Now THIS is rainforest! Holy sacred cows. It was a little overcast when we made the drive from Vega Baja and it was a great drive there (about 45 minutes.) The forest was warm and vibrant with all the greenery. Birds were singing, the Cocqui frogs were imitating birds with their hilarious bird-like calls that sounds like they're asking for a cookie: Coooo-KIE??!! Coooooo....KIE???!!! Our local friend couldn't make it that day but she advised that the hiking trails that show as 'difficult' on the map are an average hike if you come from a mountainous area and are used to hiking. If I had to gauge the time we spent getting to El Yunque peak - the highest peak - without stopping, I would say it took only an hour or so. The paths even given the rockier bits were really well-marked and maintained. Plus, they have plenty of no-pay parking. But you must stop; stop at La Mina Falls and swim in the small but powerful waterfall. The water was brisk when stepping in, but you acclimated to it quickly. This is where all the happy people are! Everybody was laughing and having a good time. The Bano Grande is just a big bowl of water. We stopped, looked at it, and went on our way. Anything named the 'Big Toilet' couldn't be too amazing. Once we got to El Yunque Peak, the clouds blocked the view of the forest, but the earlier stop at the Yokahu Tower at the beginning of the trail boasted picture-worthy views. Items to bring: Waterproof camera set-up/GoPro Water-friendly shoes, if you plan on getting into water Hiking shoes/shoes with good grip Water/snacks I hope you enjoy it as much as we did! read more

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Wow! My husband and I loved it here. I've never experience any place quite like it. We did the hike to La Mina falls. My husband took a dip in the falls. I didn't because my tolerance for cold water is minimal. The visitor's center is "meh," but we got some great info on the hiking trails from a guide there. We decided to take a hike up to the Mt. Britton Tower, which is so worth it. The hike wasn't awful, but make sure you know what trails you're on (we got turned around and ended up on El Yunque Trail looking over at the Tower!). To get to Mt. Britton Tower, head up the Mt. Britton Trail, take a right up the service road, and take another right where the sign points up the hill to a "wildlife observation area." That will take you right up to the tower. The other path is the Mount Britton Spur which connects over to El Yunque Trail. La Coca Falls and La Mina Falls will be busiest in the morning because that's when cruise excursions arrive at the park. Be careful as you drive--these roads twist and turn and they are NARROW. But, El Yunque isn't a big park, and there's one road that runs through the park which makes navigation is a cinch. read more

El Yunque Rainforest - Being cliche on top of the Mount Britton Tower. - Hiking Near Me - Luquillo, Puerto Rico

Well, this is it. This is my 100th review on Yelp, with many more to come. While I was in Puerto Rico to take a cruise, I stayed a few days after the cruise was over. El Yunque was one of those must-do places that I have wanted to go. I was here in 2012 for a day when on a cruise and San Juan was just a port of call, instead of the embarkation/debarkation port. Since I wasn't going to be on the island long, I did my first visit here through a tour at the hotel I was staying at. The tour was taken on October 6, 2014. The tour began with the hotel pick up around 8 am. It took about an hour or so to get there from the hotel. Renee was our tour guide, and he did very well explaining things, as well as about the island on the way to the rainforest. Once we got into the rainforest, the first stop was the El Portal Visitor Center. There we had seen a 15 minute show overview of the rainforest. The show was great and is worth listening to, as it gives an overview of what to look out for while experiencing the beauty of this place. This place is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as well as the distinction of being the most studied tropical rainforest in the world. The next stop on the tour was at El Bano Grande, which is a man made dam. When you look at it, it really does look like a giant round bathtub. The source of the water is from the La Mina River. Parts of this are shallow, while the deepest part is about 18 feet deep, and was able to see some fish in there as well. The third stop on the tour was La Coca Falls. Water was coming out at a pretty good clip during my visit. Just standing there, hearing the sounds of the water falling off the face of the cliff was just refreshing. Someone on the same tour with me actually went into the water, which is about 60 degrees, and is actually pretty difficult to get in and out of due to the rocks and moss on them, making for a slippery trek. For those that aren't up for hiking for lots of walking, there is a The final stop on the tour was the Yokahu Observation Tower. There are 98 steps to get to the top of the tower, but it is well worth it. You can get some great panoramic views of the rainforest. I actually stayed up there for quite a while just taking in the breathtaking sites you could see at the top. This is definitely a spot you don't want to miss. It's worth the 98 steps. Overall, this was an excellent tour for it being only half a day. It wasn't overly crowded, likely because it's not the peak season for the island yet. Next time when I come back, if I do a tour, I would do a full day tour instead. There is so much to see and do at this beautiful place. I don't think even a full day would cover everything El Yunque has to offer. If you come and visit PR, this place cannot be missed. read more

Of course we went to the El Yunque Rainforest in Puerto Rico in search of natural wonderment. But what a disappointment. Where's the big rainforest leafy plants? Where's the lush greenery? Where's the serene beauty that will cleanse our souls? Not here, I'm afraid. Granted it wasn't raining, but do the spindly leaves expand threefold when it rains? I think not. This place wasn't THAT bad and it's actually kinda nice. It's just that it was not nearly as good as we were led to believe. Maybe we should have come in the rainy season. At least there were not any crowds. We stopped at La Coca Falls, but some selfish kids jumped the fence and were standing forever right in front of the falls. People stood around smoking cigarettes. We took one picture (with other people in it) and drove on. Would have been nice to take even one picture of a natural landmank without strangers in it. On to the (not very tall) Yokahu observation tower, where we were a little perturbed by the dirty, human handprint grease on the tower battlements above. It looks like the grime has been there for years. Have they ever cleaned the grime, or don't they care? It really wouldn't be that hard to clean this place and make it nicer. BYO hand sanitizer (there is a restroom where you can wash your hands). That was enough for us. We're outta here! If we drove from San Juan for this, instead of ten minutes down the road from the Gran Melia Resort, we would have felt it wasn't worth it. What's up with these people who wrote things like: "It's as good as it gets" and "awesome rainforest". REALLY? Barbara S. on 9-23-12 wrote: "Breathtaking, enchanting, unique, amazing." Oh I get it, they must have gone to the OTHER El Yunque Rainforest! They say this is the only true rainforest in America. What they mean is that its the only rainforest NATIONAL PARK in America. All the true rainforest, in Hawaii, is not national park. It's just there all over on the east side of the islands. in Alaska the rainforest is on the west coast, or the Aleutian Islands. You can stop off for some damn-near inpenetrable rainforest on an island that doesn't even have a name, let alone be classified as a national park. If you want awesome rainforest, go to Queensland, go anywhere windward on any Hawaiian island, go to Yucatan, Mexico and Guatemala, go to Alaska, go to the Amazon in Argentina and Brazil. Then try to convince yourself this place is awesome. Yelper Julie K wrote on 4-30-12: "Don't count on swimming at La Mina, it was kind of a shit show and the pool at the bottom of the falls is only about 5 feet by 5 feet." Now THAT is funny. Nice to see an honest review from someone who wasn't gushing over mediocrity - just as I would expect from a New Yorker. Puerto Rico - Island of Disappointment. read more

To me this was the highlight of my trip to Puerto Rico. I believe this is the only chance you can visit a rain forest while on American Soil. If you have a car, I would suggest just driving yourself into the forest. The stops are pretty easy as this is where all the cars are parked. There are multiple stops along the way. I would suggest hitting up both water falls, one is small and you can park right next to it, while the other is a pretty long hike down, but that one you can swim in. I would also recommend visiting the tower, that gives spectacular views of the actual forest. I would skip the visitor center. The only thing there is a short video giving some history and you get a map. The map is available online. Expect to spend at least a whole day or at least half a day here. The hike down to the big falls is long and tiring. And once you get there you want to spend some time in the water too! Wear comfortable shoes and bring water shoes for the swim part too. read more

Okay, so this was my first solo vacation trip and I was torn about going on the excursions solo versus with a tour group. I said F it I came this far from NYC I might as well complete the activities on my own as well and Thank God I did. I made sure I left early to give myself time to get lost and to get there when it opened to avoid some of the crowds. It really worked out wonderfully because there were very few people when I arrived, I didn't go to the customer center I actually had a map printed from the internet that I brought with me but didn't even use it. My first stop was "La Coca Falls" which was a small waterfall right alongside the road. There were two parking areas for you to get out and take some pics. When I arrived there was only one other car in the parking lot. I took some pics of the gorgeous falls and rocks and of course I couldn't forget my selfies (LOL). I got in the car to the next stop which was "Yocahu tower." When I arrived there were about three other cars in the parking area and no tour buses yet, woo hoo. The tower had just opened and I climbed the tower to some of the most breathtaking views. The stairs were an easy climb and not too steep. I did stop a few times just to catch my breath and take my time. The weather was cloudy and misty but thankfully you could still see everything clear. I took some photos and enjoyed the views. I stayed there for about 10 minutes before heading out to the next stop. Downstairs I saw a bathroom and gift shop but didn't stop in. The next stop was the Big Tree trailhead and La Mina Falls. By this time it had started raining and rained for about 30 to 45 minutes hard!. Thank God I had my cheap poncho that held up very nice and kept most of me dry until I could stop and sit in one of the enclosed stop areas until the rain cleared. I met three other people who were also waiting for the rain to stop. I didn't mind the rain because the weather was still warm and I was surrounded by nothing but natural beauty, I am not going to lie when it first start raining, I said what in the world am I doing out here in this forest by myself and started praying because I was a little scared. LOL Once the rain stopped it was smooth sailing for the rest of the day, nothing but sun. woo hoo. It was a long trail to the Mina falls but I took my time and enjoyed the scenery. I stopped and took pictures and finally made it to the falls. When I reached there were about 6 people already there in the water. I had planned on going in and was prepared with my swimsuit under my dress. However, a sista was scared to climbed down on those rocks when it had just finished pouring, I just enjoyed the view from the top. LOL. Had I been with someone I might've ventured down. I did feel a bit silly when I saw this pregnant lady who looked about 6 or 7 months happily climbing down to enjoy the water from the falls, more power to her. LOL Instead of turning around I kept going and did enjoy a smaller falls and ventured down to put my hands in the water. I really was playing it safe since everything was still very wet. The trails were very easy to walk on and I never felt unsafe while walking. As the time moved I started seeing tour groups on the trail and would have to occasionally move to the side to a let a group walk by. I met this couple from California and we walked back to the parking lot together but unbeknownst to me it was a different parking area from where I parked. A park staff informed me I was a few miles away, OMG. Thankfully the couple offered to drive me back to where I originally parked which was about a 5 minute drive away, whew. When I got back to my car I was exhausted. I checked my map and asked a driver about Mt. Britton tower and El Yunque peak. He told me that I couldn't drive up to those areas because they were doing construction and I would have to hike it. This was the time I regretted not going with a tour guide because I didn't want to walk that far via trails to these destinations so I didn't go. However, I truly enjoyed what I did see and was more proud that I did it by myself. I am pretty sure I missed out some other little things that a tour guide would've explained or showed me but nothing beats saving a few coins and doing & seeing what you want when you want. The most challenging part of this trip to the rain forest was getting in and out. OMG, the roads were very narrow and curvy and I couldn't believe how fast some of those cars were driving. In addition, they were doing a lot of construction so I would turn the corner of a curve and see a big truck on the other side. This city gal from NYC drove like a grandma until I got out that area. LOL Overall, beautiful place not to be missed, period! read more

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As the only rainforest in the US, El Yunque is a must see when coming to Puerto Rico. As everyone else has said, COME EARLY. I didn't take a tour but honestly, you don't need to. Also, a lot of tour buses come at the same time so you're going to have to deal with lots of people and it's hard to get around those on the trail when it's so muddy and slippery! The roads are paved thank goodness, so I don't think hiking boots are necessary. Trails are made more difficult with the humidity and the rain, but definitely don't let that stop you. We did big tree trail, el Mina falls and went up the Yokahu tower. We got there around 8 AM and parking was not a problem!! You can hear wildlife everywhere you go, the falls from half a mile away, and the rustling of trees and leaves as you walk along the path. It's so beautiful, it's incredible to think something like this is available so close off the coast of California. Coco falls is HUGE. As we were leaving, we saw so many people trying to take pictures in front but again, no one is there at 8am! I felt la Mina was smaller in comparison but it spreads out very far (don't know how far coco falls spreads since I didn't hike that trail). For Yokahu tower, even if it's raining, you'll still get a wonderful view. It's so great because you're above the canopies and you get the chance to see the birds you've been hearing your entire hike down below. The view is great and definitely worth stopping by. The hikes are difficult and definitely possible for younger kids, I saw kids around the age of 5 doing the hike and jumping into the falls. Unfortunately, I can see why some would break their legs on the hike because it's rainy thus slippery! Sometimes I got nervous from the rain and walking down a slope so I just kinda booked it down haha. Either way, it's a great place for people of all ages to see! Even driving through the rainforest is wonderful, so it's definitely a must see when coming to Puerto Rico! read more

El Yunque Rainforest - They definitely don't call it a rainforest for nothing!! - Hiking Near Me - Luquillo, Puerto Rico

If you're vacationing in PR you should make this a priority. Like most other reviewers, we rented a vehicle and drove up ourselves. We decided to only see La Coco Falls, then parked near Big Tree Trail & hiked to La Mina Falls. We did this with our two year old toddler and it was so much fun. He loves hiking (splashing in the water) as most of all seeing the waterfalls. We would have loved to do more but our toddler was getting tired (it was past nap time). BTW, we arrived after 10:00am & it was packed with people (but not overwhelming). Our hike down to La Mina was a little more challenging than the walk back (but again we had our two year old with us). For those of you considering taking a stroller, I highly recommend that you don't because the trail is very very narrow. Our toddler was ok walking and had to be carried occasionally for precautionary measures. But we also saw a few other parent that had front or back carriers for their little ones (someone even had their infant....very brave parents). I'm excited to come back to El Yunque for years to come as our child gets older. read more

El Yunque Rainforest - This is the map they give you - Hiking Near Me - Luquillo, Puerto Rico

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Gorgeous rainforest! I think most of the other reviews really covered this place very well so I won't go into a ton of detail. The cost was $4 per person to go to the Visitor Center, not $3 like someone said - prices may have increased. It was only helpful to go there to get the hiking trail maps and descriptions of the trails from the animated guide. We ended up going to the La Coca Falls, the Yokahu observation tower, the Big Tree hiking trail. I would definitely recommend the Big Tree trail. It was a nice hike, and there is a spot to swim in the falls at the end. It was about a 35 minute hike each way. There were definitely some slippery spots so wear appropriate shoes. I saw a couple ladies wearing espadrilles...not sure how they possibly enjoyed a hike in those!! The roads were not nearly as narrow as I was expecting from some of the other reviews. There was definitely enough room to get two cars through them, but some of the drivers don't like to share the road and they drive too fast for the sharp turns. please just drive safely!! There are a bunch of activity places on the way. I would definitely suggest partaking in something during your visit. We chose to go ziplining after our hike - a ton of fun. After that we stopped by Luquillo Beach for another pretty view and to grab a bite to eat. read more

El Yunque Rainforest - Hiking Near Me - Luquillo, Puerto Rico

MUST DO ACTIVITY. If you're ever in Puerto Rico, do this, otherwise, what's the point? Pros: -it's freaking gorgeous. Duh. -no harmful animals in this tropical rainforest. -didn't even see mosquitos. -there are 2 magnificent waterfalls! -the trails are safe enough that even when it rains (which is always does) you feel safe to hike Cons: -it's pricey to go as a group tour but honestly, it was worth it to me because they did all the driving, explaining, and there's always someone to take the photo of you instead of you having to inadequately do a selfie. So, I guess this turned out to be a "Pro" in disguise. read more

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**Check out Paradise Seekers on TripAdvisor. We hiked through the rainforest in a group of 32 people and they were great with accommodating us on the tour.** We went on a 30 minute hike (although it seemed like an HOUR!) through the rainforest and was led to 8 waterfalls. We slid down natural waterfall slides, and even cliff dove! I definitely crossed 3 things off my bucket list within 4 hours of this tour. I wish I was better prepared for the hike because I wore a pair of Vans. (no traction!) There was a lot of rock climbing involved, as well as going up through ropes, branches, and muddy trails! read more

GREAT!! Super fun to drive up and through the rain forest. Its super easy. We arrived from route 3 to 191 and you just proceed straight up to the top. Once in the rain forest there is a visitor center on the right. For a nominal fee, you can enter and get a bunch of information on the rain forest. There is a gift shop and a cafe. Once you pass the visitors center it is a straight shot up (well the road winds, but you just proceed straight up). There are pull offs to hike or check out a waterfall, etc. There is a place where you can stop and eat and purchase souvenirs. There are two pull-off's to get to the main waterfall (where everyone seems to go) you can swim in the pool under the waterfall. Its my understanding that the 2nd one is an easier climb. The climb is a bit slippery. Also, stop at the Yokahu Tower, climb the tower and check out the view. At the top there is a place to park and you can hike to the top. I would recommend checking it out. If you have a car, I wouldn't suggest taking a tour. You can totally navigate it on your own. read more

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Very surprised to be charged $8 pp for admittance, only to learn the spots that didn't require 'reServations' are outside the park entrance. Oh, no, you don't get a map, thats an extra $2.95 in the gift shop. Sad. read more

Super great activity to have planned if you're in Puerto Rico....try to book this excursion through a local tour company, it makes things a lot more convenient. It took about 45 min to get up there from San Juan. El Yunque Rainforest is a truly magical place. The paths are narrow and especially slippery (from the on and off rain and moisture), so be sure to make sure you watch your every step and wear comfortable hiking shoes. I thought the hike wasn't too difficult, although it did start to get steep on the path back up along the Big Tree Trail. The waterfall was pretty amazing as well. The water was really cold, so I couldn't bring myself to get all the way in. Be careful though, the rocks gets really slippery. My bf decided to go underneathe the waterfall...Be careful there took because I saw him take a step forward to get under the water and he dissapeared. From what he told me, there weren't any rocks to step on and it was a straight shot down, pretty scary! Overall, visiting El Yunque Rainforest was such a great experience. It was so peaceful hearing the light rain on all the lush greenery that surrounds you, the chirping from the birds. It's a must visit if you have extra time in Puerto Rico. read more

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Great rainforest. Here are my suggestions if visiting: 1- go to La Mina falls early than later. We went around 3ish and it was packed. It was hard to enjoy it and take pictures when there was a lot of people around. Bring a towel too. The water is really cold! 2- bring snacks and water. We didn't bring any for our hike (rookie mistake) and we were easily dehydrated. 3- visit the welcome center and make sure you understand the map they give you! 4- prepare yourself for a long hike if you decide to go to the peak. I've never hiked a mountain before until this one. It was definitely challenging but so worth it when you get to the top. Wear comfy and supportive sneakers and give yourself time to climb to the top. Make sure you stretch before you go and take breaks along the trail (there are benches along the way) 5- if you're not an avid climber like us prepare to be there all day. It took us 4 hours round trip. read more

El Yunque Rainforest - Chicken in the rainforest?! Who knew?! - Hiking Near Me - Luquillo, Puerto Rico

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For those with only a couple hours to spend: Being the only real rainforest that's part of the US National Park system, we had to come by a take a look during our visit even with just limited time. We went right before going on a BioBay tour in Fajardo. Getting to the visitor center was pretty easy if you follow the signs. There's no exact address but the GPS will take you to the vicinity. They charge $4/person to get into the visitor center, however, unless you need a map, there is not a lot to see there. However, if you don't have a lot of time, there is a short 15 minute circular hike near the center that is good enough to give you a feel of what a rainforest is like. We did not have a lot of time either, so we did the short trail and followed the map to drive to a waterfall and lookout tower just a couple miles up the road. Definitely worth the time if you have it. Keep in mind though, there is just one small road in and out and there can be a pretty good buildup of traffic exiting the forest after 3PM on a weekend or holiday. Give yourself an hour to get back to the main highway. read more

El Yunque Rainforest - From atop the lookout tower - Hiking Near Me - Luquillo, Puerto Rico

El Yunque is absolutely breath taking. We hired a local tour guide to show us the ropes, and he was able to tell us so much about the island's history, flora and fauna. He was fantastic, and he showed us some of the best places to take pictures. Our first stop was a quick trip to the visitor's center. It was nice but our guide was way more knowledgeable and more thorough. Afterward, we went to La Coca Falls, where the adventurous can climb up the rocks at their own risk. Next, we drove up to Yokahu Tower for some of the best views of Puerto Rico. (On clear days, you can see some of the neighboring islands.) Last, we walked down Palo Colorado toward La Mina Falls. Most people enter via Big Tree Trail, but take the second entrance for an easier trail - it's mostly downhill. You'll want to wear good hiking shoes and a light rain jacket - you will not believe how many people were in flip flops and nice dresses. read more

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Plan an entire day here. There's so much to do. We drove all the way up and hiked the Mt.Britton trail. At the top there's a nice little castle with a great view. See my pictures. After the trail we drove down and hiked to the Mina Falls. See my pictures. I have been to El Yunque on almost every trip I have made to PR so that should tell you how much I love it! Tips: Go after the summer rush. September is best. Bring your towels on your hikes. There are tons of spots where you can get in for a splash :) Hours: 9:00am-6:00pm read more

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I'm a tourist and I know it. And a little hike in the Rainforest of Puerto Rico is the opportunity of a lifetime. No way am I missing out on this! We wanted to be like every other tourist in the universe and wander the trail into La Mina Falls. We parked in the lot above it. And the stroll in was actually a lot of fun. Lots to see. And there was the anticipation of "are we there, yet, are we there, yet?" was incredible! Also, I, Julie D. am famous for falling on my face. So, I was sure to wear comfortable no slip footwear, which is a must. Lots of stairs and twists and turns in the trail. And then you are there! And the waterfall is amazing! The hike out was all uphill. And I am here to say that I survived and it was worth the trouble! I did make the bf stop a time or two, I pretended like I wanted to take in the beauty of the forest. We also stopped at the observation tower. And the 96 stairs are nothing. But the views are something else! Be sure to visit. This place is amazing. read more

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We had a nice challenging hike here at El Yunque with beautiful views! We decided to hike the El Yunque trail so we used GPS coordinates to get us to the Palo Colorado Visitor Center. Once you get to the forest there are a few miles of a narrow, winding road as you climb up the mountain. There isn't a lot of parking available but we found some space on the side of the road (as one of the park rangers suggested). I noticed on our way out that some people who did the same had parking tickets - so be careful about where you park. After we parked we had some difficulty finding the trailhead. It seems that the mile markers on the road have been updated, but the park maps still reflect the old markers. Then once we found the trailhead and got started we had to turn around because an early portion of the El Yunque trail was closed for construction. Moral of the story: ask for directions! We could have avoided all this confusion if we'd just asked one of the park rangers in the beginning. They were very helpful and got us back on track right away. So we got started on the Bano de Oro trail which took us to the El Yunque trail. The hike was beautiful and challenging - the two qualities I always look for in a hike. And the views at the peak made it all worth it. We had lunch at the lookout tower alongside other hikers. On the way down we stopped at a rocky overlook that offered more beautiful vistas. Since we had time to kill, we also branched off to check out the Los Picachos and Mt Britton Spur trails. The tower at the top of Mt Britton was actually my favorite. There was a strong wind up there and wonderful views. The hike down was much quicker. We took some time to relax by the river at one of the covered picnic benches. There were a lot of families having picnics and kids swimming in the river. It was a fun atmosphere! read more

This is a definite must see! Driving here by car was real easy. Two tolls about 3$ and an hour ride from San Juan. There are a few places that sell food, drinks and souvenirs along the road up. We stopped at the Visitors Center and paid the 4$ pp entrance fee. Wad it worth it? I'd say yes because it funds the visitor center and park area. We watched a 7 min video about El Yunque and it gave us a bit more perspective on the place. Plus a map and a few details about hiking to the Mina Falls. Next time, we may skip the visitors center but if you have kids, there are so e interactive exhibits that they can see, touch and run around before the walking/hiking, Our highlight was the falls that took a good hike about 25 min uphill and 20 min down. We took the riverside trail. Nicely paved concrete path (more or less). The tower was nice that provided views. Bring a towel to dry off after a dip and the rain does come in quickly. So plan ahead. Enjoy! read more

My group and I went here for part one of our ecosystem guided tour. I hate guided tours and I recommend renting a car and doing it yourself. The paths were surprisingly really developed and just about everywhere there were decent bathrooms. I had expected no trace of civilization. The hike, actually more like a stroll, was not strenuous. If I were not being guided, I could have run down to the waterfall in about 15 minutes and hike up in another 15 minutes. It was barely a hike. Walking along the creek is very pleasant and at the same time amazing to see the power of mother nature. After a short stroll, we had arrived to the main event, the waterfall. The waterfall is beautiful and powerful especially after a storm. It is a worthy hike for the 'Kodak' moments. Image of waterfall. http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/kG6U7qMlxK5JQ1V-CRWpbQ?select=1EEO3bbkMPrPI8AQOnQsww On the way out, you should stop by the tower. You will get very scenic views from the top of it. Take a look. http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/kG6U7qMlxK5JQ1V-CRWpbQ?select=a1JVxwFA3ExuYStiJrF4Ow It is a nice day excursion to get away from the hustle and bustle of San Juan. read more

El Yunque Rainforest - La Mina Trail Waterfall - Hiking Near Me - Luquillo, Puerto Rico

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The rainforest will allow you to be with nature at its' best! Skip the visitor's center to the right, and keep driving straight up. You'll pass a smaller waterfall - good photo op - as well as a small tower. Then, alas you have made it! The trail to La Mina is VERY VERY VERY slippery. Wear sneakers or shoes with traction. I did see one lady hiking it with her sandals on - like a boss. There are a good amount of steps and sometimes there is railing, but sometimes not, so just be careful. The view along the hike is amazing, with lots of interesting plants and flowers everywhere. The waterfall itself is one of a kind. Don't worry about how cold it is - take a dip! You deserve it ;) One of the best and FREE attractions Puerto Rico has to offer! read more

El Yunque Rainforest - La Mina Falls - Hiking Near Me - Luquillo, Puerto Rico

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The only rainforest in the U.S. Forest System is a must-see if you are in Puerto Rico. Plan to take a day and wander around and enjoy nature. Sneakers and a bathing suit are musts to truly enjoy what El Yunque has to offer. When we arrived, we started at the El Portal Visitor's Center. Here you can get a map, use the restrooms, watch a video narrated by Benicio Del Toro, grab some food and souvenirs, and plan out your adventure. We didn't get food here, because we were excited for the street vendors that friends were telling us about. But we enjoyed the short video and the facilities. There are many different kinds of trees, and I noticed with each climb up the forest, the tree types changed. I was surprised to find Bamboo in the lower areas! There are a few trailheads, so my suggestion is to make the drive up to the end of the park, then come back down so you can decide where to go and use your time more efficiently than we did. We hiked the Big Tree Trailhead to La Mina Falls. It's a moderate trail, paved the entire way. It had it's steep moments, but overall was really enjoyable. Hiking to the sounds of the coqui frogs and birds made for an extra special trip. Be warned- the falls are COLD! But the hike back will warm you up. The signage is pretty good throughout the park, giving information on how long it takes to travel each trailhead, and which areas have restrooms and picnic tables. So pack a lunch, throw some towels in the car, and put your sneakers on and enjoy the beautiful outdoors! read more

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Simple rain forest. Drive up with the windows down to hear the awesome tropical sounds. There is a visitors center, but it costs money. We opted not to go since it was more kid friendly and we saw everything we needed to on our drive up. Drive past the waterfall and at minimum, hike up the short tower to get amazing views. This is the duplicate version of the tower that is up higher, for tourist purposes. read more

El Yunque Rainforest - The first man made feature, duplicate of the actual one higher up. - Hiking Near Me - Luquillo, Puerto Rico

Amazing view! I'm from the states and have only imagined seeing something like this in person! The plant life, the mountains, the wildlife...it was breathtaking. Only 2 things that you should watch out for is... 1) the food: on the trail was very good! But out of all 3 of us I was the only one to get sick. Ugh! 2) the driving trail: is about a lane-and-a-half wide but is made for two cars going opposite ways and trucks, cars, buses, etc come down fast!!! On our way down the trail (15 minutes of swerving right and left) we all became car sick. These things are not minus but more or less things to remember :) because car sickness and greasy food don't blend well. LMAO! read more

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Looking for the ideal hiking spot in puerto rico? This is one of the most well known spots, and I would say its a must. And might I add, it's the only true rainforest in America. Easy hike if it's not pouring. please wear the appropriate shoes for this hike. it can get slippery. Hard to locate a parking spot. Spots are limited and you better mark your territory because people will try to steal your spot. When I went it was sprinkling but then it started to pour. You'll be surprise at how wet you can get in the rain. Even though its raining the typical tempature is not cold. Level of difficulty is Average. There's an area where everyone jumps into for a quick dip. So make sure you bring your swimming outfits and clothes to change afterwards. There's no true spot where you can change since you're smack in the middle of a rainforest. So people wears it under their hiking clothes. The view was really awesome because you get to see what you learned in elementary school which is all about rainforest. Lots of trees and if you look close enough you'll see spiderwebs, snails, and lizards. read more

I made the drive all the way out here to make the most of my car rental everyday. It was worth it! We got there pretty late, at roughly 3:20 PM and the park closed at 6:00 PM. We were afraid we wouldn't make it because they stressed that once it gets dark it will be really bad. But guess what we did, we visited the tower and hiked to la mina falls and made it down by 5:00 PM. We stopped at the visitor center to grab a map, and you pretty much drive up the mountain and stop at each attraction. La Coca falls is literally like a natural fountain on the side of the road. Next was the tower, we parked sprinted up, took photos and made it down. Continued to La Mina Falls, where it was a very easy hike to this gorgeous waterfall that you can swim in. You can go further and do the longer hike to El Yunque peak. But of course we didn't have time for that. Quick tips: - Bring your bathing suit to swim in the refreshing waterfall - Visit the Visitor Center for the map - Do NOT put "El Yunque rainforest" in your google map, make sure you're going to the area where you can park. I would suggest typing in La Mina Falls, there's only one trail there and you pass the visitor center on the way up. read more

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BREATHTAKING!!! I could spend days in this place. We paid the $4 for the map and explanation of the park, well worth it. the drive around can be a bit sketchy as the roads are narrow! Rent a Small car for this. We walked to the waterfall and back which was about 2mi roundtrip, worth every drop of sweat! Awesome views of the mountains and water in the background. read more

El Yunque Rainforest - Hiking Near Me - Luquillo, Puerto Rico

I understand that the tour is ALL DAY. I rented a car so I could check out Luquillo beach afterwards. Too far for a cab from old san juan Beautiful spot. Nice long walk to the waterfall. Don't let anyone fool you. Its exactly .8 miles one way. I tracked it on my mapmyrun gps on my phone. The good thing is it is a good mixture of uphill and downhill. So the walk doesn't get harder coming back. Its pretty much the same. Narrow unpaved path. 2 seated areas to sit down and rest if tired. No restrooms close by. Bring bathing suit. And comfortable walking shoes. read more

This is a MUST DO if you visit Puerto Rico! Get a workout and hike up the rainforest levels. The rainforest, tower and waterfall are all beautiful. I was impressed with how well organized the trails were. Each level has a sign and a small parking area. Every time you see a sign for an area, you know to park the car near it or along the street near it. Tips: - Wear sneakers. Duh. Don't slip. - Bring water! As you hike up, higher and higher on a sunny day, you'll need it! - Parking near the La Mina Falls is competitive and tight! - The 15 or 20 minutes hike up to the grand La Mina Falls (Waterfalls) is a BEAST! A GREAT workout! I had been active and it was still work out for me. There are steep steps that you will have to push your way up. Please have water and an energy snack bark or something. I had nothing :( God was with me on that hot day. We were told there are only 2 ways up to the La Mina Falls: 1. Either through the food sign entrance trail or up the mountain on the road in pure heat. We chose the first option through the ground entrance that has food signs. - The water at the La Mina Falls is FREEZING Cold I was told. There was a couple that got out of the water as soon as they got in. Then there were others who were shaking and dived in it for awhile to get their body temperatures to adjust. Bring a swimsuit just in case because after doing the hardcore hike up to the La Mina Falls to have the option to dip in cold water. - You have the option to continue going up over the bridge near the La Mina Falls, but we chose to go back the way we came to the car. There is Zip line, Horseback riding and Go Karting available near the Rainforest. Unfortunately we didn't get to do either but overall hike experience was still a wonderful experience: http://yzapr.com/index.html read more

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My visit to El Yunque was perhaps the greatest experience I've ever had in my life. I've always wanted to visit the rainforest, and during my trip to Puerto Rico I was able to. There are a ton of trails to choose from that range from easy to expert. There is definitely enough hiking here to spend an entire day. You won't see any monkeys or big cats in this rainforest, but there are 100s of species of plants, a ton of different bird species, and some awesome fish if you get close to the rivers. The sights here are absolutely beautiful, and it's well worth planning a day around. read more

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A LOST WORLD Only an hour from the quaint cobblestone streets of Old San Juan lies another world filled with towering trees, soaring bamboo, leafy ferns, and crashing waterfalls. Quick tips: -It's best to rent a car so you can go at your own pace. I had a KIA POS and did just fine so there's no need to spend extra for a Jeep or SUV. -Skip the visitor's center; not worth the money and not that interesting -La Mina falls is the highlight; bring your swimsuit and good sandals to navigate the slippery rocks -Buy lots of water before you get to the park; there aren't many places to buy provisions and you will get dehydrated quickly in the tropical heat. -Go early and spend the afternoon exploring the beaches and food kiosks at Luquillo read more

El Yunque Rainforest - La Mina Falls - Hiking Near Me - Luquillo, Puerto Rico

GORGEOUS PLACE. The only problems are the trails are very small and slippery and if you fall you're basically dead lol, so if you're elderly or in a wheel chair you cant go on the beautiful trails. Amazing scenery. I recommend NOT taking the tours which most clueless tourists do and overpay like 300!!! My family and i rented a jeep and we drove up there and it was easier, cheaper, and we didn't have to stay with a big group. I highly recommend renting a car and not wasting all the money for tours. I saw the tours myself and it was the same spots we went except the tour guides would talk about the plants which if you ask me isn't worth 300 for 3 people... If you go with a tour you will have to walk on a small trail with like 10 people and it's not worth it. We got to skip ahead of these people because we came by ourselves :).... Moreover, be sure to bring an umbrella if you come here because it was pouring when we went. The weather there is unpredictable sometimes it was raining and then ten minutes later it was sunny and then rainy again.. Also there are stray cats and dogs near the shops that you pass going up the roads. I expected a lot of mosquitos, so I brought bug spray with me, but there were no flying bugs, so that was nice. read more

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One of my favorite memories from my whole trip... this place was extremely hard to find for me! Just stay on the 3 and turn right when it says Portal El Yunque... then go up the mountain in a very curvy road, combine that with crazy Puerto Rican drivers, and you better pray for your life. I don't know how we landed at La Mina Trail, which was the one we wanted to go on, since there were no signs on the road. We went a looong way to get there, and magically stopped at the right trail.. This trail is the most popular because it's an easy trail, and there's an awesome waterfall at the end. Wear your swimsuit if you want to go in the waterfall because there are no bathrooms in rainforests! And I got bitten by mosquitoes a bunch of times here! The trail is very easy, and it's a paved, concrete path that they made. It's less than 2 miles back and forth, and the waterfall is beautiful! Well worth it. read more

A MUST SEE if you're visiting Puerto Rico, baby! Great for all nature lovers. Be sure to dress casual & wear comfy sneakers while hiking. The higher you get, the more rain you may feel so be prepared! read more

El Yunque Rainforest - Hiking Near Me - Luquillo, Puerto Rico

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El Yunque Rain Forest La Mina Falls, I was disappointed with this forest because people said there was so much to do here, but this is the main waterfall & it's only 25-30 ft I expected to see huge waterfalls! There were only a few trails to do too, they limit the access to people so the forest stays nice. Overall, the forest was beautiful, but very limited! We wanted to camp too, usually they have designated areas for camping-- they do but only for people who have reservations that were made months prior plus permits. It is very difficult to camp here! read more

El Yunque Rainforest - La Mina Falls - Hiking Near Me - Luquillo, Puerto Rico

We had an amazing vacation and our visit to El Yunque was a must! We had the full on experience of the rainforest when it began raining while we were on the trail to the waterfalls. The beauty of nature was an amazing experience and a must visit while in PR. I advise all visitors to visit the Visitors Center prior to climbing up the rainforest. The Visitors Center guides will give you step by step how to navigate the forest and what areas are must stops! read more

El Yunque Rainforest - Hiking Near Me - Luquillo, Puerto Rico

Agree with other posters that El Yunque is a definite must see. Aside from great exercise, there are some great views at the top should the weather/clouds cooperate with you. Simply having a rain forest at your fingertips without flying to another part of the world reason enough to go. Enjoy the trails, views, and local experience by heading here. read more

Beautiful rainforest with tons of different plants! Unfortunately there are barely any creatures. I saw some small lizards, snails and birds. Do not stop at the visitor center at the bottom. It's 4 per person but you don't need to go through there. Just drive up for free! Be careful because the road is a two way and there are tight corners where you won't see incoming cars. The tower is a really cool place to check out for photos of the top of Yunque. The big tree trail is all grated so it's very easy to walk on even during the rain. We walked to the waterfall and then continued about 20 minutes up to see more of the waterfall. Everyone hangs out by the main waterfall so it was nice to get away! Since it's a rainforest it probably will rain during your visit. We got drenched. Bright side- the rain doesn't last too long. On the drive back to San Juan there is a long strip of small stores and restaurants. Stop here! The food is amazing! read more