"We truly had a terrific vacation!"
Dear Nancy,
On behalf of my husband, Angel, my daughter, Angela, our friend, Ernie, and myself, we experienced what was the best, most relaxing vacation we've ever had. My husband caught the biggest fish he ever caught on Tuesday when he chartered a boat for a half day and was in his glory (actually, he still is). My daughter rode a waverunner, collected sea shells, snorkeled. We all participated in basking in the sun, going for walks, and thoroughly enjoying the sights, sounds and tastes of Puerto Rico. We went sightseeing, visited El Faro Lighthouse, the Juan A Rivero Zoo in Mayaguez, the Eugenio Maria de Hostos Museum, and the Mayaguez Mall.
Rincon is a beautiful place and will definitely be a repeat vacation spot for us. Ernie, who has vacationed in the Bahamas for over 20 years, is now hooked on Puerto Rico. We truly had a terrific vacation!
Thank you so much,
MaryJane
"Two Glorious Weeks"
My husband and I spent two glorious weeks at Casa Serena and we were swept off our feet. Nancy, the owner, could not have been more helpful and concerned about our stay before we actually arrived and during our stay. We were supplied with a most comprehensive guide to Rincon and surrounding areas. Detailing everything from sightseeing, restaurants, and grocery shopping. Additionally a map of Rincon was provided and we felt we knew where we were going and what we wanted to do during our stay. Nancy was thoughtful enough to e-mail us after we arrived to make sure we did arrive safely.
The house and its location on the beach went beyond our expectations! The kitchen was extremely well-equipped and unlike a few places we have stayed, the knives actually cut. There was a good supply of starter goods in both the kitchen and bathrooms. The mattress in the master bedroom was so comfortable and was a treat to retreat to every night!
The living area outside the house is fantastic. There are more than enough chairs, lounges and hammocks to keep everyone in or out of the sun. Additionally, a wide variety of tubes, boogie boards, floats, masks, fins and snorkels ensured plenty of enjoyment. A wonderful touch was a cooler which we put to great use during our beach trips and long drives. The mango tree in the yard provided us with more than enough fruit for several mango smoothies.
The beach is glorious and the relaxing sound of the ocean waves was wonderful, day and night. A suggestion for future visitors would be to add a pair of water shoes to their luggage. There are some flat rock formations that may hinder folks who may not be sure-footed.
We truly hope to return to Casa Serena in the near future and enjoy all the wonderful things Casa Serena and Puerto Rico have to offer!!
"Second time at Casa Serena"
We skipped a year, and this year we returned for our second stay. Don't think we will skip again. The house is still immaculate, and the kitchen has been upgraded. The location is perfect, walking distance to store and to a new restaurant on corner, short drive to all other restaurants. Spent the day either sitting under the almond tree on the beach, or watching the surf from the patio. We had some wonderful neighbors both in the unit next door, and across the way at Casa Tamara. Have already booked for next year. Would highly recommend as a place for a very relaxing vacation.
Rafe V.
Minneapolis, MN
"Tropical paradise with kids!"
Vacationer with kids
We had a wonderful vacation in Rincon, in part because Casa Serena was perfect for our two young boys (age 5 and 7). They were able to roll out of bed each morning and find their way to the beautiful garden and beach -- securely and completely at their own pace. Our children played in the surf, built castles in the sand and forts in the garden, watched crabs scurry endlessly about, climbed the almond tree, and rollicked in the hammock. As the beach outside was perfect for strolling and swimming, and nearby beaches (minutes away by car) perfect for surfing and shelling, my husband and I had plenty to do, as well.
We were surprised to find that the beach in front of Casa Serena was great for swimming, surfing and snorkeling, since it is rare to find such qualities in a single beach. Perhaps because we were visiting in April, the tail end of the surfing season, water visibility was average. However, there is a low shelf of rock coral at the shoreline which harbors beautiful and abundant marine life (we saw an octopus while snorkeling) in relatively shallow water. This shelf also serves as a terrific base for body surfing/boogie boarding. Boogie boards and kayaks can be rented from Villa Cofresi, a short walk down the beach. Villa Cofresi is a good place to visit if you want a roped-off swimming area -- and more of a social scene.
Casa Serena's beach-side garden is what makes it a unique Caribbean vacation home. The palm and fruit tree-filled garden, together with the beautiful, mature almond tree on the beach provided us the perfect respite from sun and surf.
It was a pleasure meeting Gladys, the housekeeper and her husband, Hector, who were extremely kind and helpful. I enjoyed chatting with them about local culture and tropical plants. We were especially touched by their thoughtfulness in bringing us an assortment of fruits (coconut, starfruit, sapodilla!) from their own garden, as they knew we were passionate about tropical and exotic fruits.
Yes, the beach is beautiful and the sunsets are spectacular. But most importantly, the unique amenities of Casa Serena allowed us to enjoy a truly relaxing tropical vacation with our kids.
Thank you for sharing your slice of paradise, we look forward to visiting again.
Lisa and Paul
"Beyond My Expectations"
Casa Serena was beautiful, the pictures do not serve justice to the actual home. Location was on the beach . Water was rock free and family friendly.Kichen had 2 of everything, martha steward pots and pans barbeque grill was spotless as were the utensils. A/C in the kitchen as well the rest of the house. New food market 2 minutes away along with local spots to eat out. Beach chairs were comfortable towels were thick and clean. Fruit trees on property just pick and enjoy. Walk on the beach for a few minutes for happy hour .pirates punch in a coconut 5 bucks .Location is spot on for everything, jet ski banana boats fishing all water sports. The house actually had water rafts and floats for our enjoyment..We have visited Rincon for 6 straight years and finally found our home Casa Serena/// CONS::: My wife insists on getting a new mattress the minute we arrived home.ok another 2 thousand dollars..just smile ....
John, New Jersey
"Thanks for all your help in making our vacation a success!"
Dear Nancy,
Just wanted to let you know what a wonderful time we had in Puerto Rico! The week went by too fast. I think our favorite thing was the snorkeling at Steps Beach and our dinner atop the mountain at La Cima Sunset……and drives through the forests, and the hike in the rainforest complete with a dip in a pool at the foot of a tumbling waterfall, the sweet song of the coqui, the empanadillas (the fish and lobster ones in particular!), the caverns and observatory, dinner in Old San Juan complete with belly dancer, mornings on the beach with a cup of tea, evenings on the beach with a glass of wine…..ok, we had a lot of favorites! We were all exhausted when we arrived home…..in a good way. J My oldest son, who is skilled in video editing, put together a slide show on DVD of our photos. What magical memories we have now! The house
was so nice and had everything we needed. It was a beautiful oasis of our own from which we could explore the island. Thanks for all your help in making our vacation a success!
Best Regards,
BTW…..where did you get the bedcovers? I loved them!
Rosemary
"Everything was perfect, I can't think of anything that can be improved."
Nancy,
We had a great Thanksgiving Holiday at Casa Serena. My family will always remember having Thanksgiving dinner, sitting outside, by the beach.Everything was perfect, I can't think of anything that can be improved. The house is so well equipped, at a great beach, conveniently located.
We will definitely contact you for future stays in Rincon.
Thank you,
Helga
"PERFECT FOR LITTLE KIDS"
We stayed in one of the units at Casa Serena. Me, my wife, and our two kids who are six and ten. We had a blast! The place was very comfortable, and with the terrazzo floors, easy to keep clean of sand and dirt.
We used the kitchen to prepare breakfast and lunch most days, and went out to dinner at night. There were plenty of choices around town. And the Econo supermarket is right down the street!
The beds were very comfortable and the furnishings in the living / dining area were very functional. There was a nice collection of books and games to play with too.
The beach right outside the back door is paradise. It looks as good in real life as in the photo on the web site. It was perfect for little kids - waves enough for a thrill but actually pretty tame. (We were there in August - it might be more "energetic" in surfing season.) At night you could see a million stars.
We visited other beaches in the area but truthfully, this one was our favorite!
We would not hesitate to return to Rincon or to Casa Serena!
John and Kathy
"Still Happy"
I have to say after more than a year, that we are still so happy with our experience at Casa Serena. All our vacations will be measured against our stay in Rincon at your property. Thank you so much for the opportunity to relax and take in the Rincon life.
Nic B.
"Great Place, Great Proprietor, Great Location"
We had a great time at Casa Tamara. We were sent an extensive guide to Rincon prepared by the proprietor, along with everything we needed to know to find the place and get into the unit. We were met by a very nice gentleman who gave us a brief orientation on the area, where the best grocery store was, etc. We got settled in and walked out into the ocean a soon as we were done shopping (even though it was dark when we arrived). The water was so calm and beautiful. Having the calm caribean waters just a few steps from the front door was incredible. The beach is not private but we saw only the residents of our unit and the neighboring houses on the beach the whole time. Once or twice a few people walked by carrying coconut drinks from the beach-side bar about a mile down the beach. It was quite and peaceful.
The first floor apartment we stayed in was great, and the bedroom air conditioners did a great job of cooling the rooms, we are used to having air conditioning all the time at home and we slept in perfect comfort. The wifi was fast. We made frequent use of the blender in the kitchen to make drinks with coconut creme, rum, bananas and mango juice from the supermarket. And there was an ice-maker in the freezer, so we could make all we wanted easily! Our son spent much of the week in the hammock. One day we found 4 starfruit in a bag hanging from the door, a gift from the owner, they are a real delicacy as refreshing as watermelon but with a mild kiwi-like taste. We felt very welcomed the entire time.
Rincon is a great location, with a lot of nice restaurants from beach bars to fancier fare. We visited Ponce, San Sabastian (with huge flea market), and caves around Aricebo (google La Ventana Cave), all are well within reach of a day trip. Try the Hotel Confresi for a great beach bar with entertaining bartenders, Tamboo is another great beach bar, at Rincon Tropical you can eat with the locals, and Cafe Calypso is nice and casual for dinner with a great sunset view.
All-in-all we are extremely pleased with Casa Tamara, and if we are fortunate enough to return to Puerto Rico we will stay there again.
Charles
"You can't go wrong by staying at Casa Tamara."
My wife and I recently rented Casa Tamara from July 21 - August 1, 2009. Since this was our very first long term visit to Rincon, we opted not to stay at one of the local hotels but rather experience Rincon's way of life through the eyes of local residents. This said, as any visitor to a new place there is some trepidation as to where exactly we should 'call home' for a two week period. Thank god for the internet. After doing some searches using our best friend 'Google' - we came across some very positive reviews for the Casa Tamara. Of specific note was the fact that the person we would be dealing with directly was the owner of the property and more so the property had been in her family for many many years. This told us many things, First, there must be something special about Rincon when despite the big real estate bubble the owner, Nancy Renee, only retained ownership. Also we knew that the owner would ensure that the property was maintained and would enhanced fit or the comfort of future guests. Our assumptions proved to be correct when we saw that it was evident throughout the inside and outside of the property that there truly existed a pride in ownership. From the decor. to the
quality of all the fixtures and accessories we could see that Nancy was maintaining the property to a high standard suitable as if he herself would be living there year-round.
We also found Nancy to always be accessible to answer any question - not only about the property but about Rincon and the "Porta de Sol" area of Puerto Rico. My wife and I have travelled many places around the Caribbean and abroad but I must say with all honesty the attention we received from Nancy was second to none. She answered every question we had. Provided some useful tips. And after many of our conversations we genuinely felt that we were conversing not with a stranger but a family member who had our best interest at heart and who was opening her home for us to stay with.
As soon as you step foot onto the property, looked out over the terrace, and saw the palm trees, the golden beach sand, the turquoise blue Caribbean , and Despecho Island at a distance we were mesmerized and captivated. Not only are the views gorgeous (and wait until sunset) but it is literally in your backyard. Breathtaking to say the least...
Once inside Casa Tamara you will find all the conveniences of home. A kitchen with all the necessary appliances and utensils. A comfortable living room. Clean and well maintained bathrooms. Large bedrooms with very comfortable beds. Satellite TV and internet access. A BBQ grille, washer and dryer in the lower level, beach chairs, and so many other amenities that you would be hard pressed to find even at the most luxurious hotels in the surrounding areas. As they say in the real estate world - location, location., location... Casa Tamra is centrally located within Rincon. Not only does it sit on what I consider to be the nicest beaches of Rincon (Paya Corcerga) but it is also very close to stores, restaurants, supermarket and the town proper.
For those of you who may read this review I want to assure that I have no affiliation with Nancy Renee or Casa Tamara. Outside of being a recent guest all I can say is that you will love the quaintness of the small town of Rincon, the gorgeous beaches (whether you are a surfer or not) and the somewhat laid back / relaxing atmosphere of Rincon.
So in summary if your travels bring you to Puerto Rico and particularly to the Rincon are, I can assure your that you can't go
wrong by staying at Casa Tamara.
All the best.
C.P.
JANUARY 2018 - AFTER HURRICANE MARIA.
We visited Puerto Rico for a week late January, 2018 and stayed at Casa Serena. We were thinking of postponing the visit because of concerns with hurricane damage, but both Nancy and old friends of ours who live in Isabela convinced us that many areas, including Rincon and much of the western portion of the Island, had bounced back and was open for business. We are glad we went; it turned out there would have been no reason to postpone. Although we could still see signs of damage in many areas and some businesses were still closed, Casa Serena was pretty much fully restored (except for portions of the landscaping), and the Rincon area was definitely up and running. Most businesses were open, including stores, restaurants, and most tourist attractions. We had no problem getting groceries, beer, ice, water, and you name it, and all of the roads we travelled were open. Power and water were on and uninterrupted at Casa Serena. We also went to San Juan and toured the streets of Old San Juan and the Castillo San Felipe del Morro, the several-hundred-year-old fort that surrounds Old San Juan. Old San Juan was definitely open for business, the tour of the fort was very interesting. Our friends who grew up in Puerto Rico were not there during Maria but moved back down there to retire in October. They said most of the vegetation was stripped and it looked like an atom bomb had gone off at that time. However, by January, most of the vegetation looked almost normal because of how fast things grow in the tropics. The beaches looked like they were nearly as beautiful as ever, including the one directly in front of Casa Serena. As far as Casa Serena, we loved the place. We have rented several ocean-front places in the past, and Casa Serena has pretty much everything we look for, particularly a nice yard with places to just sit and watch the waves roll in. You can even sit right on the sandy beach directly in front of the yard. The unit was equipped with most of what you would need to prepare your own meals, although there are plenty of restaurants within a few minutes drive, and some within walking distance. Nancy was very helpful in providing us with information on Rincon. I always seem to sleep better when I can hear the waves through the night, which is the case at Casa Serena. You do kind of have to get used to the neighborhood sounds like the roosters crowing early in the morning. We would recommend Casa Serena to anyone who likes tropical get-aways.
Al and Jeanne, Denver
"Comfortable and accommodating!"
We rented Casa Serena for 4 nights this June and found everything we needed right there on the property. The yard was perfect for relaxing on sunny days on the lounge chairs and grilling out in the evenings. There were plenty of towels for the beach and some water floats as well. We had rented both units and found it fit us perfectly. The beds were very comfortable and the neighborhood was quiet. We spent the days surfing at local spots, finding sea glass treasures along the beach and snorkeling. The grocery store is a short walk away and very convenient. The property manager was easily accessible and made sure are needs were met. This is a great place!
Laurie L.
"A Veritable Treat"
Casa Serena provides a veritable treat, whether you’re contemplating a week or an extended stay. A cottage
on a beautiful beach is not a unique find, but the “specialness” that characterizes an interlude at Serena i
both “Serena specific” and Rincon related.
With several beach houses “under our belts” prior to our stay at Serena, we were pleased with the ease and
comfort of our indoor/outdoor living. The beds were divine, the kitchen and its accoutrements were plentiful and
spotlessly clean. There were plenty of chaises on which to “catch the sun”, and the plethora of chairs --- both
high and low --- allowed for our creature comforts on the beach. Almond trees hugging the bank separating the
beach from the house, and a variety of water “toys” left in a corner of the outdoor dining portico would be
pleasing diversion for children and adults. Equally pleasant, the selection of our fellow “renters”--- a skill that’s
rare given this type of commercial enterprise --- was an added bonus. From various locales and backgrounds, all
Serena neighbors were friendly and engaging while maintaining a respect for privacy (ours and theirs).
Rincon enhanced our stay at Serena. Sophisticated water sports are available a few minutes up the beach,
and the town square, similar to many in Spain and Italy, boasts zumba classes nearly every morning (unlike Spain
and Italy). One can easily find a spirited and friendly fishmonger under his colorful umbrella, and a Sunday
morning outdoor market. Good restaurants abound, and two local supermarkets can contribute to one’s dinin
pleasure. In fact, the outdoor grill, the fishmonger, and the exceptional interest in the pleasure of every guest
shown by Serena’s proprietress and staff, combine with Serena’s other comforts to provide a blissful stay.
New York City
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"Amazing sunsets and so relaxing"
We spent a week at Casa Serena in the middle of March. I had looked at this property two years ago but it was already booked so we stayed elsewhere in Rincon. Casa Serena was really a wonderful relaxing spot. We loved having the yard and the hammock was a hit. Someone was always in it. The beach was beautiful and we swam all the time as well as walked as far as we could in both directions. We only ate out twice as we loved the view from our patio! The sunsets were incredible every night. We found great snorkeling on the other side of town near Taino Divers and took an afternoon trip to Crash Boat Beach where we also went snorkling. It was worth the drive. We loved buying our produce from the vendors along the road including hot sauce that was amazing and delicious honey. The bananas were so sweet. This is definitely a wonderful spot and we will hopefully return again and again. The house is great - everything that you need and Gladys stopped in on our first day to make sure that we had everything.
Thanks, Nancy, for a wonderful spot!
Marfie
"I highly recommend Casa Tamara for a lovely, relaxing, and comfortable stay in Rincon."
Located in Stella in the southern part of Rincon, Casa Tamara is ideally situated for guests who enjoy being on a swimming beach during the day, but still want to be close to the delicious restaurants in "town." We stayed in both the upstairs and downstairs apartments, and found them both to be beautifully appointed, immaculately clean, and quite spacious. The sunset view from the upstairs terrace is breathtaking. We enjoyed cocktails from the terrace every evening before heading out to dinner. Nancy, the landlord, was a pleasure to work with - responsive and accommodating - and also a wealth of information on all the fun that Rincon has to offer. We can't wait to go back!
"Great vacation at the beach!"
This vacation exceeded my personal expectations. We were very comfortable and at home in Casa Serena. The amenities like the master king sized bed, 2 full bathrooms, full kitchen, internet access, dish TV, nice furnishings, washer and dryer, outside beach showers, outdoor seating, hammock, grill, etc. were well used and appreciated by us. The neighborhood-Stella seems to be composed of a nice mix of locals and some tourists; it has nearby bakeries with freshly baked and delicious quesitos, grocery stores with fresh fruits and the versatile plaintain, local resturants with classic Puerto Rican cuisine, a nice mix of tourist, local and surf shops and also fast food for hungry teenagers who want a pizza or Burger King. Nancy has done a very thorough job detailing the local community in a handy information packet ( a copy is on the coffee table too). I appreciated Nancy's appropriate concern and communications when discussing our desire to stay at Casa Serena wanting to ensure that everyone's (including the other guests') vacations would be enjoyable and peaceful. The other guests at Casa Serena, Mike and Pat from Vermont, were very pleasant. The location seemed ideal with a nicely landcaped tropical backyard that opens directly onto a very nice long stretch of a fine sandy beach; a large almond tree is very conveniently located near the back gate and provides a nicely shaded rest area. The people on the beach were friendly and respectful. The water was interestingly calm enough to swim with my 13 year old son but there was enough surf to boogy board near the shore. In the ocean close to the shore there are large flat shelves of rock covered with a thin layer of vegetation that we would walk on barefoot (waist deep) out into the ocean, then at the ledge (4 to 6 feet deep) we would swim around, snorckle or just float. The water clarity was okay with some brightly colored tropical fish seen around the rock ledges. On the beach there are nearby rentals- long surf boards with paddles, jet skis, group water rides, etc. There are a variety of other nearby beaches in Rincon including some with world class surfing (World Surfing Championships held there in 1968 and 1988, we just missed a Corona sponsored competition there by 2 weeks at nearby Dome's beach in Rincon)), next time I want to include some long board lessons for me. I hope we will be able to return to Casa Serena.
Bernie P.
"We absolutely loved our stay!"
Nancy,
So sorry for not writing sooner! I look at the photos from our Casa Tamara vacation almost everyday and that was 4 months ago! We absolutely loved our stay! The house was perfect (we stayed downstairs) for my husband and I, our two toddlers, and my mother and her sister. We are a diabetic family and that makes hotel stay a little tricky. Restaurants
are not necessarily equipped for our dietary requirements, however staying in a home with a great full kitchen and a grocery store within walking distance worked perfectly for us!
We did a little shopping for the week at a SAMS Club on our way to Rincon from SJU. Beyond that we found everything we needed at the store at the end of the street (la familia?) It had just opened when we were visiting and we were
treated like royalty by the owners (Jose Luis) and workers there, they were so sweet! They also had lived in CT and RI, so we were practically neighbors at some point in time :)
My husband and I lived on Maui in 2003 and there is a lot of talk about the "aloha spirit" of Hawaiian islands. We found that the locals in Rincon and PR in general had more "aloha spirit" than a lot of Hawaii. We are hoping to make PR our new escape spot, as the 14 hour flight to HI is less than desirable with children! Staying in a house that came with a portacrib, high chair and baby gates meant less to travel with. I didn't have to pack any extra bulk to accommodate our one year old and that was really nice. To be able to sit on the porch, looking at and listening to the waves while my kids played in a fenced in yard was very relaxing, which doesn't happen often for me these days!
A highlight for our daughter was the outdoor shower, we all really appreciated it, but she squealed with delight every time we went in to wash off the salt water. It was so cute. She also spent a lot of time sitting in a dishpan of water that we had set up to dip our sandy feet in! :)
The beach was beautiful and the last weeks of September it was all ours! It was completely empty! The waves at the time were warm and soft and we spent hours and hours splashing and playing. Everything we needed- beach towels, chairs, sand toys were there. It was so nice. It was low season, so the town was sleepy, but adorable. Hector was very kind and checked in with us often which was nice. He brought us star fruit and papaya from his own trees and we also enjoyed coconuts from the property and avocado that landed in Tamara's yard from the neighbors tree! Delicious!
I guess I could go on forever about how much we enjoyed our stay, but what really says what a quality home you provided for us while we were there is that we can't wait to come back. We talk all of the time about coming back and bringing more family, renting out the upstairs and the other house and making a big family vacation/ reunion out of it. We loved it that much!
I attached a collage of some pictures of us enjoying your home!
Thanks so much!
Leslie, Eric, Gabe and Klara
"Just what we needed!"
We just got back from PR last week and can't stop thinking about how fabulous it was. I got off our flight into DC and burst into tears, we had such a good time. The place was perfect for us (and our friends, who stayed in the villa next door). We all loved the proximity to the beach and the surf was just right for the kids (ages 9, 8, 7 and 4). The big boys boogie-boarded and snorkeled, while the 4-year-old
loved playing on the sand for hours at a time. We really enjoyed being able to make all our meals at "home" and that
everything we needed was in walking distance. We also appreciated all the suggestions made in the binder the owner left (and sent to us prior to our trip). We can't wait to come back next year!
DC Family Travelers
Guest Photos and Guest Reviews
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"Fabulous Vacation"
Dear Nancy,
We couldn't have chosen a better place for our family vacation in Rincon. The house was clean, equipped with everything we needed, beautifully decorated, and best of all, we had a fabulous view of the Caribbean, just steps from our front door. There is a backyard with trees so that I could read in the shade while the others were swimming right in front of the house. The town of Rincon has lots to do and there were too many possible day trips for our short stay of one week. The caretakers were great and very helpful and the owner, Nancy is a pleasure to deal with from beginning to end, but hopefully there won't be an end! Casa Serena is a short walk to the supermarket and restaurants. What more can I say? We already reserved 2 weeks for next year.
Thank you,
Selena
"The perfect family vacation house!"
Hello Nancy,
I apologize for the delay in sending you a note about our wonderful stay at Casa Tamara. First let me begin by expressing my sincere thanks for your constant help before we even arrived! Our special requests, our large group accommodations, our changes, and most importantly my arrival date miscommunication. I was so impressed with your extra efforts to help us the day before our arrival. You took the stress out of planning a family vacation. Once we arrive, we were overwhelmed to be welcomed in to your beautiful Casa Tamara with the beautiful fruit display Gladys & Hector had arranged for us. It was a beautiful way to end a long day of travel.
The house was perfect for our family. We all enjoyed the ease of walking out the door and stepping directly on the wonderful beach. The beach toys available made playtime fun for the kids. It was nice to have these available to use and not have to buy or pack in a suitcase. The house had everything we needed and we were pleased with everything Casa Tamara had to offer. The yard was perfect too! The boys even found coconuts to open and eat! We celebrated my 40th birthday by ordering traditional Puerto Rican meal to go family style. We used one of the restaurants suggested in your information book (Rincon Tropical). It was fabulous! What a treat to eat delicious food on the upper balcony of the house while watching an amazing sunset. Our entire family will always remember our fantastic stay at Casa Tamara!
Thank you again for such great hospitality!
Carrie Powell & Family
"I would definitely recommend Casa Serena!"
Dear Nancy,
We had a wonderful vacation and came home very relaxed! We went snorkeling out to Descheo with Taino Divers...loads of fun! Also, drove to Cabo Rojo and up in to the mountains. Had a few games of pool down the beach, lots of swimming and sunning! The house was very comfortable for all 4 of us...couldn't figure out the AC unit in the living area the first night, after that worked beautifully.
Thanks so much for all of the information, we used many of the suggestions for shopping and dining out guides. We did find the driving in Puerto Rico in general to be challenging but figured out the rules after a few days...actually there are few rules!!!
We miss the sound of the crashing waves and the beautiful sunsets...also had some very cool thunder storms out over the ocean at night. I would definitely recommend Casa Serena to others!
Thanks again,
.Brian, Linda, Valerie and Corinne
"Wonderful Vacation Rental"
Casa Tamara was absolutely perfect! I spent a few days with my husband, two teenage children and my parents at this home and it met all of our needs. Especially my parents who are elderly. Plenty of bedrooms and bathrooms to accomodate us all. The home was well kept and had all the necessities to make us feel at home. The beach was literally just feet from the backyard. It was great to have the peace and tranquility of a cup of coffee on the patio in the morning or a nap on the hammock hearing the waves crashing on shore. The owner, Nancy, was great. She was available to help with any questions or concerns and she followed-up with me to make sure our stay was pleasant. Definitely recommend it and will surely be returning.
Laura K
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"I had an wonderful time at Casa Tamara."
Hello Nancy
My family and I had an wonderful time at Casa Tamara. Everyone was friendly and the atmosphere was unbelievable. We did not
want to leave. We will be planning our next vacation and would not think of any better place to stay than Casa Tamara.
Warmest Regards,
Don Morales and Family
Christmas after Hurricane Maria, Great house, beautiful beaches, wonderful sunsets. Casa Tamara was in great shape and the electricity was on! It was truly amazing what a transformation took place over the ten days that we were there - landscapers were working hard to make things right and they did a beautiful job. Rincon is green again and all the restaurants, grocery stores, shops are open! The Art Walk snd the Farmers market were both in full swing! The sunsets are still beautiful!
We will be back!
Ruth and family
"Super Winter Vacation"
This is our 4th year and we plan to stay longer next year. As before, swimming in warm waters, walking along the fine sand beach, lunches and dinners in the many great local places as well as on the veranda with spectacular sunsets to
end perfect days at Casa Tamara, and with all the comforts of home-Rincon; a surfing center, restaurants from simple to haute cuisine, a supermarket a few blocks down the road, day trips into the interior rain forest or along the coast-what more could you ask for of a Caribbean vacation?
Jk, Cambridge Mass
"A little piece of paradise."
Our family (two adults, three kids ages 9, 12, and 15) had a truly fabulous week at Casa Tamara!! Prior to our arrival, Nancy
provided us with a comprehensive packet of information about the villa, the town of Rincon and surrounding areas, and an
expansive list of places to eat, shop, and entertain ourselves. When we arrived, the villa had everything we could possibly
need, and was cozy, clean and comfortable. Although we did enjoy some local Puerto Rican cuisine, we made good use of our
kitchen and ate many meals there. This saved a little money for us, which we put to good use taking part in some fun island
activities (a deep sea fishing charter, a trip to the Phosphorescent Bay in La Parguara, and a Zip Lining Adventure were
favorites!). The beach by Casa Tamara was incredible - very clean/clear, with beautiful, soft white sand - and literally steps
outside of our door. The water was calm enough to swim, but did get enough waves that the kids could boogie board to their
heart's content! There were many times when we were the only ones in sight on the beach. The location of Rincon and this
rental were ideal for us. We enjoyed the quiet and relaxing surroundings of the villa, but were within easy driving distance of
more things than we could possibly find time to do!
We have vacationed annually for many years - from luxury trips to tent camping - and our week in Puerto Rico at Casa
Tamara provided just the right mix of relaxation and adventure. It is definitely a favorite destination for our family!
Kari G,
"Spectacular"
Mom the planner
It can be a challenge planning a vacation for a family of 5 to a place never before visited. How do you find the perfect spot so everyone is happy with the physical accommodations, amenities, activities, and a quiet place to relax after a full day? We went to Puerto Rico in December 2009 with the intent of providing our 3 young adult sons with access to a world renowned surfing area. Of course, my husband and I had a hidden genda of rest, relaxation, and quality family time.
My decision to stay at Casa Tamara came with my very first phone call to Nancy Renee. She immediately answered the phone! She was the owner and I got to talk to her personally on my very first attempt at contact! No rental agent, no voice mail, no playing phone tag. I was so impressed with the time she spent with me, answering all questions, discussing what type of vacation we were planning, and explaining how Casa Tamara could meet our needs. She was in no rush to "book" us and was considerate of all my concerns. I felt I was talking to a close friend. I was sold. She is a real sweetheart who is truly interested in the pleasure of her guests.
We stayed at Casa Tamara upstairs. As soon as we entered the house, I knew I had made the right decision. Spacious, comfortable, and tastefully decorated in a tropical style, the house has a charm all its own. Large bedrooms, closet space to accommodate everything, comfy beds, lots of bath and beach towels, and a great kitchen fully equipped with everything we could need. There was lots of space to store the surfboards! Room to move! TV, Wi-Fi, telephone! A book library for casual reading! Two dining areas! And that precious "blue book" with hints, tips, and recommendations for everything in the area! Also, lots of garden furniture- hammock, lounge chairs, and beach chairs! The beach is steps away, with great swimming and gorgeous sunsets!
But the very best part of the house is that large front porch overlooking the ocean, with a dining area, lounge chairs, and a barbeque grill. It was tough for my family to decide whether to bother going out to eat or stay home in this magical place, grilling those fantastic local skirt steaks and veggies, making homemade salsa with local produce, then playing cards and games on the porch until the wee hours of the morning! Then get up in the morning and have breakfast and coffee on the great front porch! Open all windows and get the beautiful tropical breezes! Birds chirping and ocean sparkling! Nirvana!
Another very important feature of Casa Tamara is the endearing local caretakers, Gladys and her husband, who constantly checked to see if we needed anything at all. And Nancy Renee kept in contact by phone and email to ensure that all was well. When the big surf subsided we decided to go snorkeling, and Nancy recommended Steps Beach. We immediately took her advice and had an awesome day! Don't miss snorkeling at this site! Nancy is there to answer any and all questions should you not find what you're looking for in the house "blue book".
This family vacation was unusual for us because it was perfect!! (How many family vacation disasters have you had?) We came for the surfing but found that there is so much more to Rincon. The people are terrific and made us so welcome.
If you're looking for accommodations, stop here and look no where else. There's no place like Casa Tamara. I ache to return.
Sandy Pietrewicz-Mauldin
"Home was beautiful and exceeded our expectations"
Dear Nancy,
we just returned from our trip to Rincon and to your beautiful home, casa tamara - in order of importance i want to tell you first that dealing with you was an absolute pleasure - your home was beautiful and exceeded our expectations - everything was clean - well furnished and well supplied - the bedrooms were nicely air conditioned - the "split system " you use does a great job of keeping the rooms cool - the kitchen had everything we needed and we did a fair amount of cooking - the house was quiet - which we really appreciated - i suspect that the floors must be concrete because we never heard our upstairs neighbors, who by the way were a terrific couple who we socialized with and who eventually joined us at the wedding - the house is well away from the main drag rt 115 and there was no traffic noise at night, your grounds were very nice - the house fronts on the best beach we encountered - the beach is sandy - no rocks - and the water was clear- and very accessible - some of the beaches north of your home where the waves break heavy are rocky - but yours was great - there are some other nice things ,, like walking distance, to the public track - elyse and i used almost daily for exercise and there were classes given in fitness and yoga most mornings - rincon itself was very enjoyable - a nice mix of locals and guests - good restaurants -we walked around town and on th ebeach at night and we always felt safe and secure - so, in all , we will see you again -
-thanks for everything
bill kerrigan,
"Fantastic Vacation!"
We loved our week-long stay at Casa Serena. The house was perfect for the three of us, and had everything we needed for the week - cooking utensils, pots and pans, a grill, beach towels, sand toys, and a breezy spot for a hammock. The fenced-in grass yard was perfect for our 10-month old daughter to play in when she wasn't taste testing the sand on the beach. The big tree hanging over the beach behind the house was where we spent most of time, it provided great shade for us. The house was very clean and inviting when we arrived, and it was so nice for you to call and check on us to make sure we made it, after driving at night from San Juan. It was also nice to have laundry facilities.
Rincon is a very laidback town, with all the conveniences we needed, along with great restaurants and things to do. We spent almost every morning at El Faro watching the surfers catch waves. We stopped at the local ice cream shop to try the maiz corn with cinnamon we read about - a strange combination, but delicious! We also took day trips to the Guanica Forest Preserve and Ponce, which were easy to reach from Rincon. We are already discussing when we can return! We loved it!
Jenna and Rus,
Absolutely perfect. March 19, 2020
My family of five adults rented the upstairs unit - we had the best family vacation - We traveled just before the corona outbreak once we arrived the outbreak on the island was minimal but the community had shut down all restaurants and non essential venues....but we were able to order take out and enjoyed the many varieties of local foods and kindness from the locals. We felt safe - The unit was clean spacious and very comfortable for our family it included a grill to enjoy meals eating in and watching the beautiful sunsets, clean stocked kitchen with all utensils needed, beds were comfortable and AC units in each room - I still hear the beautiful sounds of the ocean, roosters, dogs and birds - The outside showers were a favorite and the ocean water was so warm and right in front of us to swim and snorkel! The unit include all beach toys for young and old! We loved Rincon and can not wait to return we will rent again from Nancy Renee at Casa Tamara - we appreciated Nancy and her managers check in with us with genuine concern for our families health during this unpredictable time in our country.
"Good day! If you are looking for a vacation that offers both the quiet of Caribbean Beaches , Breezes,
and the amenities of Resorts, look here! "
I have stayed at both Casa Tamara and Casa Serena (they are adjacent) every year (mostly) for the last 17 years. There are reasons I keep coming back. First, Rincon is a wonderful town, full of friendly people and great food. From the local grocery store to top notch restaurants and bars, this is a great place to vacation for variety of food and drink. The drive from San Juan is beautiful; and takes you along the coast through authentic Puerto Rico. Having a car is the recommendation as once you are in Rincon the town offers everything from parasailing, jet skies, horseback riding, mountain top restaurants, deep sea fishing, snorkeling (right in front of the house), scuba, whale watching, massage and more! Jeff Sinclair in Rincon is a massage therapist who will come to the house and give you a massage on the patio or beach! HERE IS THE BEST PART! On the flip side, if you want quiet and calm, all you have to do is walk out your front door and it is in front of you...THE BEACH!! You have the best of all worlds! So while your family and / or friends may be off riding scooters around town, you can relax on the beach with your favorite beverage and think of ....mmmmm .... nothing! It has been wonderful working with Nancy Gladys over the years. Nancy (owner) is very accommodating and checks in with you during your stay to assure your stay is outstanding. Gladys is the super nice, in town, caretaker (of both you and the house) and is available 24/7 should you have questions or needs. I cannot recommend staying at either Casa Tamara or Casa Serena enough. You have excitement or serenity at your fingertips and the choice is yours from day-to-day. HAVE FUN!
Richard, Minneapolis
"The Perfect Beach Vacation"
What a wonderful two weeks we had at Casa Serena in January 2011! The house is an absolutely perfect place for a safe, carefree vacation. The kitchen has been recently remodeled with a new stove, refrigerator and cabinets. Perhaps most importantly, the beds are king size and super comfortable.
But the real joy of Casa Serena is outside. The attached outdoor covered patio is part of a large garden area with trees, lawn chairs and a couple hammocks which we used a lot. You step thru the garden gate right onto the beach. Warm sun, clean sand, uncluttered beach, and ocean vistas that stretch for miles were ours.
Put the welcoming atmosphere of Casa Serena together with the ocean and we had a fun, relaxing, carefree vacation. Thanks to Gladys and Hector, the caretakers, for taking good care of us while we were there and to Nancy Renee for providing this special place in Rincon. We will be back next year for our third vacation in Rincon and for an even longer stay at Casa Serena.
Pat and Rich, Ann Arbor, Mi.
"Perfect for our family vacation."
Dear Nancy,
Our accommodations at Casa Serena exceeded our expectations. It truly was a wonderful place to stay with a lovely yard filled with all sorts of trees, places to sit and the great beach to swim, snorkel and explore. We spent hours and hours swimming and snorkeling in the warm water or sitting on the beach in the shade under the trees. One morning we saw porpoises or dolphins not far off shore. We were very happy to have brought a snorkel and mask but next time we will bring one for each of us because the sheer variety and numbers of beautiful fish we saw kept luring us back into the water. The beach at this location is also very clean. Casa Serena was very comfortable with ceiling fans, air conditioning, super comfy beds, on-site laundry, boogie boards and floats, large TV, WiFi, and a kitchen that we used constantly for our family of four. We felt very welcome and thanks for all the information you provided to make our stay easier. Rincon offered lots of activities and we had really great food at the local restaurants. Our two adult daughters also thought this was a great place to stay and just couldn’t believe we were right on such a beautiful beach as well. Thanks so much for thinking of everything.
Hope to visit again soon,
Donna and Kurt Ruppel
New York State
"We Want To Go Back ASAP!!!!!!"
To say that Nancy Renee's Casa Tamara vacation house on the beach in Rincon, Puerto Rico is an island of unforgettable relaxation and restful enjoyment would be an understatement!! The 6 adults (three couples)who spent over a week there in April found the local people to be very friendly and helpful(we got lost, ran into a local who knew where we were staying, and said, "follow me!!!" and we made it there!!)
The accommodations at Casa Tamara were more than ample. The spacious kitchen(with large eat-in area) was open to the living room which gave the appearance of openness and spaciousness. The three bedrooms, two with private bath, and the third bath in the hall worked well for the three couples. Air cnditioning? Such, but we did not need it! The ceiling
fans kept us cool, both day and night. The constant lapping of the ocean waves on the beach, which is a 10 second walk from the covered back porch/deck, calmed nerves and helped in the regeneration process. After all, isn't that what vacations are for???
And if you wanted to read your favorite book or two, please do; the covered porch/deck has a very large table on one side and a barbie on the other, making it excellent venue for eating in!! There is plenty to see in the area as well!! From the famed lighthouse where the Caribbean meets the Atlantic,
to the neat little restaurants, there is plenty to keep your mind off the office!!! Of course, nature's symphony was there as well, as could be attested to by the crowing of the roosters and the barking of the local doggies...but that made the lapping of the ocean waves on the beach just that much more welcomed!! Return? You betcha!! The three couples are
already planning their return visit to Casa Tamara next year.
So watch out roosters, you might end up on our barbie one night!!
Skipdel, Thomaston, Ct.
"It Was Everything We had hoped for and more!"
We were looking for a beach front Villa where we could relax and enjoy the beach with our family of six as we were attending a wedding in Rincon. Casa Tamara, was the perfect location and the perfect home for us. The Villa was well appointed and had all the amenities we needed. As a property manager and past hotel manager I am very particular and I found the Villa to be well equipped, clean and comfortable for a beachfront property. The water pressure was good, the a/c in the bedrooms worked great, there were new appliances in the kitchen and plenty of towels and linens.
We had plenty of beach chairs and great patio furniture.
I appreciated the fact that I could walk out of the Villa and have my coffee right on the beach each morning at sunrise.
Nancy, the owner was wonderful and followed up with us to insure that we had everything we needed, which we truly appreciated.
I would recommend Casa Tamara for anyone looking for a very casual beachfront vacation. We plan on coming back!
Thanks,
Al
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"Beautiful Beach"
This beautiful property is located on a fabulous stretch of beach. Walk out the door, cross the yard, and ...aaah! There is also an great view from the patio. Everything was exactly as advertised. This was our 1st experience with a vacation rental, and I was apprehensive at first. I called Nancy and started the rental process. She was great to work with. Nancy sent tons of information about Rincon and the property. Her directions from San Juan were excellent. We had a lot of activities planned, but it was so relaxing at the house, we could hardly tear ourselves away. The house is a duplex, well appointed and spacious, with washer/dryer that really was convenient. Nancy also owns the property next door. It was fun to meet the first set of neighbors, and we never saw the second set, so we felt like we had the place to ourselves. Gladys, the property manager was excellent. She came by to check on us and make sure all was as it should be. The only problem we had was an issue with the alarm due to a power outage. It was promptly taken care of. Nancy also called to make sure everything was okay. This is a perfect place for a relaxing get away. We enjoyed coffee on the patio, eating mangos from the tree in the yard and cooking on the grill. There are plenty of restaurants in walking distance and even more if you have a car. Eduardo's market is a couple of blocks away and great for staples. There is also a larger supermarket close by. There is off-street parking. As nice as the house is, the beach was even better. We spent hours reading, swimming, snorkeling, walking and looking for beach glass. We can't wait to go back.
Thanks,
Deann
"I have recommended Casa Tamara to all my friends."
Dear Nancy,
I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for availing your beautiful and comfortable home to us on such short notice. My family and I truly enjoyed the relaxing week we spent snorkeling, jet-skiing, fishing, sight-seeing, but most of all, watching the absolutely magnificent sunsets from the balcony. The bedrooms were comfortable with ample room for us and the kitchen was well equipped.
I have recommended Casa Tamara to all my friends. When we visit Rincon again, we will be sure to stay at Casa Tamara. Thanks again for a memorable vacation stay.
Sincerely yours,
MaryJane Colón
"An Island Paradise"
Casa Tamara was a real island paradise! It was incredibly spacious, comfortable, private, and right on the beach! The villa came equipped with everything one may need when traveling, it has a fabulous location for a beach and for going out, and the owner is incredibly sweet, helpful, and responsive to whatever questions one may have.
Thank you,
"Location, Location, Location!"
Just back from a week spent at the upper unit of Casa Tamara. We've been to Puerto Rico many times. This is just a beautiful spot. Fantastic, spacious porch overlooking the ocean (loved the gravity loungers!) Gorgeous sunsets every night where we enjoyed plenty of cocktails (our apologies to our downstairs Canadian neighbors for that off-key sing-a-long that one night ;-)).
The apartment itself is roomy and well-equipped. Beach towels and chairs to carry down to the beach, just yards away from the house. Ample natural shade on the beach. Outside shower to wash off the sand and salt. Nancy Renee is an excellent, very attentive host and it was nice to know that we could call her if we had questions about anything. While we cooked all of our dinners at home, we went out for lunch several times. We highly recommend the fish tacos at the Pool Bar at the Lazy Parrot. Ate there twice. We also had lunch out at El Fogon De La Curva a few times (take a right on Rt. 115 and it's about 3 miles up on the right). They never had enough fish to open the fish market attached to the restaurant but they did have very basic but very good food cheap. ($9 for a piece of fish with two sides.) Try the grouper, red snapper, lion fish and roast pork. One other recommendation is that you might want to consider bringing good ear plugs (I'm a light sleeper so I came prepared). Puerto Rico is an island with lots of roosters and dogs and cats and they begin their symphony in the early morning hours.
We ended our trip Saturday morning by getting up for a sunrise swim in the ocean. I highly recommend this! The water was warmer than it was midday (and midday was a comfortable temperature). It's hard to describe how spectacular it is to wade in the calm, warm ocean as the sky reflects pinks, purples and yellows. Heavenly!
Rachel Rivin
New York City
"Go to Rincon and Stay at Casa Tamara"
We just got back from Casa Tamara (April 2010). It was the perfect location for us - two couples and our two teenaged daughters. The water was just the right temp - not too hot, not cold at all. We had the option to hang out on the beach or when the sun was too much we could hang in the backyard or the patio and still get the ocean breezes and hear the surf. My wife and her friend enjoyed getting fresh fruit and produce from the roadside stands and trying (and succeeding!) at making local cuisine in the well-equipped kitchen. I don't understand why there were not more people on the beach (not that I'm complaining, just wondering) - Rincon deserves more love from the travelling public than it is currently receiving. I generally don't tend to return to places I've been to, more because there are so many places I'd like to see, but Puerto Rico in general and Rincon in particular could well be exceptions. For what it is worth - we have recently been to Puerto Morales (south of Cancun) and to St. John V.I. and while those places had their merits, I much preferred the friendly laid-back vibe of Rinco
Nancy is personable and professional as are her local caretakers.
D. Lighted Boston
210-621-3353
800-556-9877
"Great weather. Great location. Great house. Great week."
Dear Nancy
We have just returned from a great week on Rincon. Before the glow...and the tan...fades I want to tell you that Casa Tamara was exactly what we were looking for and exactly as you described. We were looking for a quiet week in a comfortable house only steps from the beach and that is just what we found. Perfect. The house was comfortable, spacious, well equipped and could not have been better located. Rincon is low key and funky. In short. Great weather. Great location. Great house. Great week.
Steve
Casa Serena and Rincon - Best Vacation!
I traveled to Rincon in October (about 5 weeks after Maria) and then later at the end of December (with my family).
First and foremost, Rincon is still an incredible place to visit! Despite the devastation caused by Maria, Rincon and Puerto Rico are recovering at an amazing pace. The beaches are terrific, the restaurants/cafes/bars are excellent, the town plaza has an excellent vibe (Art Walk every Thursday evening and Farmers Market every Sunday), and the sunsets are still incredible! My family felt safe and secure for our entire stay. We had no problem getting groceries, water, etc. ATMs, gas stations, etc. are very accessible and available.
Second, Nancy's villa is still one of the best places to stay in Rincon. No issues whatsoever with power, water, wi-fi, etc. Casa Serena is in great condition, very spacious and definitely comfortable for my family - myself, my wife and our two 20-something daughters. The location is perfect - right on the beach (Stella) and close to town. There is nothing like having coffee in the morning gazing at the ocean or taking in an amazing subset in the evening. And love hearing the waves at night! We've stayed at Nancy's place for many years and will continue to do so in the future!
In summary, we recommend Casa Serena without any hesitation. Does Puerto Rico still need our help? Yes, no question. (And you can certainly find many opportunities to volunteer when you visit - I volunteered in October and my family and I volunteered again in December.) Rincon and Puerto Rico are still great to visit!
Alan, Princeton, NJ
"Your Home Away From Home"
Casa Tamara is your home away from home. The only thing that sets it apart is that your backyard is the ocean! The house was neat well kept and the beachfront was awesome. This house is a great place to stay for a great time in Puerto Rico. The bedrooms were air-conditioned and the extra bathrooms are the best for the family. It is close to the major roads and away from the headaches of the major cities. Everything is within a short distance, from food to stores to gas. A place that was enjoyed and loved and it is true, you DO NOT want to leave and looking forward for next year to come again!
Thanks, Eddie
Beautiful Location!
Could not have asked for a better spot during the restrictions. Everyone renting in the other apartments were great and Nancy is very very helpful. We had A LOT of questions and she went above and beyond! Thank you! We will be coming back
Sept 8, 2020
"We have found our winter getaway!"
Dear Nancy,
We had heard about the beautiful beaches of Puerto Rico from friends who vacation on the island every year. After a little research of many of the more desirable beach towns we settled on Rincon, a small surfing town on the island’s northwest coast. We had no desire for a busy, noisy tourist trap so we were very happy to find Rincon to be the laid-back, authentically Puerto Rican town we imagined. The home at Casa Tamara, with its beautiful, natural tropical landscape, footsteps from a practically empty beach, put us immediately into vacation bliss. The location was everything we were looking for… walks on the beach, snorkeling in the warm clear waters, short walks / rides to great food and spirits, and a good base camp for attractions we were interested in on the northern and southern coasts. What a nice, comfortable, well managed home! We have found our winter getaway!
Thank you
Casa Serena - June 2020
The house has everything necessary for your stay. The view is beautiful. Wonderful location!!
Our experience in Rincon was great. Lots of restaurants, service and food excellent. The supermarket has everything you need as well as the pharmacy we visited. Festive but secure atmosphere. Thanks to Nancy for her kindness!!
"Perfect days at Casa Tamara!"
Dear Nancy,
Swimming in warm waters, walking along the fine sand beach, dinner on the veranda, spectacular sunsets to
end perfect days at Casa Tamara, and with all the comforts of home—Rincon; a surfing center, restaurants from
simple to haute cuisine, a supermarket a few blocks down the road, day trips into the interior rain forest or along thecoast—what more could you ask for of a Caribbean vacation?
JK
"Casa Tamara - Our home away from home"
This is our 16th year at this house and it remains as a paradise for us. We travel frequently, all over the world, and we're always happy to return to our three weeks at Casa Tamara on this wonderful stretch of beach, in this lazy town with friendly people. The house is well equipped and beautifully situated, well cared for and as always, we're content.
Vivian and David
Brooklyn, NY
"All four of us agree that our stay in Casa Tamara was a near perfect treat!"
Two friends joined my husband and me for a two-week stay at Casa Tamara in the downstairs apartment which was perfect for us—so comfortable and well-equipped. As two “older” couples we were not so interested in the big surf on the Atlantic side of Rincon so were delighted to find our Caribbean beach much calmer and delicious. Under the shade trees along the shore, we spent most mornings reading, swimming, and snoozing (no mosquitoes!!). Occasionally when the wind shifted (3 or 4 times during out stay), it whipped up the surf and we chose not to go in because of the strong tow.
We also explored some of the nearby beaches which were appealing but not as lovely as ours. We also ventured down to the tip of the southwest coast beyond Boqueron and the salt flats of Cabo Rojo (great birding) to an exquisite beach called Playa la Playeula.
A TIp: if you are planning a trip south of Rincon to Joyuda (with its terrific fish restaurants), Boqueron (with clam and oyster kiosks), or further on to Guanica , avoid the main highway #2 through Mayaguez by cutting over to the shore on Routes 102 and 100 and then east if you want on 101 and 116. Highway #2 is a horror of auto dealerships, malls, and slow traffick to Rincon and Casa Tamara.
Gladys and Hector were generally on hand with advice when we needed it. Gladys and a helper came by once a week for a thorough cleaning. There were plenty of towels and beach towels and an easy to use washer/dryer that we shared with the upstairs tenants. We tended to eat out for either lunch or dinner—and quickly settled on Shipwreck as our favorite restaurant. Flamboyant in Barrio Puntas was also very good as were some of the smaller typical Puerto Rican restaurants nearby. The beachside restaurants and bars (e.g., Tamboo and Calypso) tended to be filled with young people, surfers. We cooked for ourselves several times. We only discovered at the end of our stay the large attractive Edwards supermarket just at the end of Calle 14 in the mall across Route 115. We also found a fish supplier near the restaurants about 7 km on the right going north on 115 toward Highway 2. The villa kitchen is fully equipped (with some condiments and spices as well) and there is a grill outside on the villa’s roomy porch. We spent many a wonderful evening there with our drinks and dinner.
In fact, all four of us agree that our stay in Casa Tamara was a near perfect treat!
Nancy, Leo, Judy, Tician
"Enchanting"
We were in Rincon for a wedding. We stayed the week of Thanksgiving in Casa Tamara. About 60 other wedding attendees stayed in various places scattered through the immediate area. By the end of the week, we had learned that we "Hit the Jackpot" with Casa Tamara. Here's why: The property provides direct access to the beach. You simply roll out of bed and a few steps later, you are on the beach. It simply does not get better than that. At night, the surf puts you to sleep. Having never experienced life on a farm, the first morning was definitely a shock when the roosters sang. But this turned out to be part of the charm of the whole place. The property provides secure and level parking, on site laundry equipment,and a remarkably well equipped kitchen. Cooking and meal preparation is a breeze with several grocers, bakeries, and street side vendors selling fresh local produce all providing all the basic necessities. Do not overlook the street vendors preparing rotisserie chicken al carbon! This will be the most delicious thing you will eat and very inexpensive ($8 for a whole chicken). We rarely operated the window AC units but when we did, they performed adequately and as expected providing plenty of comfort. All baths were clean and well appointed. The only thing I would have liked was a good quality Weber Kettle Grill. The one provided is usable but The Weber is the gold standard for charcoal grilling and I really missed it. Nevertheless, we were able to grill delicious skirt steak that everyone thoroughly enjoyed. We enjoyed our stay so much that on our last day we all decided to come back in November 2015. And we did! Nancy is a very helpful and so was Gladys. They located someone to prepare delicious traditional "pasteles" for us and these were a big hit too. If you are in Rincon, there is little to be gained by staying anywhere else at any price. RI
"This was one of the most relaxing vacations we have ever taken."
Dear Nancy,
We stayed at Casa Serena for a week and have just arrived home. We had four day trips planned but only took one to go sailing. Everything we needed was right there at the house. The beach was great for swimming and snorkeling, the yard shaded enough to enjoy the views all day, my daughter spent most of her time in the hammock reading and listening to music. We grilled out most nights and the kitchen was well equipped to serve all of our needs. This was one of the most relaxing vacations we have ever taken. Thank you for sharing your home with us.
Sandi Garvin
"One of my better vacations"
Nancy, Super time at your place in Rincon. We enjoyed the house, the yard, the beach, thelocation, the sun and sand, the rooster wake up, the shade trees and breeze when too hot (not often.) Highly recommended. I might add that it is difficult to find a Puerto Rican who does not
speak English. Do not fail to visit a panaderia for b'fast or lunch for a quick, not fast food,Puerto Rican meal. We'll do it again for sure.
Best regards,
Phil
"Casa Serena is nearly Heaven on Earth"
Nancy,
Casa Serena is a slice of heaven on earth. We had a wonderful time in Rincon and greatly enjoyed our stay at Casa Serena. What a delightful spot - right on the beach for watching the sunsets, listening to the waves break, and gazing at the pelicans diving into the water. After a hectic winter work season it was a joy to lay in the hammock for hours just reading and snoozing. I had no idea that such a contraption would be so comfortable.
The home is located conveniently to a variety of stores that for days the car didn't leave the property in favor of walking to Edwards food store or to the Econo or the liquor store or donut shop or wherever.
As a runner I appreciated the proximity to 413 and 4413 and having the opportunity to see the horizon filled with surfers atop the waves.
The western section of the island was perfect for the day trips to the interior. We did make it to Lares for the wonderful visit to the ice cream shop known for its strange but flavorful variety of ice creams.
We want to come back again and again.
The house had the perfect accommodations for us and was pleasantly and comfortably appointed, furnished and spacious. I got spoiled by having two bathrooms. The place was spotless when we arrived (and hopefully we left it in as good order for the next people). You thought of just about every detail to make us feel at home. The kitchen was well stocked with all the dishes, utensils, and appliances that made meal preparations convenient and easy. We hadn't made pina coladas in years - thank you for the blender. Knowing that a washer and dryer would be available made the packing easier - we took far less clothing items than in other times and that made life easier, too.
It was our good fortunate to find Casa Serena.
Until next time,
William Lorentz
Michael Francaviglia
Maplewood NJ
"I highly recommend Casa Serena for a great vacation."
We have been to Casa Serena three times and we have had a great experience each and every time. First, Rincon is just big enough to have fun options for entertainment: Jet Skiing, Parasailing, Snorkeling, Scuba Diving, Disco, Gambling, Fishing, Sunset Cruises, Horseback riding, etc and yet is small enough that it is quiet and peaceful on the beach. Each time we go we have massages right on the patio, while listening to the surf. Food selection is great, from fast food, to take-out, to elegant dine-in.
The accommodations are clean, well-kept and right on the beach!!! It is great to get up in the morning (to the roosters crowing!!)and walk out to the sea and watch the day start. As the house faces the west on the sea-side, sunsets are the best!! While on the beach you are never crowded. It is great to be able to go from beach to house and back again simply to re-freshen your drink!!
I highly recommend Casa Serena for a great vacation. We also toured Casa Tamara and that's great too!! Both are great places to stay and one can not help but have fun!!
Ricky
"My dealings with Nancy have been nothing but a pleasure."
Dear Nancy - To your guests,
We're headed back to Casa Serena for our third visit next winter. The reasons we return are many -- beautiful beach located right outside your door, gorgeous sunsets, lovely town of Rincon, etc... Last year we celebrated Easter at the church on the downtown square with hundreds of locals and visitors like us. Puerto Rico (Rincon in particular) is a great place for families. Try a day trip to a place called Gilligan's Island. While the name makes it sound cheezy, it's anything but. It's a gorgeous natural cove on the south coast about 90 minutes from Rincon. Casa Serena is clean, impeccably maintained and always comfortable, and my dealings with Nancy have been nothing but a pleasure. Hurry though. The Rincon secret is out.
The Prials (Dunstan, Amy, Gilly and Clay)
"My idea of a great vacation!"
Dear Nancy,
As soon as we entered the light streamed second floor, three bedroom apartment,of Casa Tamara, with comfortable furniture, colorful bedspreads and posters, we felt right at home!!! The beach was steps away from our terrace, where we ate all of our "in home" meals for the week. We picked fresh fruits from the tree, a combination of a sweet and sour leechee fruit, and peeled coconuts that fell to the ground. I almost collided with a pelican one rough seas day, following Hurricane Bill, right on the shore line. Casa Tamara is private with a front yard basically on the beach, with hammocks at hand for reading, and lounge chairs on the grass.
Snorkeling along the reefs in front of Casa Tamara, was great, only beaten by the Steps beach coral reef!!Turquoise, clear waters, clean soft sand, gorgeous spacious apartment, and attentive care givers - our description of a divine vacation!!
On a small personal note, when we could not locate a faint "beeping" noise in the apartment, we called Gladys and Hector, the two lovely caretakers we met shortly after our arrival, and Hector came over immediately. After disconnecting all the electric appliances, like microwave, my daughter noticed that the beep was coming from my own pocketbook. The culprit was my cell phone which of course worked in the house!!! Hector had brought some star fruit for us to taste and another exotic fruit, so at least our nuisance noise had a friendly effect on all of us.
A home away from home, with lots of restaurants within a few miles, the sound of the surf lulling us to sleep, and all the conveniences of computer, cell phone and dvd access are my idea of a great vacation!!!
Susan
New York, NY
"Our stay in Puerto Rico was everything we had hoped"
Dear Nancy,
I apologize for not writing sooner, but my schedule upon return from vacation has been very hectic. As a matter of fact, it has only been the recollection of your beautiful home, the white sand beaches of Rincon and the magnificent vistas from the hills above which have kept work from being totally unbearable. All agreed that our stay in Puerto Rico was everything we had hoped.
The group, to a person, was thrilled upon arrival at your home. Never having stayed there before, I was conservative in my representations to the other travelers about our accommodations (although I was secretly confident that we had stumbled upon a gem). It was therefore wonderful for me to see the wide-eyed looks of amazement cross the faces of my comrades as we walked up the stairs of your home, into the spacious living-room, and out onto the balcony which beckoned us to come for a view of the turquoise Caribbean Sea.
With your home as a convenient base, we surfed, fished, snorkeled, golfed, swam and dined out with pleasure for our entire stay, all the while fascinated to be in the middle of culture so different from our own, yet so inviting. We rode giant waves at some of Rincon’s legendary surfing beaches, including Domes, Maria’s and Dog Man’s to name a few, and enjoyed going up to El Coqie for lunch and billiards after a tiring surf session. We also had a day out fishing and were able to bring home Grouper and Barracuda for dinner. Despite the many stories which would accompany us home, our departure was truly heartbreaking.
We thank you for your trust as we made arrangements, your helpful recommendations and particularly for your hospitality as your presence could be felt through the many personal touches which live in your home for all to enjoy.
Best regards, and I look forward to the possibility of staying at your home again next year.
Sincerely,
A.H.
"One of my best vacations"
Dear Nancy,
Thank you very much for giving me the opportunity to rent your villa. My family and I had a wonderful time. As you know we are from the north coast of the Island, and I was looking for a special part of the Island to welcome my son from his military leave. My son said "mom this has been one of my best vacations, and the house that you rented is awesome". We all felt like it was being home. The house has all the amenities you might need including washer and dryer and privacy. Gladys, your administrator and her husband were very kind to us, and we appreciated it very much!
I believe Rincon has one of the best beaches for swimming, snorkeling and surfing, and most of all the water was warm and crystal clean. Attached are some pictures that we took. We are hoping that in the near future we can rent your villa again. In my opinion and being from Puerto Rico the house and the place can not be compared by any other recognized beach of the Island.
Thank you once again, and God bless you!!
Maria Mastche
"An Incredible Find!"
An incredible find. Dealing with Nancy on line was a delight. The location was as stated. the pictures on line are accurate. Had been to Rincon a number of other times, but this clearly was the best lodging experience we've had. Will return yearly if possible. Rincon is a great experience, not a resort town, lots of locals, lots of ex-pats, great food, great beach. Bring books
RafeVisc, Minneapolis, MN
"I must say were delighted."
My wife and I have recently returned from Rincon, Puerto Rico where we stayed at Casa Tamara and I must say we were delighted.
The house sits only 40 feet from the ocean and accommodates two families easily with up and downstairs living quarters. We occupied the upstairs. The place was neat and clean and very well appointed.
We found three large bedrooms, two full baths, fully equipped kitchen, large sitting room with a large balcony for us to watch the sun set directly in front of us each afternoon. Because the ceilings are 12 feet tall and because there are windows everywhere, you have a sense of spaciousness and openness. A family of six would have no feelings of being cramped. There is a washer and dryer on site which is always a plus when traveling. Also provided, were both beach chairs and towels, well prepared, accurate and helpful lists of restaurants and local sites. Everything we needed for a carefree vacation was there for us.
Our stay in Rincon was a great one and we appreciate your guide in helping us find the right house and we thank the owner for her generosity and thoroughness in providing great accommodations.
Sincerely,
J.D.F.
President
J.D.F. and Associate, Inc.
"Our time in Rincon was fantastic and your home and property are so lovely"
Dear Nancy,
Our time in Rincon was fantastic and your home and property are so lovely (great kitchen!!). It was extremely comfortable and really felt like home. Loved the neighborhood, the town and surrounding area, just what I was hoping it to be. Laid back and hardly ever anyone on the beach, amazing. I'm so glad I was able to make this connection with you and will certainly recommend your place to the right people I know would appreciate it as much as Charlie and I. Still adjusting back into NYC, always a bit of a shock to the system after paradise, yes? I want to go back to Puerto Rico now, please.....
Thanks again for doing it just right. Casa Serena was a wonderful find and you are a most thoughtful host. We'll be in touch.
All best to you.
John Wills
"Casa Serena was a wonderful find!"
Dear Nancy,
Thanks for the follow up. Our time in Rincon was fantastic and your home and property are so lovely (great kitchen!!). It was extremely comfortable and really felt like home. Loved the neighborhood, the town and surrounding area, just what I was hoping it to be. Laid back and hardly ever anyone on the beach, amazing. I'm so glad I was able to make this connection with you and will certainly recommend your place to the right people I know would appreciate it as much as Charlie and I. Still adjusting back into NYC, always a bit of a shock to the system after paradise, yes? I want to go back to Puerto Rico now, please.....
Thanks again for doing it just right. Casa Serena was a wonderful find and you are a most thoughtful host. We'll be in touch.
All best to you.
John Williams
A nice weekend getaway!
We had a great stay, kids had fun, adults relaxed by the beach and the house and property was spacious. There were other families staying in the downstairs and next door properties and we all had space to move, lounge and play. Nancy was very helpful - from the moment we made the reservation until check-ut. Thanks for everything :
July 2020.
"Paradise!"
My husband and I stayed at Casa Serena for our honeymoon and came back for our anniversary this past May. The house and beach were just as beautiful as we remembered. And there's AC in every room (that was an upgrade from the last time we stayed) and much appreciated! It's a great location and Rincon is a fun laid-back town! Lots to see and do (you'll want a car). The beach in particular is wonderful. You can wake up in the morning, make a cup of coffee and walk out onto an almost secluded beach. I would highly recommend this rental! We look forward to many more vacations here!
Loved Rincon Washington DC
"Our Carribean getaway, the home away from home!"
We had such a wonderful time! It was a great adventure for our family, especially the kids to see/hear/be with all the different surroundings. The house was very well equipped to handle us, even for my very curious 18mth old! We felt very safe at all times and Gladys - she was just so wonderful to us and was so easily available to us. The fruit basket and food that was stocked ahead of time per our request was so wonderful to have available for the kids when we first walked in. We were easily able to use all the kitchenware and had all that we needed for any of our home cooked meals. The high chair and pack-n-play was a lifesaver! The Bathrooms were large and accommodated all 3 kids when we needed to! Closet space was amazing, especially since we stayed for a week and had over 8 bags for 5 people. I also can't tell you how much of relief it was to have 2 washers/dryers!!! It made it so very easy to clean everyone's clothes at once.
You have such a beautiful and wonderful place. It really felt like a home away from home. We look forward to the next time we can take the family there again!
Thanks from the 5Laplantes from Spring Hill, Kansas
"The Best Family Vacation We've Ever Had!"
We have just returned from a fantastic vacation in Rincon and I wanted to write to thank you before the glow and tan wore off! Last year my husband and I and our two children, 3 and 6 years old, stayed in Casa Serena. We know that you usually rent the houses separately, but we thought that they might work well for a big family reunion. We reserved both homes, Casa Serena and Casa Tamara and were hoping that having our whole family together, but in 4 separate apartments, would not be too much for all of us. It worked out better than we had imagined. Nancy was great to work with and the caretakers were so helpful - they even brought us fresh fruit from their garden.
We had our family, our three siblings' families and our parents, 19 people in all.
Each couple had a master bedroom with a private bathroom, quite a luxury, and there were enough bedrooms for all the kids. By the way, the beds were super comfortable. The houses are beautifully furnished, had all the amenities and the kitchens were very well equipped. Since each apartment is totally separate, each family had their privacy, when they wanted it and yet we were all together, when we wanted that. Since Casa Serena and Casa Tamara are right next door to each other, we could wander back and forth easily. We did barbeque twice and had a great time having dinner all together.
That's all about the houses and the convenience for a big group, but since most people don't come in a big group, I want to say that the main attraction of your houses is the location. We found out last year that your houses are on the best beach in Rincon, maybe in all of Puerto Rico! And the beach is right there. We could roll out of bed and jump into the beautiful, clear, calm water of your Caribbean beach. The older kids loved snorkeling right in front of the house and the water was calm enough for the younger kids. And my parents, in the late Fifties, loved the fact that the water was calm and shallow for a good distance. Also, we were all very happy that you have a fenced in grassy back yard so that the kids could run around without running into the water, and some of us older folks could just sun on the lounge chairs in the backyard. And then the hammocks were a great attraction, the teenagers tended to monopolize them
When we weren't on the beach or relaxing at the house, we enjoyed sight seeing expeditions to Camuy Caves and the Bio-Phosphorescent Bay and it was lots of fun just exploring the town of Rincon and eating out at some great restaurants. Oh yes, there is a great beach bar a short distance down the beach, which the teenagers like to go to and we all enjoyed for lunch one day.
All in all a great Family vacation and we will definitely recommend it to everyone we know.
Thanks to Nancy and Gladys and Hector for making this such a great success!
The Russ Family, from San Francisco and Boston
"Such a lovely beautiful place"
Dear Nancy:
I just wanted to send you this email ( which you can use on your website's guestbook if you like) to thank
you for providing us with an opportunity to stay in such a lovely beautiful place, as Casa Serena. The
house and the scenery were beyond of our expectations. We loved everything about it. The decor, the
closeness of the ocean and the nice beach, the beautiful trees in the garden, our lovely neighbours, beautiful sunsets and the sea breeze. The pictures do not do your homes justice. One has to stay in those homes
and be able to see everything for themselves. We did and we will recommend your places to everyone
of our friends and family. We really felt at home in such a tranquil beautiful environment. It is quite a
possibility that next year we will rent your bigger house as there will be more of us.
We also wanted to let you know that we were very impressed by your manager. She was always available
and was able to fulfill any of our little requests in a very timely manner. She is a very nice lovely lady and
we enjoyed meeting her.
Take care and I will be in touch for bookings for next year.
Thank you again for everything
Sincerely
Natasha
"We had an excellent stay at Casa Tamara."
Nancy,
We had an excellent stay at Casa Tamara. The accomadations were great and the beach was literally "right there".This was our first trip to Puerto Rico and we throughly enjoyed it. We explored the rain forest, went to the caves, kayaked the bio bay, and snorkled Steps Beach. But the best part was the down time spent right at our own beach.The natives are extremely friendly although they drive worst than Bostonians which I didn't believe possibly !!Rincon is a great place and Casa Tamara a gem for a nice family vacation.
We will be back
Greg
"Wonderful time, wonderful place, wonderful value"
My sister Connie, her husband Greg, and their two children invited me to join them on their vacation this year (3/27/10 to 4/7/10). All of us had vacationed on Vieques before but never on the main island of Puerto Rico.
What a delight to spend our vacation in such comfortable accomodations with the beautiful Caribbean at our doorstep. Our plan was to spend a week in Tamara and then, after Greg flew home, for Connie, the kids, and I to move down the beach to a hotel for our last several days of vacation. Nancy knew of our plans and when Serena unexpectedly became available after our stay at Tamara was over, she let us know it was ours if we were interested. We were!!
The kids, ages 4 and 6, schlepped the foodstuffs through the backyard from Tamara to Serena while Connie and I did the heavy lifting and we were resettled in less than an hour. Casa Serena, though smaller than Tamara, was just as nice in every way. The kids had a blast. The ocean waves were just big enough to thrill them and we celebrated my sister's son's birthday on the spacious, Tamara patio (complete with presents, cake, homemade decorations, and pizza (the birthday boy's dinner of choice). The kids were relieved that the Easter Bunny knew of their whereabouts and that he had hidden their Easter baskets in Casa Tamara and scattered Easter eggs in the back yard for them to find. If future renters happen to find any stray eggs, you'll know how they came to be there).
We had such a fun time in both casas - enjoying the tropical surroundings, beautiful beach and sunsets, great meals on the patio - my sister is a wonderful chef - and the peaceful surroundings. We shopped for groceries and inexpensive island clothing (some real bargains) in a little mall just 3 short blocks from the properties and had some great dinners out at The Rincon Inn and Rincon by the Seas. Had we stayed longer, I'd have many more fun adventures to report - Rincon has so much to offer. But our goal was relaxation and great times with the kids and we had both!
Your property caretakers, Hector and Gladys are lovely people. You're fortunate to have such dedicated employees.
Thanks for everything Nancy. You have two beautiful, well-managed places. We will enthusiastically recommend Casa Tamara and Casa Serena to others.
Greg, Connie, Elena, Max, and their Auntie Mae
"Awesome"
Casa Tamara was all we wanted and more.
Conveniently located yet private, with beach at your back door, clean, welcoming, quiet, attractive and ample space. Best part was sunsets from the porch as well as morning times to hear the ocean and see the clear skies. We four had plenty of room for privacy, comfortable beds, good kitchen to work in. Nancy Renee is a wonderful host and owner of this lovely home. We did not want to leave and would come back in a heartbeat. Looking forward to next visit.
MV from New York City
" It was the perfect setting for our dream vacation!"
Dear Nancy,
Just wanted to tell you how much we enjoyed Casa Tamara. It was the perfect setting for our dream vacation. Everything in the apartment was more than adequate - so clean, spacious, and nicely furnished. We had everything we needed - plus! We will never forget the view, pounding surf, coquies and tropical landscape. What a beautiful island. We thoroughly enjoyed every minute of our two week stay. Thank you so much for everything. It was a 5 star experience! It was a pleasure working with you on reservations et al and please tell Gladys "Thank You" also. She was so helpful and nice!
Sincerely,
Richard and Mary Mcilroy
"Three weeks in Paradise!"
Dear Nancy,
We really had the vacation of our dreams! Casa Tamara was super... I don't think there was a thing we needed that wasn't there! Beds were very, very comfortable! The porch, yard, and beach were divine... being back in New Hampshire is such a rude awakening!
Thanks for checking in on us when the power went out. We located the candles and flashlights you told us about, and had a delightful dinner by candlelight!
Hector and Gladys were amazingly helpful. They checked in on us from time to time, always answered our calls -and were so pleasant and nice!All in all, we loved Casa Tamara and our Rincon vacation. Thank you for sharing your wonderful house with us!
Best,
Marla
"We love Rincon and we love Casa Tamara."
Dear Nancy ,
We love Rincon and we love Casa Tamara. This is our 15th year at the house and we've increased our time from one week the first year to three weeks over the last several years. We hope to stay longer next year. The house is right on a beautiful stretch of beach with a lovely, partly shaded front lawn. There are a few trees on the beach for shade. The water in front of the house is sometimes calm and sometimes has waves. For a totally calm Caribbean beach one can go 10 minutes south to Anasco and swim at the beautiful beach there. For heavy surf, one can go 10 minutes north to the surfing beach (we love to goand watch even though we don't surf).
The house itself is two stories and we've loved both floors for different reasons. When our grandchildren were young (they come with us every year with their parents and they say it is one of their best weeks of the year) the downstairs was more convenient. Now that they are teenagers a table and chairs and several lounges. We spend alot of our time on the porch when we are not down at the beach. There is a large open living room, dining area and kitchen area and three large bedrooms. The downstairs has 3 bathrooms and the upstairs has only 2 bathrooms. The house is fully equipped and there is a grill on the porch. I do quite alot of cooking and there is good shopping available. There are also several lovely restaurants with good food nearby.
It is a very informal community and shorts are fine at any restaurant (except the upscale "Horned Dorset"). Gladys, who manages the house, is fabulous and very responsive to any needs or requests. Her husband Hector is great at fixing things when needed. And, Nancy, who owns the house, has always been terrific in responding to suggestions. The house is situated in a community of homes owned largely by Puerto Ricans. Neighbors are warm and welcoming. On the porch, one only hears the sounds of the surf but in the back of the house you at times hear the neighborhood sounds of roosters or weekend salsa. All in all this is a great house in a great area with a magnificent beach right in front of you.
Vivian,
Brookly, NY