The trials and tribulations of renovating a bed and breakfast while it is open and without damaging the environment or disturbing the guests — we also cover Puerto Rico tourist attractions as well as things we find interesting.
5/28/2026
Lost Machete Hike
General Info
The Lost Machete Hike at the Rainforest Inn is one of the most challenging—and rewarding—adventures in the area. The first third of the trail has cinder blocks laid down in an attempt to defeat the sticky mud. Some visitors who prefer a shorter hike turn back at the end of those. Checkered black-and-yellow tape markers guide hikers on through the rainforest. The trail crosses several streams. Informative signs that highlight the region’s unique flora and fauna.
Hikers should be prepared for muddy conditions, especially after rain, and exercise caution around slippery rocks near the streams. You may also hear occasional gunfire from a nearby shooting range, but there is no cause for concern. The range is further away than it might sound, because of the moisture in the air carrying sound.
Those who persevere to the end are rewarded with a breathtaking destination: a secluded waterfall and refreshing swimming hole nestled in the mountains. The cool water and stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean create the perfect place to relax after the trek. While the Lost Machete Hike will be a challenge to many guests, its combination of natural beauty (including a hidden waterfall), adventure, and unforgettable scenery makes it an experience well worth the effort.
Make sure to sign waiver.
Be wary of rain.
Make sure to wash hiking shoes after hike is completed.
Watch the slippery rocks at the end, especially after rain, as many of them are hard to distinguish as wet and slippery.
Mud will stain shoes/clothes.
Parts of the trail are steep uphill/downhill.
Make sure to give this hike a try! Though it can be challenging, it will show you the reality of El Yunque without the crowds that the national forest brings.
See pictures attached for more information.
Rainforest Immersion at the Rainforest Inn
Most visitors experience the rainforest from the window of an air conditioned vehicle, a crowded parking lot, or a concrete observation deck. They admire the scenery, take a few photos, and move to the next stop. Rainforest immersion, however, is something completely different.
Immersion isn’t about checking El Yunque National Forest off your travel list. Instead, it’s about becoming part of this beautiful rainforest that we call home. Instead of rushing from stop to stop, at the Rainforest Inn you can slow down long enough to notice the small details: the mist in the morning, the life in the canopy, the scent of rain, the mountain breeze, and the chorus of coqui frogs that make the night vibrant. The true rainforest experience means staying off the grid, embracing nature, and allowing Puerto Rico’s wild landscape to become part of your daily routine.
How to Make Your Experience Immersive and Memorable
One of the first things many guests notice is the sound. Rather, they notice the absence of sound that being isolated up here in the rainforest provides. There are no sirens, loud music, or the hum of electronics. Instead, mornings begin with birds calling from the trees and wind rustling the trees. As evening comes, the rainforest becomes filled with the beautiful song of Coqui frogs, birds, and flowing water.
The design of where you stay makes all the difference, especially the small details. Our open air architecture allows not just natural air inside but also the sounds and ambiance. High ceilings, screened windows, and a natural ocean breeze creates comfort without disconnecting you from the nature that surrounds you. Rather than watch the nature through the glass, allow yourself to become a part of it.
Eco Living Without Compromising Comfort
Sustainability has become a popular travel buzzword, but authentic eco lodges go further than a reusable towel or a recycling bin. The true immersive experience means living in harmony with the environment.
At the Rainforest Inn, we carefully design our suites and systems in order to have a level of self sufficiency. On the property, we have two large cisterns that can keep us running without city water for some time. These allow us to continue our normal routine even if there is a water crisis. We also have solar panels that we use to generate power for all of the suites, allowing us to continue running in case of a blackout. These systems assist us in becoming one with El Yunque National Rainforest, rather than abusing it.
Best Time to Visit
Every season offers its own unique experiences.
Late summer provides a quieter, more secluded experience for travelers who seek fewer crowds and slower days, allowing yourself to take time to take it all in.
Winter welcomes visitors escaping colder climates with warm temperatures, lush greenery, and ideal hiking conditions.
Because the rainforest remains vibrant year round, there is no wrong season to experience El Yunque with the Rainforest Inn.
Respect the Rainforest
The rainforest thrives because it remains protected. Help us preserve this extraordinary ecosystem by
Staying on designated trails
Leaving no trace behind
Respecting wildlife and native plants
Avoiding unnecessary noise
Supporting locally owned, environmentally conscious businesses.
Small choices help ensure El Yunque remains wild for future generations.
Ready to Immerse Yourself?
If you’re searching for an authentic El Yunque stay that goes beyond sightseeing, we invite you to experience rainforest immersion for yourself. Explore our open air villas, discover our private Lost Machete Trail, enjoy gourmet vegetarian breakfasts, and experience the peaceful rhythm of Puerto Rico’s rainforest.
If all of this sounds like the perfect vacation to you, click here to explore our villas and book your stay.
Sustainability Ideas from our Caribbean Neighbors
What We’ve Learned from Costa Rica
Costa Rica has earned a worldwide reputation for sustainable tourism. Some of the country’s most respected eco lodges have shown that luxury and environmental responsibility can go hand in hand. As innkeepers at the Rainforest Inn in Puerto Rico, we are always looking for ways to improve our own sustainability efforts, and many of the practices we admire in Costa Rica closely mirror the values we strive to uphold here in El Yunque National Rainforest.
Protecting the Forest that Surrounds Us
At El Silencio Lodge, preserving the surrounding cloud forest is just as important as welcoming guests. The lodge harvests rainwater, grows food in organic gardens, and even supports conservation efforts for endangered wildlife found in the region. Their use of biodegradable products developed by the University of Costa Rica demonstrates that every operational decision can benefit the environment.
At the Rainforest Inn, our greatest asset is the rainforest itself. Nestled beside El Yunque National Forest, we believe that protecting this ecosystem is our highest priority. Around our property, we have amenities to keep the area cool. Some of these items include roofs for shade and ponds. Our ponds around the property are also equipped with bio filters in order to protect the coy fish that live in these ponds. These We encourage guests to appreciate wildlife respectfully, preserve native vegetation, and understand that the rainforest is more than a destination. Instead, it is a living ecosystem that deserves protection.
Learn more at El Silencio´s Website.
Conservation Beyond the Property
Bosque del Cabo has gone beyond operating sustainably by actively restoring the Osa Peninsula. The lodge has helped reforest large areas, supports sea turtle conservation through education, nesting protection, and hatchling releases, and reinvests revenue into purchasing additional land for permanent conservation. Even their everyday operations reflect sustainability through composting, recycling building materials, and powering their pool pump with solar energy.
We share this same philosophy at the Rainforest Inn. Sustainability extends beyond reducing our own environmental footprint-it means helping guests appreciate Puerto Rico’s incredible biodiversity while encouraging responsible tourism that supports conservation throughout the island. Every guest who chooses an eco conscious property helps demonstrate that protecting nature and operating a successful business can work together.
Learn more at Bosque Del Cabo´s Website.
Renewable Energy and Responsible Resource Use
Playa Cativo Lodge showcases what is possible when renewable energy becomes the foundation of an operation. The lodge generates clean electricity through hydropower and solar energy, stores excess power in batteries, heats water with solar energy, and provides biodegradable amenities made in Costa Rica. The lodge also contributes to coral restoration and sea turtle conservation projects throughout the Osa Peninsula.
While every property has different resources available, the Rainforest Inn follows the same guiding principle: use resources wisely and reduce our impact whenever possible. We use cleansed water from a reverse osmosis filter and heat water through solar power. We also use solar power to power the lights and other amenities for the suites throughout the inn. This reusable energy keeps us more self sufficient in the forest and helps us reduce waste while preserving power throughout the property. From thoughtful water and energy conservation to encouraging guests to make environmentally conscious choices during their stay, every small improvement contributes to protecting Puerto Rico’s natural beauty for future generations.
Around the property, we also grow plants that can be used in the food. We grow plants such as basil, micro greens, and other fruits that we allow our guests to enjoy once they become usable. We also have two large water cisterns in case of a water outage. This along with other initiatives are small ways we promote sustainability and nature protection around our property.
Learn more at Playa Cativo´s Website.
Sustainability is a Journey
One lesson these remarkable Costa Rican lodges have taught us is that sustainability is never finished. There is always another project to begin, another habitat to protect, or another opportunity to reduce waste.That philosophy guides us at the Rainforest Inn. Whether we are caring for our gardens, maintaining our trails, educating guests about the rainforest, or planning future sustainability initiatives, we are committed to continually improving.
The rainforests of Costa Rica and Puerto Rico may be separated by the Caribbean Sea, but they share something important: they remind us that healthy forests, clean water, and thriving wildlife are treasures worth protecting. We are proud to be part of that mission, and we hope every guest who stays with us leaves with not only wonderful memories but also a greater appreciation for the remarkable rainforest they helped support.
For bookings or inquiries, click here.
El Silencio Lodge, Costa Rica
Bosque Del Cabo, Costa Rica
The innkeepers building the first pond — just starting out.
Sustainability at the Rainforest Inn
Comfort and Sustainability
One of the most common misconceptions about sustainable tourism is that comfort and conservation cannot coexist. We recently saw a video from a sustainable property that suggested a truly sustainable destination cannot have a swimming pool. While that perspective raises important questions about water and energy use, we believe sustainability is not about eliminating every luxury. Instead, it is about managing resources responsibly and thoughtfully.
At Rainforest Inn, we have worked hard to create an experience that allows guests to enjoy nature comfortably while minimizing our environmental footprint. Our small swimming pool is just one example of how sustainability can be approached with balance rather than extremes.
A Different Approach to Pool Sustainability
Swimming pools can consume significant amounts of water and energy if they are poorly planned and constructed. That is why our pool was designed with sustainability in mind. Years ago, one of our Harvard interns researched and wrote about ways commercial pools can operate more efficiently and responsibly.
Because our pool is covered, it loses far less water through evaporation than a traditional open-air pool. The cover also helps retain heat naturally, reducing energy requirements while conserving water. By treating the pool as a managed system rather than only a luxury feature, we can provide guests with a place to relax and swim while keeping resource use under control.
Read more in our linked article, Swimming Sustainability.
Powered by the Sun
One of the biggest contributors to our sustainability efforts is our solar energy system. Our solar panels generate much of the electricity used on the property, and our Tesla Powerwalls store excess energy for later use. This allows us to generate our own energy for the guests that stay here daily!
Read more about this topic in our linked article, Our Environmental Policy.
Comfort Without Air Conditioning
Many accommodations in Puerto Rico rely heavily on air conditioning. At Rainforest Inn, we have chosen a different path.
Our rooms are designed to take advantage of natural airflow and the cooling effects of the surrounding rainforest. We use high ceilings in the suites which greatly help with airflow. Each room is equipped with multiple fans, having 17 around the property. Gardens located near the buildings help moderate temperatures, while our cooling beds allow guests to sleep comfortably even during warm summer nights. The eight-sleep mattresses on beds are cooled (and heated) using electricity that we generate through our solar panels. By working with nature rather than against it, we can offer comfort while using far less energy.
Water Conservation
Reducing waste is another important part of our sustainability mission. Instead of expecting our guests to purchase single use plastic water bottles, we provide a reverse osmosis water station where guests can refill reusable bottles with clean, filtered drinking water. This simple solution helps reduce plastic waste while ensuring everyone has access to fresh water throughout their stay.
On the property we also have two water cisterns in case of a water shortage.
Thoughtful Use of Resources
Across the property, we look for opportunities to reduce environmental impact:
We use biodegradable soaps and cleaning products whenever possible.
Bath and shower water is heated using a combination of solar energy and efficient on demand propane systems, reducing energy waste.
Our laundry machines use cold water to reduce excess energy consumption.
Covered outdoor sitting areas allow guests to enjoy the rainforest without relying on climate controlled indoor spaces.
Our ponds use natural bio filtration systems that help maintain healthy aquatic ecosystems while adding beauty to the landscape.
Our gardens provide habitat for local wildlife while helping create cooler and more pleasant outdoor spaces.
Sustainability Is About Balance
True sustainability is not about removing every amenity. It is about making thoughtful decisions that reduce waste, conserve resources, and respect the natural environment. This is why we have decided that we should not have to sacrifice luxury for sustaianbility. Instead, we make them work alongside the other.
At Rainforest Inn, we believe guests should be able to enjoy a refreshing swim, a good night’s sleep, clean drinking water, and beautiful outdoor spaces while still supporting responsible tourism. Sustainability is not a single feature. It is, however, a collection of choices made every day. We are proud that those choices allow our guests to experience the beauty of Puerto Rico’s rainforest while helping protect it for future generations.
For bookings or inquiries, click here.
Must-try Restaurants near The Rainforest Inn in Puerto Rico
Near The Rainforest Inn, there are several restaurants where you can enjoy many delicious foods and maybe discover your favorite Puerto Rican dish! Here is a list of restaurants, from closest to furthest, so you can find the perfect spot for you at the price you can afford:
Please take note that opening hours are subject to change on holidays or other events so make sure before going!
Yuquibo
Looking for a great meal close by? Yuquibo is just minutes away and serves up delicious fusion cuisine for brunch, lunch, and dinner, plus fantastic cocktails. The laid-back vibe and friendly team make it an easy favorite during your stay.
Google Maps: Yuquibo Location
Price Range: $20-40/person
Distance from The Rainforest Inn: 3.1 miles (11 minutes)
Opening Hours:
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Sunday: 8am-6pm
Friday & Saturday: 8am-9pm
Wednesday: Closed
Hitching Post
Located outside of Rio Grande, this unique restaurant offers great tapas and friendly service! You can also appreciate the horses with the amazing views of the mountains of the rainforest while enjoying one of their amazing cocktails or mocktails! Ask for carrots so you can explore the barns and feed the horses.
Google Maps: Hitching Post location
Price Range: $15-30/person
Distance from The Rainforest Inn: 2.5 miles (8 minutes)
Opening hours:
All week: 4-11PM (Closed Tuesday & Wednesday)
El oceano en tu Mesa
Located near Palmer, you can try their fresh seafood varying from octopus to lobster in a simple but elegant feel. You can also try their amazing tacos. It is pricier than other options, but the great high-quality food and experience are worth it! They do not sell liquor. However, there is a bar located across the street and they are fine with bringing your drink to your table.
Google Maps: El oceano en tu Mesa location
Price range: $20-30/person
Distance from The Rainforest Inn: 7.2 miles (18 minutes)
Opening hours:
Monday: 2-9PM
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday: Closed
Thursday: 2-9PM
Friday: 2-8:30PM
Saturday: 12-9PM
Sunday: 12-9PM
W Sushi Bar
Fan of sushi? This sushi bar in Palmer is for you! They offer a unique experience with sushi recreated with a Puerto Rican twist! Trendy and modern style with indoor and outdoor seating to your preference. They also offer amazing cocktails!
Google Maps: W Sushi Bar location
Price range: $20-30/person
Distance from The Rainforest Inn: 7.6 miles (19 minutes)
Opening hours:
All week 11AM-9PM (Closed Monday & Tuesday)
Lluvia Deli Bar & Artefacto
Located in Palmer, this cozy and delicious restaurant can serve you wood-fired oven pizzas. They offer other delicacies made with local ingredients that will make you discover the cultural food of Puerto Rico. Enjoy their full bar when you visit during the evening.
Google Maps: Lluvia Deli Bar & Artefacto location
Price range: $10-25/person
Distance from The Rainforest Inn: 7.7 miles (19 minutes)
Opening hours:
All week: 8AM-9PM (Closed Wednesday & Thursday)
Mi Vida Café & Burger
Located in Luquillo, Mi Vida Café & Burger offers a budget friendly cozy and chill vibe with great decors. You can try their gourmet burgers with a local Puerto Rican twist with delightful milkshakes. You can try their excellent homemade potato chips. There are also great vegetarian options.
Google Maps: Mi Vida Café & Burger location
Price range: $15-25/person
Distance from The Rainforest Inn: 7.8 miles (20 minutes)
Opening hours:
All week: 11AM-6PM
Bungalu Restaurant & Bar
Located in Palmer, Bungalu Restaurant & Bar offers a very chill vibe with a beachfront view on the sand. You can enjoy fried seafood, mofongo and tropical drinks. It is also a budget friendly option. Their signature dishes include tacos or stuffed avocados.
Google Maps: Bungalu Restaurant & Bar location
Price range: $20-30/person
Distance from The Rainforest Inn: 8 miles (20 minutes)
Opening hours:
Monday: 11:30AM-9PM
Tuesday: 11:30AM-9PM
Wednesday: 11:30AM-9PM
Thursday: 11:30AM-9PM
Friday: 11AM-11PM
Saturday: 12-11PM
Sunday: 11:30AM-9PM
Richie’s Restaurant
Located on a hilltop in the Las Coles neighborhood with an extraordinary view of the ocean, Richie’s Restaurant is worth a try! The scenery is the star of the show! Steak, seafood and other culinary dishes are a must-try in this breathtaking restaurant! You can also try their stuffed pineapples.
Google Maps: Richie’s Restaurant location
Price range: $20-30/person
Distance from The Rainforest Inn: 9.3 miles (23 minutes)
Opening hours:
All week: 11AM-9PM
Luquillo kioskos
Located near the beach, you can enjoy a plethora of Puerto Rican delicacies. There are more than enough options of kiosko with various price ranges and tastes. You can get drinks, seafood, and even dessert with their own unique twists. Very casual vibe with direct access from the Beach. You can visit the website for more information about each kiosk.
Google Maps: Luquillo Kioskos location
Price range: $10-30/person
Distance from The Rainforest Inn: 10.7 miles (25 minutes)
Opening hours:
Depends on the kiosk
La Fonda Gourmet
Located in Luquillo, La Fonda offers a blend of flavors from Puerto Rico and Italy. You can try their delicious tacos and their mofongo while enjoying the incredible atmosphere and decor this restaurant has to offer. You can also try their blueberry margarita.
Google Maps: La Fonda Gourmet location
Price range: $20-30/person
Distance from The Rainforest Inn: 11.4 miles (27 minutes)
Opening hours:
Monday: 8AM-9PM
Tuesday: 8AM-9PM
Wednesday: 8AM-9PM
Thursday: 8AM-9PM
Friday: 8AM-9PM
Saturday: 8AM-9PM
Sunday: 10AM-9PM
SAMA
Located in Luquillo, this high-end restaurant offers a sophisticated vibe and elegance with great vine options. This restaurant priorities locally grown food and great quality dishes, perfect if you want to treat yourself! Reservations only!
Google Maps: SAMA location
Price range: $30-50/person
Distance from The Rainforest Inn: 11.6 miles (28 minutes)
Opening hours:
Monday: Closed
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday: 5:30-10PM
Thursday: 5:30-10PM
Friday: 11:30AM-4:30PM|5:30-10PM
Saturday: 5:30-10PM
Sunday: 11:30AM-4:30PM|5:30-9PM
Boardriders Surf Bar & Grill
This Bar & Grill with oceanfront seating in Luquillo is perfect for a meal after a beach day! It is a popular hanging spot that offers tacos, burger and wings with good cocktails. Perfect for surfers with a chill ambiance and music.
Google Maps: Boardriders Surf Bar & Grill location
Price range: $10-25/person
Distance from The Rainforest Inn: 12 miles (30 minutes)
Opening hours:
Monday: 12PM-12AM
Tuesday: 12PM-12AM
Wednesday: Closed
Thursday: 12PM-12AM
Friday: 12PM-2AM
Saturday: 12PM-2AM
Sunday: 12AM-12PM
Bon appétit!
Around Puerto Rico in One Trip: The Highlights, Routes, and Top Stops
The Ultimate Island Loop
When visiting Puerto Rico, the variety of destinations you can explore makes for a beautiful and lively adventure for travelers eager to connect with every side of the island. Ranging from the tropical rainforest, to surf towns tucked beside mountains, the landscapes you’ll encounter make for a diverse yet complementary experience.
The best way to ensure you’re fully immersing yourself in the places you visit is to stay somewhere that reflects the soul of what surrounds you. The Puerto Rico Bed & Breakfast Association encourages guests to connect with the island authentically through its network of locally owned inns throughout the island.
In this post, you’ll find outlined descriptions of stops along the way. By clicking on the map, you’ll be able to filter the destinations by category—B&Bs, nature spots, cultural sites, family-friendly activities, and more. All pictures of the inns will be clickable to find more information on accommodations!
Starting point: San Juan
Featured below, Casa Sol and Casa Isabel:
This scenic road trip will take off in Old San Juan. The streets are lined with colorful buildings, views of the Atlantic ocean, reflecting the city’s distinct character. The design of the San Juan is shaped by Taíno, African, Spanish, and American influences. Demonstrations of the city’s cultural evolution can be experienced through the music, food, architecture, and way of life. Take time to explore the galleries, music, dance, and local food tucked throughout this historic district before heading south to your next destination.
Featured above, Casa Sol (left) is the perfect choice to stay in the historic center of Old San Juan. You will be steps away from landmarks El Morro and La Fortaleza. Casa Isabel (right), offers lovely accomodations nestled between Ocean Park Beach and the Condado district. Both of the B&Bs in San Juan offer comfort and immersion in famous points of the city!
Exploring Southbound
Featured below, Dos Marias, A2Tiempos, and 4 Casitas:
Leaving behind the vibrant streets of San Juan, you'll head south into the island’s central mountains, where scenic views will soon surround you. On our map, you’ll find marked stops for natural swimming holes, lookout points, and the famous Ruta del Lechón. Referred to as the pork highway, this stretch in Guavate is packed with local food stands, live music, and small shops for souvenirs. After a taste of true Puerto Rican festivity, enjoy one of the short trails or natural pools to stretch your legs and cool off.
Continuing toward Ponce, consider stopping by the Coamo Hot Springs, a relaxing natural thermal bath believed to have healing properties. The springs are easy to access from the main route and make a great family-friendly stop, complete with a small petting zoo for kids to enjoy. If you have time on your trip, take a scenic detour to Sandra Farms in Adjuntas. You can explore property, taste some chocolate and coffee tasting, and learn about their sustainable production.
In the mountains of San Germán, A2Tiempos offers a peaceful stay in a historic landmark home within walking distance of museums and charming colonial streets. Further southwest in Cabo Rojo, 4 Casitas provides an eco-retreat with private casitas nestled in the hills, perfect for a restful night surrounded by nature. Dos Marias in Yauco is a lively space for daytime gatherings, complete with terraces and curated experiences designed for family and friends to enjoy together.
Wander The West Coast
Featured below, Dos Angeles del Mar, Casa Campo, and San Sebastián B&B:
In the surf town of Rincón, Dos Angeles del Mar offers coastal views, a tranquil pool, and quick access to the area’s famous beaches. A short drive inland brings you to Casa Campo in San Sebastián, where you will stay in forest-facing balconies and a have daily fresh breakfast during a serene mountain escape. Nearby, San Sebastián B&B gives guests an intimate, family-style experience within walking distance of museums, plazas, and the town’s colonial charm. Further north in Isabela, Casa Bajura is eclectic with access to scenic cliffs and local beaches like Playa Jobos, popular for its natural pools and relaxed vibe.
Authentic Caribbean Travel: Discover The Vibrant Beauty of Vieques
Just off the Eastern coast of Puerto Rico, the quaint island of Vieques offers a secluded paradise unlike any other. The beaches offer the perfect next stop after exploring the El Yunque rainforest. Taking the ferry over, we passed right beneath the first double rainbow I’ve ever seen- and honestly, it couldn’t have fit the tone of staying in Vieques more perfectly. Enjoy this guide to experience the natural wonders of this island destination.
Click to find a list of boutique hotels and B&Bs
The Brightest Bioluminescence in The World
Upon nightfall, the waters of Mosquito Bay in Vieques transform to glowing hues of electric green and blue in the world’s brightest bioluminescent bay. The best method to experience this is a nighttime tour with clear kayaks to fully experience the glow, and learn all about the bay’s natural phenomena from your guide.
About Mosquito Bay
Mosquito Bay, thankfully named after a ship not the insect, received its name from El Mosquito, the vessel of Puerto Rican pirate Roberto Cofresí, who many locals regard as the true “Pirate of the Caribbean.“ is truly extraordinay. This bay has maintained the brightest luminescence in Puerto Rico (and the rest of Earth) thanks to conservation efforts. They protect the little single-celled organisms which are responsible for the jewel like “glow”— the dinoflagellates. Other bays of Puerto Rico have dimmed alarmingly due to disruptive products worn by humans being allowed to swim (mosquito repellent and sunscreens are blamed), and have limited visibility due to light pollution.
The bioluminescence was too amazing to capture on camera! But click above to view the amazing locally owned guided tour I chose.
One of the most fascinating stories shared by our guide was one from the island’s indigenous Taíno people. He described that they once prayed to the water gods for more fish to feed their community. Soon after, one man ventured out at night to try fishing, and to his amazement, the waters shimmered with a glowing light that revealed all the marinelife swimming beneath the surface. This same divine gift is what we now know as bioluminescence, still enchanting visitors to this day.
Vieques has so many amazing sights, but this alone made the entire trip worth it!
Crystal Blue Water, Black Sand Beaches
Click for link to a full Vieques Beach map with water quality ratings
Adventuring around Vieques feels like you have found a hidden paradise, with few crowds and untouched greenery at the beaches, at times likely to have the whole stretch to yourself. Even on a short stay, the friendly locals make their pride for the island known, with visible sustainability measures to preserve the picturesque waters and the quaint Caribbean surftown experience that makes Vieques so special.
The natural charm of the island’s beaches is often described as feeling like the old Caribbean, undisturbed without the surplus of resorts and commercial developments that other pristine beach locations have suffered from. The sense of seclusion has been uniquely maintained due the to much of the island’s rare coastal sights and marine habitats being protected under the Vieques National Wildlife Refuge, formerly under authority of the U.S. Navy. There are many beaches to explore as they range widely in appearance, marine habitats, and surf conditions.
One of the most interesting sights on the island is Playa Negra, a beach with rare black sand formed from volcanic material. This is sourced from Monte Pirata, the highest mountain on the island. The contrast of the dark sand with the vibrant blue shores feels outerworldly.
Rope wing on my walk to the black sand beach. There was no one in sight the entire time!
Black Sand Beach Directions
You will be driving along Route 201 and will see the beach’s sign along kilometer marker 7.0. There will be a 15-20 minute walk along a dirt trail to leaf you to the black sand. Be prepared for the trail to be muddy if there has been rainfall. The following will navigate you to the beach’s parking:
18°05'55.2"N 65°29'26.8"W
Vieques Local Snorkeling: Advanced and Beginner Recommendations
While there are numerous snorkeling spots on the island, Mosquito Pier is a local favorite to swim alongside the marine life. Snorkelers here spot starfish, hawksbill turtles, squid, tarpon, seahorses, barracuda, sea urchins, the list goes on. There will be many smaller colorful fish near the rocks, with larger species the farther out you swim. If you opt for this option instead of a guided tour, nearby dive shops will have daily gear rental available for you. Note:There is not lifeguard supervision nearby so be sure to take proper precautions in this location.
If you are looking to snorkel in a more shallow area or have small children, head for Playa La Chiva or Playa Caracas for easy access to clear waters with gentle currents.
Click to read more about the marine life!
Some multi-colored shells I found all within a few minutes of walking
Experience The Island Through Your Stay
Vieques is a fantastic spot for travelers to venture off the mainland to experience a slower paced, more local beachside experience with fewer tourist crowds. Staying at a bed and breakfast or boutique hotel will extend that laid-back atmosphere into your island stay, offering thoughtful touches larger resorts often overlook. For instance, while staying at the boutique hotel Blue Horizon, I swam a few feet away from wild horses, stumbled upon a completely empty beach with rope swings, and slept in a cozy standalone villa surrounded by nature.
Click to find reviews of restaurants in Vieques!
Walk through the streets of Isabel Segunda to encounter colorful murals, mosaic benches, and local art galleries. Nature lovers can also enjoy hiking trails, surf at Navio beach, or head to Laguna Kiani for birding.
Click to find horseback riding in Vieques!
Ferry or Fly? Vieques Transportation
There are a few options on transportation, all with beautiful views of the surrounding waters.
Ferry from Cieba ($)
Most budget friendly
Cost: $2.50 one way
Ride duration: 45 minutes
*Can take up to 1.5 hr with loading time and prone to delays*
Tickets sell out quickly, so buy in advance!
Note:
Beautiful water views, but seas can be very choppy
AC on board, and only some boats have an outdoor deck option
Rental car parking available at the terminal - you cannot take a car
Link: https://www.puertoricoferry.com
Flight Options (one way):
Fastest and most scenic option
From Ceiba (SIG)
Ride duration: 15 min
Cost: $45+
From Isla Grande (RVR):
Ride duration: 8 min
Cost: $90+
From San Juan (SJU):
Ride duration: 25 min
Cost: $100+
Note:
Amazing aerial views of the coastline
On-site airport parking available
Consider transferring after arriving in SJU and making Vieques your first stop, so you can rent a car on the mainland for the rest of your time
Welcome to Vieques!
Heading to The Rainforest Inn:
After enjoying some beachside paradise, come enjoy a stay below the canopy of El Yunque Rainforest at our bed and breakfast, The Rainforest Inn! We have a seventy foot waterfall waiting for any nature lovers looking to do our private hike here into the national forest. After saying goodbye to the glowing dinoflagellates, you can make your way to hear the nightly serenades of our beloved coquí frogs. Check out our transportation page for tips for travel arrangements!:
https://www.rainforestinn.com/transportation
Tropical Honeymoon Destination: Inside the Romance of The Rainforest Inn
Celebrate your first getaway as newlyweds in style at Rainforest Inn, where every moment feels like an immersive journey into your new chapter together. Let the enchanting surroundings and rainforest nature set the perfect stage for memories you'll cherish forever.
The ideal honeymoon experience can be found in an atmosphere that allows everything else to fall away. The only intensity that matters is the connection between the two of you and your ability to fully romanticize your experience together. When you’re surrounded by the rhythm of unhurried nature, your time here will become a memory in motion.
Far in Feeling, Easy to Reach
Tucked in the outskirts of El Yunque, Puerto Rico’s only national forest and one of the most unique ecosystems in the Caribbean, the Rainforest Inn offers private seclusion grounded by tropical intimacy. You’ll be surrounded with the natural Rainforest environment.
Just beyond our private rainforest retreat, Puerto Rico blossoms in all directions. You can explore many different beautiful beaches, hike to hidden waterfalls, or spend the day discovering the rich blend of Spanish, African, and Indigenous heritage in nearby Old San Juan. There’s no passport required from the U.S., and flights from Europe or South America arrive regularly into San Juan International Airport—just an hour from our inn.
We’re happy to share a variety of personalized recommendations for romantic dinners—whether you’re in the mood for an intimate local spot, a scenic oceanfront setting, or a cozy meal with comfort foods.
If you’re longing for the enchanting feeling of a secluded island escape, the Rainforest Inn offers that magic—where the soul can wander freely among untouched nature, yet only 45 minutes from the San Juan airport. After a short drive you'll find yourself immersed in lush tropical wilderness, where the beauty of nature will embrace you and your loved one. Here, amidst the jungle sounds and the gentle sunlight, it’s just the two of you—lost in the serenity of the forest, in perfect harmony with each other and the enchanting surroundings.
There won’t be crowds to encounter at our inn, concrete high-rises, nor noisy lobbies to disturb your peace here. We prioritize feeling of community and personability with our guests, but how much you engage is entirely up to you. You can enjoy breakfast at our beautiful table in the breezeway surrounded with orchids or you can opt to have your breakfast served to your private porch.
Romantic Touches
Throughout your stay with us, we ensure quiet gestures woven in with intentionality to make you feel cared for and uninterrupted. You can imagine surprising your loved one with a beautiful tropical flower arrangement or a delicious grazing board upon arrival. Mornings always begin peacefully, with your personalized coffee order delivered right to your villa door, ready for you to sip and sway on a hammock beneath the forest canopy. We think of every detail for you to enjoy a personalized paradise.
Hammocks in the jungle greenery of our Garden Suite porch.
The Rainforest Inn offers a rich variety of ways to connect. This can range from horseback riding on long private trails (at nearby Hacienda Siesta Alegre), surf lessons or snorkeling or enjoy a massage in our spa. One moment you may be leaping between forest rocks, and the next, sinking into stillness as warm stones glide across your back during a couples massage. It’s this blend of movement and calm that makes the experience here feel so uniquely complete.
One of my favorite touches we offer here at the inn is the picnic lunches guests can bring along as they embark on an adventure hike on our private “Lost Machete” rainforest trail. The path winds through lush jungle before opening up to a secluded high pool above a seventy foot waterfall and you’ll feel as though your floating in clouds above the island. It’s long been one of my favorite charms of the property, and it brings me so much joy to see our guests connect in this way. There’s something special about the mix of lighthearted adventure and tranquil privacy—it creates the perfect setting for couples seeking a romantic, one-of-a-kind experience.
“Pack your swimsuit and enjoy the moment and take it all in. The “Lost Machete” hike was truly a romantic moment and one I won’t forget.”
El Yunque National Forest at Your Doorstep: Insider Tips from the Rainforest Inn
You are interested in trying our “Lost Machete” trail? Here are some things to keep mind:
Before the Hike:
Read & sign the sheet to be aware of all the potential dangers you may encounter;
Wear thin-soled treaded shoes and long pants, if you have them.
Make sure it has not rained a lot the day before or will rain shortly. (We usually make suggestions on when you can go or not.);
Make sure you start the hike before 2-3pm because the sun sets quickly near the equator. In the rainforest, the thick canopy makes it even darker, earlier, making it harder to see and this could result in wandering off the trail.
You can get a walking stick on the front porch near the beach chairs.
Let us know if you would like a picnic lunch to fuel you!
Read below for hike and swimming safety tips
During the Hike:
Anna - annakatephotography.co describes the Lost Machete Hike trailhead
It is important to know that the hike, though relatively short, can be quite challenging. It is not a conventional hike with a paved trial nor hand railings to make it easier and more accessible. At the beginning, there are some bricks to help you walk through the mud, but after a while there are none. There is a lot of mud, rocks, roots, and branches in the way. You have to cross small streams and rivers by walking on rocks. Some passages are also very steep requiring you to use your hands in a semi-crouch position for more stability. You will cross three small streams, always going a little downhill on the way out. Don’t get the stream beds confused with the trail, you will only need to cross them. The trail will verge slightly left after crossing one stream, but do not walk along its’ rocks!
Example of obstacles you will encounter during your hike. This includes passages of uneven rocks, steep altitude changes that you should prepare for.
Even though you may have great balance, your shoes will get muddy and when you walk onto rocks and roots, you may slip and trip, increasing your chance of hurting yourself. Therefore, it is extremely important to look where you are putting your feet on the trail to avoid any injuries. You can also encounter little crevices between roots and rocks causing you to get your feet stuck; you can easily sprain your ankles if you are not careful enough.
There are also steep parts with a big change in elevation on either side of the trail with a lot of mud on the trail increasing the chance of falling. It is also important to always stay on the trail at all times to avoid getting lost in the jungle.
It might sound a little bit scary, but with enough precautions this real jungle hike is absolutely worth it! There are informative signs throughout the hike on the flora and fauna of the rainforest. You can also encounter many of the animals of Puerto Rico during your hike! Take as many breaks as you feel like to take in the beautiful nature that surrounds you.
Fun notes for the hike:
Be sure to watch your steps, but look up as well! El Yunque is known for its’ amazing species of birds. Some people visit here for the purpose of birding!
To withstand the dynamic nature of the climate here, the roots and trees have adapted in remarkable ways—making them fascinating to observe up close.
Another friendly creature to keep your eye out for- the snails! They come in in all sorts of different shell forms, often decorating pops of color sprinkled throughout the greenery.
““The forest was green, lush and wet. It smelled earthy. Again it was like something from the movie Avatar.””
Seventy-foot Waterfall:
Near the end of the hike, you will finally hear the relaxing sound of the waterfall. Congratulations! You have reached your destination! You can enjoy the marvelous view of the surrounding area and also of the ocean in the distance.
In order to be safe at all times during this well deserved break, you need to make sure you do the following:
Your shoes will still be muddy. When walking on rocks, make sure you do not slip near the edge of the waterfall. Even if you remove your shoes, some rocks are wet and will still be slippery. Be careful!
Pay extra attention when jumping into the water as there could be a fallen tree or branches in the deep pools. Check beforehand to avoid serious injuries.
If it starts raining, the water in river increases or the water gets muddy, get out of the water! Flash flooding could occur and the river’s stream will become too dangerous to be in the water or near the rocks.
Your beautiful reward for making it up the Lost Machete Hike!
After the Hike:
When you get back from the hike, your shoes will be extremely muddy. There is a washing station to clean off your shoes to keep the floor at The Rainforest Inn clean.
A before and after of my first time wearing these hiking shoes once getting to the waterfall! Watch out for the rainy days, if you are unsure about the best time to go we will advise you!
If you have any further questions, please reach out to us on WhatsApp. We will be happy to answer any of your concerns!
Happy hiking!
Sustainable by Nature, Comfortable by Design
An ecolodge offers the deepest immersion you can seek to explore both nature and luxury. As awareness about sustainable hospitality is growing, more travelers are realizing sustainable options do not necessitate giving up any vacation desires. Choosing an ecolodge design, you are entering an experience within nature authentically, without the separation of making plans of a separate trip to “go see“ it.
At the Rainforest Inn, we are located in a sweet spot of the island, nearing proximity to beaches, the mountainous terrain, swimming holes, as well as cultural experiences in Puerto Rico’s urban heart. As for the wonders of El Yunque? You can step as far as our backyard.
A distant peek of our view from above. Look closely and you’ll see the Caribbean Sea in the distance!
Although we don’t fit within the “hippy” stereotype often associated with sustainable living, our property most definitely functions as a friendly force alongside our surrounding ecosystems. Our commitment to a sustainable mission doesn’t mean a sacrifice of modern comforts which is a common misconception we have been able to combat simply through the experience of staying at the Rainforest Inn.
To be authentically sustainable, we measure our efforts by values of respectful, unharmful, and balanced living among our environment and communities. This has little to do with an ‘image‘ you can anticipate entering an ecolodge, and much to do with the intention and connection with nature that is present at our inn. Not only is this being considerate of the plants and animals, but our sustainable efforts extend to our humans too! You won’t have to worry about headaches with our eco-friendly options. Our saltwater pool is gentle on the skin without the harsh chemicals, and our natural solutions minimize any need for bug spray! At the Rainforest Inn, sustainability and ease go hand in hand.
A painting of a coquí placed in the Garden villa kitchen.
We have private hot-water showers and two-person Jacuzzis in your villa, so no bathing outdoors here. If you’re looking to cool off outside, our saltwater pool or an afternoon lounge on the terrace during rainfall may offer you the perfect refresh. You’ll find that your household everyday comforts are still accessible upon our sustainable setup.
““We designed our saltwater pool with a variable-speed pump, solar panels, and energy-efficient heaters to support a low-impact, sustainable experience.””
We have a tranquil room for massages and a Zen-like yoga room for peaceful relaxation, but we don’t have any rigid schedules or events dictating your activities. You’re free to move through your days however you please and we are here if you need any guidance!
Our private jungle trail leads to a hidden rainforest pool, an ideal place to swim and discover the deeper wonders of the island’s waters! If you are interested in meeting other nature lovers, every morning you will have the option to enjoy our homemade breakfast at the communal dining table! You are also welcome to opt for private dining to be delivered to your villa if you enjoy the quiet.
The luscious greenery marks the beginnings of our Yunque hike.
Reconnecting With Nature Through Eclectic Tranquility
Upon deciding to take off from home for some vacation time, a counterintuitive effect often takes place on vacations which can make the sensory experience overall unsatisfying. Large resorts can prove to be impersonal and overstimulating, while many Airbnbs lack warmth or guidance— generating doubts from the guests on how to settle in before exploring.
The Rainforest Inn provides a more seamless entrance into island life, detailing high-end amenities at no sacrifice of authenticity or connection to the natural world. It’s an experience inviting guests in search of vacationing with intention, containing a likeness to meet their hearts’ existing wishes without so much effort. Even within its’ niche appeals, the uniqueness of this immersion in the rainforest spans far and wide for visitors from all walks of life. Some come in search of a romantic revamp, a peaceful pause from the hum of lawnmowers and LED glows of modern life, or to simply feel gratitude in the embrace of the unique landscape of nature.
The villa hammocks are surrounded by beautiful greenery and high-altitude views.
As global travel habits evolve, more international travelers are seeking localized, meaningful stays over standardized luxury. When accommodations mirror the setup of those in a guest’s home country, even with the intention of comfort this can substantially diminish the value of the distinctly unfamiliar experience and cultural connection that travelers seek abroad. Research indicates an increasing statistical preference for smaller-scale lodging, as there is greater potential to interact with informal cultural guides and personalized hospitality to develop a more cohesive foundation for deeper cultural immersion. According to studies from Felix, Broad, and Griffeths (2013), travelers are finding value in the local insight and personal warmth of staff that bed and breakfasts provide, overall enhancing the sense of global connection through a local lens. For international travelers at the Rainforest inn, the property’s commitment to intertwining visitors of Puerto Rico in the natural landscape sustainably provides a unique opportunity to spark organic cultural exchange within the El Yunque rainforest.
Being an intern myself living on the property, I feel assured that the sense of luxury felt here stretches beyond vacationing in the enclosure of overly curated stillness or modernity; a scene which finds fragility of ruin in physical contact with nature. The effect of staying in the Rainforest Inn will not contribute minimalistic qualities of blank pristine walls and designer beige as means of relaxation. The owners ensure to not mask or contrast from the surroundings of nature, as there is a great regard for harmonizing comfort with ecological authenticity. This form of luxury comes in the form of texture, character, and beauty in the decor and arrangements of the property in a cleanly manner. These comforts can be found in the form of river stone floors that massage your feet in the shower, screen-less windows that welcome the breeze, and handcrafted details that remind you someone poured their care to make this place feel livable and loved.
An image of the hand-built yoga room at the Rainforest inn crafted by the owners and volunteers.
The design, like the experience, is eclectic in the truest sense of the word: inspired from a wide range of sources, yet deeply cohesive. Being here, it’s clear that this destination has fallen into rhythm with the beautiful rainforest it inhabits. Mornings begin with birdsong and the echoes of laughter settling at the table for breakfast. The sunlight filters through the trees into my room differently each day, and friendly (mosquito eating) frogs of the forest serenade after dark. With it’s private yet untouched entrance into the trees, staying here offers the opportunity to live in unison with nature while still setting your own pace- be it drying off after a slippery journey for a dip in the nearby waterfall or upon swiping gently on a hammock beneath the canopy. Wherever they’re coming from and however fast they move, guests at the Rainforest Inn have the chance to deepen states of peace and awaken senses of discovery.
The inn’s lovely breakfast table surrounded by colorful native flowers and plants.
Visit San Juan and Old San Juan during your stay with us!
Rainforest Inn is a romantic escape for lovers in El Yunque; its central location allows for more sightseeing and firsthand experiences of Puerto Rican culture in Old San Juan. Nearby Old San Juan is a captivating blend of history, culture, and vibrant colors that attracts visitors from all around the world. Two iconic forts, Castillo San Felipe del Morro and Castillo San Cristóbal, stand as testaments to Puerto Rico's rich history and offer breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean. People who visit can stroll along the fortified walls that once protected the city, and can also explore plazas filled with local art, music, and aromic cafes. Old San Juan is also known for its delicious cuisine, ranging from traditional Puerto Rican dishes to more modern creations, making it a destination that combines beauty, history, and culinary delights.
Staying at the Rainforest Inn offers a unique gateway to the enchantment of Old San Juan, making it a perfect base for your island adventure. Nestled in the lush greenery of the rainforest, this serene retreat provides a tranquil contrast to the vibrant energy of the historic city. After a restful night surrounded by nature, you'll find Old San Juan's colorful streets and charming plazas just a short scenic drive away. The Inn's proximity allows you to easily explore the cobblestone alleys and centuries-old architecture of the city, while also enjoying the peace and rejuvenation that the rainforest setting offers. Imagine beginning your day with a hearty breakfast amidst the lush tropical foliage and ending it with a stroll through Old San Juan’s illuminated streets, savoring the rich blend of cultural experiences and historical marvels. The Rainforest Inn not only promises comfort and relaxation but also ensures you experience the best of both worlds—the serene beauty of nature and the vibrant allure of Puerto Rican heritage.
It's not just historical culture you can explore; the surrounding communities also offer vibrant culture and exciting nightlife.
Here is a clip from performers at “Las Fiestas de La Boulevard” in the community of Levittown in San Juan! It is three day event hosted annually, and is one of many music events hosted throughout the island. This song is named Bemba Colora, originally performed by the legendary singer from Havana, Cuba; Celia Cruz.
Here are live photos of performers KeysoKeys, A1 NWG, Katsy, EresSilente and Jan Merce, along with music producer and DJ, Andre Melz hosted at Chueca Bar and Tapas in La Placita. They all came with different styles, performed great music, and are all extremely talented and fun to watch!
Whether you’re looking for food and music throughout the day, or for bars and live music by night, La Placita and Isla Verde in San Juan are both two places known for there for their ambiance and lively atmosphere. By day, La Placita is a bustling marketplace where locals gather to shop for fresh produce and artisanal goods. As the sun sets, La Placita transforms into the place to be for nightlife. Colorful bars and restaurants come alive with music, laughter, and aromas of Puerto Rican street foods and cuisine. Isla Verde’s lively nightlife scene with casinos, beachfront bars, and restaurants serving seafood and tropical cocktails offer an authentic and unforgettable experience. Whether you're looking to dance the night away, indulge in delicious street food, or simply soak in the local culture, La Placita and Isla Verde both offer an authentic and unforgettable experience, a perfect blend of tropical beauty and island fun right in the heart of San Juan.
How to Build a Living Wall
There is always work to be done and plenty of projects to be completed at our small boutique bed and breakfast. Luckily, many of these jobs end up being a lot of fun! Today we’re going to be talking about how a group of volunteers and interns at the Rainforest Inn created a living wall of plants to cover up a plain, cement wall abutment along the walkway which leads to our private Lost Machete Hike.
Living in the rainforest and on an island can make completing projects more of a challenge. This is due to the intense climate (it’s always raining here in the rainforest) and fluctuating availability of supplies. We also try to be as sustainable as possible, and design our projects so that they work with the environment and look like they belong. We do this by using local and natural materials, and reusing supplies from past projects when possible.
We were inspired to create this living wall because our guests enjoy exploring our property, so we wanted every inch to be blooming with life and for them to feel like they are in their own tropical paradise from every angle and walkway. Ralph Waldo Emerson said “every wall is a door,” so we decided to make that door open up to a beautiful garden.
The first step of creating a living wall is to decide on placement. Ideally, it should be a wall that gets enough sun exposure to fit your plants’ needs, which brings us to the second step of choosing the right plants. You should choose plants that fit the aesthetic you are going for, and most importantly, ones that will do well in your climate so that your living wall won’t turn into a dead wall or require more care than you have time for.
Since we are in the rainforest, we decided to use plants that do well with high humidity, partial shade, and lots of rain. You will also need to decide if you will be adding soil to your wall, or using plants that can survive outside of the soil.
We decided to go with the soil-less route and chose bromeliads and orchids. Since most varieties of bromeliads and orchids are epiphytes (air plants), they can grow without soil. This made our living wall project much easier, and a little less messy!
(Bromeliads have serrated leaves and their flowers are spikey, so be sure to wear gloves, a long-sleeve shirt, and long pants.)
After you decide on the location of your living wall, and the species of plants you will be using, you will then need to gather your materials. We decided to use chicken wire to give the plants something to attach to, a drill (with screws and washers) to attach the chicken wire to the wall, wire cutters, and coconut fiber to wrap the roots and hide any empty spaces between the plants. This project did not need a lot of materials, and we happened to have a lot of them already on hand!
So, once you’re ready to start bringing your wall to life, you will need to cut a piece of chicken wire big enough to cover the space you wish to fill with plants. Once that is cut, you will use the drill to screw the chicken wire into the wall with stainless steel washers in enough spots to secure it.
Now, it’s time for the fun part!
Start to place the bromeliads into the holes of the chicken wire far enough down so that they will not fall out- it helps to choose ones that have long stems. You may have to use the wire cutters to make some of the chicken wire holes larger to accommodate any large plants.
Once the wall is filled up to your liking with plants, there will still be some spots where the wall and/or chicken wire is visible. We decided to fix this problem by using coconut fiber. We tore off small pieces and stuck them around the roots of the plants, and in any open holes in the chicken wire (where there weren’t any plants). As time goes on the plants will grow to fill these spaces.
Then we add even more to the living wall by harvesting the trunk of a large dead tree fern. We used cable ties to secure more bromeliads and orchards (with their roots wrapped with the coconut fiber) randomly around the pieces of tree fern, propped them up against the wall, and then used pieces of rebar to secure the tree fern trunks into place. We also decided to place some more bromeliads beneath the planter because you can never have too many plants… right?
To take it another step further, we cut one of the pieces of tree fern in half with a saw to create a natural planter. We then filled it with potting soil and asparagus ferns, which are very hardy plants but have tiny thorns, so be careful! We placed this natural planter on the top of the wall and used rebar again to secure it into place. We did this so that the top of the wall will be covered with plants when you look at it from above, and the asparagus fern will hang down the wall as it grows.
Don’t get discouraged if your living wall takes some trial and error to start coming together and looking alive (ours definitely did) because the finish product will certainly be worth it!
Hurricane Fiona from a Volunteer's Perspective
Being from Minnesota, the roughest weather I would have ever expected to face are blizzards and a hailstorm every once in a while. Even when I decided to volunteer in Puerto Rico, worry of a possible hurricane was barely in my mind. After my first couple weeks here, that all changed. The forecast showed a tropical storm, named Fiona, was heading in the direction of Puerto Rico. Being a Minnesotan, and not prepared to deal with a hurricane, my first instinct was to worry. Luckily, Bill and Reneé were calm and collected about the whole ordeal. They had both lived through hurricane Maria, a category 5 storm that devastated the island. With their direction and assurance, I was able to calm my anxiety and get ready to face the storm.
The morning before Fiona was supposed to hit Puerto Rico, Bill informed us that the first thing we would have to do is cut down the power usage of the inn. Because of the impending storm, the power would likely be out and we would have to rely on solar power supplemented with a generator, meaning that it would be essential for us to cut back. We spent the first hour of the morning unplugging refrigerators and fans in all of the suites, moving food from refrigerators to the only refrigerator that would remain on. We would have to be very mindful of our power usage, something neither of us have had to worry about before.
The next step of preparing for a hurricane is to find every single thing that could possibly blow away and make sure that it no longer can. This includes the lounge chairs out by the pool, the glass tables, the trash cans, anything out sitting on tables, even small things that would be difficult to think of, like caution signs. Everything needed to be put away. The next thing was closing all of the windows. The Rainforest Inn has four beautiful suites and protecting them from any damage was top priority. We went around to every room, closing all of the windows, making sure that no water could possibly get in.
Once all of our main tasks of preparation were complete, we did one more examination of the property, double checking to make sure that nothing was laying out. We then took to our rooms and waited for the storm to hit.
Hurricane Fiona took her sweet time and did not touch us until early the next morning. When I woke up, the service was out, making it impossible to reach anyone, or have any updates about the storm, other than the occasional emergency alert. The winds began to pick up as well as the rain. It was like this all day. In our rooms, where we were sheltered from the storm, the sound of the rain was honestly very peaceful. Up in the rainforest we were lucky. I did not realize how devastating Fiona had been towards Puerto Rico until the next day when cell service came back on.
A video of the inn during the hurricane.
I awoke to news reports about how Fiona had ravaged the island of Puerto Rico. I read about the flooding and all of the people who had to be rescued.
The Rainforest Inn stood strong throughout the storm. There were a couple losses, such a beautiful papaya tree in the garden, as well as slight flooding in one of the suites. We started by cleaning up the flooding. I then accompanied Bill down the road in order to help his neighbors clear the road up to their houses. Two large trees had fallen down, and the community was helping to clear them. With chainsaws, they cut the branches, and I would help move these branches out of the road. It was heartening to see the community after a storm like Maria, cleaning up the road so people could get down in case of emergency. The work wasn’t easy either, even though the winds were gone, rain was still coming down.
Bill and Reneé’s friend (blue) and I (orange) help to clear out the road the day following the storm.
Additional Photo of the trees blocking the road.
Once the road was cleared off, the papaya tree was the next thing to clean up. Using a machete, we chopped at the remains of the tree, clearing them from the garden. Again, the work was not easy, but it was important that the tree was cleaned up so the garden could be restored. Then, just like the day before the storm, we combed the property, this time picking up any branches or rubble that the storm had blown in and disposing of it, in order to make the inn as beautiful as it was in the days leading up to the storm.
In the following days, the physical signs the storm had left behind were gone. The inn was as beautiful as ever. However, Fiona had not let us off that easily. A power line had fallen on the road up to the inn and this would leave us with no power indefinitely. The water was also turned off in the days following the storm. Bill and Reneé were prepared for both of these losses. The generator was still running after the Tesla powerwalls were depleted, we just had to be mindful about conserving energy. They also have a cistern that was put into use, so we were not without water. It was essential for us to conserve both of these necessities in order to continually be able to use them for the rest of Fiona’s aftermath.
Although there was no physical damage on account of the storm, there were some economic issues as well as the city water and electricity not reaching the inn. The Rainforest Inn had very little damage from Fiona, as well as the east end of the island. Due to the news reporting on the areas of Puerto Rico that had suffered more damages, many guests cancelled their reservations. This is expected after a hurricane, but it is too bad. Secondly, the city water and electricity did not turn back on until around four weeks later. Luckily Bill and Reneé had lived through Maria and were experts on conservation when it came to their water and energy. By conserving energy use the solar panels were able to handle the load in the daytime and the two Tesla powerwalls for most of the night supplemented by the generator especially after cloudy days. With the solar panels and generator combined, we were able to have enough energy to serve the guests who did stay at the inn during this period of time, as comfortable as they would have been when the grid electricity is working.
Solar panels at the Rainforest Inn that gave us energy when the power lines were down.
After living through a hurricane, I understand that they are scary, but with proper preparation and conservation efforts some of the damages can be either completely avoided or contained. Luckily for me, the Rainforest Inn was more than prepared.
A gourmet pizzeria and coffee shop…in a gas station?
The best little italian restaurant in Puerto Rico with fire artisan pizza oven and all this in a gas station.
Most gas station “restaurants” serve fast foods, fries and poorly brewed coffee. I’ve been on many road trips in the states, and although I’ve been to many gas stations, I’ve never come across one with a gourmet restaurant and excellent cafe inside. That is, until I visited Pimentón, a pizzeria inside a Shell gas station on the highway between San Juan and Rio Grande (and not too far from the airport).
Visiting the Shell station, one would never have guessed it was home to such wonderful cuisine. But after heading inside, I was immediately greeted by a cozy coffee shop interior. There are a few tables in front of a bar with a coffee machine, pastries and several baristas there to greet you. Rows of refrigerators housed an extensive selection of artisanal beers.
I ordered a cappuccino, which was delicious – and only $2. It’s made with the same select Gustos “chupacabra” blend that we serve at the Rainforest Inn.
The coffee shop, Cafe la Estacion, gas station and pizzeria are all owned by Daniel Rivera. He bought the gas station in 2012, and wanted to do something different with it. There was a lack of good coffee in the area at that time, so in 2014, he started Cafe la Estacion.
One year later he added on the pizzeria, the entrance to which is a door a few feet away from the coffee bar as well as another main entrance outside. Pimentón offers wonderful appetizers, pastas and italian entrees. But the real delight is the pizza, which is made with “tipo 00” pizza flour and cooked in an 800 degree brick oven. There our several gourmet toppings to choose from including our Rainforest Inn favorite a vegetarian one which can have a delicious white sauce instead of tomato.
Another special part of Pimentón is the seating. Although there’s an indoor dining room with tables spaced apart (more than normal because of Covid), the restaurant also has options for people who want even more privacy. Just a few steps away, there is a beautiful courtyard with several outdoor tables. Surrounding these table are seven trailers, each equipped with AC units, televisions and table space for eight people who can enjoy a private room with wine and food from the restaurant.
Daniel said the whole outdoor area was created because of COVID-19, but it’s here to stay. He hopes that soon the space will be used to hold events, like the Jazzfest Pimentón used to host.
Daniel owns the gas station and both restaurants, and he’s always expanding. Listen to our podcast to hear more about how he started Pimentón and what he envisions for the future as well as an additional new location..
Gustos Coffee Company Tour and Podcast Interview With the Owner
Bill and I traveled to San Juan to interview Omar Torres, the founder of Gustos Coffee Company. The Rainforest Inn serves Chupacabra blend from Gustos Coffee Company every morning in the form of cappuccinos, specialty lavender iced lattes, and more.
Omar gave us a tour of the Gustos’ coffee factory and barista training school.
We started off in the barista training rooms. Gustos offers barista training classes that teach foundational, intermediate and brewing skills. The company also hosts workshops that cover topics like espresso, milk texturing and latte art. The below photos are of the classroom where the learning happens:
Then, we toured the factory. Gustos sells select single origin coffees from local Puerto Rican farms in Yauco, Adjuntas and Las Marías. It was so cool to see so much coffee getting roasted and packed into bags. It takes a lot of work to get all the way from the farm to our cups!
Our final stop after the interview was ordering some coffee and pastries at the coffee shop! We both ordered cappuccinos, Bill got a blueberry cake and a wrap, and I got a strawberry cake. The coffee, the same chupacabra blend the Rainforest Inn serves to guests in the morning, was so sweet and the desserts were delicious.
To hear our full interview with Omar, make sure you listen to our podcast available on Spotify, Apple Music and Google Play.
Filtrado, a unique coffee shop in Old San Juan (and now closed)
Bill and I recently ventured to Old San Juan to visits Enoc Rivera and his coffee shop, Filtrado. Enoc Rivera has relocated to Florida. Puerto Rico has lost a barista legend.
Enoc serves only locally grown coffee that he often blends and roasts himself. Two of his sources are Ciales PR and Hacienda Juanita. He prepares the finest lattes, espressos, cappuccinos, cortados and of course, filtrados. He showed us one of his enticing presentations which was a “pocillo” and a small cappuccino in matching cups. He also sells tea and pastries.
His coffee shop is unique because it’s not open in the mornings. Instead, he opens at noon and closes at 7 p.m.
Enoc says this is because coffee isn’t just to help you wake up. It’s an experience to relax and enjoy coffee’s taste and complexity.
Soon, he hopes the shop will stay open until 9 p.m. and serve some specialty cocktails and mocktails that incorporate coffee.
Enoc is a local coffee expert, and we asked him about how the coffee industry in Puerto Rico has grown in the past few years, and what its future is. To listen to his answers and hear him make a cappuccino for us and give a tour of his shop, listen (or subscribe) to our newest podcast episode on Googleplay.com/rainforestinn or Apple iTunes
This is the first part of a new project that the Rainforest Inn is doing on local coffee growers, producers and shops in Puerto Rico, so stay tuned!
Coffee Monkey - now closed but there is another shop to try in Luquillo
In Fajardo, there’s a small, hole-in-the-wall coffee shop that serves locally grown coffee – and it might be the best on the Eastern side of the island. We are very sad that this wonderful coffee shop which served fresh roasted beans from a family farm did not survive. But now there is a shop in Luquillo to visit which serves the same Gustos brand Puerto Rican coffee that we have chosen at the Rainforest Inn. Google maps link Coffee Therapy it is also near the restaurant we recommend for mofongo, La Fonda Gourmet.
Bill and I recently visited Coffee Monkey, located in Fajardo near the movie theater complex (see our google map of Puerto Rico coffee shops and growers )
Bill posing outside of Coffee Monkey.
The shop serves two Puerto Rican coffees: A darker, stronger roast from Hacienda Tres Picachos, and a lighter one from Café Don José.
They taste different, barista Kenneth Rivera explained to us, because although they’re the same beans, the darker roast is from a machine, while the lighter roast is from the sun. The process for drying the pulp in the sun and then blowing off the dry pulp from the beans leaves a bean that is sweeter.
I had two cappuccinos, one with each coffee. The Café Don José roast was definitely sweeter, but both coffees were smooth. Neither one was bitter and both were rich and delicious.
The two different coffees served at Coffee Monkey: A darker roast from Café Hacienda Tres Picachos, and a lighter roast from Café Don José.
The owners, husband and wife Jason Báez and Mayte Coello, opened Coffee Monkey earlier this year. We called them to learn a little bit more about the shop.
They told us a fun story: When they visited Hacienda Tres Picachos (a three-hour drive from Fajardo) to try its coffee, they discovered that the owner, Jose Martinez, was Mayte’s cousin. The coffee from Café Don José is the same coffee, just distributed by Jose’s son. So, Coffee Monkey is a family-run business, even though it happened accidentally!
Coffee Monkey gets new batches of coffee every week, so the coffee is fresh.
Jayson told us that he wants Coffee Monkey to be about more than its good product. He said he wants people to remember the experiences as well.
“You get that with the service, with employees,” he said.
Paola, one of the baristas at Coffee Money, prepares some cappuccinos.
When the shop first opened, he hired someone to train the staff and tell them more about coffee and coffee stores. The two baristas in the shop when we visited, Paola and Kenneth, were very welcoming to us.
We got our coffees to-go, but Paola even made an extra one in a mug so I could take a picture of the coffee art!
A cappuccino made with Café Hacienda Tres Picachos’ coffee beans.
I also asked Jayson why they chose the name Coffee Monkey. He said they took inspiration from the mechanic term “grease monkey”, and wanted it to be in English because the shop is in a touristy area.
“It was simple, and having monkeys being all active and all, that’s definitely how you get after you have a good cup of coffee,” he said. “It’s contagious.”
In addition to cappuccinos, Coffee Monkey serves macchiatos, cortaditos, lattes, americanos and mochas. Its cheapest drink is a $1.50 espresso and their most expensive is a $5.50 frozen coffee.
Coffee Monkey’s menu.
Coffee Monkey also sells bags of each coffee for $16/per bag.
If you like munching on something with your coffee, they also sell a variety of pastries – Bill selected a guava muffin.
The shop is open Mondays-Fridays from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. About a thirty minute drive from The Rainforest Inn, it’s definitely worth stopping by during your stay.
Amazing cafes in Puerto Rico
For the next few weeks, we’ll be posting about Puerto Rican coffee, from coffee shops that serve locally grown coffee, to roasters and farms that produce the coffee and even provide tours. .
Coffee has always been an important part of Puerto Rico as well as a love of mine. The coffee grown here is special. It is low altitude grown (compared to the high mountains of Colombia) so it is a strong flavored bean which makes other milder sweeter varieties seem weak in comparison.
There are many special coffee shops here. We are going to visit as many as possible in the San Juan area for this series of blogs and podcasts. Some of the really special ones don’t have parking nearby but are still always crowded with customers like Café Comunión in Santurce or Café Dosis which is also in Santurce but has some parking on the street in front. The skill of the baristas at these Puerto Rican coffee shops is unparalleled.
In the interest of serving the most delicious cup of coffee as possible many of these shops import high quality beans from Ethiopia or the high mountains of Guatemala. We have chosen to only feature those coffee shops who use locally grown beans (most from the same high mountain areas). If you click on the google map image below it will load a map we’ve made which shows all the growers in Puerto Rico with a subset of growers who offer coffee tours. We also show many coffee shops in Puerto Rico. As I write this I’m enjoying a cup of coffee at Agape Kafé — the owner Shaly Morales served me a delicious cappuccino made from a coffee roasted nearby at cafe Serrano. No way is our map of Puerto Rican coffee shops inclusive of all the shops available on the island even limiting it to only shops that serve locally grown beans exclusively.
Google map of coffee shops, growers and tours in Puerto Rico. Click the image to load the map.
The coffee shops are excellent and innovative. Café La Estacion is in a Shell gas station and serves Gustos’s delicious “chupacabra” blend. RxCafe is in one corner of the Super Farmacia — go there and often the owner Alberto Vanga is there serving delicious cappuccinos made with fresh-roasted Don Pello from Cialles. We are going to interview some of the coffee shop owners, growers, and coffee producers both for the Rainforest Inn podcast but also for further blog posts that will be in depth features. For example the next blog post will be about “Coffee Monkey”, a shop we discovered in Fajardo — not too far from the Rainforest Inn.
Swimming Sustainably
Are you an eco-friendly traveler?
As the health and welbeing of the global environment not-so-slowly deteriorates, guests like you are inspiring an eco-revolution. Everyday more and more people have begun to make better and more conscious decisions on behalf of the planet. But what about your vacation? Air travel admittedly is not carbon friendly. But, despite its large carbon footprint, flying is sometimes the only way to get to your intended destination. Not everyone has the time or wherewithal to sail their yacht to Puerto Rico. So what else can you do to make your vacation more sustainable?
Eco-tourism
Eco-tourism is a low-impact method of travel that centers around the exploration of natural environments. It’s a small scale alternative to the typical mass commercial tourism and it aims to promote the conservation of local ecosystems and wildlife. The El Yunque Rainforest Inn Bed and Breakfast is the premier eco-tourism establishment in Puerto Rico. Located in the only tropical rainforest in the U.S. National Forest System, the Rainforest Inn curates a relaxing nature filled vacation while costing the environment as little as possible. From its rainwater recycling system to it’s locally-sourced vegetarian kitchen, the Inn strives for sustainability in every aspect of its business. With every new improvement or renovation there is always special environmental considerations such as how can we use less energy or source more recycled materials. This brings us to our newest eco-project…
The Rainforest Inn’s Solar-Heated Plunge Pool
The summer of 2019 the Rainforest Inn undertook a revolutionary project — a sustainable spa pool. Most luxury hotel pools allow no considerations for the environment, using tens of thousands of gallons of highly chemically treated water pumped by oversized and energy wasteful pumps. Here at the Inn we wanted to build an eco-friendly pool for the property that would allow guests a cool place to relax and hang out without compromising our earth-friendly mission statement. So that’s what we did!
The Engineering Intern
Olivia Giaquinto: Rising senior Environmental Science and Engineering B.S. Candidate at Harvard University in Cambridge, MA
My name is Olivia Giaquinto, I am going to be a 4th year Environmental Science and Engineering B.S. Candidate at Harvard University, and this summer I was hired as the Rainforest Inn’s Environmental Engineering Intern. Though a pool planning novice at best, I accepted the challenge and started the design process with a simple Google search. I wanted to know what was out there in terms of eco-friendly pools, but unfortunately I didn’t find much. Most luxury hotels, even those that boast environmentally sustainable practices, don’t have any defining eco-friendly pool features. So I started from scratch, downloaded a computer aided design program and dove in headfirst — pun intended.
The Size
The single biggest sustainable aspect of the spa pool is actually as simple as its size. At only 2,200 gallons, the Rainforest Inn’s spa pool is less than 10% of the size of the average luxury hotel pool. This not only means less water use but it also means smaller and more energy efficient pool equipment as well as less chemical’s are needed to keep it clean!
Solar Heating
The second biggest eco-feature of our pool is the zero-energy solar heating system. Being in a rainforest in the tropics means lots of rain and lots of sun. I designed a large, slanted, South facing roof that covers 100% of the pool area. The roof is a key component because not only is it the platform for our solar collectors, but it also protects our guests from the elements and keeps the pool free of debris which reduces the load on our filter. It is a simple, cost-effective, and energy efficient alternative to an electric or gas pool heater.
The Machinery
Since minimizing energy consumption was a priority I had to put special thought into deciding what pool equipment to use. Finding a pump that is strong enough for your pool size is important, but that means that most pool constructors end up overcompensating and installing machinery that is far too large. I learned that the best way to keep your energy use down is to get a variable-speed pump. This style of machinery allows you to customize the flow rate to your needs, ultimately keeping your system at peak performance and saving you money and energy. Along with the Energy-Star rated pump, we used LED pool lights and Energy-Star rated products designed specifically for smaller pools. See this attachment for a detailed list of all of the products we used in our sustainable swimming pool.
Recycled Materials
We cleaned nearly 1,000 vintage recycled tiles for the project!
Though we were unable to find any adequate reclaimed wood for our roof construction, we reused and recycled materials where we could. While most pools opt to paint the inside of their pool to save time and money, we wanted to limit the use of chemical filled paint in our pool. Painted pools also have to be continually resurfaced every 5-10 years. Because of this we decided to surface the inside of the pool with vintage, recycled, non-slip tile. Though surfacing with tile is an initial investment, it lasts much longer than paint and ultimately is the more sustainable choice.
Tropical Plants growing at the Rainforest Inn
As if the Rainforest Inn wasn’t beautiful enough, there are some incredible exotic plants that Bill and Renée have planted on the property. The other day, I was eying them all and decided to investigate. I perused the foliage and took several pictures of plants/flowers I found interesting. Bill told me most of the plants I found were varieties of “Ginger” flowers. At the Rainforest Inn we have several- including torch ginger, shell ginger, pink ginger, red ginger, and white ginger. The white ginger, pictured in the bouquet below, is the national flower of Cuba and has a refreshing perfume.
Flowers pictured above include Yellow Caribe, Torch Ginger, White Ginger, Hanging Heloconia, and Pink Ginger
Red Ginger found near our Buddha statue
Shell Ginger Plant by our driveway
Most of the beautiful flowers are Heloconia. Some include the Heloconia Pagota, Hanging Heloconia, and Heloconia Psittaocrum.
Heloconia Pagoda found in our garden
Heloconia Psittacorum found by our driveway
Yellow Helonica found at the bottom of our driveway
Renée often makes tropical arrangements (almost ikebana style) with our flowers for the rooms.
We also have a few plants that attract hummingbirds, such as the hibiscus flower, and several varieties of Bromeliad plants.
Variety of Bromeliad Plant which attracts hummingbirds
Variety of Bromeliad Plant which attracts hummingbirds
Hibiscus Flower found in our courtyard- it attracts hummingbirds
You can find these exotic plants if you wander around our property, especially by our driveway and the back porch area near the pond. They’re just another reminder of the tropical paradise that awaits you if you decide to stay here at the Rainforest Inn!