Airbnb Market Analytics, Statistics and Data in Santa Cruz, Madeira, Portugal
Last updated: 2025-01-31
Looking to make more money with hosting or rental arbitraging Airbnbs, short-term rentals, vacation rentals in Santa Cruz? 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 Cruz:
How much do Airbnb hosts make on average per month in Santa Cruz?
The short-term rental market in Santa Cruz 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 $2,388 per month
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) make $3,899 or more
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) achieve $8,415+ monthly
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) typically earn around $1,469
Revenue Variations by Month
Occupancy Rates Throughout the Year in Santa Cruz
The market in Santa Cruz 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 67% occupancy rates
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) achieve 84% or higher
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) reach 92%+occupancy
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) average around 42%
Occupancy Variations by Month
Average Daily Rates Seasonal Trends in Santa Cruz
Daily rates in Santa Cruz 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 $122 per night
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) secure $195 or more
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) pull in $362+ per night
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) earn around $83
Daily Rate Variations by Month
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Seasonality patterns in Santa Cruz
Peak Season (August, July, May)
- Revenue peaks at $5355.10 per month
- Occupancy rates reach 75.09%
- Daily rates average $207.26
Shoulder Season
- Revenue averages $3779.55 per month
- Occupancy maintains 61.21%
- Daily rates hold at $177.94
Low Season (December, November, January)
- Revenue drops to $2133.10 per month
- Occupancy decreases to 38.71%
- Daily rates adjust to $148.45
Is it still profitable to do Airbnb in Santa Cruz in 2025?
Yes! Santa Cruz demonstrates highly seasonal trends requiring strategic adaptation, featuring a healthy occupancy rate of 61% and strong monthly revenue averaging $3780 and With 455 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 (business travelers, long-term stays, holiday visitors, event attendees, remote workers)
- Create targeted promotional campaigns to drive occupancy
Top Places to Start Airbnb in Santa Cruz
| Area | Why Choose This Area | Key Attractions |
|---|---|---|
| Funchal | The capital of Madeira, Funchal offers a stunning coastal landscape, rich history, and vibrant culture. It is a popular destination for tourists due to its beautiful botanical gardens, warm climate, and lively atmosphere. | Madeira Botanical Garden, CR7 Museum, Funchal Cathedral, Madeira Story Centre, Cable Car to Monte, Mercado dos Lavradores |
| Camara de Lobos | A picturesque fishing village known for its charming harbor and stunning views. Ideal for those looking for a tranquil and authentic Madeiran experience, attracting visitors for its beauty and local charm. | Cabo Girão Skywalk, Câmara de Lobos Bay, Local wine tasting, Levada walks, Scenic boat tours |
| Ponta do Sol | Recognized as one of the sunniest spots in Madeira, Ponta do Sol offers beautiful beaches and incredible landscapes. A great location for those looking to relax and enjoy the outdoors. | Ponta do Sol beach, Hiking trails, Natural pools, Sunset views, Levada walks |
| Machico | This historical town has a beautiful sandy beach and is the site of Madeira's first landing by settlers. It appeals to families and those interested in leisure activities such as water sports. | Machico beach, Historical center, Levada dos Maroços, Sao Roque Chapel, Diving and water sports |
| Caniço | A charming seaside town known for its tranquility and beautiful coastal views. Ideal for vacationers seeking relaxation and proximity to the vibrant city of Funchal. | Garajau Natural Reserve, Christ the Redeemer statue, Water sports, Diving, Hiking trails |
| Prazeres | A traditional village offering serene landscapes and local culture. Ideal for nature lovers and those wanting to escape the hustle and bustle while enjoying scenic greenery and hiking opportunities. | Prazeres village, Levada walks, Local markets, Scenic viewpoints, Nature trails |
| São Vicente | Nestled in the north of Madeira, São Vicente is known for its stunning mountains and natural beauty. It is perfect for eco-tourists and adventure seekers looking to explore Madeira's lush landscapes. | São Vicente Caves, Scenic hiking trails, Natural pools, Beautiful coastline, Levadas |
| Calheta | Famous for its man-made sandy beach and vibrant marina, Calheta is a great area for sun-seekers and those who enjoy outdoor activities such as sailing and hiking. | Calheta Beach, Calheta Marina, Levada do Paul, Local sugar cane museum, Water sports |
Do you need a license for Airbnb in Santa Cruz?
Yes, Santa Cruz requires a license for operating an Airbnb. Current market data shows 84% of active listings maintain proper licensing, confirming this requirement. Getting licensed is an essential first step before listing your property.
Top Performing Airbnb Properties in Santa Cruz
Beach House - By Wehost
Entire Place • N/A
Casa da Cebola by An Island Apart
Entire Place • 3 bedrooms
Reis Magos III by An Island Apart
Entire Place • 3 bedrooms
The Balcony - By Wehost
Entire Place • N/A
Garajau I by An Island Apart
Entire Place • 3 bedrooms
Reis Magos II by An Island Apart
Entire Place • 2 bedrooms
Top Performing Professional Hosts in Santa Cruz
| Host Name | Properties | Grossing Revenue | Stay Reviews | Avg Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| An Island | 22 | $3,874,155 | 954 | 4.62/5.0 |
| LovelyStay | 20 | $1,116,008 | 543 | 4.72/5.0 |
| GuestReady | 9 | $577,124 | 377 | 4.10/5.0 |
| OurMadeira | 7 | $575,452 | 206 | 4.18/5.0 |
| Madeira | 13 | $534,792 | 291 | 4.70/5.0 |
| Carlota & Babi | 1 | $495,722 | 65 | 4.83/5.0 |
| Holidu | 7 | $441,888 | 134 | 4.84/5.0 |
| Leonardo | 10 | $358,658 | 1199 | 4.82/5.0 |
| Atlantic Holiday | 10 | $333,131 | 351 | 4.71/5.0 |
| Sofia | 4 | $270,157 | 81 | 3.56/5.0 |
Additional analytics on vacation rental, real estate, short term rental data in Santa Cruz
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 (92.1%), with apartment & condo and house properties comprising 96.7% of inventory
- Untapped potential in outdoor & mobile, boutique & hotels, others segments (3.2% combined)
Room Capacity Distribution
Analysis of 455 properties in Santa Cruz shows that 2 bedrooms properties are most prevalent, making up 36.5% of the market. The market tends to favor smaller properties, with 2 bedrooms and 1 bedroom together representing 63.7% of all listings.
Key Insights
- Most common: 2 bedrooms (36.5%)
- Least common: 5+ bedrooms (1.3%)
- Market concentration: 63.7% in top 2 sizes
- Market skew: Favors smaller properties
Guest Capacity Distribution
Analysis of 455 properties in Santa Cruz reveals that 4 guests properties dominate the market, representing 29.2% of all listings. The average property accommodates 4.3 guests, with a clear trend towards larger guest capacities. Properties accommodating 4 guests and 2 guests make up 47.5% of the market.
Key Insights
- Most common capacity: 4 guests (29.2% of market)
- Least common capacity: 7 guests (1.5% of market)
- Average guest capacity: 4.3 guests per property
- Market concentration: 47.5% in top 2 capacity sizes
- Market segmentation: Predominantly larger guest capacities
Booking and Availability Patterns
Available Days Distribution
Booked Days Distribution
Among 455 properties in Santa Cruz, the most common availability pattern is 91-180 days (33.6% of properties). For actual bookings, properties most frequently secure bookings for 181-270 days (33.4% of properties).
Key Insights
- Most common availability window: 91-180 days (33.6%)
- Most common booking duration: 181-270 days (33.4%)
- Properties with high availability (180+ days): 42.6%
- Properties with long-term bookings (180+ days): 60.0%
Minimum Stay Distributions
1 Night
90 listings
21.6% of total
2 Nights
30 listings
7.2% of total
3 Nights
66 listings
15.9% of total
4-6 Nights
173 listings
41.6% of total
7-29 Nights
27 listings
6.5% of total
30+ Nights
30 listings
7.2% of total
Key Insights
- Short stays (1-2 nights) dominate the market at 28.8%
- Mid-length stays (4-6 nights) represent 41.6% of listings
- Monthly+ stays (7.2%) suggest a stable extended-stay market
- High market flexibility with 44.7% 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
11 listings
2.6% of total
Super Strict 30 Days
39 listings
9.3% of total
Flexible
73 listings
17.5% of total
Moderate
103 listings
24.6% of total
Firm
79 listings
18.9% of total
Strict
113 listings
27% of total
Key Insights
- Strict is the preferred policy at 27.0% of listings
- The market shows a balanced distribution between guest-friendly (42.1%) and strict (45.9%) policies
- Strong market consensus around Strict policies
- Super Strict 60 Days policies are least common at 2.6% of listings
Recommendations
- Market supports various policies - choose based on your property type and target guests
- Strong market preference for Strict policies suggests this should be your baseline
Booking Lead Time Trends
Key Insights
- Peak booking lead times occur in Jul, Aug, May, averaging 105 days
- Shortest booking windows are in Jan, Mar, Feb, averaging 65 days
- Summer shows the longest average booking window at 105 days, while Winter has the shortest at 68 days
Recommendations
- Implement dynamic pricing strategies for Summer bookings at least 105 days in advance
- Consider early bird discounts during Winter to encourage longer lead times
- Focus on last-minute booking promotions during Jan-Feb when lead times are shortest
Popular Airbnb Amenities in Santa Cruz
Below is the distribution of amenities across listings in Santa Cruz:
Traveler Demographics
Key Insights
- Domestic travelers make up 5.4% of total guests, indicating a mostly international-driven market.
- Primary international markets: Germany (28.8%) and United Kingdom (16.4%)
- English is the top language at 52.2%, followed by French (16.8%)
- Notable demographic segment in <=1950s (Pre-1950s (Silent Gen)) at 6.9%
Recommendations
- Target marketing campaigns for London and England markets
- Develop localized content for Germany and United Kingdom
- 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 Cruz. These nearby markets offer diverse opportunities for property investors and hosts:
| Market | Properties | Monthly Revenue | Daily Rate | Occupancy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ribeira Brava | 165 | $4,063 | $214.09 | 65% |
| Funchal | 1,957 | $3,862 | $226.49 | 60% |
| Câmara de Lobos | 111 | $3,548 | $202.68 | 58% |
| Ponta do Sol | 256 | $3,215 | $174.67 | 65% |
| Calheta | 846 | $3,055 | $195.15 | 61% |
| São Vicente | 224 | $2,557 | $132.39 | 66% |
| Santana | 135 | $2,382 | $165.81 | 58% |
| Porto Moniz | 129 | $2,188 | $127.34 | 59% |
| Machico | 196 | $1,923 | $116.56 | 61% |
| Porto Santo | 141 | $1,811 | $197.22 | 46% |
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