Stay with Elena in her home.
Casa Pico Este Travelers Rooms . . with a personal touch
MOST EASTERN SLOPE OF EL YUNQUE RAINFOREST
Casa Pico Este is for the discriminating traveler who wants to experience the "real Puerto Rico". We are not fancy but if you stay with us, you will learn about the traditional Puerto Rican countryside and be surrounded by beauty every way you look. We are in horse country, close enough to a variety of attractions that you will not run out of fascinating sights and sounds!
. . experience the real Puerto Rico at Casa Pico Este. Elena will guide your travels and share her experiences of what it is really like living here, in the fresh mountain breezes of the eastern slope of El Yunque.
We face east and the sunrise. Morning breezes are refreshing, sunny with puffy white clouds and views of the rolling hills down to the sea. You can see Vieques, Fajardo, Icacos! The sun deck is also a moon deck or star gazing area! Closest town is Naguabo.
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Guest sitting in front enjoying the view to the distant ocean and Fajardo.
. . . " Why did I choose this location? The fresh breeze from the east first hits this slope as it rises and passes over the rest of Puerto Rico. The sun rises out of the sea. I think this side of Puerto Rico is the most pristine and fresh and I love the feeling of being above it all, looking down. and, ever the adventurer, there is so much to explore in this area." . . . Elena.
Crystal clear water. Wild local begonias, they are very small and fragile.
Across the street is the path down to the river but it is not an easy path,
walking on the river rocks can be very slippery.
The forest abounds with bromelias and ferns. The creek has a lovely sound.
On the far side of the river ( creek) starts the El Yunque National Forest
Casa Pico Este is located about 15 minutes from the nearest good beach (Playa Los Machos), about 12 minutes from the Fajardo airport. ( small airport; planes to San Juan, Vieques, Culebra and St. Croix). 20 minutes to Las Croabas for Biobay kayaking, Daytime snorkeling and Seven Seas Beaches. 15 minutes to the Rio Blanco Petroglyphs tour, and 30 minutes to the most scenic Punta Tuna lighthouse and Maunabo. Palmas del Mar Resort, horseback riding, marina, restaurants and golf course is a 20 minute drive. You will need a rental car to stay at Pico Este, it is a one hour drive from San Juan to Fajardo and then another 12 minutes up the hills to Casa Pico Este on one of the prettiest scenic country roads in all Puerto Rico!
Puerto Rican Woodpeckers are nesting in a pole just outside the house. Photos Elena
Carpintero de Puerto Rico (Sp.), Melanerpes portoricensis (Sci.), one of only 11 endemic
(found only on) birds on the islands of Puerto Rico and Vieques.
Coqui on my kitchen counter
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The deck has a panoramic view, you can see Fajardo and Vieques.
Early morning view from Casa Pico Este - looking northeast to Fajardo and Dos Marinas.
Wide open vistas. The path down to the river takes about 15 minutes.
Rates:
Stay in Elena's home -- get to know her and Puerto Rico. Each room has a queen size bed and a twin. She will hook you up with the best places and people on the island for hiking, snorkeling, kayaking and other activities. You can also just relax in the peaceful surroundings of the Puerto Rican countryside and do as little as you like.
Upstairs Suite with private bath @ $75 per night . 3 night Minimum $225
Downstairs Apartment with two bedrooms, kitchen porch $110 per night for 2-4 people. 3 night minimum.
Children welcome. . Includes coffee maker and coffee, toaster and toast... Breakfast can be ordered at a very reasonable price. Small fridge and microwave in the breakfast room may be used by guests should they wish to make light meals.
Breakfast can be served between 8 and 9 AM.
You do need a car to enjoy this area, but transportation is available (to the beach and or town) for $10 per person each way.
Our minimum stay is 3 nights. WHY? There are many places to stay for the tourist who is just cruising through, hitting all the spots they read about on the internet or some guide book. Casa Pico Este is for the traveler who wants to experience the 'real Puerto Rico' and that can not be done in a hurry! Stay with us and learn about Puerto Rico in the countryside. We are close enough to a variety of attractions so that you will not run out of fascinating sites and sounds! . . Elena will guide your travels and share her experiences of what it is really like living here, in the fresh mountain breezes of the eastern slope of El Yunque.
Amenities:
High speed internet access in the office, if you bring your laptop. No TV here. The "office area" is open until 10 AM each morning and again in the early evening.
Please note: There are some goofy, very friendly dogs on the premises. They do not enter the 'suite' area, nor the downstairs apartment area. They are outside and in the office area. There are no dogs next door in the Private 2 bedroom apartment area.
Elena has also created these websites, www.elyunque.com and www.elenas-vieques. com and does snorkeling trips around the Cordillera Reserve, her favorite playground of Icacos, Lobos and Palominitos keys. The turquoise colors of the water and white coral sands around these islands are as beautiful as anywhere in the world.
Elena has over 30 years experience in tourism around Puerto Rico. She has managed two hotels and three different luxury villas. She and her ex-partner operated a charter sailboat many years ago cruising throughout the Caribbean islands. . . For the last five years she owned and operated Golden Heron Biobay Kayak tours in Vieques, where she developed the amazing extended biobay tour that is so popular now, many people have copied it. See her write up in American Way magazine.
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Left: Entrance to two of the bedrooms with the bath in between. Middle: Sitting area with breakfast area behind..
Left: Bath. Right: The room where breakfast is served can be used to fix light meals.
Left: Netting tent over bed. Right: Bedroom with queen bed.
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Reservations and Cancellations Policy:
Why a 3 night minimum? Casa Pico Este is not a hotel, it is an adventure destination ! Prices are reasonable, so that you can explore and enjoy this area. Even 3 nights is hardly enough! This is truly a wonderful place to base your vacation, there is so much to do. ( If you just want one night's lodging, you are better off in a hotel.) We want our guests to have enough time to get to know this very unexplored area.
You need time to see the petroglyphs, time to visit the bird refuge with lagoons, iguanas and a gorgeous beach. You need time to drive down to the Punta Tuna lighthouse on Puerto Rico's most scenic road. You need time to kayak in Las Croabas lagoon with our kayaks. You also need a good half day to walk to our stream and swim in the pools ( bring jeans and sneakers, it is beautiful along the stream, well worth the hike.
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| You need time to go horseback riding, this is horse country. The Equestrian Center at Palmas del Mar is your best bet, south of Casa Pico Este. Rancho Buena Vista offers trail rides through a tropical landscape and down to the beach. No experience needed, guided tours available or ride on your own! For more information and reservations call The Equestrian Center at: 787.479.7479. |
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3 night minimum: Call Elena Tel. 787-426-0979 or
email < picoeste@hotmail.com >
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'Patetik' is a rescued stray now leading a 'cushy' life! Oso our, very friendly, 'bear', Carino
and Princess. All are sweethearts and all were rescued at one time or another.
3 night minimum: Call Elena Tel. 787-426-0979 or
email < picoeste@hotmail.com >
Kayaks available . for guests only
3 kayaks available for guests only @ $30 each per day. The kayaks are for daytime use only and located in Las Croabas, near Fajardo and can be used throughout the bay, the adjoining mangrove canals and lagoon. Daytime only. These are 'sit on top' 'Ocean Kayak' brand, 'Frenzy' model, singles. Guide available for the first day if desired ( additional fee).
Nearby river with pool to swim in, easy walk from Pico Este House. Our river( creek) comes down the east face of Pico Este, clean, cool and clear.
Nearby activities and attractions.
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Old fashioned rose bush in the front of the house.
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