Paradores in PR’s west urge stricter enforcement of short‑term rental laws
By THE STAR STAFF
Owners of small inns in Puerto Rico’s western region renewed their call for the government to tighten enforcement of laws regulating short‑term rentals, warning that unchecked growth in the sector is beginning to destabilize the area’s traditional hospitality industry.
Ángel Rodríguez, owner of Parador Boquemar in Boquerón, Cabo Rojo, said the problem is no longer the absence of regulation, but the lack of oversight.
“We know there are laws and regulations meant to control short‑term rentals. However, the main issue is that they are not being validated,” Rodríguez said, noting that the rapid expansion of unregulated rentals could “get out of control” and undermine hotels and paradores that comply with permits, tax obligations, safety requirements and other rules.
Local operators argue that the uneven playing field is already visible: while licensed hospitality businesses must meet strict operational standards, many short‑term rentals operate as residential properties without fulfilling commercial responsibilities.
Rodríguez pointed to Barcelona as a cautionary example. There, the proliferation of tourist apartments has become a “plague,” he said, disrupting residential life and local commerce. Spain’s government recently announced it will ban short‑term tourist rentals in apartments by 2028 to restore livability for residents.
The parador owner stressed he is not opposed to the short‑term rental model itself, but insists it must be treated as a business. “As is required of a hotel, the same should be required of what they call ‘Airbnb,’” he said.
He added that any public policy on short‑term rentals must strike a balance between encouraging new lodging alternatives, protecting residents and ensuring the long‑term stability of Puerto Rico’s hotel sector.
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