Airbnb Market Analytics, Statistics and Data in Galle, Southern Province, Sri Lanka
Last updated: 2025-01-31
Looking to make more money with hosting or rental arbitraging Airbnbs, short-term rentals, vacation rentals in Galle? 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 Galle:
How much do Airbnb hosts make on average per month in Galle?
The short-term rental market in Galle 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 $500 per month
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) make $1,165 or more
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) achieve $2,852+ monthly
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) typically earn around $167
Revenue Variations by Month
Occupancy Rates Throughout the Year in Galle
The market in Galle 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 24% occupancy rates
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) achieve 44% or higher
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) reach 68%+occupancy
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) average around 10%
Occupancy Variations by Month
Average Daily Rates Seasonal Trends in Galle
Daily rates in Galle 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 $49 per night
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) secure $102 or more
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) pull in $218+ per night
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) earn around $28
Daily Rate Variations by Month
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Seasonality patterns in Galle
Peak Season (January, April, March)
- Revenue peaks at $1561.04 per month
- Occupancy rates reach 40.98%
- Daily rates average $117.71
Shoulder Season
- Revenue averages $1133.91 per month
- Occupancy maintains 29.88%
- Daily rates hold at $102.05
Low Season (June, October, September)
- Revenue drops to $650.38 per month
- Occupancy decreases to 19.25%
- Daily rates adjust to $95.94
Is it still profitable to do Airbnb in Galle in 2025?
Yes! Galle demonstrates highly seasonal trends requiring strategic adaptation, featuring a growing occupancy rate of 30% and monthly revenue averaging $1134 and With 255 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 Galle
| Area | Why Choose This Area | Key Attractions |
|---|---|---|
| Unawatuna | A vibrant beach town known for its golden sandy beaches and crystal-clear waters. Popular with tourists for water sports, relaxation, and beachside dining, making it ideal for Airbnb hosting. | Unawatuna Beach, Japanese Peace Pagoda, Unawatuna Diving Center, Fried Fish Market, Rumassala Sanctuary |
| Galle Fort | A UNESCO World Heritage site renowned for its colonial architecture, historic significance, and stunning views of the sea. Attracts history enthusiasts and travelers looking for cultural experiences. | Galle Fort, Galle Lighthouse, National Maritime Museum, Dutch Reformed Church, Fortress walking paths |
| Mirissa | A picturesque coastal village famous for whale watching, stunning beaches, and vibrant nightlife. Ideal for attracting tourists looking for adventure and relaxation by the sea. | Mirissa Beach, Whale Watching Tours, Secret Beach, Mirissa Fisheries Harbour, Coconut Tree Hill |
| Hikkaduwa | Known for its beautiful beach and coral reefs, Hikkaduwa is a hub for snorkeling and surfing. This lively area offers a great opportunity for tourism-driven Airbnb rentals. | Hikkaduwa Beach, Hikkaduwa Coral Sanctuary, Surfing Lessons, Turtle Hatchery, Local Nightlife |
| Koggala | A serene area with a beautiful lagoon and stunning beaches. Koggala attracts visitors wanting peaceful surroundings while being close to tourist attractions. | Koggala Lagoon, Heritage Private Museum, Koggala Beach, Madol Duwa, Stilt Fishing |
| Ahangama | This quaint fishing village is known for its stilt fishermen and surfing spots, attracting both surfers and those looking for an authentic Sri Lankan experience. | Ahangama Beach, Stilt Fishing, Surfing Spots, Kabalana Beach, Local Fishing Villages |
| Weligama | A popular surfing destination with a relaxed vibe, Weligama is growing in popularity among tourists, particularly for surf tourism and beach activities. | Weligama Beach, Surfing Lessons, Weligama Bay, Local Seafood Markets, Cultural Experiences |
| Thalpe | Quiet coastal area known for its upscale villas and beautiful beaches. Perfect for travelers seeking luxury and tranquility, making it a great Airbnb investment. | Thalpe Beach, Yoga Retreats, Boutique Hotels, Private Villas, Local Seafood Restaurants |
Do you need a license for Airbnb in Galle?
We recommend checking directly with Galle'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 Galle
41 Lighthouse Street
Entire Place • 3 bedrooms
Galle Fort, historic villa, pool, roof terrace
Entire Place • 3 bedrooms
Kingsley's Pearl At Galle Fort, Sri Lanka
Entire Place • 3 bedrooms
Luxury Beach Front Villa Olu, Galle
Entire Place • 4 bedrooms
Villa Mine with lake & skatepark
Entire Place • 5 bedrooms
Ballarat Luxury Villa - Galle
Entire Place • 4 bedrooms
Top Performing Professional Hosts in Galle
Additional analytics on vacation rental, real estate, short term rental data in Galle
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 (60%), with house and boutique & hotels properties comprising 73.7% of inventory
- Strong specialty sector (25.9%) combining boutique hotels, unique stays, and outdoor accommodations indicates market maturity and premium opportunities
- Untapped potential in outdoor & mobile, others, unique stays segments (2.0% combined)
Room Capacity Distribution
Analysis of 255 properties in Galle shows that 1 bedroom properties are most prevalent, making up 36.9% of the market. The market tends to favor smaller properties, with 1 bedroom and 2 bedrooms together representing 58.8% of all listings.
Key Insights
- Most common: 1 bedroom (36.9%)
- Least common: 5+ bedrooms (5.9%)
- Market concentration: 58.8% in top 2 sizes
- Market skew: Favors smaller properties
Guest Capacity Distribution
Analysis of 255 properties in Galle reveals that 2 guests properties dominate the market, representing 28.2% of all listings. The average property accommodates 3.7 guests, with a clear trend towards larger guest capacities. Properties accommodating 2 guests and 4 guests make up 44.7% of the market.
Key Insights
- Most common capacity: 2 guests (28.2% of market)
- Least common capacity: 1 guest (0.4% of market)
- Average guest capacity: 3.7 guests per property
- Market concentration: 44.7% in top 2 capacity sizes
- Market segmentation: Predominantly larger guest capacities
Booking and Availability Patterns
Available Days Distribution
Booked Days Distribution
Among 255 properties in Galle, the most common availability pattern is 271-366 days (72.5% of properties). For actual bookings, properties most frequently secure bookings for 1-30 days (40.4% of properties).
Key Insights
- Most common availability window: 271-366 days (72.5%)
- Most common booking duration: 1-30 days (40.4%)
- Properties with high availability (180+ days): 92.9%
- Properties with long-term bookings (180+ days): 7.5%
Minimum Stay Distributions
1 Night
167 listings
69.3% of total
2 Nights
35 listings
14.5% of total
3 Nights
8 listings
3.3% of total
4-6 Nights
11 listings
4.6% of total
7-29 Nights
16 listings
6.6% of total
30+ Nights
4 listings
1.7% of total
Key Insights
- Short stays (1-2 nights) dominate the market at 83.8%
- Mid-length stays (4-6 nights) represent 4.6% of listings
- Monthly+ stays (1.7%) 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
Flexible
82 listings
44.3% of total
Moderate
38 listings
20.5% of total
Firm
21 listings
11.4% of total
Strict
44 listings
23.8% of total
Key Insights
- Flexible is the preferred policy at 44.3% of listings
- Guest-friendly policies (Flexible & Moderate) dominate at 64.8% of the market
- Strong market consensus around Flexible policies
- Firm policies are least common at 11.4% 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 May, Apr, Jan, averaging 61 days
- Shortest booking windows are in Sep, Jul, Jun, averaging 36 days
- Spring shows the longest average booking window at 61 days, while Summer has the shortest at 38 days
Recommendations
- Implement dynamic pricing strategies for Spring bookings at least 61 days in advance
- Consider early bird discounts during Summer to encourage longer lead times
- Focus on last-minute booking promotions during Sep-Jun when lead times are shortest
Popular Airbnb Amenities in Galle
Below is the distribution of amenities across listings in Galle:
Traveler Demographics
Key Insights
- Domestic travelers make up 3.2% of total guests, indicating a mostly international-driven market.
- Primary international markets: Germany (25.3%) and India (23.4%)
- English is the top language at 61%, followed by German (15.5%)
- Notable demographic segment in <=1950s (Pre-1950s (Silent Gen)) at 7.5%
Recommendations
- Target marketing campaigns for London and England markets
- Develop localized content for Germany and India
- Prioritize English and German 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 Galle. These nearby markets offer diverse opportunities for property investors and hosts:
| Market | Properties | Monthly Revenue | Daily Rate | Occupancy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ranna | 10 | $2,289 | $244.11 | 36% |
| Madampagama | 23 | $2,209 | $232.86 | 42% |
| Kamburugamuwa | 10 | $2,180 | $471.44 | 26% |
| Walgama | 47 | $2,138 | $127.80 | 49% |
| Mawella | 10 | $1,718 | $191.26 | 42% |
| Rajgama | 30 | $1,563 | $167.64 | 33% |
| Goviyapana | 37 | $1,552 | $171.68 | 37% |
| Seenigama | 13 | $1,540 | $115.59 | 30% |
| Talpe | 104 | $1,513 | $243.26 | 33% |
| Hunnadeniya | 10 | $1,441 | $105.41 | 48% |
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