How do I book directly?

Visit /properties, pick the studio or penthouse that fits your trip, click into its page, and use the calendar to select your dates. Payment is processed securely on our booking engine — same protection as an OTA but without the service fee.

What forms of payment do you accept?

Major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Discover) and Apple Pay / Google Pay. Direct bank transfer available for long stays (30+ nights) — message us for details.

Is direct booking really cheaper than Airbnb?

Yes. Airbnb adds a 14-18% service fee that you pay on top of nightly rate. Booking direct on this site has zero service fee. Typical savings: $50-200 per stay, depending on length and unit.

What's your cancellation policy?

For direct bookings: full refund up to 14 days before check-in, 50% refund 7-14 days before, no refund within 7 days. Bookings made through Airbnb / Booking.com / Vrbo follow each platform's respective policy.

Do you charge a security deposit?

Yes — a refundable security deposit is pre-authorized on your card at check-in and released within 48 hours of check-out, assuming no damages. $150 for studios, $300 for penthouses.

What time is check-in and check-out?

Check-in: 4:00 PM. Check-out: 11:00 AM. Early check-in / late check-out available on request based on availability — just ask Rosemary in advance.

Is check-in self-service or in-person?

Self check-in via smart lock + key code. Rosemary sends you the door code and detailed instructions 24 hours before arrival. Available 24/7 — no waiting for a host to arrive.

What if my flight arrives late at night?

No problem. Self check-in works 24/7. We'll have everything ready for you whenever you arrive — even at 2 AM.

Our building does not have on-site parking. The closest paid option is Normandy Park, a short walk from the building. Most guests skip the rental car altogether — Uber is cheap and parking in Condado is expensive.

How many guests does each unit fit?

Studios sleep 2-4. Penthouses sleep 5-6. Each unit page shows exact capacity. We strictly enforce guest counts — misrepresenting headcount voids the booking.

Are all units in the same building?

Yes — all units are in the gated Paseo Caribe complex on Calle Vendig, eastern Condado. Shared building amenities: pool with hot tub area, gym, doorman, gated security, elevator.

Do all units have ocean or lagoon views?

Yes. Every unit has either a lagoon, ocean, or dual-view balcony or window. Specific view details are on each unit page.

What's included in the kitchen?

Full kitchenette in every unit: full-size fridge, induction cooktop, microwave, coffee maker, kettle, full cookware and dishes set, basic spices, dish soap. Suitable for cooking breakfast and light meals.

Yes — fast fiber Wi-Fi (100+ Mbps) included free. Suitable for Zoom calls, streaming, remote work. Each unit has its own router.

Are the units air-conditioned?

Yes — central AC in every unit. Set your preferred temperature on the thermostat.

Is there a washer and dryer?

Yes — in-unit washer/dryer in every studio and penthouse. Detergent provided.

Yes — outdoor pool with lounge chairs, open from 7 AM to 10 PM. Towels provided.

Yes — hot tub located in the pool area, open daily. Free for all guests.

Yes — small fitness room with cardio and free weights. Check posted hours at the building.

Is the building safe?

Yes. 24/7 doorman, gated entry, security cameras throughout common areas, secure key code at every elevator floor. Eastern Condado is consistently rated among the safest parts of San Juan.

Yes — we welcome pets in all our units. Please let us know at the time of booking so we can confirm details.

No smoking inside units or on balconies. Designated smoking area available on the ground floor near the pool deck.

How close is the beach?

Condado Beach is about a 10-minute walk from the building. Calmer-water beaches like Escambrón are also nearby and easily reached by foot or short Uber.

How far is Old San Juan?

15-minute Uber ($8-12). Or 25-minute bus on the T3 route.

How far is the airport (SJU)?

15-minute Uber ($20-25). No shuttle service — we recommend Uber over taxis for transparent pricing.

Do I need a rental car?

For Condado-focused trips: no. Walk to the beach, walk to restaurants, Uber for everything else. For day trips to El Yunque rainforest or Vieques, a rental car helps but Uber works too. Parking in Condado is expensive.

What's around the building within walking distance?

Ashford Avenue dining (2 min), Ventana al Mar Park (3 min), supermercados (Pueblo, Walgreens) within 5 minutes.

Can you arrange airport pickup?

We don't arrange airport pickup directly. Uber from SJU airport to our complex runs $20-25 and takes 15 minutes. If you prefer a pre-arranged transfer, you can browse options on our things-to-do page.

Do you offer concierge services?

We don't offer in-house concierge services. For tours, activities, and restaurant recommendations, see our things-to-do guide, where you can browse and book directly. For anything else, message Rosemary.

Can you celebrate a special occasion?

Yes — we can help arrange small touches for anniversaries, birthdays, proposals, or honeymoons (champagne, decorations, etc). Requests must be made in advance and an additional fee applies.

I have a specific accessibility need. Can you help?

The building has elevators and most public areas are wheelchair accessible. Bathrooms in individual units are standard (not roll-in showers). Tell us your needs in advance and we'll let you know honestly if we can accommodate.

How many reviews do you have?

561+ five-star reviews across the portfolio. Rosemary is a Superhost with a 4.79 average rating and 100% response rate (under 1 hour typically).

Are the reviews on this site real?

Yes — all reviews are pulled from verified Airbnb, Vrbo, and Booking.com stays. We don't write fake reviews or remove negative ones.

What if something goes wrong during my stay?

Message Rosemary directly via the WhatsApp number you receive at check-in. Average response: under 30 minutes during waking hours. For urgent issues (lockout, AC failure, etc), we have emergency contacts.

Still have a question?

Message us directly on WhatsApp or via the contact form — Rosemary typically replies within an hour.

Condado Lagoon Guide: Kayaking, Manatees & More

Ask most visitors about Condado and they picture the Atlantic surf along Condado Beach. But turn around, cross Ashford Avenue, and you will find the Condado Lagoon: a calm, turquoise pocket of water where locals paddle at sunrise, manatees drift by, and the San Juan skyline glows at sunset. I host guests right on its shore, and it is the part of the neighborhood people tell me they wish they had discovered on day one.

What Is the Condado Lagoon?

The Condado Lagoon (Laguna del Condado) is a saltwater lagoon tucked between the Condado and Miramar districts of San Juan, Puerto Rico. It connects to the Atlantic Ocean through a narrow channel at its western end, spanned by the Dos Hermanos Bridge, the same bridge you cross when walking from Condado toward Old San Juan.

Because the ocean only enters through that narrow opening, the lagoon stays protected and calm even when the beach side of Condado has strong surf. The water is clear, shallow near the edges, and part of the San Juan Bay Estuary system, one of the most important coastal ecosystems on the island. The lagoon is a protected estuarine reserve, which is why the water quality and wildlife here have improved so noticeably over the years.

For travelers, the practical takeaway is simple: Condado gives you two completely different kinds of water within a five minute walk of each other. Waves and wide sand on the ocean side, and flat, swimmable, paddle-friendly water on the lagoon side.

Things to Do on the Condado Lagoon

The heart of the action is Jaime Benitez Park (Parque Nacional Laguna del Condado Jaime Benitez), the green space along the lagoon's edge near the Dos Hermanos Bridge. It is free to enter, has easy water access, and is where most rentals and tours launch.

Kayaking and paddleboarding

This is the classic lagoon activity. Several outfitters rent kayaks and stand-up paddleboards right at the park, no experience needed. The water is flat enough that first-timers are usually comfortable within minutes, and you can paddle the full length of the lagoon with the skyline of Condado's waterfront buildings on one side and Miramar on the other. Morning sessions tend to have the calmest water and the best light.

Night paddles

Local operators also run guided night tours on the lagoon, including paddles in illuminated kayaks. Gliding across dark, still water with the city lights reflecting around you is one of the most memorable things you can do in San Juan, and it is a favorite for couples celebrating something special.

Swimming

Yes, you can swim in the Condado Lagoon. The park side has gentle entry points, and on weekends you will see local families wading and floating in the shallows. There are no waves and no strong currents in the main body of the lagoon, which makes it a very different experience from the ocean beaches. If you are traveling with little ones, this is where I send families first; you will find more ideas in my guide to things to do in San Juan with kids.That flat, protected water is the daily view from our Lagoon View Studio with pool access, so you can check swimming conditions from the balcony before you head out.

Sunset watching

The lagoon faces west at the bridge end, so sunsets here are spectacular. Grab a spot on the seawall or the park lawn in the late afternoon, or simply watch from a waterfront balcony with a coffee or a cocktail in hand. It is a much quieter alternative to the beach at that hour.If you would rather watch that sunset from your own balcony, our Oceanfront Studio with ocean and lagoon views faces the same stretch of water.

Manatees and Wildlife

The Condado Lagoon is one of the easiest places in San Juan to spot Antillean manatees. They enter through the channel to graze and rest in the calm water, and sightings are common enough that paddlers often get a quiet fly-by just below the surface. You may also see herons, pelicans diving for fish, and the occasional sea turtle near the channel.

A few simple rules keep the lagoon healthy: give manatees plenty of space, never chase or touch them, and paddle around them rather than over them. The lagoon's recovery is a real local success story, and everyone who visits plays a small part in keeping it that way.

Is the Condado Lagoon Safe?

This is one of the questions I hear most from guests, and the honest answer is yes, with normal common sense. The lagoon is calm, shallow near the edges, and free of the rip currents that demand caution on the ocean side. Swim near the park where entry is easy, keep an eye on children as you would anywhere, and use footwear if you are walking on rocky sections of the shore.

The area around the lagoon is also one of the most walkable, well-trafficked parts of San Juan. Ashford Avenue, the main strip of Condado with its restaurants, cafes, and hotels, runs parallel to the water, and the park is popular with joggers and families throughout the day.

Where to Stay on the Condado Lagoon

Here is the part most visitors do not realize until they arrive: you can stay directly on the lagoon, not just near it. Our waterfront studios and penthouses at Condado Lagoon Waterfront Villas sit right on the water, so the view from your balcony is the same calm, turquoise lagoon described in this guide. Guests regularly message me photos of manatees they spotted while drinking their morning coffee.For a boutique lagoon-view balcony, guests tend to pick our Elegant Studio with lagoon views, and couples who want the hot tub choose the Bright Studio with a lagoon-view balcony.

From the villas, you are about a five minute walk to Condado Beach, a short stroll to Jaime Benitez Park for kayak rentals, and surrounded by the restaurants of Ashford Avenue. If you are still comparing areas and options, my guide to vacation rentals in Condado Beach breaks down how the neighborhood's stays compare.

Plan Your Lagoon-Side Stay

The Condado Lagoon is the quiet secret hiding in plain sight in San Juan's most popular neighborhood: calm water for paddling and swimming, manatees and sunsets, and a green park connecting it all. Whether you want an active morning on a paddleboard or simply a peaceful view to wake up to, the lagoon delivers a side of Condado that the beach crowds miss.

The lagoon is the calmest water in the neighbourhood, which is exactly why it anchors most of the itineraries in our family guide to San Juan with kids. Everything around it is close enough to reach on foot — we lay out the distances in our guide to exploring Condado on foot.

Ready to wake up on the water? Browse our waterfront studios and penthouses and book direct at condadolagoonwaterfrontvillas.com for the best rates. I would love to host you on the lagoon.

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