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Casa Grande Mountain Retreat (Carr. 612, km 0.3, at the intersection of Carr. 140, Barrio Caonillas, 787/894-3939 or 888/343- 2272, tarzan [at] coqui [dot] net, www.hotelcasagrande.com, $92 s, $143 d, includes breakfast and dinner, plus tax) is a truly unique hotel for visitors seeking a retreat from the 21st century deep in the tropical jungle. TVs and radios are prohibited, and the only entertainment at night is listening to the song of the coqui tree frog. The 107-acre property features 20 freestanding monastic cabins that contain a bed, a fan, a private bath, a hammock on the porch, and that’s it.
But what it lacks in luxuries, Casa Grande Mountain Retreat more than makes up for in setting. Deep in the Cordillera Central mountain region, the entire property—formerly a coffee plantation—is completely engulfed by lush, verdant forest. Amenities include a small pool, yoga classes (daily 8 a.m., $10, reservations required), hiking trails, a reading room, and board games. Jungle Jane’s Restaurant serves breakfast and dinner daily, and lunch on weekends only.
Villas del Lago (Carr. 140, km 28.1, Barrio Caonillas, 787/894-3481 or 787/894-3464, lcdomartinez [at] hotmail [dot] com, $75–85) is not to be confused with the Villas del Lago “no-tell motel” at the intersection of Highways 140 and 111. The idyllic, rustic property features a dozen or so wooden cabins perched around Lago Caonillas. The simple cabins feature built-in furniture, small kitchens, balconies, and fans (no air-conditioning). Amenities include a modest restaurant and bar. This quiet, peaceful spot is a great place to get away from it all and chill out with lovely views of the lake.
© Suzanne Van Atten from Moon Puerto Rico, 2nd Edition
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Moon Travel Guides make independent travel and outdoor exploration fun and accessible. With expert and adventurous travel writers delivering a mix of honest insight, first-rate strategic travel advice, insider travel tips and an essential dose of humor, Moon Travel Guides ensure that travelers have an uncommon and entirely satisfying experience. Each travel book is filled with unique trip ideas, easy-to-use maps, and detailed information on sights, restaurants, and accommodations. Moon Travel Guides not only point you in the right direction, they inspire new ideas and adventure. Whether you are seeking a relaxing beach trip to Hawaii, or an adventure travel trip to the rainforests of Costa Rica, Moon guidebooks—and Moon.com—are with you every step of the way. Founded in 1973, the Moon Travel Guides series includes Moon Handbooks, Moon Outdoors, Moon Metro, Moon Living Abroad and Moon Spotlight travel books. Moon is based in Berkeley, California and is a proud member of the Perseus Books Group.