Vacation Rentals by Owner

A very special place in Puerto Rico

Guest: Bob & Carol (Kitchener, ON, Canada)
Date of Stay: 02/11/12 Review Submitted: 02/25/12

We stayed as a couple at Casa Bonita from February 11 to 18, 2012 in the one bedroom unit - CB1. The apartment offers spectacular views of Shacks Beach (Playa Shacks). It is well equipped and tastefully decorated. The kitchen is more than adequate. There is a BBQ and we chose to cook most of our dinners in and eat our lunches out. We would recommend the Econo (Gate 5) for your grocery needs. The pool and deck area is well appointed with numerous sitting areas, tables and comfortable furniture. The deck area offers fantastic views of the ocean and surf. At any time of the day you can watch various types of surfing and water sports right from the deck (surfing, wind surfing, kite surfing, etc.). There is world class snorkeling available directly in front of Casa Bonita. Talk to Larry about snorkel equipment and how to access the snorkel areas. A dip in the pool after exploring or soaking up the sun was appreciated. We would recommend a car rental. The roads are easy to navigate and signs and directions easy to follow. Larry is a fountain of information when it comes to directions. Puerto Rican drivers are not particularly courteous and traffic can be heavy at times, patience is a virtue. We didn’t do a lot of exploring but preferred to enjoy the facilities and views offered at Casa Bonita. Ola Lola’s is in walking distance and is a must visit. They are only open from 3:00 pm till 9:00 pm from Friday to Monday. Go for drinks or even include dinner as we did. You will not be disappointed. It is a fun and lively venue. We also had a spectacular dinner at the Eclipse restaurant which is part of the Villa Montana Resort and also in walking distance. We highly recommend this for a special dinner out. Try their Mojitos, they are really good! Larry and Margie were wonderful hosts, helpful and available whenever needed. They added a personal touch to our stay at Casa Bonita. The two bedroom unit was also rented at the time of our stay. It did not take long to get to know our neighbours and enjoy conversations and drinks on the deck. We were lucky that our ages were similar and sharing the outside spaces was easy. This coast line is a very special area of Puerto Rico and we would highly recommend it and Casa Bonita as the place to stay. Maybe not for small children, (as it is not a swimming beach) but for anyone who enjoys surf, sea, snorkeling and all that that this entails - this is the place to be in Puerto Rico.

Owner response:Thank you for your kind review. We really enjoyed meeting both of you! Just wanted to offer one point of clarification. One of the reasons we chose Shacks Beach was because of its swimming area. We have a 5 year old son and the area to the right of the point (about 100 feet from our beach steps)is ideal for swimming for him. Of course there are no life guards but for supervised swimming for kids the point at Shacks is ideal. Sandy bottom and a reef outside to protect it from the breakers. That said, if the swell is up, the current can be strong just 20 feet or so from the waters edge. Thanks again and hope to see you all next year!

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

Relaxing week in paradise

Guest: Bryan T.
Date of Stay: 12/24/11 Review Submitted: 01/28/12

We stayed for a week between Christmas and New Year's with my parents, and sister and brother in-law. It was amazing. Perfect weather every single day, and a fantastic view to wake up to every morning. We toured beaches in the area, but always got lonesome for "our beach". My sister and brother in-law brought their scuba gear and went several places nearby, including the reef right in front of the house. There are multiple surfing beaches nearby, Jobos is great for swimming, and "our beach" is where all the kite surfing happens. Sitting on the sun deck in the lounge chair and watching the kite surfers was the perfect combination of relaxation and excitement. :) We definitely recommend Larry's home to anybody looking for a great vacation in Puerto Rico!

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Paradise Vacation

Guest: Elaine T.
Date of Stay: 12/24/11 Review Submitted: 01/09/12

Casa Bonita is the perfect place for an enjoyable vacation. We met up with our children and their families for a warm winter vacation. The two apartments gave us plenty of space. There was plenty to do and see in the area - but we loved coming back "home" to enjoy the view and the beach at Casa Bonita. The pictures are beautiful, but in real life...it is even more beautiful. The apartments were exactly as described...comfortable, clean and well maintained. I would definitely recommend this property to a friend or relative. A special treat during our stay was a massage from Rosie!!! We hope to return again!!

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It's really on the Beach

Guest: T. A.
Date of Stay: 10/04/11 Review Submitted: 02/28/12

This is a great property. owner is diligent, professional guy. Things are kept in perfect order. 6 months later and I can't think of anything I would have liked differant except more fish in the cove. The trick is to fish after 10 pm with crabs. unfortunately, i was hooked into tide and by 9 pm i was out like a light. we brough infant and owners were gracias and helpful. for those of you who have to or need to work as I did, owners have great internet connection. made the deal for me as I stayed almost two weeks and couldn't be out of touch that long. Loved the place, loved the locale. even loved the cool 10 minute rains that come in often. We loaded up on groceries in town and almost ate all our meals in unit. we took some day trips. always had fun. lots of traffic no matter what time of day. No need to speak spanish. US currency and credit cards work ever where. unit is clean, well air conditioned and well apointed. if you are a finicky traveler, you will enjoy this place. Big 4 stars. Would absolutely recommend this.

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Casa Bonita - May 2011

Guest: Meghan (New York City)
Date of Stay: 05/06/11 Review Submitted: 05/17/11

Casa Bonita was a great place for my vacation! The space is clean, new and well maintained. The location is perfect and includes a pool and the beach just steps from your door. The owners are very friendly and helpful and the atmosphere was very relaxing. I would certainly recommend Casa Bonita to anyone interested in visiting Puerto Rico!

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

Home away from home

Guest: Kellee (Ponce Inlet)
Date of Stay: 03/12/11 Review Submitted: 05/22/11

This house has been one of our favorite places we have ever stayed in all of our travels. It is super nice and very family friendly. We feel very safe there with our 2 little girls. Highly recommend this house. It is an extra bonus if you get to meet the owners, they are great. We have found lifetime friends with Larry, Margie and Joey. We will back every year. The Fultons

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

Our 3rd Time to Casa Bonita!!! C U in 2012!

Guest: John & Kathy (Bethany Beach, DE)
Date of Stay: 02/11/11 Review Submitted: 05/16/11

We love vacationing at Shacks Beach! Casa Bonita is a beautiful, comfortable place to stay. We love how easy it is to get to once you arrive in PR. The airport is very close by. Renting a car at the airport is very easy. Casa Bonita is right on the beach!! The property is over the top, well maintained and has a private gate with private parking. The apartment was spotless and cozy & very roomy. Snorkeling right down the stairs to the beach. We went horsebackriding on the beach, You can even walk to the stable. There are many restaurants nearby with affordable prices. However, the kitchen is full service so we liked to eat breakfast and lunch in then go out for dinner. The grocery store is also close by. The weather was lovely. The water is a beautiful color of blue. It was so relaxing to sit on by the poolside and watch the wind & kite surfers. Favorite thing to do? ....long walks on the beach looking for seaglass and shells.

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

The beuaty of Casa Bonita

Guest: JF (Sugar Hill, GA)
Date of Stay: 09/05/10 Review Submitted: 09/15/10

We had a fantatic time while staying at Casa Bonita. There is so much to do without going far. The snorkeling was amazing, so many tropical fish just 20 to 30 feet from shore! You can surf or go horseback riding right there as well. We went fishing one day and that was just a short drive down the road. There is a casino in the hotel by the Aquadilla airport (10 minutes away). The apartments at Casa Bonita are very nice, clean with plenty of space. The grounds at Casa Bonita are meticulously maintained. It is even more magnificent in person than the pictures can convey, and the pictures are beautiful. We spent a lot of time just hanging out in the patio area just enjoying the views. If you do not like the ocean you can swim in the beautiful pool. The Shacks Beach area is pretty quiet so you can just relax and listen to the ocean. There are several good restuarants near by or you can cook in the apartment, all the untensils you will need are provided. If you are looking for a place to stay while in Puerto Rico I highly recommend Casa Bonita. The apartments are very cormfortable with all the amenities you will need, the views are spectacular and the recreational options are outstanding. I cannot wait to visit again.

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

CasaBonita Awesome

Guest: Dar's Clan (Atlanta, GA USA)
Date of Stay: 09/05/10 Review Submitted: 09/15/10

An awesome view with a relaxing atmosphere. Enjoyed every moment from sunrise to sunset. Water is perfect from all views. Clean and beautifully landscaped with every amenity you could need. We will be staying again in the very near future. A must stay while in Isabela PR

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

Family Getaway

Guest: Ed (Yorktown, VA)
Date of Stay: 06/29/10 Review Submitted: 09/10/10

We had taken several cruises and had decided we wanted to find a place "free" of the crowds. From a friends recommendation, we narrowed our seach to Shack's Beach and to Homeaway. From the site we fortunately found Casa Bonita. While I had traveled many times with the military to Carib area, this was our first experience to the western side of PR. The email contact with Larry was reassuring and informative. We chose to take both units, giving the 2-bedroom apartment to our girls of 18 and 26. The home and ameities were better than the pictures! It was 7-days of decompressing, though I have to admit to sneaking in to use the wireless to keep up with work. All 4 of us commented, this was truly the best vacation we had taken. Plenty of quiet relaxation, but good food and entertainment nearby. We followed the list of Larry's food establishment recommendations and were not disappointed. From the quiet location, perfect home layout and beach, this is a vacation that is hard to beat.

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

Best Place To Stay At Shacks Beach ... by far

Guest: WEFpages (Rehoboth Beach, DE, USA)
Date of Stay: 01/13/10 Review Submitted: 01/26/10

My wife and I stayed in the two bedroom apartment at Casa Bonita from Jan. 13-25, 2010. This place has everything you could want and the cleanliness was second to none. Having the friendly owners above us was a real treat. The pool area, beach and ocean provide the perfect mix for pleasure. Hot water and great water pressure in the shower after a hard day at the beach is the BOMB! Well stocked kitchen, great linens and towels make Casa Bonita one of the best deals at Shacks. Don't be one of those people who walks by Casa Bonita, stops to gander at this beautiful place, asks to take a look around, and then says "wow, I wish we had rented here...instead of where we're staying". This place is on our "must return to" list.

Recommended for:Age 55+, romantic getaway.

A great get-a-way.

Guest: MikeinMadisonWisconsin (Madison, WI.)
Date of Stay: 12/23/09 Review Submitted: 01/05/10

We spent eight nights at Casa Bonita during our Christmas break. This is a beautiful home! A great location. I highly recomend the property and owners. We will be back in 2010. Thanks.

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

Family vacation!

Guest: Stfarm (Colorado)
Date of Stay: 12/10/09 Review Submitted: 01/24/10

We are a family of 7 that went on a much needed vacation to Casa Bonita. We were there in mid-December for 5 nights. My kids range from 11 to 19 and this was a "last family vacation" for my senior. Words cannot express the beauty of this area. It was breathtaking! If you think the pictures are gorgeous just wait till you arrive. With the ocean just steps away you won't be disappointed. The house is gorgeous and the landscaping is lush. It makes me smile and feel so happy just thinking about it. I don't know how many times we've already said that we wished we were there. How could you not want to be in paradise? The owners were spectacular. We got to the house in the middle of the night and they graciously had milk and cereal ready for us. They provided a ton of information on places to eat, shop and areas of interest. We went to Crashboat beach one day and really enjoyed jumping off the pier and snorkeling. If you have the chance eat at Happy Belly's try the Mahi Mahi sandwich. It's to die for. Lola's is also really fun and it's just down the street. I've highly recommended Casa Bonita to all my friends and would recommend it to you also. We can hardly wait to go back.

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

Home Away from Home

Guest: Beth (Tucson, Arizona)
Date of Stay: 09/27/09 Review Submitted: 08/23/10

What a Relief ! We moved to Puerto Rico and we our home was not ready yet, so we stayed at Casa Bonita for 2 months, and I can tell you it was the best decision we made. After flying in to San Juan , and a very hectic flight, drive and not to mention the general stress of moving your life to another country,we found Casa Bonita. We curled down the darling little road and we were met with the sound of the ocean,palm trees and beautiful welcoming home. We got in and the housekeeper had left us a sweet note and prepared our room after a long drive, it was so nice. We needed a place that was better than a hotel and yet not just furnished apartment. This was both! The beach is right there, modern convienences, interenet, and the pool was a HUGE bonus. Its so humid that it just changes your day by jumping in an cooling off ! The home is very secure and safe, which was good because my hubby was working nights as a pilot. I felt perfectly fine being there alone. The neighbors were so nice, always there to let me know great places to eat ( OLA LOLAS) yet not being to intrusive. The house was decorated so beautiful. Which I love and apperciated! The beds and the sheets were comfortable and smelled fresh. I mention this because in the humidity its easy for things to smell kind of musky, not this house. Plus, I apperciated the details, soap in the soap dispenser, rugs near the bed and in the house, so sand isnt always sticky to your feet, menus for takeout. Washer and dryer , a nice clean one. One thing I must mention, my husband is a pilot, he is a very organized person, he loved that the lights switches were labeled for us. We didnt have to go around guessing which key was to this or to that, and we knew what went where and how to turn on pool lights at night. YES! These people took the time to really take their guest in consideration. We actually had the chance to meet them and they came into town while we were staying there, and that was another thing that kind of worried me, did I really want the homeowners above us while renting?? Well, we didnt even know they were there, they introduced themselves yet allowed us our privacy. This was important, I didnt want to feel like I was bothering them or vice -versa, this was a non-issue. They were great and by the end of our visit we ended up eating dinner with them. Great People! This is a place to stay, whether your time is short or long like ours. We HIGHLY recommend Casa Bonita !!!

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

Beautiful Casa Bonita

Guest: Josh and Dawn Becker (Claymont)
Date of Stay: 08/14/09 Review Submitted: 09/09/09

My wife and I enjoyed staying in one bedroom apartment which has an ocean front view. Perfect views! Nice to have pool and the beach right in front of the apartment and walking on the beach, do snorkeling, walk over to the restaurant named the Eclipse. It was awesome. Beauitful lawn and the decorated house. I would recommend it to a friend. We would love to go back here again. Very relaxing place for family and romantic get away.

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

Casa Very Bonita!!

Guest: Summer Tea (Ocean View, Delaware)
Date of Stay: 06/21/09 Review Submitted: 07/10/09

Perfect getaway for the family. We rented both apartments and they were well maintained, Fully equipped and lovely. The owner provided lots of information, exact directions and was very available by e-mail and phone. I have recommended this property to my best friends and we hope to go again. We loved the pool and snorkeling right on the beach in front of the house. We visited the American bar Ola LOLAs on the road to the house. Very friendly people there and at the restaurant on the beach, the Eclipse and esp the other restaurant there - The O.

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

Shacks Beach Casa Bonita

Guest: Annap 4 (Annapolis, MD)
Date of Stay: 06/06/09 Review Submitted: 06/21/09

We stayed with our 10 and 14 y/o in the 2 bed unit which has an ocean front view over the patio and pool. Furnished in casual tropical style it was serene, understated and soothing at once. Teracotta tile and natural tones and materials created a feeling of relaxing in comfort and exotic casual elegance. Walking distance to great dining and local watering holes. The kids were able to safely snorkle, surf and swim ad lib. There are comfortable and private outdoor areas for meals, drinks or lounging. We loved the outdoor shower, BBQ grill and convenient laundry area. Owners particular attention to detail make sure all conveniences are available and the property is immaculate. Minutes to rainforest and some of the best snorkling, diving and surfing make it hard to resist. Friendly neighbors and locals were fast friends and helpful guides,,,We will return again soon! Rec for family or romantic get away.

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

La Casa Bonita - great place for vacation

Guest: Kiteboarderdude (Wilmington, DE)
Date of Stay: 03/15/09 Review Submitted: 03/26/09

My family and I just got back from staying at la Casa Bonita and we had a wonderful time. The house is beautiful and the location is superb...right on the beach! We stayed in the part with two bedrooms, which is great for having a little privacy while still spending family time together. If you are a kiteboarder or surfer, the spot is particularly great. The house is just 5 to 10 minutes from the airport and it is also conveniently located near a supermarket and nice restaurants. The property is well decorated and in top condition. Even though it is right on the water, it is still nice having the pool with a large patio and lounge chairs. It was also nice to sit in the shade while looking out at the ocean. We liked being able to do laundry as well. I would definitely recommend it to a friend.

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

Spectacular View and Beautiful House!

Guest: Kadst63 (Pittsburgh, PA)
Date of Stay: 02/17/09 Review Submitted: 02/26/09

My husband and I visited Isabela for the first time, and our stay at Casa Bonita helped make our trip wonderfully relaxing! Spectacular views and beautifully decorated house that came equipped with every modern convenience you could need. The gorgeous manicured lawn and pool added our lovely stay! It just doesn't get any better than this!

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

SilverBullet stays in Paraiso

Guest: SilverBullet (Fernandina Beach, Florida)
Date of Stay: 01/01/09 Review Submitted: 02/09/09

This a jewel or a place to stay along a stretch of average beach rentals as Shacks beach. My wife and I love it, and we've stayed up and down the beach over the years. Brand new clean, modern tropical furnishings, gated parking, awesome cold did pool, prime location, there really is nothing more that could be added. This is the best place to stay on this beach, bar none.

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