Impressions of El Yunque Rainforest?

[duncanmaria]

Our family of four will be sailing on the Mariner on 1/20/08 and are pretty excited about the possibility of visiting El Yunque. It's not everyday one gets to experience a rainforest! We would book the excursion through the cruiseline as prices are very reasonable.

 

The excursion is 4 1/2 hours long with a 90-minute bus ride in eiither direction. That leaves 90 minutes to see El Yunque, which doesn't seem like much time.

 

Has anybody taken this excursion? How was the bus ride? How much of El Yunque do you get to see in the allotted time? Any impressions would be greatly appreciated.

[KelliKevin]

We did take a trip to the rainforest but we did it with Victor at Countryside....It was awesome!!! He picked us up at the ship in a very nice van....stayed with the van and our belongings as we trekked the rainforest. The nature and trees were beautiful. We climbed out into the stream/on rocks etc. at many place down the path. Got some great pictures. If you want, email me and I can send you some.

[KelliKevin]

we had a great time

here is shot of my brother and me!

[TropicalSnowflake]

Since El Yunque is in the US Forest system, you can check it out online before you go.

http://www.fs.fed.us/r8/caribbean/

Be sure to click on map to see the different thing you can do.

 

We did a private tour and were driven up to La Mina falls hike by our tour guide. Bring your swimsuit and a towel! It's very refreshing. When we went, there was a class of PR school children just leaving. It probably would have been a differet experience if we arrived at the same time they did.

 

Then he drove us down to Yokahu Tower. Very nice vista, you can see the top of El Yunque peak (if it's not raining) and down to the ocean.

 

Also, it is a RAIN FOREST. You will probably expereince RAIN, even if there is not a cloud in the sky at sea level. Be prepared, at least with a sense of adventure, if you get caught in a raincloud. Don't worry, you will dry before you get back to the ship.

 

These two pictures are from the top of the tower: one looking up to the peak, one looking down to the beaches.