How to Start an Airbnb in Haiti if You Don’t Already Have Property
Someone reached out to ask for insight about starting an Airbnb in Haiti, but they didn’t yet have property. So I wanted to share what I’ve learned from my own experience as a host of three years in Cap Haitian, Haiti. If you’ve been thinking about jumping into short-term rentals here, this post is for you.
Short-term rentals, primarily hosted on the Airbnb platform, have been the foundation of my income in Haiti. Though not passive income, the ease with which I’ve been able to manage and host my short-term rental through Airbnb has made it a manageable and rewarding experience. With that being said, short-term rentals are definitely something I recommend as a business venture in Haiti. If you’ve been thinking about giving it a try, here’s my personalized invitation link to start hosting on Airbnb.
In this blog, I’ll be sharing insight specifically for those of you looking to rent a property in Haiti to use as a short term rental.
Renting a Property for Airbnb Use in Haiti
Be Clear with the Property Owner
If you’re choosing to rent a home or apartment building to use as a short term rental, be sure to clearly inform the owner that this is what you’ll be using it for. I understand that disclosing this information may feel uncomfortable, and you may even be advised by others not to share it out of fear that the owner might raise the rent. But being upfront will benefit you and the guest experience in the long run.
With a short term rental, people are constantly coming and going, so you have to be prepared for everything that comes with that: security concerns from neighbors, potential violation of a lease contract if one exists, or even jealousy from the landlord if they perceive you’re making a profit. This could lead to retaliation. You really have to consider all of this, because guest safety will be your responsibility. Guests need to be able to freely enter and exit the property without being caught up in any property disputes.
Know What Your Landlord Is Responsible For
The next thing you need to be clear on is what your landlord will provide. Depending on the condition of the property, will they be making any repairs or upgrading any areas for you? Is there a water well on site with a pump? Will they be providing this? Will they be responsible for electricity?
If the lease agreement says these things are their responsibility, you need to be sure you can hold them accountable. This will directly affect your startup costs and what you’re able to consistently offer your guests.
To be honest, I wouldn’t even expect my landlord to be responsible for ensuring consistent access to water and electricity, because of the high maintenance and repair cost. Most landlords won’t offer this, but in the case they do in order to finalize the deal, just know that it probably won’t happen, specifically not urgently. And when you have a business, everything is urgent. Guests can be careless, and many of them aren’t familiar with solar energy or water from a well. They often don’t know how to use and care for these things, so maintenance and repairs should be expected.
Is the Location Worth It?
When I first started Airbnb in Cap-Haïtien, there weren’t many short term rental options in the area. I was simply competing with hotels, which isn’t really competition because that’s two different clienteles.
Now, there are many other options.
Evaluate the location you are looking to operate in. Is it safe? Is it accessible? Is it somewhere vacationers and tourists actually want to be? Are there already many other short term rentals in the same area? If so, does the volume of visitors make sense for the number of available options? And most importantly, how will you stand out?
My apartment building isn’t necessarily in a desirable area, but the city is easily accessible from it, and there’s plenty of access to boutiques and shops nearby. Most importantly, my price is low. So even though guests may not desire to be in the area, my budget pricing makes it competitive.
Your location needs to be desirable, and if it’s not, your price, along with your amenities, must make up for that. But even with a competitive rate, if your location isn’t a destination that’s frequently visited, you’ll want to make sure your startup and annual expenses make sense for the return on investment.
Managing Your Short Term Rental
Now let’s get into managing your short term rental.
As stated, I primarily use the Airbnb platform, but I’ve also benefited from word of mouth and people in the area noticing the building. Many have stopped by to compliment it and learn that it’s a short term rental. As long as your property is nice, it’ll do well and almost market itself.
Your Team
You’ll need a team of professionals. Since this will be your business, I highly recommend having an engineer come install a durable energy system and build a relationship with them so they’re available when needed. It helps when they know you’re running a business and that issues need quick attention.
You should also have a groundskeeper. If you have the space for one to sleep on the property, that’s ideal. If not, make sure they live close enough to walk to your property a few times a day. Their job is to ensure everything is going well with the guests, and that the energy and water systems are functioning properly. This person is a must-have.
You’ll also need a reliable cleaning crew and someone to collect trash for you. In addition to these people, build relationships with your neighbors and local community. They can be a huge support to the safety and well-being of your business.
Design and Decor
Most short term rentals often look the same because we’re all buying furniture and supplies from the same places. But investing in your paint colors and unique decor will really help you stand out. I’ve selected Airbnbs before simply because they had a theme or beautiful decor.
This doesn’t mean you need to spend a lot of money on expensive furniture. But do invest in art, paint, and simple touches that give your space character.
Services You’ll Offer
Clearly communicate in your listing what services and amenities you offer. A lot of guests, especially those booking through Airbnb, expect a full-service experience similar to a hotel. I’m constantly having to remind people that Airbnb is designed for independence, not room service.
You need to determine what you want to offer, and make sure it makes sense financially for your business. Will you be providing daily cleaning? 24/7 electricity? Internet? Local cable?
All of these things should be decided in advance, and anything you don’t offer should be clearly stated in your listing. The biggest one is electricity, and if you don’t offer 24/7 access to it, be upfront about that from the start.
Final Thoughts
Starting an Airbnb in Haiti without owning property is absolutely possible. It just takes intentional planning, clear communication, and the right support around you. From choosing the right location to building a reliable team, every decision you make should reflect the kind of experience you want to offer.
It’s not always easy, but it can be incredibly rewarding. I hope this post gave you the insight and confidence to take the next steps.
If you still have questions or need help taking the next step, please feel free to contact me. And if you’re already on your journey, let me know when you’re done so I can be one of the first guests to support you!
