Short-term rental hosting in Medellín can generate significant income — a 1-bedroom in El Poblado earns $1,500–$2,800/month on Airbnb at good occupancy. But the regulatory landscape is tightening, tax implications are real, and property management from abroad requires systems.
Legal Requirements
Short-term rentals in Colombia require an RNT (Registro Nacional de Turismo) — a national tourism registry number. This is legally required for any property rented for less than 30 days. The registration is free and done online through CITUR (Centro de Información Turística de Colombia).
Pricing Strategy
| Neighborhood | 1BR Nightly | 1BR Monthly (30-day) | Peak Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| El Poblado (Provenza) | $60–$120 | $1,500–$2,800 | +50% Dec-Jan, Feria |
| Laureles | $40–$80 | $1,000–$2,000 | +30–40% peak |
| Envigado | $35–$65 | $900–$1,600 | +25–30% peak |
December–January and Feria de las Flores (August) are peak seasons with 50%+ price increases. Occupancy rates for well-managed properties in El Poblado average 65–80%. Monthly rentals (30+ days) are increasingly popular and provide more stable income with lower turnover costs.
Property Management
If you're not living in your property full-time, you'll need management. Options:
- Full-service management companies (Casacol, specialized STR managers): 15–25% of revenue. Handle everything: listing, cleaning, guest communication, maintenance, key exchange
- Part-time management: 8–12% of revenue. You handle listing and pricing; they handle on-ground logistics
- Self-management: Possible with a reliable cleaning person and smart lock. Requires Spanish proficiency and local availability for emergencies
Tax Obligations
Realistic Net Income Calculation
Example: 1BR in El Poblado, purchased for $150,000, renting at $2,000/month average revenue:
| Item | Monthly |
|---|---|
| Gross revenue | $2,000 |
| Airbnb fee (3% host) | -$60 |
| Management (18%) | -$360 |
| Cleaning (4 turnovers) | -$120 |
| Utilities + internet | -$130 |
| Administración | -$150 |
| Maintenance reserve | -$100 |
| Insurance | -$35 |
| Net before tax | $1,045 |
| Tax (35% non-resident) | -$366 |
| Net after tax | $679 |
| Annual net yield | ~5.4% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Legally yes — any property rented for under 30 days requires RNT registration. Enforcement has been increasing. Registration is free and done online through CITUR. Airbnb may eventually require RNT numbers on listings, as they do in other regulated markets.
No — violating your propiedad horizontal bylaws can result in fines, legal action from neighbors, and forced removal of listings. Check your building's reglamento and get written confirmation before investing in STR hosting.
Short-term generates higher gross revenue but has higher costs (management, cleaning, turnover, vacancy). Long-term (12+ month leases) provides stable, lower-hassle income with IPC-capped increases. Many owners compromise with monthly furnished rentals (30+ days) — higher rates than annual leases, lower costs than nightly STR.
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