Casita del Mar Romantic Beach Retreat

It looks run-down, and finding it at night was difficult. GPS and internet can both be spotty.

The room and air conditioning were fine, but much of the rest of the place needs attention. The bathroom was dirty, there was no soap, the shower only dribbled, and the water comes through a hose from previous houses. The floor had an overpowering bleach smell when we arrived, as if it had been mopped with bleach and left unrinsed. The parking is an open lot beside the house, not private. Although it’s on the coast, it’s poorly maintained. If you’re coming for the beach, be aware this isn’t a beach resort, you can enjoy the view only. Puerto Rico has coastline everywhere, and places charging $180 a night take cleanliness and basic amenities more seriously. The photos should be updated because the furniture has changed, except in the room.

We came with our one-year-old, and the place was still comfortable for all three of us. My husband and I wanted somewhere peaceful, and it suited us well. The view was spectacular, which made up for the weak internet and the lack of a TV for us. The waves are strong. There’s plenty of food nearby, plus supermarkets for anything you may have forgotten. The kitchen has a small stove tucked under the sink, since there’s no full-size one, along with a toaster, coffee maker, dishes, cutlery, microwave, and refrigerator. We thought the rental was at the front when we arrived, but it’s at the back of the house. The person in charge was very friendly and available whenever we had a question.

We had a bad stay and I wouldn’t recommend it. The faucet didn’t work, and the small bathtub was clogged. There was just one air conditioner. Neighbors came into our space without permission because they have hoses connected to other houses. The patio had no light, and this is far from what I’d call a rental house.