How to Rent Your Vacation Home for Weekends in Colombia While Complying with Regulations

Owning a vacation home in areas such as Oriente Antioqueño, the Bogotá Savanna, Anapoima, Carmen de Apicalá, or the Coffee Axis represents a valuable asset that generates fixed maintenance, caretaker, and utility costs. Taking advantage of weekends and holiday long weekends to rent it out by the day to families and trusted groups is an excellent income strategy. However, to do so safely and profitably in 2026, it is essential to understand Colombian tourism regulations and avoid paying high intermediation commissions.

Many owners are unaware that offering a country house for short-term tourist accommodation is regulated by Law 2068 of 2020 and Decree 1836 of 2021. Complying with these guidelines not only prevents penalties from local authorities but also provides peace of mind regarding property damage, excessive noise, or issues with guests. If you want to see real options right now, you can see farms and lots available on Colombia Move — posting is completely free.

Quick answer: What do you need to rent your vacation home by the day legally?

• National Tourism Registry (RNT): It is mandatory for the tourist housing category, 100% free, and processed virtually.
• Civil Liability Policy: Mandatory by law to cover unforeseen events, accidents, or bodily injury to guests.
• Guest Registration (TRA and SIRE): You must complete the Accommodation Registration Card (TRA) and report foreigners on the Migración Colombia SIRE portal.
• Clear rules and security deposit: Define coexistence rules, maximum capacity, and a refundable security deposit.

1. Mandatory legal framework for tourist vacation homes in Colombia

Vacation rentals by the day or weekend are not governed by the traditional urban housing lease law (Law 820 of 2003), but under the framework of lodging and tourism services. If you want to delve deeper into long-term contracts, you can consult our guide for leasing vacation homes in Colombia, but for short weekend stays, the rules are specific.

Registration and renewal of the National Tourism Registry (RNT)

To rent your vacation home to tourists, the first legal step is to obtain the RNT in the "Tourist Housing" or "Tourist Farm" category. The process is carried out directly on the Confecámaras virtual portal (rnt.confecamaras.co). It is a completely free procedure that does not require intermediaries or the payment of registration taxes.

Take into account these key points about the RNT:

• Annual renewal: It must be done mandatorily between January 1 and March 31 of each year virtually.
• Suspension and reactivation: If you do not renew on time, your registration will be automatically suspended starting April 1. To reactivate a suspended RNT, the regulation requires paying a fine of 1 current legal monthly minimum wage (SMMLV) to FONTUR (which for 2026 corresponds to $1,750,905 COP).
• ESCNNA code of conduct: When registering, you must adhere to the declaration for the prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse of children and adolescents.

Extracontractual civil liability policy

The General Tourism Law (Law 2068 of 2020, art. 32) establishes that all providers of tourist accommodation services must have an extracontractual civil liability insurance policy. This policy protects visitors against potential accidents, slips in the pool area, or medical contingencies inside the property during their stay.

2. Operational obligations during guest check-in

Once you have the RNT active and the policy contracted, each weekend's operation requires complying with the proper registration of the people entering the property.

According to active listings on Colombia Move (August 2026), there are 13 active listings in the vacation home category. To maintain operational order, you must comply with two official platforms:

• Accommodation Registration Card (TRA): A system of the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism where you must record the identification, arrival, and departure dates of all adult guests.
• Report to the Migración Colombia SIRE: If you host foreign citizens, it is mandatory to register them on the SIRE platform within the first 24 hours after their arrival to comply with immigration regulations.
• Tourism parafiscal contribution: As a tourist service provider, you must settle the parafiscal contribution managed by FONTUR quarterly, equivalent to 2.5 per thousand (0.25%) of your operating rental income.

3. Protecting the vacation home: security deposits and internal rules

One of a property owner's greatest fears is that the vacation home will be used for out-of-control parties that cause damage to the facilities, the pool, or the neighborhood's peace. Protecting your assets depends on a good initial filter and establishing strict contractual conditions.

Temporary lease contract and security deposit

Never hand over the keys to your property without a signed document. A temporary weekend rental contract must specify the names of those responsible, check-in and check-out dates, the rent amount, and the limit of allowed guests. Likewise, it is advisable to agree on a refundable amount to cover possible broken glass, stains on linens, or damage to pool pumps. If you wish to learn more about the legal frameworks for these guarantees, you can review our analysis on security deposits and rental deposits in Colombia.

Indisputable coexistence rules

Establish a visible set of rules at the property and send them in writing before the reservation is paid. Include points such as:

• Music hours: Volume limits and a strict time for turning off outdoor speakers to respect rural tranquility.
• Maximum capacity: Explicit prohibition of bringing in additional visitors not registered in the contract.
• Use of pool and wet areas: Hygiene rules, prohibition of glass containers near the water, and constant supervision of minors.

4. How to rent directly without paying abusive commissions

Intermediation fees can increase the final price for Colombian families or reduce your profit margin.

Many owners prefer to manage direct temporary rentals with the owner. To achieve this successfully, create a PDF catalog or a web link with real high-quality photos, detailed description of the access road condition, kitchen inventory, number of beds, and included services (Internet, jacuzzi, grill, sports court, etc.).

To maximize your visibility in sectors such as housing and country properties, you can advertise your property on local channels directly without intermediation.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is it mandatory to obtain the RNT to rent out a vacation home for weekends?

As of August 2026, yes, every property offered for daily tourist accommodation in Colombia must have an active National Tourism Registry (RNT). The applicable category is tourist housing.

❓ How much does it cost to register or renew the National Tourism Registry for my property?

As of August 2026, registration and renewal of the RNT are free and completed online. Confecámaras does not require intermediaries or state registration taxes.

❓ What happens if I don't renew the RNT before March 31?

As of August 2026, the RNT is automatically suspended on April 1 if you do not renew it between January 1 and March 31. According to Confecámaras and FONTUR, consulted in August 2026, reactivating it requires paying 1 SMMLV.

❓ How do I charge a security deposit to guests to protect the property?

As of August 2026, you can agree upon a refundable deposit in the short-term rental contract. Define in writing when it is handed over and return it after checking the inventory and the state of the property at check-out.

❓ Should I require an insurance policy from guests who rent the property?

As of August 2026, the law requires the host to have an active civil liability insurance policy. It must cover bodily injury, accidents, or health contingencies of guests during their stay.

❓ Where can I list my property for a weekend rental without paying commission?

As of August 2026, you can list your property directly on classifieds portals in Colombia such as Colombia Move, connecting directly with tenants via WhatsApp or phone without paying percentages on each booking made.