You can hike the forest trails in tennis shoes and comfortable clothing. There are no poisonous snakes to be concerned about. Birds lizards and coquis are the creatures that inhabit the forest. Once in a while you may see a mongoose, but they are more commonly seen at the lower levels. During the rainy months of September and October we provide ponchos to guests that request them but even then the forest canopy provides cover & the sun usually returns to dry things out after a brief interval.

THE RAINFOREST AND WATERFALLS BELOW THE ECOLODGE

Our Paths below Casa Cubuy and below Villas Sierra Palms lead to several trails through the forest to the rivers, waterfalls and clean, clear pools. Swimming is exceptional! and quite cool. Very relaxing sitting in a waterfall! Or lie in the sun on a large granite boulder. You can watch birds from your own balcony! or watch the mist swirl by on a cloudy early morning. A short walk up the road in front of the ecolodge takes you to the entrance gate into the south side of the El Yunque rainforest proper and you can walk on that old road through the forest. The road crosses several big streams with waterfalls and pools.

TWO NIGHT VIEQUES TRIP WITH BIOBAY!

Stay at our 'Mi Pana' apt's in the south coast town of Esperanza on Vieques Island and we will arrange pickup at Mi Pana Apartments for your bio bay trip by kayak. Or you can walk to meet the bus to the pontoon boat with Island Adventures. Two nights lodging with kitchen and private bath, one and two bedroom apt's that are 3 blocks from the beach and waterfront. Walk to the bakery or a variety of restaurants and bars, or rent a jeep and see the island. Click here for more details.

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ACTIVITIES EASTERN PUERTO RICO:

ABOUT THE EL YUNQUE RAINFOREST

RAINFOREST & PETROGLYPHS WITH A GUIDE

Hiking in the El Yunque rainforest. Robin Phillips is a knowledgeable guide and his all day trips are very rewarding. He offers a long hiking trip through the rainforest to a waterfall and pool. You can also arrange a visit to the Taino Rock carvings on the river ( petroglyphs). Call Robin at 787-874-2138.

GUIDED SNORKELING TRIPS

'Snorkeling Trips' with Elena. Elena offers both Beginners and Advanced Snorkeling trips with or without a boat, all from the nearby beaches of the town of Fajardo. Call Elena 787- 426-0979

Icacos Island : Visit this lovely offshore Key with great snorkeling, turquoise waters and beautiful fluffy white sand beaches. Or enjoy private lessons on Seven Seas beach

GUIDED BIO BAY KAYAK TRIPS

Fajardo has a bioluminescent bay that can be visited by kayak ( there is one small boat operator). Reservations must be made in advance and are usually $45. per person. You are in the water about one hour. Instruction and guides are provided and you do not need experience to participate. There are several nice restaurants in the vicinity as well. Seven Seas beach is close by.

Kayaking in the bioluminescent bay Several operators offer a kayak trip into the bio bay after dark. From Fajardo.

EXPLORE THE RESERVE OF LAGOONS AND BEACHES ON ROAD # 3 JUST SOUTH OF HUMACAO PLAYA

This tiny reserve is only open Wed through Sunday until 3:30 pm. Although practically unknown, there are some excellent paths, wooden bridges and lagoons where very large iguanas and water birds predominate. Park your car and walk the dirt roads to the lagoons and beaches. Once you reach the first beach continue to the second along the right fork. It is the prettier beach with a few seashells. If you move quietly you will be sure to see a heron or a migrating duck. The iguanas here are huge and dive into the water as soon as you approach them. Nice, easy, level trails.

DAY AT 'SEVEN SEAS' BEACH & NATURE PATHS AND LUQUILLO BEACH

Your best beach option from Casa Cubuy and Sierra Palms Villa is Seven Seas Beach in Fajardo. Nice facilities, calm water and a restaurant. Several paths to the new 'North East Corridor Reserve' offer hours of walking and various places to swim and snorkel on your own. The public beach is guarded, the paths are in the woods, you should leave valuables at the hotel before going to any of the beaches in Puerto Rico, Culebra or Vieques.

A little further west along the north coast is the town of Luquillo and its' varied beaches. Kiosks line the road and offer a variety of tasty local treats. The official Balneario de Luquillo is a long crescent beach with calm water and facilities.

Naguabo Playa is the closest beach to the ecolodge and you can walk on the waterfront 'Malecon' and eat some local dishes. South of Naguabo Playa are the beaches of Humacao and the Humacao Balneario, not particularly nice for swimming but a nice place to walk and look for seashells.

SURFING LESSONS WITH BOBBY IN LUQUILLO

Bob gives private lessons by appointment only tel. 787-435-1760. He can also take you to some special surfing beaches. Lessons are great for beginners and very helpful for experienced surfers as well.

NORTH SIDE OF EL YUNQUE - UP ROAD # 191 NEAR LUQUILLO

The north entrance to the El Yunque rainforest is more organized with tour buses and the Visitors Centers. The $5 tour on the half hour at Palo Colorado Station is a fabulous explanation, short walk, fascinating information. This is the only entrance to the paths up into the cloud forest.

Visit the El Yunque Gallery with artist David's' very organic paintings and constructions. Located in Palmer, the little 'town' you drive through just off the highway on your way up to the road #191 that goes up to the El Yunque Rainforest on the north side.

PANORAMIC DRIVES SOUTH OF NAGUABO

Follow the scenic superhighway south to the end (at Yabucoa) and then take a right and next left at the light, left again onto sea cliff road # 901 around to Maunabo. There's a lot to see and several great places to eat. You can walk along the beach you see in this photo (too rough to swim) and the Maunabo beach. Punta Tuna scenic lighthouse can be visited during certain hours also ( closed Mondays and Tuesdays) . Operated by the municipality of Maunabo. More info on Panoramic Roads of Puerto Rico. .

Panoramic drive - around the southeast tip of Puerto Rico. Eat lunch overlooking the Punta Tuna lighthouse. View (left) from Bella Vista Restaurant.

DAY TRIP TO CULEBRA ISLAND AND WORLD FAMOUS FLAMENCO BEACH

Fly or take the 9 AM ferry to Culebra and then the public bus to the fabulous Flamenco Beach for the day and come back on the plane or ferry. The most enjoyable way to do this is to fly over ( rougher passage on the ferry) and take the ferry back in the afternoon.

CANYONING AND RAPPELING

Adventure trips into the rainforest with Aventuras Tierra Adentro, tel 787-766-0470, fax 787-754-7543. "Cannoning Adventure: From the base of El Yunque we will "rappel" along the waterfalls, descend on two exciting zip lines, leap from rocks into the river and much more." Cost - $150.00 per person.

HANG GLIDING AND TANDEM FLIGHTS

"We do Tandem Discovery Flights for people who just want to try flying one time from a 1440 feet high mountain top. We also teach classes in hang gliding and paragliding for those who want to learn from the ground up on our training hill". Keishya Salko E-mail:<tshg@coqui.net> Tel. 787-850-0508 and our cel is 787-645-7708

NATURE RESERVE: CABEZAS DE SAN JUAN

Cabezas de San Juan is a nature reserve operated by the Conservation Trust of Puerto Rico. It is located on the north east tip of Puerto Rico and must be visited by prior appointment. Limited hours and fee. The trip is enjoyable and takes several hours. You will see the view from the lighthouse, the mangroves and a rocky beach, all with a guide. Call the Conservation Trust for reservations. Telephone: 722 5882 (weekday reservations), 860 2560 (weekend reservations); Opening time: Wednesday to Sunday, advance reservations are required. English language tours 1:30 pm; Admission: US $7? (adults), US$2 (children)

Here is a government website that offers a list ( and links) to all the historic sites in Puerto Rico. Historic Sites.

HORSE RACES AT EL COMANDANTE

Enjoy the horse races? El Comandante offers horse races and the clubhouse is a cool place to eat and to watch the races. Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays 2:30 to 6 PM. Sundays to 6:30 PM. Free Admission.

HORSEBACK RIDING AT CARABALI OR PALMAS DEL MAR

Just past the town of Luquillo, on the north side, is the Carabali horse rental stables. They offer several trail rides with guides. Just south on highway #53, south of Humacao, in the Palmas del Mar Resort and Golf Course, is an excellent horseback riding facility.

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Call Casa Cubuy Ecolodge for Information and Lodging Reservations Tel. 787-874-6221

Email info@casacubuy.com

FAX: 787-874-4316 EMERGENCY Cell. 787- 514-3515

ALTERNATIVE EMERGENCY TELS. 787-398-6145 or 787 - 430-5955