Vacation Rentals by Owner

Best vacation ever!

Guest: travis (Santa Barbara, CA)
Date of Stay: 04/06/12 Review Submitted: 04/19/12

Just got back from 9 days at Casa Firefly over Easter break which was just incredible. We were 2 families, 4 adults, 6 kids from 5-12 years of age and everyone had the best vacation ever. The pictures of the house do not do it justice, it is far more beautiful, peaceful, serene and nice than on this website. We were completely blown away when we walked in and saw it first hand. Bruce was fantastic to work with and extremely helpful, Orbe & Mari who are on site were incredible. They were fabulous hosts who raised the bar on our expectations of what vacations could be. Mari is an insanely talented chef and everyone, all kids included were loving everyone of her meals. She catered to all and i would say this is a must experience part of Casa Firefly. The wives were loving being catered to and the quality of the meals were better than we found in any of the restaurants! We are definetly coming back, the property, house, bungalows, pool and palapa are all fist quality and so well designed from a aestethic standpoint that if you can not relax here, give up. Local surf was fantastic and the beach in front of the property is very wide not rocky like other places and has a sandy bottom. This was perfect for the kids, football and skim boarding, body surfing, and boogie boarding. I can not recomend this property enough, it reset our expectations for sure.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway.

OUTSTANDING! Beautiful house, great vacation!

Guest: Pete (Amherst, NH)
Date of Stay: 07/17/11 Review Submitted: 07/27/11

We stayed from July 17 - 23, 2011, with a mix of young kids (ages 5 - 7), teens, and adults...and everyone had a fantastic time. The house is beautiful - one of the nicest in Troncones. The minute we arrived we felt relaxed and truly ready to vacation. The open living room / dining area / kitchen / bar was where we all hung out most of the time; a great spot to keep an eye on the kids in the pool but also to enjoy the amazing views. As you can see from the pictures the surrounding plants/flowers really make it feel like you're in a tropical paradise, in addition to being right on the ocean. Each bedroom was clean and very well maintained, as were the bathrooms. We played cards a few nights in the upstairs area which was another "hang out" favorite…I personally liked that spot for my morning coffee :) The pool is amazing; I used it for a few morning swim workouts and both kids and adults were in it continuously up into the night. Orbe and Mari (the on-site caretakers) were amazing - they kept the place meticulously clean, and were extremely helpful. The beachfront is clean and without rocks (which some of the other houses in Troncones have) so that made it a great for swimming in the surf and playing in the sand. The hammock area was another favorite, especially on some of the hotter days when we needed to get out of the sun. We stayed during what's referred to as the "low" or "rainy" season - it barely rained at all (maybe during 3 or 4 days we were there, for no more than an hour each day)...but the surrounding hills/mountains were incredibly green which again makes for beautiful surroundings. I can't say enough about what a great time we had. Casa Luciernaga is a great value; there's no way you can compare paying more at a hotel for what you get out of this place. We definitely want to come back!

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, romantic getaway.

awesome

Guest: beachy (USA)
Date of Stay: 06/23/11 Review Submitted: 06/29/11

Great, well-maintained house just steps away from the beach. You wake up to the sounds of the waves. The pictures don't do it justice. You definitely have your privacy. The family that maintains the property comes every day to clean, and they were nice enough to bring us coconuts! Bruce is excellent about quickly responding to any questions you may have. The only downside is its an open house, so no AC, but there are ceiling fans. Within walking distance to restaurants. Would definitely stay there again. We were sad to leave paradise.

Recommended for:Families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway.

Relaxing in a Surfing Paradise

Guest: Tony (Marin, California)
Date of Stay: 06/10/11 Review Submitted: 08/25/11

My son and I stayed for a week with a group of surfing dads and sons and we had an amazing time. This is a prime base for an epic surf trip. The house was incredible, the surfing at great nearby points was perfect, and the village and its friendly people were lovely. Thank you, Bruce, for sharing your slice of paradise and doing so much to make it a wonderful experience. We loved the open floor plan with the ocean breeze flowing through, the large pool was the location of choice for the boys when they weren't surfing, and some of the dads enjoyed yoga and massages every afternoon at the cool yoga retreat just down the beach. I especially liked to relax in one of the hammocks under the beachside entramba and watch to resident iguanas bask on a rock. And, of course, endless fish feasts under restaurants' palapas, and a moonlit beach walk to witness the ocean release of baby sea turtles. What an experience! We will be back.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, people with disabilities, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Jim from the big island

Guest: Jim from the big island (Vancouver Island)
Date of Stay: 03/18/11 Review Submitted: 04/02/11

I just got back home and miss it already. The cassa is even better than the photos show. It is all Bruce describes and more. The grounds and house are very well maintained by Orbe and Marisela. The beach out front is the best part of Troncones beach..no rocks. The pool is great especially the wet deck. I'm already planning our next trip.

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway.

Perfect Place for a get away!

Guest: Elle D. (Austin, TX)
Date of Stay: 03/15/11 Review Submitted: 03/24/11

Just left (3/24/11) Bruce's wonderful home and missing it already. Stayed in the ocean view bungalow which was every bit as beautiful as advertised on this site. More than spacious for the two of us with the outdoor living area, deck in front of bungalow and shared outdoor kitchen. Easy to spend lazy mornings in bed looking over the pool and out to the ocean. RIght when you walk in to the gate you are treated to a paradise - the landscaping is gorgeous and well planned to give privacy to the groundskeeper's home as well as the guests staying in the bungalows from the main house. The pool is heavenly - nice and big, deep and a good compliment to the ocean. The hammocks by the beach were also a great place to read and drift off to sleep in the cool ocean breeze. Tronconnes itself is for people who are looking to get away from the tourism of Mexico. Come here if you want to get away from people - the beach was often deserted and hardly anyone approaches you to sell you their wares. As far as food goes, stock up in Zijautenejo on the way in if you like to cook - kitchen is well appointed with mid-size fridge, utensils, range, toaster oven and coffee maker. However, the local food here is pretty darn good. Off the beaten path you can find Rufi's where you can be treated to tacos, sopas, etc. Four of us stuffed ourselves for $12 including tip. For a little more $ you can eat on the beach at Robertos - grilled lobster - YUM! fajitas drowning in cheese. If you get there at the right time, you can witness the release of baby sea turtles. They let you name one and send it on its way into the ocean. Costa Brava is a great family owned restaurant with excellent service and a definite sense of family pride. You can also get a cab to the airport from there. Surfing takes a little travel time from the house, but well worth the walk on the beach or a hitch hike from the road. Definitely to go Mahalua (sp) for a nice uncrowded beach with varied breaks for surfing. Eat at the restaurant at the T near the boat launch. The man who owns it is a wonderful and excellent to chat with. The food was amazing as well - grilled lobster, seafood caldo, shrimp, swordfish tacos - seriously so great. The man who owns it also sells the most intricately beautiful hammcks that his wheel chair bound brother makes by hand. so, should you rent this house? Obviously.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

The house is simply beautiful with amazing vistas from any vantage point

Guest: Joy (Tillamook)
Date of Stay: 01/27/11 Review Submitted: 03/25/11

Joyful wrote: I had the privilage of living at Luciernaga for a full month and I wish I could have stayed the entire season. The house is simply beautiful with amazing vistas from any vantage point. I loved the common area upstairs as it afforded such a bird's eye view of the ocean and setting sun and the great room downstairs hosted many fine meals and evening dance parties. The landscaping was also a treat as I enjoyed seeing what new tropical flowers were in bloom as well as all the humming birds that were visiting on a daily basis. The on-site caretakers were wonderful: polite, helpful and (the best part) invisable! Truly the best I have had (and have been renting pvt. villa's in the tropics for years). However, for me, the best part was the pool! I loved its design - long-length lap pool, deep end worthy of diving and cannonballs, a wet deck that looked right onto the breaking surf and looked beautiful when illuminated at night. Also a plus of the villa was the location - close enough for an easy walk to town (where the "action" is) but far enough away to feel secluded and exclusive. Luciernaga was a great villa for my vacation experience in Troncones beach! Carin "MadDog" says: WOW!! What an amazing place Casa Luciernaga is...waves practically in your backyard, a beautifully shaped pool, sunsets in the most brilliant pinks and oranges, a spacious and well decorated home with the world's finest caregivers, groundskeepers, and housekeepers...Orbe and Maricela thank you again for all of your hard work, your local knowledge, and skills. I will never forget eating fresh coconut straight from the one of the many coconut trees located in the backyard as well. Luciernaga is everything I dreamed it would be and more. I plan on continuing the tradition of yearly visits, however, this time I plan on staying much longer! Truly paradise!!

Recommended for:Age 55+, girls getaway, tourists without a car, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Lightening Bug Dancing in the Bungalow

Guest: Dallis (Vancouver, WA)
Date of Stay: 01/27/11 Review Submitted: 03/25/11

Dallis said: “Our month at Casa Luciernaga could not have been better. There was a lightning bug dancing around in a bungalow one night. What a treat for our west coast folks who never see em. I loved boogie boarding in front of the house. Troncones had an art show while we were there. Very cultural. Fresh shrimp, fish and vegetables...delivered! Oh and the fresh pineapple and coconut... It took our pina coladas to another level! And we really enjoyed the iguanas on the rocks (not a new tropical cocktail)! Maricela and Orbe are so helpful. In 15 years of renting houses in Mexico, they are the best house manager, housekeeper, and groundskeeper we have ever had. And when I got stabbed on the side of my foot, by a sting ray in front of Casa Gregorio (1/4 mi N of home). Maricela gave us advice on what to do. After 3 days of sand and surf, I needed my foot looked at. The new Troncones clinic is sooo nice! Troncones is our home in Mexico. Philip said: “I enjoyed 10 sun-filled and fun-filled days at the Casa Luciernaga, and would highly recommend this place for ANYONE who desires to stay in a beautiful home in a private tropical beachfront location that has all the amenities you could ask for. My mere words do not do justice to the wonderful time I had. Thank you so much!"

Recommended for:Age 55+, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Relax and enjoy!

Guest: The Canuck (Savona B.C. Canada)
Date of Stay: 01/09/11 Review Submitted: 01/30/11

Casa Luciernaga was everything Bruce said it was. Felt comfortable right from the moment we all arrived. Beautifully landscaped and total privacy came along with fantastic ocean veiw. Caretakers, Orbe and Marisela were helpful and wonderfull folks. Surf or swim in ocean, walk the sandy beach, shower under the palm tree, dip in the sweet pool, tip a cold one!! Troncones has a great number of places too eat or enjoy a drink,all this within a short walk down the beach or on the road. If you like to cook ,a couple of local vendors come by with fresh fish or fruit and veggies. grocery stores have everything else you will need. We rented a car but would suggest against it as Taxi are inexpensive and everywhere even in troncones. Orbe was of great help with setting up things if need be and to make suggestions of local fare to enjoy and see. the local town folks are very freindly and hospitable, the Troncones glow will last a lifetime! Thanks Bruce, untill next time. THE CANUCK.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Just like the pictures...

Guest: alana (McCall, ID USA)
Date of Stay: 11/21/10 Review Submitted: 12/06/10

Five of us stayed over Thanksgiving week in the big house and we wish we'd booked it for both weeks of our vacation! The photos usually are nicer than the place, right, but not in this case. The photos don't do it justice. It's the perfect location - slightly away from town but an easy walk in. We had everything we needed and if we didn't Orbe arranged somehow for it to appear. Extremely clean and well furnished. The owner was super easy to work with and great with suggestions about the area. We will definitely be back! p.s. - the upper deck has wonderful firefly viewing at night if you turn out the lights!

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like my own house and private beach

Guest: juancho (mexico city)
Date of Stay: 07/24/10 Review Submitted: 09/02/10

we had a great time ! at the moment we arrived it felt like at home ....but with a private beach four ourselves ! the house is very goog constructed..great pool....we did barbecue all days... walks on the beach ..see the sunset.....relax ....very safe , like the surroundings almost belong to you too ! we would go again for sure ! the open spaces , like the kitchen - living room , work perfectly to make you feel the ocean breeze ...and you can se the ocean from the house , the pool and the terrain ends up in the ocean with a very short walk... each bedroom may have its own full bath room ..i like this... the owner answerd every email i sent with my questions right away. It s all very calm ...if you want action just make a 25 minutes drive to Ixtapa .... walk around the little town and find out nice bars , restaurants ,, where to buy fresh fish.. or arrange a fishing trip... saludos !

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with young children, romantic getaway.

Best place to stay in Troncones

Guest: TheaPDX (Portland, OR)
Date of Stay: 06/07/10 Review Submitted: 08/08/10

My husband and I have been to Troncones twice now. Our first time going to Troncones the house was already booked so we stayed elsewhere. We were scouting out Troncones as a possibly wedding destination for our friends that we were traveling with. While we were in Troncones we checked out many of the hotels along the beach looking for a possible wedding venue. I immediately fell in love with Casa Luciernaga and booked it as soon as we knew that we would be returning for sure. The owner Bruce was always very quick in responding to my many e-mails as we were trying to coordinate for ourselves and for friends (not an easy task!). We spent a week at Casa Luciernaga this past June for our friends wedding on the beautiful beach of Troncones. We rented both bungalows with another couple and some other friends in the wedding party rented the house. We knew people staying at hotels all throughout Troncones and everyone thought that we had the best place...I agree! Casa Luciernaga quickly became our home away from home. The bungalows are such a great deal for the price and had everything we needed. If you are looking for something a little fancier the house is amazing! The pool is the best I saw in Troncones and was big enough that I was actually able to swim laps. The grounds are immaculate and everything is kept very clean thanks to the very sweet and friendly groundskeepers. Normally when we travel we don't spend that much of our time at our hotel but at Casa Luciernaga we didn't want to leave. You really do have your own private oasis. It was the most relaxing vacation I have ever had and cannot wait to go back. I highly recommend Casa Luciernaga!

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway.

absolutely fantastic beachside house

Guest: Chad (San Francisco, CA)
Date of Stay: 05/26/10 Review Submitted: 08/09/10

The house(s), caretakers, grounds, location, cleanliness, owner, price, pool and everything about CL exceeded our wildest expectations. Bruce (the owner) was easy to work w/ and everything was delivered as promised. The openess and layout of the house and yard is perfect and I can't overstate how much we enjoyed our stay at CL.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, families with teenagers, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Surf Paradise

Guest: Doug (San Francisco, CA)
Date of Stay: 05/20/10 Review Submitted: 08/19/10

As a surfer, I can highly recommend Casa Firefly. Waves right out front and three great left points nearby. The house is right on the beach, I can come down with my son and rent one of the two large, inexpensive cabanas, or have a reunion and rent the entire place, including the large, beautiful main house. There's an excellent pool, hammocks, and down the beach a short walk, a world-class yoga center and, if you don't feel like cooking at the house, several good seafood restaurants nearby. Bruce the owner made reserving a week stay smooth and easy, and the local couple who were there on staff were friendly and helpful. The ocean temperature when I was there was 86 degrees! Need I say more? We will be back, hopefully yearly.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Magical Firefly

Guest: deb (california)
Date of Stay: 04/05/10 Review Submitted: 08/08/10

We stayed at Casa Firefly in April and had a perfectly magical time. There were five of us, old friends, sharing the premises, cooking meals in the great open air kitchen overlooking the pool, laughing and taking dips in the pool throughout the day. From the moment we booked our stay there wasn't a hitch; the booking, the help of Orbie and Marisela and the gorgeous house and grounds made our time at the Casa perfect in every way. Thanks Bruce for your thoughtful and caring service!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, people with disabilities, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Bad experience interrupts vacation

Guest: Joseph (Hillsboro, Oregon, US)
Date of Stay: 11/03/09 Review Submitted: 07/15/10

Review of Casa Luciernaga We had a terrible experience at casa luciernaga. The owner double booked the property and kicked us out after our fist night's stay even though we paid first. He let the other tenants stay because they paid more. We were at the property for 2 days and one night, and the grounds were pretty nice. It would have been an enjoyable stay had we been treated differently. We booked 3 months in advance and had everything paid for at that time. We talked to the other tenants and they had only booked 30 days ago. It was unfair and insulting the way we were treated. The housekeepers (who were very nice) nodded their heads while we told the owner on the phone what we thought of the way he treats his customers. It seemed like this wasn't the first time his mistakes have cost traveler's their valuable vacation time and put undo stress on the help.

Owner response:We were and remain very sorry Joseph had this experience at our place last year, but can honestly say it was an absolute fluke, a one-time, honest but very regrettable mistake we felt very bad about. We take great pride in Casa Luciernaga (Firefly House, or CL), and do all we can to assure our guests have a great time in all respects. When this happened early last November, we did our best to remedy an unfortunate situation- we refunded all rent paid and paid for nice accomodations less than 100 yards away, and offered free time at our place in the future. We also took measures to make sure it doesn't happen again, including buying new computer software to keep track of reservations, and backing that with manual record keeping just in case. Guests are almost universally very happy and satisfied with CL- in fact increasingly so, with comments of "exquisite," and "perfect" in recent emails- so again, Joseph's experience left us feeling very sad, and very sorry he had the experience he did. We can assure future guests that we learned from the mistake, the one-time problem got fixed, it is almost certain they will love CL. Please inquire should you have any questions or concerns.

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Guest: Randy14 (Monterey, Ca.)
Date of Stay: 07/09/09 Review Submitted: 07/09/09

The whole experience of casa luciernaga was a complete delight. Starting with the call to Bruce to set my reservation. His pure stoke for the place is palpable. I knew we were going to be in the right place. Arriving, we settled in easily. In 10 minutes time we were lounging in the open aired balcony with cold corona's. Contemplating our first swim in the beautiful pool or step out on the beach for a surf or play of any kind. We were 4 adults and 4 kids,completely comfortable and relaxed!

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Guest: Megan + Chad (Venice, CA)
Date of Stay: 07/07/09 Review Submitted: 07/07/09

We had an awesome vacation at Casa Luciernaga. We stayed in the main house, which is brand new and immaculate. The upper master suite has fantastic views. The property is beautifully kept, with wonderful gardens and a great pool. It is right on the beach, yet feels private. We had delicious food in town and met great people, including the lovely caretakers and owner. Can't wait to be back for our next surf trip.

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Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 07/07/09 Review Submitted: 07/07/09

We had a wonderful time here! The beach is magnificent and the house is very comfortableand open to the glorious surroundings. There was plenty of room for two couples to have private space and to enjoy time together. The caretakers were most charming and helpful.

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Guest: Asa Van Gelder (Telluride Colorado)
Date of Stay: 07/06/09 Review Submitted: 07/06/09

My wife and I with another couple rented both the bungalows and absolutely loved it. The owner was great to deal with and the onsite caretakers where accomodating. The property was wonderful and very relaxing. The pool was private, the shaded hammock area on the beach was great for reading and napping. The bungalows where tastefully designed and decorated. The main house was cool as well although we did not stay there. If you want a relaxing place that is new and well maintained, this is your spot.

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Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 07/05/09 Review Submitted: 07/05/09

We stayed at Casa Luciernaga last March and absolutely loved our visit. The location on the beach cannot be beat - absolute paradise. Marisela cooked great meals for us while we enjoyed perfect sunsets. Bruce, the owner, has made the house very comfortable - not a hotel feel at all. I can't recommend Casa Luciernaga enough.

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Guest: William8 (Bloomington, Indiana)
Date of Stay: 07/05/09 Review Submitted: 07/05/09

What can I say….this place is beautiful!I have stayed at Casa Luciernaga twice during the last two winter breaks. Two years ago we stayed in one of the bungalows for several days, and last winter I stayed in the house for a week. The place is beautiful and clean, and the bungalows and the house are stocked with everything you will need during your stay. The house is stunning and the views are remarkable. Even during the high season, you feel you have your own private beach, as this is not a touristy area. The lot is lovely, the pool private and refreshing, and the landscaping is magnificent. If you have any questions or need help with anything, just ask the onsite caretakers, Orbe and Marisela. Orbe speaks English well, and both are very nice and always smiling. They also have an adorable young daughter, Angeles, who is a delight. There is a small convenience store in the village where you can buy the basics, and be sure to try some of the local restaurants, which serve great food and drinks. I especially like the well-known El Burro Borracho (where you might get a table just feet from the ocean), the restaurant at Hacienda Eden, and always had a big breakfast after my morning run at Casa Manzanillo (which has a deck overlooking the ocean, and great waiter named Daniel who is very friendly). All these places are great, but Casa Luciernaga is so nice that you may never want to leave the property! Finally, the owner Bruce is very friendly and easy to work with. He is enthusiastic, loves Mexico, and has created a dream come true in Troncones. Go visit for yourself and find out…and tell Bruce I sent you!Cheers,WilliamBloomington, Indiana

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Guest: the Wright family3 (Newport, OR)
Date of Stay: 06/22/09 Review Submitted: 06/22/09

We loved our stay at Casa Luciernaga! The house and amenities were perfect for our group of 9. Orbe and Marisella were wonderful hosts. We hope that we can go back one day.

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Guest: Matt & Erin (Portsmouth, Virginia)
Date of Stay: 06/08/09 Review Submitted: 06/08/09

Our stay at Casa Luciernaga was a week of complete rest and relaxation. We stayed in one of the bungalows which was very comfortable and immaculately kept by the on-property caretakers. We almost had the beach and town to ourselves during our stay. The locals were incredibly friendly and we felt safer than on any other trip to Costa Rica and Panama we had taken in years past. There are several nice restaurants within walking distance that serve a variety of seafood and traditional Mexican cuisine. Two world class left-hand point breaks are within easy driving distance and the towns of Zihua and Ixtapa offer lots of other excursion opportunities to keep you busy if hanging in the hammock on siesta all day is not your thing. Overall we loved the experience at Casa Luciernaga and are planning our next trip after being back home for only one week.

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Guest: Asa1 (Telluride Colorado)
Date of Stay: 05/19/09 Review Submitted: 05/19/09

I just returned from a great stay at Casa Luciernaga. My wife and I and another couple rented the two bungalows for three nights and did not want to leave. Each bungalow is perfect for a couple and are well designed. The pool was very private and enjoyable. The beach frontage with shaded hammocks was a great place to chill or read a book. The main house was great although we did not stay there. I highly recommend this newer, well designed property.

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Magnificent setting

Guest: Larry (Ventura, ca)
Date of Stay: 05/01/09 Review Submitted: 08/08/10

The grounds are beautiful as are all the rooms. A very classic beach house with every amenity that you could want in a beach house - pool, poolside kitchen, BBQ, outdoor shower. The caretakers were great and made us feel very at home and safe. Overall, a great experience.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, people with disabilities, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Guest: Lauri & Jase (Minneapolis, MN)
Date of Stay: 01/28/09 Review Submitted: 01/28/09

We absolutely loved our week stay in the house at Casa Luciernaga. It was the perfect place for us and our two teenagers. Between the pool, ocean, relaxing and walking the beach there was never a dull moment. The property is beautifully landscaped and the on-property caretakers, Orbe and Marisela, are very helpful from anything we needed at the house to suggesting places in town to eat. The laid back town of Troncones was our perfect beach vacation!

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