A Long Weekend in Puerto Rico

Quick Tips:

Best Way To Get Around:

It's best to start out early in the morning to get a full day in the forest and to avoid the tour bus crowds. On your drive up the mountain on PR 191 stop close to the entrance at the El Portal Tropical Forest Center to pick up a trail map to help plan out your day and to learn about this unique tropical habitat from the provided resources at the center.

My primary interest and goal was to make it to the El Yunque Peak, the highest point of the forest at 3,500 feet. The hike through the cool, damp, palm forest was incredible. You actually pass through three different types of vegetation on this hike. It changes from the big trees and tall canopy of the Palo Colorado Forest to the Palm Forest and then to the stunted, moss-covered Cloud Forest. You pass the Mt. Britton Lookout Tower which has a great view. Listen for the chanting of the Coqui, the local frog. The hike takes about two hours one way. Be sure to wear hiking boots or sneakers and to bring a raincoat! The trail can get a little bit slippery. Also, don't forget plenty of water and your camera. The views are gorgeous along the way and incredibly rewarding at the El Yunque peak with a 360 panoramic view of the island. Be sure not to miss the peak...I found that the end of the trail was not well marked and somewhat hidden by overgrown vegetation behind the radio towers.

Another easier and shorter hike (30 minutes one-way) is to the La Mina Falls, which also ends in another incredible view. The falls are gorgeous and make excellent photos. The La Mina trail leads you along the stream that supplies the falls. You will hear the crashing water as you hike closer and closer down the trail toward the falls. Bring a bathing suit if you wish because you can swim in the pool at the bottom of the freezing cold falls!

Happy Hiking!!! If you need further information you can call the Caribbean National Forest at (787) 888-1880 or write them at P.O. Box 490, Palmer, PR 00721. You can arrange to get a camping permit for the weekends.

The beach is pretty much deserted during the week and quite relaxing if you prefer to be by yourself; perhaps reading, sleeping or just enjoying the sun. But on weekends it seems to usually get quite crowded with families and groups of people barbequeing and just having fun. If you prefer to enjoy a beach in solitude avoid the weekends and visit Luquillo Beach during the week. El Yunque is very close by so you could possibly stop by the beach for a swim after visiting the park, although I recommend dedicating a day to each activitiy.

The main road, Route 3, that is south of the beach is lined with tons of numbered food kiosks that serve pretty good fried foods called frituras. Try the cod frittes that are know as bacalaitos.

There are also many great shops, museums and delicious restaurants. If you are hungry try Café Berlin at 407 San Francisco Street for gourmet omelets, light international cuisine or deli-style sandwiches. A unique shop worth mentioning called Fluttery By, specializes in artwork of beautifully mounted colorful butterflies (yes, real butterflies). It sounds a bit strange, but browsing in the shop is free and the manner the butterfly art is displayed gives it the atmosphere of a small museum. It’s located at 152 Fortaleza Street and there is a small café called the Butterfly People that serves lunch and drinks in a garden setting.

For accommodations try The Gallery Inn. I didn't stay here, but have heard excellent reviews of this eclectic inn. The owners are artists and it is filled with unique art and sculptures in a garden-like setting. I stayed at the El Consaldo in the major tourist area of Puerto Rico called Condado. It claims to be a country inn with very small, but sufficient rooms running from $85-95 a night. Condado is just outside of Old San Juan to the east and a quick taxi ride or drive to the old city.