A Review of Coqui's Hideaway, a Rental Villa in El Yunque

A wonderful rental home in the foothills of El Yunque that offers comfort, natural beauty, and total privacy, Coqui's Hideaway is the perfect destination for couples, friends, and families who want to feel at home in the forest.

If you're looking for a luxury resort with flat-screen TVs in every room and five-star restaurants, Coqui's Hideaway won't be your cup of tea. However, if you're the kind of traveler who wants the comforts of home even when you leave home; who loves a whole lot of privacy; and who loves being outdoors, this rental villa in the foothills of the El Yunque Forest might be just what you've been looking for.

The three-bedroom house includes a full kitchen, two bathrooms, and a magnificent garden. While the rooms aren't fancy, they're cozy and comfortable. Owners Ray and Gwenn are friendly hosts who live next door but are happy to stay out of the way until you need them. They go the extra mile to make you comfortable, with a welcome basket of Puerto Rican goods and goodies, a closet full of beach equipment that you're welcome to use when you head down to Luquillo Beach (minutes away by car), and even a laptop with wi-fi access in case you forgot, or don't want to bring, your computer. They've also stocked their villa with a small collection of books and DVDs to keep you entertained while you're indoors. A summer read, a hammock, and the view from the balcony, which stretches all the way to Isla Verde on a clear day, might be all the entertainment you need.

About that garden: Coqui's Hideaway sits on nine acres of a pristine, verdant rainforest landscape. The garden alone is worth a day or two of exploration, and you're welcome to collect as many fruits and flowers as you like. And when you consider the variety (coconut, mango, bananas, avocado, pineapple, papaya, and grapefruit, to name a few), you can imagine the delicious bounty you can get at no extra charge. A trail leads from the property to a natural waterfall that you can enjoy in total seclusion, but if you want to stay closer to home, there's also a small pool and two barbecue grills on the premises.

The villa is close to the beach and El Yunque's hiking trails, and even San Juan is only a 40-minute drive away. But at the end of the day, this is a place to let the kids roam free; to enjoy the song of the coqui tree frogs at night and the fresh-plucked bounty of the garden during the day; to explore the rainforest at your leisure; and to truly get away from it all.