Airbnb · September 3 - 10, 2026 · 7 nights
Casa Coquito
San Blas, La Libertad, El Salvador
- Platform
- Airbnb
- Host
- Kelsey & Connie
- Location
- San Blas, La Libertad, El Salvador
- Dates of stay
- September 3 - 10, 2026
- Duration
- 7 nights
- Total cost
- $1,496.25
- Guests
- 6 (2 adults, 2 children, 1 mother-in-law, 1 reviewer)
- Listing
- View on Airbnb
The short version
A beautifully photographed property with systemic maintenance failures. Four of five major advertised amenities experienced significant issues during our stay. The host was communicative when problems were reported, but the volume of failures and two instances of unauthorized property entry made this stay untenable at the listed price point.
Evidence
Watch the walkthrough
Video overview of documented issues (placeholder version - full evidence video in progress) · Watch on YouTube
Findings
What went wrong, one at a time
Six issues, in the order we raised them with the host and the platform. Severity reflects the effect on the stay, not how annoyed we were.
- 01Plumbing / Toilets Critical
- 02Pool Significant
- 03Dryer Significant
- 04Refrigerator Notable
- 05Beach Proximity / Listing Accuracy Notable
- 06Unauthorized Property Entry Critical
Plumbing / Toilets
Critical"2 Bathrooms" with functioning facilities
Toilets clogged three separate times during our 7-night stay.
- Incident 1 (Day 3): One toilet clogged. Handyman dispatched to unclog. Host confirmed repair.
- Incident 2 (Day 5): Same toilet clogged again. Second handyman visit.
- Incident 3 (Day 6): Both toilets completely non-functional. Septic pump truck dispatched to pump the tank. Family with young children forced to use public restrooms.
The host asked whether we were flushing paper products. We were not. We communicated this directly. We had been using public restrooms for most of the trip to minimize toilet usage. The fact that the septic tank itself required pumping confirms this was a systemic plumbing issue, not guest misuse.
The host acknowledged each incident in the Airbnb message thread and dispatched repair workers each time.
The listing includes a house rule stating “Any toilet clog or blockage resulting from guest use during the stay is the guest’s responsibility.” The septic pump contradicts a guest-caused theory.
Pool
Significant"Private pool with lounge chairs" featured prominently in listing photos and description
The pool was murky and visually unusable for the majority of the stay. We were able to use it once during 7 nights. The day before checkout, the host's maintenance crew was observed scraping buildup off the pool walls.
The host stated the pool was “chlorinated and maintained” and characterized our limited use as a choice: “We understand you’ve only chosen to use the pool once during your stay, but it has remained available for your use.” We responded that the pool had been murky for days and we had photos to document it, and that characterizing it as our choice was inaccurate.
Present in the Airbnb message thread.
Dryer
SignificantLaundry facilities (washer and dryer)
The dryer was non-functional. We reported the issue on Day 4 (Sunday). We troubleshot it ourselves, including checking the breaker panel. The host provided remote troubleshooting instructions that did not resolve the issue. The dryer was not repaired until Day 6 (Tuesday), five days into our stay.
The repair person arrived without any communication from the host. We were not notified that anyone was coming, nor that someone had entered the property. We discovered the repair person inside the home because we heard music playing and went to investigate.
We used outdoor clotheslines for laundry during the 5 days the dryer was broken.
Refrigerator
Notable"Stove, refrigerator/freezer & microwave"
The refrigerator began making loud noises on Day 4. We reported it to the host. A replacement fridge was swapped in, which we appreciated. However, later in the stay (Day 7, the day before checkout), the original refrigerator was swapped back in while we were not home.
We were not notified that anyone would be entering the property. We discovered the swap after the fact and raised the concern with the host. The host confirmed the swap had taken place and stated it was a “limited window” for the technician.
We explicitly communicated to the host that we would have liked to be notified before anyone entered the space.
Beach Proximity / Listing Accuracy
NotableThe listing title states "5 min to Surf City." Pre-arrival instructions included a video of a walking route to the beach club.
The walk to the beach in practice requires a car. The host's walking route video contains visible jump cuts at the 0:42 mark and the 1:32 mark. We pointed this out to the host with screenshots.
The host stated the cuts were just “a few steps” and the route continues straight. They sent additional video footage. We noted that even if the route is technically walkable, it is extremely difficult for someone unfamiliar with the area to follow, and the video edits were not transparent.
This was a day-one disappointment that set the tone for the stay.
Unauthorized Property Entry
CriticalTwo separate incidents of workers entering the property without advance notice.
- Dryer repair (Day 6): Repair person entered without any notification from host. Discovered by hearing music.
- Refrigerator swap-back (Day 7): Original fridge swapped back in while we were away. No advance notice. Discovered after the fact.
Regardless of the intent behind these visits, guests should be notified before anyone enters their rental. This is a basic safety expectation, especially for a family traveling with children in a foreign country.
Chronology
How the week actually went
- Sep 3 · Day 1 Check-in. Noted 5-min walk to beach requires a car.
- Sep 3 · Day 1 Child locked a door, needed key. Resolved.
- Sep 5 · Day 3 First toilet clog reported. Handyman dispatched, unclogged.
- Sep 5 · Day 3 Refrigerator making loud noise. Reported to host.
- Sep 6 · Day 4 Dryer reported broken. Remote troubleshooting failed.
- Sep 6 · Day 4 Replacement fridge swapped in. Food transferred.
- Sep 7 · Day 5 Second toilet clog. Handyman dispatched again.
- Sep 7 · Day 5 Dryer still broken. Breaker panel checked by guests. No fix.
- Sep 8 · Day 6 Both toilets completely non-functional. Septic pump truck dispatched.
- Sep 8 · Day 6 Dryer repaired by worker who entered without notification.
- Sep 9 · Day 7 Original fridge swapped back without notification or consent.
- Sep 9 · Day 7 Pool crew observed scraping walls. Pool murky for days.
- Sep 10 · Day 8 Checkout.
Resolution attempt
What we did, and what was offered
What we did
- Reported every issue in real time through the Airbnb platform
- Contacted Airbnb support during the stay
- Worked with multiple Airbnb case managers (Yazzy, Raymond, Siddharth)
- Cooperated with all repair attempts and scheduling
What Airbnb offered
- $128.25 refund (8.6% of the $1,496.25 total)
- $300 Airbnb coupon (requiring future spend on Airbnb)
- Case was forwarded to a new team member
Dispute in progress. Credit card dispute being evaluated.
The other side
The host reviewed us too
Their account belongs on this page as much as ours does, so here it is, followed by our answer to it.
What the host wrote
The host left a review stating (paraphrased):
- Would not host us again
- Claimed we told Airbnb we intended to leave but stayed
- Blamed toilet clogs on us despite instructions
- Claimed their maintenance person was uncomfortable being questioned
- Stated they documented pool maintenance
- Characterized our complaints as a pattern they haven't seen with other guests
Our response
No paper products were flushed. The septic tank had to be pumped, confirming a systemic plumbing issue, not guest misuse. We never told Airbnb we intended to leave. Michelle questioned this claim in the message thread at the time. Workers entered the property twice without notice. The pool was murky for days. The dryer was broken for five of seven nights. Every issue was documented in the Airbnb message thread and acknowledged by the host. We have photos, videos, and the complete message log.
Advisory
If you are thinking of booking it
- Confirm the current condition of the plumbing system before booking. Three clogs and a septic pump in one week indicates a systemic issue.
- Verify the beach walking route yourself before relying on the listing’s "5 min" claim. You will likely need a car.
- Confirm that the dryer and refrigerator are in working order.
- Establish in writing with the host that you will be notified before anyone enters the property for any reason.
- This is a new listing with limited review history. Our experience may not be typical, but it is documented.
Documentation note
This review is based on a stay that took place September 3-10, 2026. All claims are supported by the Airbnb message thread between the guest and host, photographs, and video taken during the stay. The host acknowledged each maintenance issue at the time it was reported. This page will be updated as the dispute progresses.
Last updated .