El Yunque on our own

[tinkerbell06]

What are the best things to see and do at El Yunque on our own? Has anyone done this? We wouldn't mind seeing some waterfalls and swimming.

 

Thanks,

Heather

[RayInPR]

You can definitely see the rain forest on your own.

 

You can view La Coca Falls easily since it's right along road 191.

 

If you want to swim in a waterfall, take either La Mina or Big Tree trails to La Mina Falls. The water there can best be described as "refreshing" (that's island-speak for cold!).

 

If you're more adventurous, you can hike to the Mount Britton tower, or even the top El Yunque.

 

A favorite thing to do of ours is the pack a picnic lunch and enjoy it in one of the picnic pavilions along the La Mina river (accessed by parking at the Palo Colorado visitor center / ranger station).

 

We suggest getting to the rain forest in the morning, and then heading over to Luquillo beach in the afternoon. That way, you get to see 2 spectacular places in one day!

 

You can find info on all of these trails, as well as a trail map, on our travel blog at http://www.puertoricodaytrips.com/category/rainforest/

 

Enjoy your visit to our island!

[MICHSUNLOVER]

You can definitely see the rain forest on your own.

 

You can view La Coca Falls easily since it's right along road 191.

 

If you want to swim in a waterfall, take either La Mina or Big Tree trails to La Mina Falls. The water there can best be described as "refreshing" (that's island-speak for cold!).

 

If you're more adventurous, you can hike to the Mount Britton tower, or even the top El Yunque.

 

A favorite thing to do of ours is the pack a picnic lunch and enjoy it in one of the picnic pavilions along the La Mina river (accessed by parking at the Palo Colorado visitor center / ranger station).

 

We suggest getting to the rain forest in the morning, and then heading over to Luquillo beach in the afternoon. That way, you get to see 2 spectacular places in one day!

 

You can find info on all of these trails, as well as a trail map, on our travel blog at http://www.puertoricodaytrips.com/category/rainforest/

 

Enjoy your visit to our island!

Hi Ray.....we are going to rent cars and drive to the rainforest when we are there. I love your suggestion of a picnic lunch.....any suggestions of a good place to pick up that picnic lunch to take along with us as we drive from San Juan to the Rain Forest?

Thanks for any ideas you can give me.

[Coqui2007]

you could pick something up at one of the local Panaderia's. These are local bakeries / cafe and you will be able to pick up local sandwiches and pastries :)

 

there are also supermrakets: grande, pueblo

 

enjoy your trip ro the rainforest and don't forget to check out the food kiosks near Luquillo beach

 

coqui @ http://www.visit-the-coqui.com

[RayInPR]

Hi Ray.....we are going to rent cars and drive to the rainforest when we are there. I love your suggestion of a picnic lunch.....any suggestions of a good place to pick up that picnic lunch to take along with us as we drive from San Juan to the Rain Forest?

 

In addition to the aforementioned panadarias, you could get a not-so-local sandwich at Subway (there's one located in the Rio Grande Plaza on the westbound side of Route 3 just west of the turn-off for El Yunque -- see map at http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=116969536791656461166.00000111c2647d9ad5cbd&ll=18.408283,-65.774117&spn=0.165158,0.282898&z=12&iwloc=00000111c318400cc560c ).

 

Also, once you get to the rainforest, you could get food to-go at a number of different places ...

 

* there's a small cafe inside El Portal Visitor Center

 

* there are a couple local places on Road 191 within the National Forest as you drive up the road

 

* there's another small cafe on Road 191 at the Palma de Sierra parking area (between the Big Tree parking area and the Palo Colorado ranger station -- see El Yunque trail map at http://www.puertoricodaytrips.com/2007/07/08/el-yunque-trial-map/ )

 

Hope that helps!

Enjoy your visit to El Yunque!

[MICHSUNLOVER]

Thanks for the responses :p

That gives us something to work on.....looking forward to our stop there