bedrooms
Foxtail Villa - Pool, Chef and Butler included
Entire Place • 4 bedrooms
Orchids & Palms Luxury Villa Montego Bay w/ Pool
Entire Place • 6 bedrooms
Top Performing Professional Hosts in Montego Bay
| Host Name | Properties | Grossing Revenue | Stay Reviews | Avg Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Julie | 2 | $684,579 | 10 | 5.00/5.0 |
| Hospitality Expert | 9 | $598,820 | 2251 | 4.70/5.0 |
| Aurora Suites | 1 | $422,686 | 70 | 4.94/5.0 |
| Lisa | 2 | $378,921 | 3 | 2.50/5.0 |
| Deya-So Vacation Services By D | 8 | $292,333 | 162 | 4.89/5.0 |
| Rayne | 2 | $253,439 | 21 | 4.54/5.0 |
| Nicola | 2 | $208,865 | 85 | 4.77/5.0 |
| Ceceile | 1 | $177,960 | 39 | 5.00/5.0 |
| Michelle & Frank | 6 | $162,811 | 47 | 4.14/5.0 |
| Sherie & I Heart Travel Jamaic | 1 | $159,623 | 134 | 4.84/5.0 |
Additional analytics on vacation rental, real estate, short term rental data in Montego Bay
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 (88.8%), with apartment & condo and house properties comprising 97.1% of inventory
- Untapped potential in others, boutique & hotels segments (3.0% combined)
Room Capacity Distribution
Analysis of 206 properties in Montego Bay shows that 1 bedroom properties are most prevalent, making up 40.3% of the market. The market tends to favor smaller properties, with 1 bedroom and 2 bedrooms together representing 62.1% of all listings.
Key Insights
- Most common: 1 bedroom (40.3%)
- Least common: 4 bedrooms (8.3%)
- Market concentration: 62.1% in top 2 sizes
- Market skew: Favors smaller properties
Guest Capacity Distribution
Analysis of 206 properties in Montego Bay reveals that 2 guests properties dominate the market, representing 28.2% of all listings. The average property accommodates 4.5 guests, with a clear trend towards larger guest capacities. Properties accommodating 2 guests and 8+ guests make up 51.9% of the market.
Key Insights
- Most common capacity: 2 guests (28.2% of market)
- Least common capacity: 1 guest (0.5% of market)
- Average guest capacity: 4.5 guests per property
- Market concentration: 51.9% in top 2 capacity sizes
- Market segmentation: Predominantly larger guest capacities
Booking and Availability Patterns
Available Days Distribution
Booked Days Distribution
Among 206 properties in Montego Bay, the most common availability pattern is 271-366 days (40.8% of properties). For actual bookings, properties most frequently secure bookings for 91-180 days (29.1% of properties).
Key Insights
- Most common availability window: 271-366 days (40.8%)
- Most common booking duration: 91-180 days (29.1%)
- Properties with high availability (180+ days): 69.9%
- Properties with long-term bookings (180+ days): 32.0%
Minimum Stay Distributions
1 Night
63 listings
34.1% of total
2 Nights
59 listings
31.9% of total
3 Nights
39 listings
21.1% of total
4-6 Nights
12 listings
6.5% of total
7-29 Nights
4 listings
2.2% of total
30+ Nights
8 listings
4.3% of total
Key Insights
- Short stays (1-2 nights) dominate the market at 66.0%
- Mid-length stays (4-6 nights) represent 6.5% of listings
- Monthly+ stays (4.3%) suggest a stable extended-stay market
- High market flexibility with 87.1% 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
- Implement different minimum stays for weekends vs. weekdays
Cancellation Policy Distribution
Super Strict 60 Days
1 listings
0.6% of total
Super Strict 30 Days
10 listings
6.1% of total
Flexible
45 listings
27.3% of total
Moderate
38 listings
23% of total
Firm
37 listings
22.4% of total
Strict
34 listings
20.6% of total
Key Insights
- Flexible is the preferred policy at 27.3% of listings
- The market shows a balanced distribution between guest-friendly (50.3%) and strict (43.0%) policies
- Strong market consensus around Flexible policies
- Super Strict 60 Days policies are least common at 0.6% of listings
Recommendations
- Market supports various policies - choose based on your property type and target guests
- 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 Jul, Mar, May, averaging 65 days
- Shortest booking windows are in Nov, Aug, Sep, averaging 40 days
- Spring shows the longest average booking window at 63 days, while Fall has the shortest at 41 days
Recommendations
- Implement dynamic pricing strategies for Spring bookings at least 63 days in advance
- Consider early bird discounts during Fall to encourage longer lead times
- Focus on last-minute booking promotions during Nov-Sep when lead times are shortest
Popular Airbnb Amenities in Montego Bay
Every property in Montego Bay comes standard with Wifi. Below shows the distribution of other amenities:
Traveler Demographics
Key Insights
- Domestic travelers make up 11.2% of total guests, indicating a mostly international-driven market.
- Primary international markets: Jamaica (12%) and Canada (6.5%)
- English is the top language at 82.4%, followed by Spanish (9.4%)
- Notable demographic segment in <=1950s (Pre-1950s (Silent Gen)) at 3.1%
Recommendations
- Target marketing campaigns for New York and Kingston markets
- Develop localized content for Jamaica and Canada
- Prioritize English and Spanish 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 Montego Bay. These nearby markets offer diverse opportunities for property investors and hosts:
| Market | Properties | Monthly Revenue | Daily Rate | Occupancy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duncans | 26 | $4,773 | $580.17 | 36% |
| Mount Zion | 30 | $4,121 | $401.39 | 35% |
| Unity Hall | 29 | $4,091 | $373.49 | 30% |
| Ocho Rios | 17 | $3,659 | $391.26 | 29% |
| Davis Cove | 15 | $3,174 | $305.97 | 35% |
| Bruces Hill | 18 | $2,878 | $550.48 | 31% |
| St. James Parish | 79 | $2,681 | $307.12 | 36% |
| West End | 25 | $2,633 | $276.06 | 36% |
| Montego Bay | 14 | $2,578 | $281.72 | 45% |
| Treasure Beach | 15 | $2,529 | $325.34 | 32% |
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