Top 19 Airbnb Markets in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico’s year-round tropical climate, world-renowned beaches, and vibrant cultural heritage make the island a magnet for travelers—and a compelling short-term rental (STR) destination. From historic Old San Juan to the palm-lined shores of Vieques and Culebra, investors can find everything from luxury resort areas to up-and-coming inland towns. Below are the top-ranked Airbnb markets across the island, based on AirDNA’s proprietary data.

What Is AirDNA’s Market Score?

Market Score is a proprietary metric that ranks how attractive a location is for short-term rental investment. Each score is calculated based on the following five metrics:

• Investability
• Rental Demand
• Revenue Growth
• Seasonality
• Regulation

Scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating stronger overall market health. In addition to an overall Market Score, each of the five metrics gets its own score on the same scale within the AirDNA app. This level of granularity is useful for Airbnb stakeholders interested in a particular aspect of market behavior.

Understanding Markets vs. Submarkets

This list includes a mix of the largest markets and submarkets, which are defined as:

• Markets refer to well-defined, often larger geographic areas like cities or metro regions.
• Submarkets are more granular locations, such as smaller towns, neighborhoods, or beach communities within those larger regions.

Including both allows investors to spot opportunities that may be overlooked when focusing solely on large-scale market data. A market with a mediocre score might contain submarkets with excellent performance.

Airbnb Market Overview in Puerto Rico

The Isla del Encanto continues to see robust tourism growth as U.S. travelers take advantage of passport-free flights and Europeans seek Caribbean sun. San Juan and its surrounding beach districts remain the anchor of the STR economy, while luxury enclaves like Dorado and emerging surf towns on the west coast diversify the opportunity set. Inland cities offer lower entry costs and year-round demand tied to business travel and local events. Whether you’re aiming for premium nightly rates in resort corridors or steady bookings in urban centers, Puerto Rico delivers a broad spectrum of high-performing STR markets.

Top 19 Airbnb Markets in Puerto Rico (Ranked by Market Score)

19. Boquerón

Market Score: 7.00

Average Annual Revenue: $22,601

Located on Cabo Rojo’s southwest coast, Boquerón is famous for its lively waterfront, seafood kiosks, and sunset sailings. Despite the low Market Score, affordable property prices and weekend-heavy demand create a niche entry point for value-oriented investors.

18. Patillas

Market Score: 8.39

Average Annual Revenue: $38,259

Nicknamed “La Esmeralda del Sur” for its green coastal mountains, Patillas attracts anglers and road-trippers exploring PR-3. Limited competition and rising eco-tourism give this sleepy submarket upside potential.

17. Cabo Rojo

Market Score: 12.34

Average Annual Revenue: $25,851

Cabo Rojo’s dramatic cliffs and postcard beaches like Playa Sucia draw local and international visitors alike. Though its Market Score remains modest, consistent weekend occupancy keeps cash flow steady.

16. Guayama

Market Score: 15.74

Average Annual Revenue: $22,926

Sitting on the island’s south coast near Jobos Bay, Guayama benefits from light industrial activity and coastal recreation. Investors can still find low-priced inventory and appeal to workers and beachgoers.

15. Salinas

Market Score: 23.64

Average Annual Revenue: $21,828

Known for its marinas and seafood scene, Salinas captures demand from sailing enthusiasts and locals escaping city life. Its mid-island location near PR-52 makes it a convenient stopover with STR upside.

14. Hatillo

Market Score: 31.78

Average Annual Revenue: $23,378

Hatillo’s Atlantic shoreline and famous mask festival attract niche tourism while nearby dairy operations foster business travel. Moderate competition and manageable seasonality support reliable occupancy.

13. Ensenada

Market Score: 36.72

Average Annual Revenue: $17,827

Part of Guánica on the southwest coast, Ensenada offers access to the Guánica Dry Forest and calm Caribbean coves. Lower nightly rates align with budget-friendly travelers seeking nature adventures.

12. Rincón/Isabela

Market Score: 37.76

Average Annual Revenue: $34,083

Surf capital Rincón and nearby Isabela lure wave-chasers and digital nomads. While competition and regulation temper the Market Score, premium ADRs during winter surf season fuel strong returns.

11. Río Grande/Fajardo

Market Score: 40.58

Average Annual Revenue: $44,944

Home to El Yunque National Forest and bioluminescent bays, this east-coast corridor commands high nightly rates. Resort developments and consistent tour activity sustain year-round STR demand.

10. Vieques/Culebra

Market Score: 45.35

Average Annual Revenue: $47,607

The offshore islands of Vieques and Culebra boast secluded beaches and luxury eco-stays. Logistics hurdles keep supply limited, allowing existing hosts to capitalize on high ADRs and shoulder-season bookings.

9. Mayagüez

Market Score: 48.88

Average Annual Revenue: $16,690

As the western region’s university and medical hub, Mayagüez enjoys diversified demand from students, professionals, and event traffic. Affordable housing offsets relatively lower nightly rates.

8. Manatí

Market Score: 62.44

Average Annual Revenue: $38,443

Manatí’s rugged north-shore beaches and growing pharmaceutical sector combine leisure and business travel. Limited STR saturation and mid-high ADRs underpin its solid Market Score.

7. Dorado

Market Score: 70.72

Average Annual Revenue: $65,155

Home to some of Puerto Rico’s most exclusive resorts and golf courses, Dorado commands the island’s highest ADRs. Luxury travelers drive revenue potential, though elevated property prices raise barriers to entry.

6. Humacao

Market Score: 70.85

Average Annual Revenue: $39,266

Anchored by the master-planned community of Palmas del Mar, Humacao attracts families and snowbirds seeking gated amenities. Year-round sunshine mitigates seasonality concerns.

5. Vega Baja

Market Score: 75.94

Average Annual Revenue: $47,676

Vega Baja’s natural tide pools and proximity to San Juan International Airport make it a convenient beach escape. Attractive cap rates stem from mid-level home prices paired with robust ADRs.

4. Arecibo

Market Score: 76.35

Average Annual Revenue: $25,067

Arecibo’s lighthouse, cave systems, and astro-tourism pedigree draw explorers off the beaten path. Consistent weekend demand and highway access support healthy occupancy figures.

3. Ponce

Market Score: 81.87

Average Annual Revenue: $19,935

Puerto Rico’s “Pearl of the South” blends colonial architecture, museums, and coastal boardwalks. Government offices and regional hospitals add weekday demand, producing balanced, year-round bookings.

2. Caguas

Market Score: 93.47

Average Annual Revenue: $23,295

Located in the island’s central valley and just 30 minutes from San Juan, Caguas serves as a commuter and business hub. Low seasonality and growing cultural tourism give it one of Puerto Rico’s highest Market Scores.

1. San Juan

Market Score: 97.47

Average Annual Revenue: $40,049

Historic charm, nightlife, cruise-ship traffic, and nonstop flights position San Juan as Puerto Rico’s STR powerhouse. High occupancy rates and resilient ADRs make it the top market for Airbnb investors on the island.

Should You Invest in Puerto Rico?

For investors targeting Caribbean STR assets, Puerto Rico offers a rare combination of U.S. legal frameworks, favorable tax incentives, and strong tourism fundamentals. Coastal luxury markets like Dorado, Vieques, and Río Grande deliver premium nightly rates, while inland cities such as Caguas and Ponce provide lower acquisition costs and diversified demand.

Regulatory discussions continue, particularly in historic districts of San Juan, but overall the island maintains an accessible permitting environment compared with many U.S. states. Add in nonstop domestic flights, bilingual infrastructure, and ongoing hotel undersupply, and Puerto Rico presents a balanced, opportunity-rich landscape for short-term rental investment.