One of the most common questions property owners have before renting their villa is: How much should I expect to spend on electricity?
To provide a realistic benchmark, Beach Please reviewed 12 months of CFE electricity consumption from multiple professionally managed vacation rental villas in Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit, including areas such as Bucerías, La Cruz de Huanacaxtle and Punta Mita. The properties analyzed averaged approximately 65% occupancy throughout the year.
Average Electricity Cost for a Rental Villa
Based on the villas analyzed, owners can expect electricity costs of approximately: $6,000 MXN per month, or about $72,000 MXN per year.
Since CFE generally bills residential properties every two months, that means a typical bill of around $12,000–$14,000 MXN.
Costs vary considerably by season. During the hotter summer months, two-month electricity bills can reach approximately $18,000–$21,000 MXN, primarily due to increased air-conditioning use.
For financial planning, we recommend budgeting slightly higher—around $7,000 MXN per month or $84,000 MXN annually—to provide a cushion for hotter weather, high occupancy and heavier guest A/C usage.
How Much Does Electricity Vary by Season?
A reasonable monthly expectation is:
| Season | Approx. Monthly Cost |
|---|---|
| Cooler / lower-consumption months | $4,000–$5,500 MXN |
| Typical months | $5,500–$7,000 MXN |
| Hot summer months | $8,000–$10,000+ MXN |
| Annual average | ~$6,000 MXN/month |
The historical CFE records show the most significant increase during the summer months.
Actual consumption will depend on the size of the villa, number of bedrooms, A/C efficiency, pool equipment, appliances, guest behavior and occupancy.
Can Solar Panels Reduce the Cost?
For owners planning to keep their property long term, solar panels can significantly reduce electricity expenses.
A villa spending $70,000–$85,000 MXN annually on electricity has substantial savings potential. Depending on system size, installation cost and electricity consumption, solar panels can often pay for themselves within approximately 2–5 years.
After the initial investment is recovered, the reduction in electricity costs can improve the property’s profitability for years to come.
Electricity Is Only Part of the Equation
The villas included in this analysis averaged approximately 65% annual occupancy, meaning these costs represent properties that are actively operating as vacation rentals.
Electricity should therefore be considered alongside nightly rates, occupancy, maintenance, housekeeping, platform commissions and other operating expenses. A well-managed rental generating strong occupancy and revenue can absorb these costs much more effectively than an underperforming property.
Thinking About Renting Your Property?
At Beach Please, we specialize in vacation rental and property management throughout Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit.
We handle pricing and revenue management, Airbnb and Booking.com listings, guest communication, check-in, housekeeping, maintenance and day-to-day operations, with a focus on maximizing both the guest experience and the owner’s financial return.
If you own a condo or villa in Puerto Vallarta, Bucerías, La Cruz, Punta Mita or the surrounding area and are considering renting it—or want to know whether your current rental could perform better—contact Beach Please for a personalized rental income projection and property evaluation.
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