As most ecolodges are pretty basic operations, Casacubuy is typical. No frills, bordering on meh. On the wrong side of El Yunque National Park. I would not recommend this place. The good: wifi works, owner is a nice elderly American woman, views are good. The not so good: there's no restaurant here or nearby...be prepared to drive down the mountain to find anything. Guests are encouraged to bring their own food and store and cook their own meals in a community refrigerator. (wish I had known this beforehand). The premises are quite tired and worn. But also somewhat dirty/unkempt. The road ends 1/4 mile up the hill and is no longer passable, post hurricane, meaning it's now a one hour drive to get to the Visitors Center and the main, popular and desirable side of the National park. None of this is mentioned on their website. We changed our plans and checked out a day early, and didn't bother ask for a refund, we were so eager to get out of there! read more

Casa Cubuy Ecolodge - Beautiful view - Bed & Breakfast Near Me - Río Blanco, Puerto Rico

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The bed and breakfast is super well situated with two private hikes that lead to fresh water cascade lagoons where you can swim in the natural waterfall. The views are amazing and the breakfast is refreshing! Such a pleasure to be perched up in the rainforest, especially when Skip is teaching us about the different birds right in front of us like a post card! Cute little hangout spots in the common area and our room had a private patio and hammock! The hosts are so welcoming, greeting us with fresh fruit, toast and eggs! They even drove us down the road to the nearby restaurant (Noelia's - you have to check it out!) and were very accommodating. read more

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This place is a gem!!! Tucked in the rainforest with breathtaking vistas. Onsite hiking trails down to a river with a swimming hole. Too good to be true! Comfortable lodging and wonderful breakfasts. A must for any nature lover. Or anyone who wants a quiet retreat. Thank you Maryann and Mathew for EVERYTHING! We will be back read more

Casa Cubuy Ecolodge - View from our room balcony - Bed & Breakfast Near Me - Río Blanco, Puerto Rico

What an incredible place! This was the absolute highlight of a great week-long trip in PR. Marianne and Matthew were very kind and gave us great hiking recommendations in the forest. There are idyllic nearby swimming holes too. During the night the sound of the coqui frogs is incredible, as is the night sky if you're lucky enough to get a clear night. Will definitely return! read more

If you ever wanted to know what it was like to stay inside a rainforest, Casa Cubuy Ecolodge is your best bet! This place boasts rustic charm, huge/delicious/variety breakfast ensemble, and sweet hosts. We stayed in room 11 that had a big patio. We chose that room for more privacy but we ended up being the only guests those two nights in April so we could have gone with the room next to the common area since internet was strongest there as there was none in our room. Be prepared for the symphony of insects and coqui frogs at bedtime and rain coming and going throughout the day. We went on the Rio Sabana trail but due to the rain, we only went half way. The only other trail is the short one closest to the lodge which leads to a swimming hole. Really peaceful and off the beaten path. Only fridge and microwave available for guests to use as well as their plates, bowls and silverware. We brought food materials at the market in Naguabo so we didn't have to drive back into town to minimize the carbon footprint. The hosts are super knowledgeable so feel free to ask them anything when you see them. The Coqui frogs really do keep the mozzies away so didn't have to put on any bug repellant. read more

We loved our stay at Casa Cubuy. My boyfriend and I stayed for three nights in March 2022. The hosts are a mother and adult son team: Marianne and Matthew. Marianne may seem a bit ... neutral... upon first introduction, but don't read too much into this. I was delighted when, on our second (?) night, she walked by my boyfriend and I, as we had drinks on the veranda; I suggested that I had so many questions for her re: who she was, how she ended up here, the start of the business, and more...she pulled up a chair and let me pile the questions on ! She was very engaging. As the boyfriend and I drank, the conversation became less about her, and more about us. She was a patient and good listener to our ramble. (Sorry Marianne!) On our last night, there was a solo female traveler who had arrived at the lodge. Marianne made a point of introducing the young woman to us, and we all became friends. Matthew is friendly and can be chatty about a range of topics: politics, history, writers. He gave us great advice on where to hike nearby, and even extended advice for our next location which was at Loquillo Beach. Many reviewers comment on the drive up to the lodge. Yes, it is some switchback driving up a mountain, but only for thirty minutes or so. I suppose that would have seemed like a lot to us, had we not just come from a different mountainous spot, which had well *over an hour* of switchback driving. Visiting Casa Cubuy seemed a lot easier to us than the previous place. Having said that, we had committed to driving to the lodge and staying put for all three nights. We brought groceries with us, parked them in the shared fridge, and made sandwiches for our lunches and dinner. They do not provide a shared kitchen (perhaps they did in the past, but are unable to do so these days due to regulations re: professional kitchens). They provide the aforementioned shared fridge + microwave. The fridge could use a bit of a scrub, but it was perfectly fine our needs. They also offer to make lunches to pack and go (chicken salad; tuna salad, pb & j) for lunch; we were happy to make/bring our own. Breakfast was good: on Day 1: Matthew gave us options: cheese omelet or pancakes. Boyfriend went for the omelet, and I got the pancakes: huge portion! (and I ate it all.) They also served fruit and oatmeal. Day 2: we found breakfast already made: fruit, oatmeal, deviled eggs, and grilled cheese. Tea and coffee was offered each day. The room was large and spacious. They had black-out curtains on most of the windows. I also had an eye mask with me, which was still helpful, as one window was without a curtain (on the far end of the room, away from the bed.). The bathroom was clean, the water was hot. Some other reviewers commented that TP must be tossed in the garbage bin, rather than flushed. We specifically inquired about this, since most places required that practice, but the host advised that it was fine to flush. Maybe it's best to inquire again to be sure we didn't misunderstand. During our three nights, there were very few other guests. Night one: maybe two rooms were occupied. Night two: I think we were the only guests there. Had the entire place to ourselves! Night three: one other solo traveler was present (as already mentioned). On our first full day, we took Matthew's advice and headed to the Rio Sabana trail, walk-able from the property. We took this trail up until it met the Trade Winds Trail. There and back to and from the lodge was approximately 6 miles. It was muddy and a bit rough at times (there were a few ropes along the trails to hold on to for stability), but we absolutely loved it. We didn't see a single person on the trail. Note: this is on the south side of El Yunque. I believe the north side: 1 - requires reservations (Covid era), and 2 - much more crowded and popular with tourists. On day 2: we decided to simply stay on the property. Chillin' in a hammock with the rain forest as scenery. Enjoyed the well-maintained trail down to the swimming hole. We also had the swimming hole to ourselves. There were shrimp in the clear water with us. The trail is filled with beautiful tropical plants like Bird of Paradise, Black Flamingo, and bromeliad (if I identified that correctly). At night we managed to find some of the tiny coquis within the flora. It was helpful to have a head lamp. In sum: book this place! Be patient and kind to the hosts. This is a (small) family run operation; the key to enjoying your stay is good communication, and to manage your expectations. Casa Cubuy offers a stay which is unique and special that a major hotel could not match. I am grateful that they share this special spot in the world with others. read more

Beautiful place, great hospitality, delicious breakfast and Marianne and her son are amazing hosts, they really made you feel at home. read more

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If you are looking for an adventurous trip into El Yunque this is it. It's definitely an off the grid kind of place. The owners made us feel at home- like we were visiting distant relatives. I think it's rare to find places with so much character these days and the owners did what they can to give us a warm welcome. One guest got stuck in the mountain when it rained heavily and Matthew (the owners son)drove up to find her himself. I don't know how anyone can say anything bad about these people or this business- they are clearly passionate about their place. With that being said- Be aware of what you are getting yourself into. You are paying for an experience not for a fancy resort. To get there is a narrow two way road up the mountain. Their private trail into their waterfall is not a guided trail with railings- it is not for beginners and definitely on the more slippery and dangerous side. If it rains heavily you are likely not going to be able to hike these unguided trails. They offer paid breakfast at 9am where everyone can eat together in a common table, and lunch which is a sandwich and chips. Make sure you bring some food with you because driving up and down the mountain is not as easy as it seems. Restaurants are about 20 mins away. These mere 'inconveniences' are no where near enough to discourage us from doing it all again. We would do it again in a heartbeat and would recommend it to anyone looking for a beautiful escape. read more

Went to visit my sister Nazli and we all stayed in this eco lodge - 3 rooms. It was perfect in every way. I've never felt tranquility like I felt there - the owner and her son was so lovely and kind. My kids loved the hiking and the water falls. Truly a place if u want to unplug and unwind We brought board games for kids and they played and relaxed too. It was a beautiful stay. Will come again soon soon! read more

I honestly do not understand all the complaints people have written on here about Casa Cubuy. This is an ecolodge in the middle of the rainforest. It's remote. If you're expecting high-end hotel-style accomodations, you're misguided- not about Casa Cubuy, but about any ecolodge in general. The lodge is the highest of any in the area. This means that you get stunning views of the mountains, rainforest and waterfalls, all the way out to sea, where you can glimpse the island of Vieques and Monkey Island in the distance. It also means that it is a long drive up a windy, tight road climbing up the mountain and about a twenty minute drive from amenities in the closest town of Naguabo. Did you expect to have a variety of restaurants and shopping within walking distance? If you did, you wouldn't be able to enjoy the peace and quiet and lack of people. But you are by no means stuck here. If you're here, you have a car. Use it if you must. Put your headlights on and drive slowly. You'll be fine. You're not "forced" to eat at their restaurant, it's just the closest option. And it was fantastic, by the way. It's cash only and is open for dinner only from 5pm till 8pm, has a full bar (beer and wine $3-$4, mixed drinks $5, bottles of wine $20) and has excellent food. The shrimp mofongo ($12) was to die for, and the butter fried fish with rice and beans (at $14, the most expensive item on the menu) was a perfect way to refuel after a day of hiking. The breakfast that they include is bountiful and filling. My first morning it was platters of fresh fruit, coffee and tea, fresh squeezed juice, rich, thick oatmeal, breads, cereals and hard boiled eggs. The following morning was all the fruit, oatmeal and beverages with pancakes and deviled eggs. Delicious! The rooms are HUGE. It can get a bit chilly at night with the breezes so bring a sweatshirt or long pants. There's no need for A/C up here even during the day. Yeah, the rooms are a bit bare bones, but my bed was comfortable, my shower was hot and my toilet always worked. Two thumbs up. And the balcony where I watched the sun rise every morning and rocked in my hammock at night listening to the coquí chatter while looking up at the stars was superb. A short walk up the paved mountain road (191, which dead ends where the trails start, as the middle of the road that connects the north and south end of the park is closed due to major landslides) are hiking trails that are much more private than anything in the north of the park, where there are loads of tourists and easy, paved walkways that pass for hiking. Here, you'll be walking through the forest, crunching over leaves and grass, spotting birds, lizards and coquí and swimming in pools under waterfalls with a good chance of never seeing any other people. You'll sweat, you'll get a little dirty, you'll be tired at the end of the day, but it is well worth it. I wore hiking boots but many in my group went with tennis shoes and were fine. The trails are well marked and doable without a guide, but I chose to join a group led by a guide named Robin who has lived in El Yunque for over thirty years and turned out to have a wealth of knowledge about the plants, wildlife and history of the forest, making the hike far more educational than a solo experience would have allowed. If you want to drive north it's about 45 minutes around the forest to the entrance with the visitor's center, but everyone I spoke to who had done it said to skip it, the south is a much better experience. All in all this was the highlight of my trip and well worth the drive and the money. I would encourage anyone looking for a quiet, peaceful trip off the beaten path to come and stay here for a night or three. You won't regret it. read more

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Beautiful location, but pretty overpriced for what it is. The couple who own/manage this hotel are friendly, but I can tell they don't have an interest in keeping the hotel in good shape, which is a shame. If I went around with some cleaning supplies, replaced the musty pillows/bedding, and coated everything in new paint, it would have made a big difference. However, I just think they don't really care to keep up with repairs because they get enough business from their "top pick" feature in the Lonely Planet guidebook (which is from 2008, so Casa Cubuy could have looked better back then). The wi-fi only works if you're at the table below it, so if getting connected to the internet is important to you, keep that in mind. As another reviewer said, you're pretty much forced to buy dinner at their restaurant, unless you want to drive 20-30 minutes down a windy (and quite frankly, scary at night) road. The restaurant food wasn't great and wasn't worth the money. I did really enjoy the salad and the soup I had the second night, but their pesto pasta was bland and I could have made better. Pretty bad service at the restaurant, but not super different from service I've been seeing elsewhere in Puerto Rico. Also - skip the $60 massage. Pricier than massages I've gotten elsewhere in the states, and it wasn't anything impressive. read more

Nice quiet place in the jungle this is a BNB so they will serve you breakfast in the morning nice rooms no TV no air condition no phone hardly any service Wi-Fi is spotty but beautiful scenery you can leave the hotel and walk right down to waterfalls and pulls this women and spend a day in the jungle they will rent one night if you call in a Vance a day or two or the day of that you want to stay because there is a two night minimum read more

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If you want to get away and disconnect from the world, this is the place (no cell service, internet or TV). Big clean rooms with an amazing view of the rainforest. The sound of the rushing waters and tree frogs will make you sleep like a baby. The family that owns the lodge were super hospitable. Breakfast is included with the room and I expected a continental style breakfast, but to my surprise it was a home cooked spread of fresh fruit, fresh squeezed juices, eggs and more. It would have easily cost $20 at a nearby restaurant. Bring swim wear and extra shoes to get wet when hiking the rainforest. The swimming holes are AMAZING! I recommend you stay a couple of nights at this lodge because one day isn't enough. read more

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This place has a fantastic location. It's unbeatable. At night the jungle comes alive with frogs and chirping insects. It's amazing. The waterfalls are right below the lodge. Rooms are pretty sparsely furnished but adequate. Breakfasts are delicious with fresh tropical fruit. There are some drawbacks that wouldn't make this a go to place for all travelers however. Room service is once in five days...which is a bit tough since you aren't supposed to flush toilet paper down. Coffee is only served at 8:00 or right after, and they make only one big pot for all guests. When it's over it's done. Dining options are pretty limited...only one place (run by the same owners) exists on the mountainous road. The cook is good. However, service is variable depending on how busy they are. Having drawn your attention to all these potential drawbacks, I would return for the unbeatable location and the fact that it affords relative comfort in the midst of the El Junque rainforest. read more

Casa Cubuy Ecolodge - the lodge as seen from the facing mountain - Bed & Breakfast Near Me - Río Blanco, Puerto Rico

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I stayed with my boyfriend for 2 days here. It has amazing views and breakfast. The host and the housekeeper Mary made us feel at home. This is on the south side of el yunque, on the quiet area. It's the perfect place if you want to escape and relax for a couple of days. On the first day we drove to the "more popular/crowded" hiking trails on the north and came back at night. The second day we stayed on the natural pools below casa cubuy. We were the only ones on the pools, so we really enjoyed the privacy. Please note that this is not a super fancy place, but is perfect if you want to relax and still get the "rainforest" experience. You definitely need a car to get there and get dinner. I would also recommend bringing waterproof shoes to the natural pools, especially if you have children. read more

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I loved LOVED Casa Cubuy. I traveled to Puerto Rico during Hurricane Issac and left Vieques a few days early, had a car rented and wasn't quite sure where to go. I picked Casa Cubuy out of a guidebook because it was 'recommended' and there was promise of a waterfall behind the guest house. I was very happy when I got there; the common areas are mostly 'open air' but there were no bugs or mosquitoes. Breakfast was home made/fresh and awesome (another reviewer complained that the owner was insistent about knowing if they would be having breakfast- it's because they make it just for you!). I paid $10 (or $20?) extra to rent a room with a balcony and was very glad I did- if you can afford this (not much extra!) I would highly recommend it- an entire wall of the room opened up- and with no bugs or mosquitos it was pretty great for this New Yorker! My partner and I were going to check out the waterfall in the a.m. and the owners son suggested we go for a swim in one of the natural pools under the waterfall- I'm so glad we did it was wonderful!! It's only about a 5 minute walk to the first waterfall. Casa Cubuy is not a fancy or ritzy hotel, it is a small family-owned and operated guest house with beauty and a lot of charm. I would 100% go back and recommend it to anyone who is excited about sleeping in a room with no TV and a beautiful view. read more

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Beautiful inside and out. Great people. Great service. Amazing hikes. Perfect waterfalls. I will return!!! read more

Casa Cubuy Ecolodge - Bed & Breakfast Near Me - Río Blanco, Puerto Rico

Unbelievably beautiful place. Can't wait to explore more. I been to the pool at the base of the closest waterfall. Also had a wonderful cooked by the owners! so excited for the rest of my stay read more

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I went here as part of a group of 19 people. The owners were well aware of our arrival time and accommodations that would be needed. When we arrived they didn't have all the keys ready for our rooms. Also, a couple of the toilets and lights weren't working. Their restaurant is no longer open. They did however give us access to their kitchen and everything in it. The manmade trail leading down to the waterfall can be dangerous, especially for the inexperienced hiker. It's an eco-lodge in the middle of El Yunque....nuff said. read more

Casa Cubuy Ecolodge - View from our balcony.....amazing. - Bed & Breakfast Near Me - Río Blanco, Puerto Rico

We stayed here hoping to get a more relaxing experience of El Yunque than we expected to get staying near the north entrance and visitors center area. I suppose it was that, but I felt rather disappointed. I think that there are a number of places where "ecolodge" effectively means that you will pay a fat rate to stay someplace that hasn't been kept up and at which you should expect minimal services, etc. Paying more for less because you think you are being a good steward of the environment is a con. The views are tremendous and it is definitely a tranquil spot to soak in the mountain vistas and fall asleep to the coquis. But the place would be worth the money if it had been given a fresh coat of paint, had some decorative touches, supplied sufficient bedding, etc. More problematic is that you are really trapped there once you arrive. Want to eat dinner? You can go to the restaurant run by the same folks (if it's open, which it wasn't when I was there). Want a lunch? You can buy a pb&j sack lunch for $8 (note: then sign seems to read $3, but it is actually $8). The trails behind the lodge lead to a nice set of pools and then continued on to another waterfall with pools. However, be warned that the trail is not as simple as the proprietress would have you believe. Crossing the first river is a precarious endeavor that requires leaping across rocks. Not a big deal if you are youthful and/or you have more energy than sense, but it isn't practical or safe for a large number of people. If you choose to hike this trail, be prepared for a very muddy walk through thick jungle. An alternative is to go up highway 191, which is closed to traffic just above the lodge. There are nice views available. All in all, I really don't think that it's worth the expense unless you want to empty your wallet in order to confirm your identity as a hippy. read more

As stated above, the location is amazing. Stunning view. There is a well-maintained path that leads to a gorgeous waterfall steps from the lodge. We were going to camp, but that fell through, so, as there are limited options, we stopped in here. The room was pretty shabby. Like the comforter was all pilly and ratty. I understand it's rustic up there, but for $110 a night, i expect the bedding to be in good condition. The woman who runs the lodge (with her husband, i presume) is a little spooky. We had to leave pretty early for a fishing trip that began at 10:00 about a half hour away. She said breakfast was at 9 (really? 9?) and she needed to know right then if we would be having it or not. We said we weren't sure as we had the trip in the morning. She was visibly annoyed and said, "Yes or no? I need to know." I'm not saying she should have made us a to-go breakfast, but we were 2 of 6 people staying there. Work with us. Maybe i'm spoiled, but I've never stayed at a small guest house or B&B than didn't offer some flexibility with breakfast. Then she said, "Are you eating at our restaurant?" (Down the road a bit)"You have to go now or it's going to close." It was like 8pm. We didn't eat there. The other thing she did that bugged us was she put all of our info- including credit card- on an index card she said she kept "for reference". When we said we weren't really comfortable with that, she got very huffy and offended, and basically said that was their policy, so too bad for us. if we'd had another option, we would have left then and there. But we didn't. (She reluctantly gave it back to us the next morning, however).She seemed to genuinely resent us. It was bizarre. We did have breakfast, and I have to say it was awesome, Fresh fruit, fried bananas, french toast, oatmeal, fresh juice - i had 2 full plates. Delish. Overall, a strange experience. Maybe you go a little cukoo living up there in the rainforest. read more

We stayed at casa cubuy 3 nights in Feb 2016. We had an amazing time. The view from the balcony must be the prettiest on this earth. The breakfast was delicious with lots of fresh food. The reason for not giving 5 stars is that the place could really need some extra cleaning and a bit of renovation. But I would definitely recommend this place. It is a must for nature lovers. read more

Very nice spot. Beautiful views and nice trails. Complimentary breakfast is also quite good. Price is a bit steep ($120 per night w/ tax) lonely planet 2008 lists price starting at $80 so I wasn't expecting to pay so much. Still, a nice place. read more

We stayed at this same place in 2004, and at the time it was a bargain and gorgeous and amazing. In 2019 (almost 2020), the rainforest is still amazing, but at Casa Cubuy felt a bit like a con for the price. Ok so the location is gorgeous, the people who own it are very nice, breakfast is good and you meet cool people, but oh what a difference it would make if they just put even the tiniest effort into sprucing the place up. The towels and sheets and bed spreads are ratty, the whole place needs a paint job, the doors get stuck or don't close all the way, the lamps are falling apart and the plugs are coming right out of the wall, the water heater doesn't keep up (I took at lest two lukewarm showers). Things I had the biggest problem with: 1) wifi is truly horrible (like a 1999 dial up modem). I realize people are coming here to unplug, but having a good internet connection is critical for planning (looking up trail maps, looking up driving directions and/or loading maps on your phone so you can get where you need to go without cell phone service, etc). 2) they don't do maid service, at all. We were there for 3 nights and not once did anyone come to even take our trash (they ask you to throw your toilet paper in the wastebasket rather than toilet, so it's pretty gross that they don't come take the trash at all!). The floors were already pretty dirty to begin with and our daughter felt dirt/sand on her bed as soon as we checked in. 3) They didn't have enough coffee for everyone in the morning (one morning they did, the other morning they didn't). 4) there is nowhere to refrigerate things and there is no fresh water available even at breakfast. It would be so easy to put out a jug full of ice water so people could fill their water bottles (and it's perfectly "eco" friendly to do that). Put screens on the doors so people can let some fresh air in (since there is no AC). Maybe have a fridge that people can use to store their food/drinks. I was disappointed to be paying $180/night for what felt like a youth hostel or worse, especially given what a nice time I had there years ago. Such a shame. read more

Stayed here for 6 nights. Great views !!!!!! Musty bedding (pillows and blankets. from rain forest !!!! allergies acted up like nothing before. Never enough coffee in the morning, only had 1 pot for all the guests. No wifi as listed on web site AND when asked, did not offer their laptop. Charged $20 to call a kayak tour company. Will never stay there again. read more

The ecolodge is located in a gorgeous corner of El Yunque rainforest. We saw it in both dry and flooding weather and the views are gorgeous all around. The owners are welcoming and knowledgable about PR. It was expensive for the level of accommodations. The rooms were cold and the hot water was broken, a fact that they failed to mention when we booked our stay less than two weeks before. You should be aware that there is not a connection between the south side of the rainforest and the north side of the rainforest, so felt a bit remote. It does have a real charm to it. read more

We recently stayed at Casa Cubuy for two nights....we stayed upstairs in room #3... Our friends were in room #1. While the set up was wonderful, private balconies, fairly spacious rooms, absolutely gorgeous scenary and plentiful fresh breakfasts, there were a few drawbacks. Our room smelled like a gym locker room for the first 24 hours, it tended to air out after we were there a while. The water pressure in the shower was very low and the hot/warm water was not plentiful. I did not follow the "don't flush the toilet paper" rules! The bedding did not smell fresh. It was quite an experience....the environmental aspects were unbeatable. We had dinner down the road at Norelias, and the one woman show was fabulous, she made our Valentines day. The second night, we ate at the Casa Cubuy restaurant, it was very good. While I doubt I would stay at the Casa Cubuy Lodge again, I am glad to have had the experience. read more